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You have to admit that Char-Broil is one production company when it comes to the number of product lines. What seems great selection-wise can turn into a nightmare when you must choose which gas grill to buy. We are going to compare Char-Broil Performance vs Commercial Series in order to detangle this knot of interlining series and models.
We will choose the two best-rated models for each series. One gas grill with two burners, and one gas grill with four burners.
To save time and see the top reviewed best-selling outdoor gas grills on Amazon jump to the bottom!
Char-Broil Performance vs Commercial Series
For the Performance series, the competitors will be Char-Broil Performance 300 2-Burner Cabinet and Char-Broil Performance Stainless Steel 4-Burner.
For the Commercial Series, the competitors will be Char-Broil Commercial Infrared 2-Burner Gas Grill and Char-Broil Commercial Infrared 4-Burner Gas Grill
Now, the most important things to consider when buying a gas grill are:
- Size of the grate
- Number of main and side burners (compared to the grate size)
- Overall quality
- How easy it is to use and clean
- Value for money
- The size of the grate defines how much food can you cook at once. The larger the grill, the more you can load at once, and you will finish the cooking faster.
- The number of burners: The more burners, the better that the heat is spread out more evenly. You will have more options for creating different temperature zones, and you will have fewer problems with cold spots. The size of the grate area that a single burner covers is also important. The smaller the area per burner, the more control you will have, and you will easily achieve a better cooking temperature.
- Side burners are a good add-on if you want to cook some side dishes while barbecuing or cook an entire meal outside.
- Overall quality. Gas grills are not cheap, so you naturally want them to last.
- Overall size. Bigger gas grills allow you to cater to more people at once, but they also require more space to store.
- Cleaning. No one likes to clean gas grills after use. So, anything that a manufacturer does to make this process easier is a great plus.
- Value for Money. The significance of it doesn’t really need clarifying.
- Number of burners – 2
- Single burner output – 12000 BTU
- Total burner output – 24000 BTU
- Size of the grate – 300
- Dimensions – 24.5 x 42.9 x 44 in
- Weight – 108 lbs
- Number of burners – 4
- Single burner output – 9000 BTU
- Total burner output – 36000 BTU
- Size of the grate – 425
- Dimensions – 50.4 x 24.5 x 45 in
- Weight – 195 lbs
- Number of burners – 2
- Single burner output – 9000 BTU
- Total burner output – 18000 BTU
- Size of the grate – 325
- Dimensions – 48 x 48 x 21 in
- Weight – 107 lbs
- Number of burners – 4
- Single burner output – 8000 BTU
- Total burner output – 32000 BTU
- Size of the grate – 525
- Dimensions – 47 x 57 x 22 in
- Weight – 189 lbs
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Size of the grate
Char-Broil Performance 300 2-Burner Cabinet
This Gas Grill has 300 sq. in. of primary cooking space, and it is 17.3-in x 17.2-in. That is enough to put 12 burgers, or 10 ribeyes, or 3 chicken spatchcock, or 15 ears of corn. Portion for an average person is about 2 burgers.
The swing-away warming rack has a surface of 100 sq. in. It can be used for heating or toasting buns.
Char-Broil Performance Stainless Steel 4-Burner
This Gas Grill has 425 sq. in. of primary cooking space. That is enough to cook 20 burgers, or 5 chicken spatchcock, or 25 ears of corn, or 15 ribeyes. Portion for an average person is about 2 burgers.
The swing-away warming rack has a surface of 150 sq. in. It can be used for sides or toasting buns.
Char-Broil Commercial 2 Burner Gas Grill
This Gas Grill has 325 sq. in. of primary cooking space. That is enough to place 16 burgers, or 5 chicken spatchcock, or 10 ribeyes, or 15 ears of corn. A portion for an average person is about 2 burgers.
Warming rack enables you to melt cheese on buns or keep vegetables o side dishes at serving temperature.
Char-Broil Commercial 4 Burner Gas Grill
It has 525 square inches of primary cooking space. That Is enough to place 20 to 25 burgers, or 7 chicken spatchcock, or 3 small pork shoulders, or 5 to 7 baby back ribs.
The swing-away warming grill has a surface of 180 square inches, and it is excellent for keeping food at serving temperature or toasting buns.
The winner is Char-Broil Commercial 4 Burner Gas Grill. It has 525 square inches of grate space and an additional side burner.
