Let's Talk BBQ
Outdoor Cooking Equipment => Charbroil Infrared & SRG style Cookers => Grills & Smokers => Infrared Grills => Topic started by: okie52 on May 11, 2015, 09:23:42 AM
-
I just wanted to get some input on the 4 and 5 burner infra red grill by char broil.
I know lowes offers the 4 burner but not the 5 burner.
Many seem pleased with the no flare grates but feel that cleaning the grates is an additional hassle.
I had a char broil commercial 4 burner that I bought in 2008 that worked well but the grates rusted out so I replaced them with grill grates....which worked well for 2 years and then warped. I also had a flare up problem with the grill grates.
I'm hoping to buy either the 4 burner or 5 burner infra red model in the next month so any feedback you can give me would be appreciated.
-
I have the Red from Home Depot. It has the trough emitters with cast iron grids. It is several years old now.
There is a large through and a small one. This allows you to save gas or sear on one with lower temps on the other.
I use it almost every day.
I like it (a lot) with reservations.
So Ill do the pros and cons. Its only that the maintenance is high That I have an issue with.
Cons 1st
1. The trough has to be replaced once a year. ( Its a fact and you might as well prepare for it). They end up being about $70.
2. The burners will need to be replaced about every other year. Even though the book says they are warrantied I have NEVER been able to get them warrantied. They are $13 each for my grill.
3. The high medium low stickers will come off shortly after you get it unless CB has figured out how to fix this. You only really need them the first day anyway.
Pros
1. No flare ups !
2. Gets good gas mileage.
3. Good grates
4. The cast iron pan attachment for the small side is great. ( This is sold as an accessory)
5. Sears well if you turn all burners to high for a few minutes first.
I don't know much about the one from Lowe's. Several others on here have them... I think they are less overall maintenance.
My next grill will be a REC-TEC...
-
I've had the 4 burner Tru-infrared for almost 6 years. I haven't had to replace the burners, but the emitters and grates I have replaced once a couple of years ago.
This is a versatile grill - hot and fast, or low and slow. Add chips to get some smoke flavor. Add a waterpan to maintain moisture, etc.
Stainless steel exterior is pretty easy to clean and polish.
-
I have the Red from Home Depot. It has the trough emitters with cast iron grids. It is several years old now.
There is a large through and a small one. This allows you to save gas or sear on one with lower temps on the other.
I use it almost every day.
I like it (a lot) with reservations.
So Ill do the pros and cons. Its only that the maintenance is high That I have an issue with.
Cons 1st
1. The trough has to be replaced once a year. ( Its a fact and you might as well prepare for it). They end up being about $70.
2. The burners will need to be replaced about every other year. Even though the book says they are warrantied I have NEVER been able to get them warrantied. They are $13 each for my grill.
3. The high medium low stickers will come off shortly after you get it unless CB has figured out how to fix this. You only really need them the first day anyway.
Pros
1. No flare ups !
2. Gets good gas mileage.
3. Good grates
4. The cast iron pan attachment for the small side is great. ( This is sold as an accessory)
5. Sears well if you turn all burners to high for a few minutes first.
I don't know much about the one from Lowe's. Several others on here have them... I think they are less overall maintenance.
My next grill will be a REC-TEC...
Thanks for the input. I was happy with my old char broil commercial 4 burner and even more so after I added grill grates (which were a perfect fit). But the flare up were bad and made it difficult to do a rib eye or other high fat meats. I also converted mine to NG which really drove up the heat temp top end...I'm assuming because it was able to put out quite a bit more gas than the propane version.
I have a highly modified texas traeger and it does all my smoking for me but I almost always do a reverse sear on steaks.
I'll probably get the 4 or 5 burner as they are easy to convert to NG.
Thanks again for the input.
-
I've had the 4 burner Tru-infrared for almost 6 years. I haven't had to replace the burners, but the emitters and grates I have replaced once a couple of years ago.
This is a versatile grill - hot and fast, or low and slow. Add chips to get some smoke flavor. Add a waterpan to maintain moisture, etc.
Stainless steel exterior is pretty easy to clean and polish.
Thanks for the input. I didn't realize the infra red had been out so long.
