Char-Broil Performance Series FlavorMax 5-Burner Cabinet vs Char-Broil Performance Series 36" 4-Burner Gas Griddle
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Quick take: The Char-Broil Performance Series 36" 4-Burner Gas Griddle costs $80 less; the Char-Broil Performance Series FlavorMax 5-Burner Cabinet offers more cooking space (490 vs 36 sq in).
| Spec | Char-Broil Performance Series FlavorMax 5-Burner Cabinet | Char-Broil Performance Series 36" 4-Burner Gas Griddle |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$479 | ~$399 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Gas Grill | Griddle |
| Cooking Area | 490 sq in | 36 in griddle plate |
| Max Temp | — | — |
| Fuel Type | Propane/Natural Gas | Propane/Natural Gas |
| Build Material | 409 Stainless Steel Burners / Porcelain-Coated Cast Iron Grates | Rolled Steel |
| Hopper Capacity | — | — |
| Burners | 5 | 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 | 53.7 x 24.5 x 45 in | — |
| Weight | 91 lbs | — |
| Warranty | 1 year | — |
Pros & cons
Char-Broil Performance Series FlavorMax 5-Burner Cabinet
- ✓490 sq in plus a side burner under $500 is more cooking surface per dollar than any Weber or Napoleon
- ✓Five independently controlled burners make real multi-zone cooking easy
- ✓Side burner frees the grate for food instead of a saucepan
- ✓FlavorMax emitter plates sit between burners and grate, which cuts flare-ups on fatty cuts
- ✓Only 91 lbs despite the size, so one person can reposition it
- ✗1-year overall warranty is far short of Weber's 10–12 years and is the clearest sign of where the cost was saved
- ✗91 lbs across 53.7 in of grill means a light-gauge body that flexes
- ✗36,000 BTU spread over five burners is low heat density — searing is weak
- ✗Porcelain coating on the grates chips if scraped with a metal brush
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