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The number of burners.
All these Char-Broil gas grills, except the smallest model Char-Broil Performance 300, have the TRU Infrared technology featured. Thanks to the special materials and manufacturing procedures used making these grills, the food is also cooked by Infrared heat. Between the grates and the burners is a layer that emits infrared waves when it reaches a certain temperature.
This excludes cold spots and enables food to cook more evenly, keeping it softer than the usual grills do. Another benefit is that it presents a hard barrier between the burners and the food, so flare-ups are a thing of the past.
Char-Broil Performance 300 2-Burner Cabinet
The total heat output is of this gas grill is 24,000-BTU, which is nice, considering it has only two burners. The surface to burner ratio is 150 square inch per burner, which is ok, and it makes the cold spots less likely to happen.
Good thing is that burners have enough power to reach cooking temperatures fast. Unfortunately, this model doesn’t have a side burner.
Char-Broil Performance Stainless Steel 4-Burner
The total heat output is of this gas grill is 36,000-BTU, and the side burner has 10,000-BTU. It has 4 burners, so you will not have any problem regulating different heat for each segment of the grate. That is great when grilling food that needs a different temperature. This model is equipped with TRU Infrared Technology.
The side burner is great for preparing sauces or sides while grilling. When not using the burner, just pull the lid down, and you get a good food prepping place.
The surface to burner ratio is better than the previous model, and it is around 110 sq. inches/ burner.
The downside is that the burners have 30%. Less power, 9000 BTU each, so the prepping time might be prolonged, or reaching a suitable temperature might take more time.
Char-Broil Commercial 2 Burner Gas Grill
Total burner power is 18,000-BTU. This gas grill has two burners, and a with a grate size of 325 square inches, a ratio of 162 square inches/burner. That is not an amazing result, but with the help of the TRU Infrared Technology, it is sufficient.
The downsides are it doesn’t have a side burner, and the burners are only 9000 BTU.
Char-Broil Commercial 4 Burner Gas Grill
This model has 4 burners, but also the largest grate, and, unfortunately, somewhat underpowered burners. With only 8000 BTU per burner, it is borderline powered. The surface/burner ratio is good, at 131 sq. inches per burner. But with combined with their strength, it really is just a bare minimum.
That makes it likely to be impaired by cold spots or longer preheat time. On the other hand, it has a TRU Infrared Technology featured, and a side burner, which is a nice addition.
The winner is Char-Broil Performance 300 2-Burner Cabinet. It has only two burners, but they are well powered, so preheat time is short, temperature control is easier and they don’t have to work at maximum levels to cook the food.
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Overall quality
Char-Broil Performance Series
The quality of the materials is quite good. They don’t look or feel cheap. Stainless steel exterior adds to the overall feeling. Cast iron grates may be hefty, but exceptionally robust. Generally, this s a good gas grill.
Char-Broil Commercial Series
Unfortunately, this line is not really a match for the Performance series. The materials are much thinner, the construction is flimsy, and the overall feeling is not that great.
The entire series is designed as a cheap entry-level solution, so the burners are underpowered in order not to damage the thinner materials.
The winner is the Char-Broil Performance Series. it simply looks and feels stronger and has better burners.
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How easy it to use and clean
Char-Broil Performance Series
This can’t exactly be called a complicated piece of equipment. There are knobs for controlling the burners and a knob for ignition.
You can check the current temperature on a gauge on the top.
Is it easy to clean?
Pretty much. The detachable cast-iron grates are coated with porcelain, so the food will not stick too much and even if it does, it will be easy to wipe off. The grease pan also can be removed and can be washed with a damp cloth. The exterior is plated with stainless steel, so grease can be easily wiped off.
It is advised to clean it immediately after use. If you wait, the food will dry out and stick, so it will be harder to clean.
Downsides
Users sometimes complain that even though the instructions say you can burn off the dripping fat from the grates by leaving it on high temperature for some time, that doesn’t always work. Cleaning is sometimes needed.
Another downside is that Performance series grills are propane use only.
Char-Broil Commercial Series
It is also simple to use. It has buttons for burner command and an Easy Electronic Ignition switch. On top of the cover is the temperature gauge so you can monitor the temperature.
The Char-Broil Commercial Series grills can be used with propane, or natural gas if you buy a natural gas conversion kit.