One of my main concerns was on cleaning which I've read from other boards can be time consuming. I don't mind paying more for one although this grill is really to just get me by the next year or so until I build a outdoor kitchen.
-
I've had the 4 burner Tru-infrared for almost 6 years. I haven't had to replace the burners, but the emitters and grates I have replaced once a couple of years ago.
This is a versatile grill - hot and fast, or low and slow. Add chips to get some smoke flavor. Add a waterpan to maintain moisture, etc.
Stainless steel exterior is pretty easy to clean and polish.
Thanks for the input. I didn't realize the infra red had been out so long.
One of my main concerns was on cleaning which I've read from other boards can be time consuming. I don't mind paying more for one although this grill is really to just get me by the next year or so until I build a outdoor kitchen.
Cleaning is not time consuming, just set the temp control on "HIGH" wait 15 mins and the grates clean right off. My HeatWave was simple to clean along with by Big Easy infrared. Cooks the fats and oils to dust real fast, just don't use high sugar sauces or rubs those will burn fast and stick rock hard to the grates.
-
I've had the 4 burner Tru-infrared for almost 6 years. I haven't had to replace the burners, but the emitters and grates I have replaced once a couple of years ago.
This is a versatile grill - hot and fast, or low and slow. Add chips to get some smoke flavor. Add a waterpan to maintain moisture, etc.
Stainless steel exterior is pretty easy to clean and polish.
Thanks for the input. I didn't realize the infra red had been out so long.
One of my main concerns was on cleaning which I've read from other boards can be time consuming. I don't mind paying more for one although this grill is really to just get me by the next year or so until I build a outdoor kitchen.
Cleaning is not time consuming, just set the temp control on "HIGH" wait 15 mins and the grates clean right off. My HeatWave was simple to clean along with by Big Easy infrared. Cooks the fats and oils to dust real fast, just don't use high sugar sauces or rubs those will burn fast and stick rock hard to the grates.
Glad to hear that. I don't have sugar sauces or sugary rubs on my grill very often.
That's how I had always cleaned mine in the past was just crank up the heat and let it burn everything off. I even want to get my traeger texas grate cut into 3 pieces so I can throw them on the grill for easy cleaning.
-
I have the Red from Home Depot. It has the trough emitters with cast iron grids. It is several years old now.
There is a large through and a small one. This allows you to save gas or sear on one with lower temps on the other.
I use it almost every day.
I like it (a lot) with reservations.
So Ill do the pros and cons. Its only that the maintenance is high That I have an issue with.
Cons 1st
1. The trough has to be replaced once a year. ( Its a fact and you might as well prepare for it). They end up being about $70.
2. The burners will need to be replaced about every other year. Even though the book says they are warrantied I have NEVER been able to get them warrantied. They are $13 each for my grill.
3. The high medium low stickers will come off shortly after you get it unless CB has figured out how to fix this. You only really need them the first day anyway.
Pros
1. No flare ups !
2. Gets good gas mileage.
3. Good grates
4. The cast iron pan attachment for the small side is great. ( This is sold as an accessory)
5. Sears well if you turn all burners to high for a few minutes first.
I don't know much about the one from Lowe's. Several others on here have them... I think they are less overall maintenance.
My next grill will be a REC-TEC...
tlg4942 and I have the same grill with the same issues.
-
I have had the 4 burner RED from HD for 6 or 7 years. Best grill I ever had. The trough emitters wear/rust about once every 18 months. Not a big deal to replace. The grates started to rust after a while, but I was using a Grill Daddy for cleaning that placed water on the grates for cleaning--clean with steam---long term, not a good idea. I ordered the Grill Grates and simply placed them on top of my rusted grates instead of replacing them. That has worked out for the last few years.
The only problem I have now is that my ignite mechanism won't give me a spark, so I have to take off the grates to use Bic lighter to get it started. I have changed the battery, and that worked for a few weeks, but now nothing.
Still, this is my favorite go to grill, and would buy another in a heart beat.
-
I too have a 4 burner RED. replaced a $1000 2 burner broil master. Maybe 4 years old. Troughs - I get 2 years out of mine. Burners - Still on originals. Grates - no chips or rust but that porcelain coating is sure a crud magnet. I have had cast iron and stainless but the porcelain coated cast iron on this needs to be kept after. Igniters - one went bad after 6 months, the other lasted 3 years. I did not replace them - I use a wand candle lighter from the dollar store in the side holes to light it.
