Char-Broil Performance Series 4-Burner vs Char-Broil Performance Series FlavorMax 2-Burner Cabinet
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Quick take: The Char-Broil Performance Series FlavorMax 2-Burner Cabinet costs $1 less; the Char-Broil Performance Series 4-Burner offers more cooking space (435 vs 310 sq in).
| Spec | Char-Broil Performance Series 4-Burner | Char-Broil Performance Series FlavorMax 2-Burner Cabinet |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$300 | ~$299 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Gas Grill | Gas Grill |
| Cooking Area | 435 sq in | 310 sq in |
| Max Temp | 550°F | — |
| Fuel Type | Propane/Natural Gas | Propane/Natural Gas |
| Build Material | Stainless Steel | 409 Stainless Steel Burners / Porcelain-Coated Cast Iron Grates / Stainless Steel Lid |
| Hopper Capacity | — | — |
| Burners | 4 | 2 |
| 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 | 44.5 x 22 x 44.9 in |
| Weight | 97 lbs | 71 lbs |
| Warranty | 5 years | 1 year overall (5 years burners, 2 years lid/firebox) |
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 FlavorMax 2-Burner Cabinet
- ✓FlavorMax emitter plate meaningfully cuts flare-ups, which is the main complaint about cheap gas grills
- ✓Enclosed cabinet hides the tank and adds storage — unusual at $299
- ✓Foldable side shelves drop the stored width substantially on a tight balcony
- ✓Porcelain-coated cast iron grates, not the thin wire grates common at this price
- ✓Four casters with two locking, so it repositions easily on a deck
- ✗22,000 BTU over 310 sq in is adequate but not fast to recover with a full grate
- ✗Base warranty is only 1 year on most of the grill; only the burners get 5
- ✗No side burner, sear zone, rotisserie or thermometer beyond the lid gauge
- ✗Char-Broil publishes ratings only through a review widget that does not expose a citable count
- ✗Stainless lid over a painted steel cabinet — the finish is not uniform