Cleaning won’t present a problem. The grates are detachable for cleaning. The removable grease tray and stainless-steel exterior are easy to clean too.
Please note that If you wait for the fat and food leftovers to get cold, they will stick.
Downsides
The users are complaining about are the tiny holes on the flame protectors. They can sometimes get choked by the fat and small pieces of food that are dropping from the grills. That can involve further cleaning.
If the holes get clogged, the gas sometimes stays entrapped under the inverse V-shaped flame guards. And if you ignite quickly after earlier use, there can be a flash. All of this is not severe or hazardous, but some people may find it unsettling.
The winner is Char-Broil Performance 300., but it can’t be exactly called a great victory. The models are pretty much the same. Char-Broil Performance 300 is easier to use simply because it has two burner buttons instead of four and is slightly easier to clean.
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Value for money
Char-Broil Performance
These are great gas-grills. For the price that is in the middle of the category (at the lower half), you will get good quality. It is simple to use and gets the job done. Most of the models in the series have TRU Infrared heating.
Generally, a good quality product, worth the money.
Char-Broil Commercial
The build quality and the materials are inferior to the Performance Series, but it has a much lower price. It is designed and developed as a cheap gas grill for people that want a gas grill, but don’t really want to invest much.
All in all, it is a decent buy.
The winner is the Char-Broil Performance. It is more expensive than the Commercial Series, but it is still not expensive matched to comparable rivals.
Read next: Char-Broil Performance Vs Signature Series: Which one is Better?
Char-Broil Performance vs Commercial Series – Pros and Cons
Char-Broil Performance
Pros
- Established manufacturer
- Solid quality
- Easy to use
- A wide selection of models
- Most of the models are equipped with TRU Infrared feature
- Affordable price.
Cons.
- TRU Infrared flame guards sometimes need cleaning
- It can’t be converted to natural gas.
Char-Broil Commercial
Pros.
- Established manufacturer
- TRU Infrared heating
- Can be converted to use natural gas (If you buy the kit)
Cons.
- The build quality and the materials could be much better, it looks flimsy
- TRU Infrared flame protectors need cleaning
Wrap Up
Similar products, but only when you look at the photos. The Char-Broil Performance Series may be more expensive than the Commercial, but the difference in build quality is obvious. The materials are stronger and thicker. Commercial Series can be a good choice as an entry-level gas grill, but if you want something more serious or long-lasting, go for Performance.
The Best Outdoor Gas Grills on Amazon
- ❤ STAINLESS STEEL BURNERS: This propane gas grill has 3 Stainless Steel burners, can put out 30,000 BTU-per-hour with integrated piezoelectric ignition system, quick start up with the push &turn of a control knob
- ❤ FEATURES: The whole Stainless steel control panel with chromium plating control knob makes this propane gas grill more study and delicate, a stainless steel handle and a built-in stainless steel thermometer on the cover lid, two foldable tables and two heavy duty wheel casters for storage and moving
- ❤ PORCELAIN-ENAMEL WIRE COOKING GRATES: The cooking area of our propane gas grill is 471.8 include 339 square inches for cooking and 132.8 square inches for warming
- ❤ ASSEMBLED DIMENSIONS: 46.46 L x 20.87 W x 41.14 H inch, and 29.5 inch Length when folding both of the side table of the propane gas grill
- ❤ MULTIFUNCTION AND PRACTICAL: This propane gas grill is perfect compliments any outdoor space like backyard, garden, courtyard, terrace and balcony of most family, alternative all season for outdoor cooking
- Ample Cooking Space: Total of 632 sq. in. cooking space, including 483 sq. in. porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grates and 149 sq. in. chrome-plated steel warming rack provides ample cooking area for about 29 hamburgers at the same time.
- Sear Burner & Side Burner: Sear burner generates 14,000 BTU to provide strong performance for quick and even heat distribution; lidded side burner offering 10,000 BTU is ideal for cooking side dishes and sauces. Reliable electronic ignition system offers quick start-up with the simple push of a button and speeds up the inner heat delivering.
- Durable and Solid Construction: The stylish grill is made of heavy stainless steel, featuring durable control panel and double-layer lid with heat-resistant handle and built-in thermometer, which is built to longtime use. The built-in temperature gauge provides real-time and accurate heat monitoring and control to make your delicacies have best flavors.