Stainless holding up fine. Painted base rusted and I need to repaint it.
Cooking - As stated - HOT is HOT and low is as low as you want. Cast iron insert fantastic. As far as I am concerned they can redesign the side burner into a separate burner for that cast iron insert. No hot spots. I make pizza out of huge middle eastern pitas and the heat is totally uniform.
Bottom line - My next grill will be whatever the current model of this is. I grill more now that I have this.
-
I appreciate the comments.
I have had a couple of built in grills along with a free standing weber genesis gas grill but my favorite gas grill was the char broil commercial at a much lower cost. I'm glad to hear the char broil infra red has worked for many of you as I plan on making it my next purchase.
-
I used to own a 4 burner RED. I did like the grill for it's high heat ability and infrared performance.
It's build quality however leaves little to be desired. If on uneven pavement the bottom cabinet doors would not close properly for example. The stainless steel is lower quality and will rust.
After getting a Memphis pellet grill my RED was mainly used to clean the parts on my pellet grill using high heat instead of wasting pellets to do it.
Then I sold it to my boss.
If it was built to Weber quality it really would be the ultimate grill IMHO.
I just don't think that a grill I spent close to $500 for should require yearly parts replacement.
-
I will agree that the quality is not there, and needing to replace troughs every 2 years is unavoidable. My stainless has been fine so I am lucky.
-
My RED outside stainless has held up, even in a salt water environment. I do keep it covered. After 7 years with the RED, my wife surprised me when I cam home with a new cover for it since the old cover was getting a little rank and crusty.
Now if I can just figure out how to replace the igniter!
BTW, how much are the Memphis and other pellets going for these days? Can these pellets come close to the high heat of the RED for searing?
-
My RED outside stainless has held up, even in a salt water environment. I do keep it covered. After 7 years with the RED, my wife surprised me when I cam home with a new cover for it since the old cover was getting a little rank and crusty.
Now if I can just figure out how to replace the igniter!
BTW, how much are the Memphis and other pellets going for these days? Can these pellets come close to the high heat of the RED for searing?
My Memphis has a max temp of 600F. At that setting the grill temp is much higher. It does have a button that you push to force pellets into the hopper. Using this I can get even higher temps.
The grill is insulated too.
-
Get the four burner. I have had a five burner for over six years or so and never replaced the burners. I love the IR so much I would not be without a CharBroil IR grill. Cleaning ain't the problem one would think. As an experiment I went over six months one time and never cleaned the grill or emmitters and had no problem at all.
I have measured temps of 800* plus on my grill.
Granted, it may not have the quality of stainless steel as others but if it did it would cost a whole lot more.
I strongly recommend you get it and a good cover if you don't have an overhead cover. You won't regret it. Also,if you can buy an SRG you will have bought the McGiver of cookers. That thing is amazing and TMB can do things with his the inventors never dreamed. With these two cookers you can do everything but "low and slow" ; however you can still smoke and get great smoked flavor on butts, ribs, poultry, and anything else you want to cook.
Dee
-
Great Testimonial on the grill Dee. 6 months without cleaning with no problems....heck, we should all have such good fortune with a grill.......
-
Great Testimonial on the grill Dee. 6 months without cleaning with no problems....heck, we should all have such good fortune with a grill.......
X2 for sure!
-
Yup. This is no Weber - it will not be around 10 years from now. BUT - I think my 4 burner Red is great and as I said earlier - cooks better than my old $1000 Broil Master that looks the same as the day I bought it 12 years ago but was horrible to cook on. The Red is a pleasure to cook on. I will likely be replacing mine next year and I have used this a LOT.
-
Just bought the charbroil 4 burner infra red grill. Got lucky as the price was discounted 20% so I got it for $399. They also are assembling it for me along with converting it to a natural gas grill (that cost me an extra $60) and delivering it to me on Wednesday for free.
All told I paid $553.00 including tax for an assembled natural gas grill including a $40 cover and a nylon grate brush with free delivery.
I'm pretty happy.
