The Char Broil Classic 4 Burner Grill can handle everything from the weekday family dinner to the neighborhood cookout. Char Broil has been innovating outdoor cooking for over 65 years and is America’s top-selling gas grill brand. Along the way, they have learned a lot about the features you need to start grilling with confidence.
Many of these features are included on the Char Broil Classic 4 burner grill, producing even heat across all four burners. Using easy-to-clean porcelain cast iron cooking grates. An electronic ignition for fast and reliable startups. A handy lid-mounted temperature gauge to let you know what is going on under the hood. A warming rack, for when you need additional space or for keeping your food warm. And a piece of mind with a 5-year burner warranty, just to name a few.
They’ve also added some handy features around the cooktop. A side burner and large side shelves with hooks to hang grilling accessories for added convenience. There is a metal front panel to hide the propane tank and two wheels to make moving the grill easier to do.
All of this combines to make the Char-Broil Classic 4 Burner Grill a powerful, affordable barbecue cooking system with many features that make it a good choice for your patio or backyard. It produces plenty of heat from its four 10,000 BTU stainless steel tubular burners and offers plenty of cooking space. This allows for catering to both small and larger parties.
This Char Broil Classic 40000 BTU 4 Burner Gas Grill with a side burner is another budget-friendly LP gas grill that made my list of the best low-cost propane gas grills.
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The Char Broil Classic 4 Burner Grill Overview
As an innovator in the arena of gas grills, Char Broil is one of the leaders in offering low to mid-range prices, clever outdoor cooking designs, and top-notch customer service. Being one of the largest BBQ suppliers in the world, Char Broil is considered a low-cost alternative to high-end brands such as Weber.
The Char Broil Classic 4 burner propane gas grill offers 480 square inches of primary cooking space and 180 square inches of secondary space on a swing-away warming rack. It features four stainless steel tubular burners that produce 40,000 total BTUs of heating power. These powerful burners heat up quickly so there is little downtime. The cooking grates are made from cast iron and along with the steel warming rack are coated with a porcelain enamel finish. Cast iron is ideal for retaining heat while the enamel surface is ideal for transferring the heat directly to the food for searing and locking in natural juices.
There is also a 10,000-BTU lidded side burner that is ideal for warming sauces or cooking side dishes. A push-button electric (AA) battery starter offers a reliable spark with every push. There are large wheels for better mobility and a built-in lid-mounted temperature gauge.
Regardless of the price range, you fall under, the internal temperature gauge thermometers built into the hoods are mostly low quality and inaccurate. They are routinely off by as much as 50°F. That is why I always recommend a good digital meat thermometer that includes a probe that can be placed on the cooking surface for accurate temperature readings.
Other features include two large, painted metal side shelves that offer plenty of workspace. A stainless steel lid, handle, fascia, and control panel help in adding some style to the grill.
Char Broil Classic 4 Burner Features & Highlights
- Four 12,000 BTU stainless steel tubular burners
- 480 square inches of primary cooking area for a total of 660 square inches of grilling space
- 48,000 BTU maximum output from the main burners
- 10,000 BTU side burner under a flush-mounted cover
- Porcelain-coated cast iron cooking grates
- Constructed 430 stainless steel, powder-coated steel, and cast aluminum parts
- Push button electric (AA battery) ignition
Digging Deeper Into the Char Broil Classic 4 Burner Grill
One of the most popular entry-level propane gas grills on the market today is the Char Broil Classic 4-Burner Grill. Just looking at the specs sheet, this Char Broil 4 Burner Grill looks like a good buy. The heat output produced is good if not great for a grill of this size. The shiny stainless steel/chrome finished lid gives it the appearance of being durable. Right away, it looks like a very handsome grill. If you were to design a grill in this price range, it very well may have many similar specifications that this Char-Broil does.
However, the truth is, in many tests, this grill produced uneven cooking results when it comes to heat distribution. Like most gas grills in the low-cost entry-level price range, this LP gas grill is more show than quality.
Low-grade stainless steel doesn’t do well in outside conditions and many of the components on this grill fall into this category. The 10,000 BTU side burner is on the weaker side and may give you problems on a windy day.
There is a reason entry-level grills like this are considered “disposable” grills. They are not built for the long haul. You can certainly squeeze a few more years out of this grill with attention to maintenance and a little TLC. Keeping it clean and properly covered always go a long way in prolonging the life of any grill.
Char Broil Classic 4 Burner Grill Owner Feedback
With that being said, the Char Broil Classic 4 Burner Grill has received many positive comments and feedback from its owners at Amazon.com. It has close to 1,500 reviews on Amazon alone and is currently rated 4.4 out of 5 stars. In all fairness, its owners have also voiced some negative reviews.
One of the most common complaints about this gas grill is on its uneven heat distribution. According to some owners, the temperature in the front is lower than the temperature in the back. This means being prepared to monitor and rotate your meat when needed.
After two years of use, I have also seen complaints about internal components like the grease pan and heat shield rusting. The grease pan is small and fills up quickly requiring it to be emptied more often.
According to a lot of feedback from people who have used this grill for several years, assembly was simple right out of the package, and the grill lights easily and heats up quickly. The design is sturdy and it is a good-looking addition to any backyard.
Quick Tips for the Char Broil Classic 4 Burner Grill
- Purchase and use a cover to prolong the life of this grill.
- Empty the grease pan often to avoid messy overflow or a grease fire.
- Line the bottom of the grill with tinfoil for better heat retention/deflection and to make grease cleanup easier.
Final Thoughts on Our Char Broil Classic 4 Burner Grill Review
Almost 85% of its owners gave this grill a 4 or 5-star rating. That is saying something. Can that many owners be wrong? If you are comparing this grill to an $800 top-brand option then you will be sorely disappointed. But compared to a no-name brand you can find in front of most hardware stores today, this grill will exceed expectations.
Finding an inexpensive grill that cooks well and lasts for a few seasons is difficult. It is important to remember this when looking at grills in this low-cost price range. If you are in the market for something that will last you for a decade or so, then this grill is probably not the right one for you though.
Overall, I recommend this grill as a good choice for the price but do not expect the same quality that you would get from a grill in a higher price range. This grill serves as a solid choice for consumers and has the ratings to back it up.
In my opinion, this product is above average for a gas grill in this price range. Overall, a good combination of value, features, and size.
Next Steps
As always, if you or someone you know is in the market for a new LP gas grill or you find this information useful, please consider sharing it with your grilling friends or on social media!
If you would like to leave a comment or have a review of your own to share on the Char Broil Classic 4 Burner Grill, please do so below. We always welcome your input.
Cheers,
Pat G.
*This rating is based on comparable gas grills in the low-cost, entry-level price range. This rating is not meant to be compared to mid-range or higher gas grills.
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A backyard warrior, certified carnivore, lover of good whiskey, self-proclaimed grill master and I’m Living The Grilling Life!
I have a passion for cooking with live fire and smoke, no matter the weather. I’m a real person just like you, who loves outdoor cooking and BBQ. Food, fun, and time spent with family and friends are what it’s all about! It is my mission to take my passion and knowledge for outdoor cooking and all things BBQ and share this expertise in techniques and grilling equipment with you. In other words, Living The Grilling Life!