- Hassle-free Cleanup: Equipped with removable grease tray and grease cup to help reduce the risk of flare-ups. It’s very easy to slide out and dump residues, thereby simplifying the cleanup procedure.
- High Performance: This propane gas grill has 4 main burners (10,000 BTU each), a sear burner (14,000 BTU) and a lidded side burner (10,000 BTU). 6 stainless steel burners offer a total of 64,000 BTU output for delivering even heat.
- Assembly required
- Durable high-grade stainless steel main burner
- Stainless steel control panel with two large easy to transport wheels
- Heavy-duty cast iron cooking grid with total of 434 Sq. in. cooking area
- A cooking power of 30,000 total BTU's with strong, even and consistent heat
- 3 stainless steel burners produce 27,000 BTUs of cooking power
- Side shelves offers a convenient prep area
- 429 sq in. cooking area over easy-to-clean porcelian wire grates
- 27,000 BTUs main burners for ultimate grilling control
- 2 large wheels for easy mobility
- GAS GRILL: Powered by liquid propane gas, this grill runs on a 20-pound propane tank, not included. It reaches cooking temperatures quickly, delivers high temps and maintains even heat.
- COOKING AREA: Grill up to 24 burgers, 20 chicken breasts or 12 steaks on 475-square-inches of primary cooking space. Cook meats and larger items on the primary grates and use the 130-square inch warming rack to cook with indirect heat and keep food warm.
- BTU RATING: This grill has a 36,000 BTU rating.
- SIDE BURNER: A 10,000 BTU side burner lets you keep your sides and sauces warm while you grill. You can also use it to boil water, sauté vegetables or brew a pot of coffee. When not in use, flip the lid down and use the surface as an additional workspace.
- SIDE SHELF: A large side shelf provides ample space to set plates, tools, sauces and rubs while you grill.
- GAS GRILL: Powered by liquid propane gas, this grill runs on a 20-pound tank, not included. It reaches cooking temperatures quickly, delivers high temps and maintains even heat.
- COOKING AREA: Grill up to 12 burgers, 6 chicken breasts or 4 steaks on 280-square-inches of primary cooking space.
- SIDE BURNER: A 8,000 BTU side burner lets you keep your sides and sauces warm while you grill. You can also use it to boil water, sauté vegetables or brew a pot of coffee.
- BTU RATING: This grill has a 20,000 BTU rating.
- GRATES: Porcelain-coated wire grates offer fast warm-up and heat recovery time. They’re lightweight, making them easy to lift when removing to clean and economical to replace when it’s time.
- Our propane gas grill has a cooking area of 352 square inches, with 232 square inches dedicated to cooking and 120 square inches for heating. The grill heats up quickly and is versatile, suitable for grilling, braising, frying, and more. It's perfect for most outdoor spaces like backyards, gardens, patios, terraces, and balconies.
- This propane gas grill features 2 stainless steel burners, each capable of outputting 20,000 BTU per hour. It comes with an integrated piezoelectric ignition system, and each burner can be independently lit through simple rotation of the control knobs. Each knob allows precise flame control, ensuring even heating, significantly reducing cooking time, minimizing wait times, and presenting delicious food.
- The gas grill features a thoughtful design with double-sided shelves for easy access to your essentials. It provides ample storage space for all your spices, seasonings, and plates. The unique design also includes a stainless steel temperature gauge built into the lid, offering more control over the cooking environment, maintaining the ideal temperature, and ensuring moist and flavorful ingredients throughout the cooking process.
- The grilling area utilizes a double-layer porcelain cooking grate that is removable and adjustable, environmentally friendly with no coating, and easy to clean. Even after high-temperature grilling, the residue is easily cleared. The lower grill area and upper rack provide insulation to prevent food from cooling and can also be used for thawing and reheating.
- The propane gas grill features meticulously designed stainless steel handles, adding aesthetic appeal and providing a comfortable grip for easy operation. Additionally, our gas grill is equipped with two flexible wheels, allowing easy movement in the yard or outdoor space, creating the perfect grilling spot anytime, anywhere.
- Stainless Steel Burners - 3 stianless steel burners and side burner are individually controlled by 4 swith knobs, you can adjust the flame combined with the Quick-Start battery electronic ignite system. 33950 BTU output in total.
- Specifical Designs - Stainless steel finish increased the durability and look; Built-in themperature gauge make heat contol easily; Double-layer lid can keep warm better when cooking food;4 galvanized casters(with 2 lockable) make move easily.
