Char-Broil Performance Series 4-Burner vs Char-Broil Performance Series 36" 4-Burner Gas Griddle
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Quick take: The Char-Broil Performance Series 4-Burner costs $99 less; the Char-Broil Performance Series 4-Burner offers more cooking space (435 vs 36 sq in).
| Spec | Char-Broil Performance Series 4-Burner | Char-Broil Performance Series 36" 4-Burner Gas Griddle |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$300 | ~$399 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Gas Grill | Griddle |
| Cooking Area | 435 sq in | 36 in griddle plate |
| Max Temp | 550°F | — |
| Fuel Type | Propane/Natural Gas | Propane/Natural Gas |
| Build Material | Stainless Steel | Rolled Steel |
| Hopper Capacity | — | — |
| Burners | 4 | 4 |
| WiFi / App | No | No |
| App control | No | No |
| Meat probe | No | No |
| PID controller | No | No |
| Side burner | Yes | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | No | No |
| Dimensions | 51 x 23 x 46 in | — |
| Weight | 97 lbs | — |
| Warranty | 5 years | — |
Pros & cons
Char-Broil Performance Series 4-Burner
- ✓At around $380 it delivers four main burners plus a side burner, far more grill for the money than a Weber
- ✓The stainless-look finish and lid give it a more upscale appearance than the budget price suggests
- ✓Four independently controlled burners plus 435 sq in handle big family cookouts and lots of burgers at once
- ✓The integrated side burner is genuinely handy for sides and sauces at this price point
- ✓Porcelain-coated grates clean up easily and resist rust reasonably well for the cost
- ✓Electronic push-button ignition lights quickly and the swing-away warming rack adds usable space
- ✓It's lightweight at ~97 lbs and assembles faster than heavier premium grills
- ✓A 5-year warranty is generous for an entry-level grill and beats many rivals in the price class
- ✗Build quality is thin - the lid, firebox, and cart are lightweight steel that can rust and warp within a few seasons
- ✗Heat distribution is uneven, with noticeable hot and cold spots across the cooking surface
- ✗There's no dedicated sear zone, so high-heat steak searing is mediocre
- ✗Long-term durability is the main knock - many owners replace it in 3-5 years versus a decade-plus for Weber
- ✗The burners and ignition can corrode or fail earlier than premium grills, requiring part swaps
- ✗It's all-manual with no probe, app, or smart features
- ✗Side tables and shelving feel flimsy and the cart can wobble when loaded
- ✗Flare-ups are more common since there's no effective grease-vaporizing system like Weber's Flavorizer bars
Char-Broil Performance Series 36" 4-Burner Gas Griddle
- ✓Typically the cheapest 36-inch four-burner griddle from a major brand, undercutting the Blackstone 36
- ✓Four separately controlled burners give a full warm-to-sear gradient across the plate
- ✓Rolled steel plate seasons and performs the same way the category leaders' surfaces do
- ✓Char-Broil's parts and retail distribution are broad, so replacement burners and igniters are easy to find
- ✓A Deluxe version at $549 adds a hard cover on the same chassis if you want one later
- ✗No lid or hard cover at this price, so the plate is exposed to weather unless you buy one
- ✗Currently listed out of stock on Char-Broil's own site
- ✗Char-Broil does not publish cooking area in square inches for this model, only plate width
- ✗No published warranty on the product listing
- ✗Thinner cart construction than Blackstone's, and the side shelves flex under load