Char-Broil Performance Gas Grill
Last updated: September 11, 2023
The side burner on the Char-Broil Performance Gas Grill gives you extra cooking space, in addition to the 500 square inches you get on the grill's surface. You'll also find the rust-resistant cast-iron grates provide impressive durability. This grill uses the Surefire Electronic Ignition System for reliable one-touch starts every time.
We looked at the top Gas Grills and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Gas Grill you should buy.
Product Details
Key Takeaway: In addition to the 500 square inches of grilling space, the side burner on this grill heats up enough to grill foods.
In our analysis of 113 expert reviews, the Char-Broil Performance Gas Grill
placed 16th when we looked at the top 21 products in the category. For the full ranking,
see below.
From The Manufacturer
The Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 500 is a 3-burner gas grill featuring Char-Broil’s TRU-Infrared cooking system. The TRU-Infrared technology provides better performance with greater temperature range and control. Features a 500-square inch cooking surface, one 10,000 BTU side burner, a fixed stainless steel side shelf, and a cabinet with stainless steel doors which hide the propane tank and allow for additional storage. Sits on four casters for increased mobility- two of which lock- to keep the grill in place while in use. Measures 56.7-inches wide x 45.5-inches high x 23.4-inches deep.
Julie ChernoffCulinary ExpertJulie Chernoff is a long-time member of Les Dames d’Escoffier (past president of the Chicago Chapter, and current co-chair of the LDEI Legacy Awards Committee), the Association of Food Journalists (AFJ) and the International Association of Culinary Professionals.
Chernoff is the dining editor of Better, a lifestyle website and print magazine. Her journalism started in the test kitchens of Weight Watchers Magazine. She holds a BA in English from Yale University and is a graduate of the California Culinary Academy. She has spent the last few decades styling, photographing, teaching, developing recipes, editing, thinking and writing about food.
Expert Reviews
What reviewers liked
500 sq. in. of grill space and a warming rack with swing-away capability when not in use. Users love the even cooking of the infrared heat.
The three burners have top ports, making them easily adjustable and capable of producing temperatures that range from low to very high.
The infrared cooking system comes out as the best pro we could find. No flair ups in combination with heating up fast gave many great cooking experiences. About 60% would recommend this grill to a friend. That is a big pro in my opinion.
One improvement on this model is that the 10,000 BTU side burner has been upgraded to 13,000 BTU. Unlike the first model, which is strictly propane operated, this grill is compatible with a natural gas conversion kit.
Convenient side burner for cooking vegetables and other side-dishes
The grill also has the Surefire Electronic Ignition system for quick and reliable startups each and every time. You can use 500 square inches of primary cooking space to feed your family and friends. And the 10,000 BTU side burner is perfect for creating your sauces and soups while things are cooking on the barbie.
You can start cooking on this grill with a push on the Surefire Electronic ignition button. It ensures a quick and reliable start-up by syncing all burners.
We had a great time cooking with this unit and had no complaints in our food tests. It’s a discreet, functional, effective grill that doesn’t get in the way of your cooking and allows you to concentrate on your food rather than the grill itself.
Very Good temperature range from low to high setting
Great price for the design and the huge space for storage or cooking
What reviewers didn't like
Some owners say the construction doesn't have the same durable feel as older models, especially the sheet metal of the cabinet panels.
There were many comments about rust after a short period of time. This might have to do with maintenance, but it still was mentioned a few times. Sometimes we found out in our research that the grill came slightly damaged. This is not good, but can not always be blamed on the manufacturer.
This grill is only slightly smaller in terms of grilling surface area than the first option, with 420 square inches of space rather than the original 450.
Some parts are only covered with a year warranty
No conversion to natural gas
The grill feels a bit cheap, but that’s to be expected at this price point.
Difficult to reassemble and to clean it up
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