-
Congratulations Okie! It's always exciting getting a new toy ahem I mean tool!
Looking forward to seeing some of the food coming off your new grill!
-
Good for you okie! Looking forward to some cooks!
-
I just replaced them again. About every two years but I really like the grill and $80 isn't as bad as buying a new grill. I now have to use a lighter to get her going.
http://www.letstalkbbq.com/index.php?topic=3061.15
-
Okie, You'll love it. It was wise to have them assemble it...I should have mentioned that. I always get my equipment assembled whenever possible for two reasons: primarily I'm lazy and the other is to make sure it's done right and all the parts are there and in working order. Dee
-
I liked my char broil commercial I had a few years ago that was converted to natural gas. Really got the high heat. I'm looking forward to using the infrared grates. I had grill grates on my old char broil commercial and they were great for searing but they were bad about flare ups and eventually they warped after about a year or so.
I've been tolerating a 2 burner builtin dcs for the last 2 years and it had outlived its usefullness a long time ago.
-
Great score on the grill. Natural gas sure beats having a tank run out during a cook >:(
-
I just replaced them again. About every two years but I really like the grill and $80 isn't as bad as buying a new grill. I now have to use a lighter to get her going.
After 8 years, my igniter went out last month. It was a pain taking off the Grill Grates and troughs, to use a lighter to get all 4 burners going, so I called their parts department. I have to give props to the Char Broil service. I called them, they found the part, sent me info and told me how to replace it (very easy to do), and it was a very easy fix. Cost about $30.
-
While a large part of Char-Broils line-up is "disposable" their customer service has always been real good.........
-
My first try on my new charbroil infrared.
Top sirloins reverse seared
(http://i.imgur.com/TknYRiDl.jpg)
Not that you can trust a dome thermometer but it was pegged out. I'm guessing that grate temp to be somewhere above 700 degrees.
-
Nice looking steaks, okie!
-
okie, go on Harbor Freight's website and get a good IR therm for around $30. Well worth it. Dee
-
okie, go on Harbor Freight's website and get a good IR therm for around $30. Well worth it. Dee
Thanks Dee. I was wanting to get a Thermapen and an IR to go with my mavericks (my mavs bug out at about 572 I think).
-
okie, Also line the bottom and up the sides with two layers of heavy duty foil and that will protect it for years. Put a hole over the drip hole. I have found the IR cooking is so hot you get hardly no dripping reach the bottom of the cooker. Dee
-
okie, Also line the bottom and up the sides with two layers of heavy duty foil and that will protect it for years. Put a hole over the drip hole. I have found the IR cooking is so hot you get hardly no dripping reach the bottom of the cooker. Dee
ill give that try Dee.
Thanks
-
okie, Also line the bottom and up the sides with two layers of heavy duty foil and that will protect it for years. Put a hole over the drip hole. I have found the IR cooking is so hot you get hardly no dripping reach the bottom of the cooker. Dee
Any particular brand Dee? Looks like Harbor Freight carries about 3 different ones for about $35
-
I don't think there's much difference. I'd get the 69465 just based on the ratings. It also helps with grease temps in the kitchen and hot spots on the grills and pots. One of the fellas here on the forum whom I won't name even used it to get a temperature indication on the possibilities with his wife's mood. Dee
-
I don't think there's much difference. I'd get the 69465 just based on the ratings. It also helps with grease temps in the kitchen and hot spots on the grills and pots. One of the fellas here on the forum whom I won't name even used it to get a temperature indication on the possibilities with his wife's mood. Dee
Where was he aiming? :P
-
Right where you are thinkin' ;). Dee
-
Heh heh
-
Hmmm.. Welll... on a different use.... I had trouble with my heating system and used it to check the temperature of the air coming out of the heat registers. I recall home inspectors use them to do that as well. I bought mine to read temps on floor of my wood burning pizza oven.
-
I don't think there's much difference. I'd get the 69465 just based on the ratings. It also helps with grease temps in the kitchen and hot spots on the grills and pots. One of the fellas here on the forum whom I won't name even used it to get a temperature indication on the possibilities with his wife's mood. Dee
Got a digital laser thermometer made by maverick (about $60). Had a reading on the grill grates of 912 degrees last night.