- Material - Stainless Steel430 thickness 0.8mm, Each head can be independently fired, reliable side plate strength, stainless steel high temperature cover, side black powder, galvanized lining, cover with thermometer (round), stainless steel control panel, black body spray high temperature resistance 600.
- Fast & Even Heat - One-button electronic ignition system, reliable enough to fire up burners immediately. with four wheels (two directional wheels, two steering wheels)
- Special Feature - Even Heating BBQ Grill,Cooking grates are made of durable, easy-to-clean porcelain-enameled cast iron material which helps prevent rusting and cracking. Flame tamers and stainless steel cooking grates help distribute heat evenly throughout the whole cooking surface.
- Total cooking area 401 sq. in. primary: 290.7 sq. in. warming rack: 110.4 sq. in.
- 2 Stainless steel burners with 8-years of burner warranty and 1-year grate warranty
- 28,000 total BTUs for ultimate grilling control
- Foldable side shelves provide space flexibility for small patio
- Porcelain cast-iron cooking grates provides even heat
- Up to 20, 000 BTUs of grilling power and 285 sq. In. Of cooking area
- Now with 3 independently adjustable burners for enhanced temperature control
- Water pan catches cooking grease and is removable for easy cleaning
- 2 durable side tables for resting utensils and sauces; integrated thermometer for accurate temperature monitoring
- Ignition for push-button, matchless lighting
- 【Thoughtful Design】The propane Gas Grill has the built-in thermometer on the top lid. It is more convenient to control the temperature and cooking time. And the cabinet design is large enough to store the gas tank and any other grilling accessories. This outdoor grill is equipped with 4 casters, making it easier to move. Two of them are lockable wheels to ensure the safety and stability during cooking.
- 【Large Cooking Space】Whole dimension is about 52'' L x 16.7'' W x 42'' H. 380 sq.in. stainless steel primary cooking area with 112 sq.in. stainless steel warm rack secondary cooking area. BBQ cooking area is enough to a small party.
- 【Powerful Heat】This Propane gas grill comes with 4 Burners and 1 side burner. The 4 stainless steel control burner provide a total 48,000 BTU of cooking power for the main space and 12,000 BTU from the side burner which quick start up with the push and turn of each control knob.
- 【Multi-functional & Convenient】This propane gas grill is perfect for outdoor space like patio, backyard, garden, courtyard and balcony for most family, alternative all season for outdoor cooking.
- 【Warranty&Customer Service】We provide an instruction of this Propane Gas Grill and 1 Year warranty. It takes you about 30 mins to put it together. Please feel free to contact us, our customer service team will reply to you within 24 hours.
- High-Quality Material: The propane gas grill frame is made of selected cast iron with excellent heat and rust resistance for safe long-term use.The cooking grate and warming rack area use durable and easy-to-clean stainless steel, it effectively prevents warping and cracking during high-temperature cooking.
- Large Cooking Space: Overall dimensions: 47.2'' x 16.5'' x 43.3''. This gas grill offers a massive 449 square inches of cooking area, more than enough to accommodate grilled food. Simply choose from the 333 square inches of primary cooking area or 116 square inches of the secondary warming rack and get grilling. With a 10,000-BTU side burner with a lid, it is perfect for sauces and side dishes or boiling water.
- Stainless Steel Burners: This outdoor BBQ grill comes with 4 stainless steel burners and a side burner that can generate a total of 50,000 BTU (10,000 BTU each) cooking power to achieve high to low temperature control. Quick-Start electronic ignite system with switch knobs, you can control the flame easily.
- Multi-purpose Grill: A thermometer on the stainless steel lid makes it easy to monitor the grill's internal temperature without opening the lid. 4 stainless steel flame tamers not only can distribute heat evenly, but also protect burners from waste oil for safety.
- Thoughtful Design: This barbecue grill is equipped with 4 casters, making it easier to move. Two of them are lockable wheels to ensure the safety and stability during cooking. And the cabinet design is large enough to store the gas tank and any other grilling accessories.
Last update on 2024-04-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
I dont think commercial its cheaper!!!
Performance its cheaper to buy at any place, so it can be a entry level!!!!
Commercial is more expensive. Duno how they came up with that. I had commercial that needed some parts so we bought a new performance. Same infrared just now I have no grates on on the infrared plates.
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