What's this? This is based on performance, features, and convenience. The displayed score is out of a total of 100 points.
Price range:
$177.99 - $319.02
Summary:This Char-Broil has • 445 Sq. In. of cooking area. • 4 main burners • A side burner • A Natural gas version or Conversion kit available • Electronic ignitor • No Infrared burner • Coated-steel grates resist corrosion
The Char-Broil 463440109 is part of the gas grill
test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, gas grill
models like the 463440109 are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below.
Low temp performance:
Combines the evenness of heating over the grill's surface at the low setting (using thermocouples) and the models ability to cook chicken and fish on the gril at that setting without burning the food.
High temp evenness:
Evenness of heating over the grill's surface at the high setting, using thermocouples.
Indirect cooking:
This indicates how well the grill will slow cook foods when only some of the burners are on and the food isn't placed directly over the flame.
About This Brand
In 2008, Char-Broil brand placed a lot of emphasis on infrared technology, with both the new Quantum and Red lines boasting different versions of the technology. Char-Broil positions itself as an affordable brand that offers innovative features across its wide product lines. The grills, which cost $100 to $750, are sold at retailers nationwide. Note that some lines are sold only at specific big-box retailers. For example, the Quantum and Commercial series are sold at Lowe's, the Red line at Home Depot, and Thermos at Target stores.
Features & Specs - Char-Broil 463440109
Stainless-steel grates Primary cooking grates made of stainless-steel are generally sturdier than those made of coated steel and resist rust even without a porcelain coating.
Stainless-steel grates
No
Coated-cast-iron grates The grill's primary cooking grates may be made of porcelain coated cast-iron, which generally sears meats better and keeps grilling temperatures more consistent than grates made of porcelain coated steel. The porcelain coating usually makes such grates easier to clean than other surfaces, and the grates should resist rust as long as their porcelain coating isn't chipped.
Coated-cast-iron grates
No
All or mostly stainless Includes more than just a panel or other trim. Based on our limited tests, nonmagnetic stainless is less likely to corrode.
All or mostly stainless
No
Long-warranty burners While burners remain the grill's most-replaced part, most are warranted for only 3 to 5 years. Better burners are covered for 10 years or more.
Long-warranty burners
No
Side burner A side burner, which resembles a gas-stove burner and has its own heat control, is handy if you want to cook vegetables or sauce without leaving the grill.
Side burner
Yes
Infrared burner Gas burner that uses infrared technology (ceramic burner, plates and screens, or troughs as some examples) for cooking. An indirect flame is used for cooking food. Burner can be located as the main burner, side burner, rotisserie burner, or any combination of burners.
Extremely cheap and flimsy. This grill fell apart shortly after having it, due to the fact that it cant's even support it's own weight. I've had to add my own support via welding and additoinal screws to keep it standing. Heat is very uneven from front to back. I've only had it one year, and it is already starting to rust fairly significantly, even after being stored indoors in the winter. I would have been better off with a simple $80 clearance isle grill.
How long have you owned it:
More than six months
Bottom Line
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
By
cmiller
from
Tampa, FL
2.0
not very good
4/17/2011
Pros
Not too large
Cons
Gas line plugs
Uneven Cooking
Best Uses
For Self/Couple
Small Gatherings
Comment:
I'm not surprised by CR's low rating. I've had this grill for two years. It started rusting the week I bought it. The heat is extremely uneven; instead of just rolling the sausages over, you have to actually flip them so one end isn't completely charred. The gas line also plugs frequently between usages making the flame less powerful than a lighter...kind of embarrassing when you have people over and the thing won't heat up. But if you don't mind all of this, it gets the job done.
How long have you owned it:
More than six months
Bottom Line
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
By
teom49
from
Blountville,TN
5.0
Looks great, cooks great
10/2/2010
Pros
Easy Assembly
Easy To Use
Even Heat
Short Grill Time
Cons
Best Uses
For Self/Couple
Small Gatherings
Comment:
The price was outstanding for the this model. It has 4 burners but I have only had to use 2 cooking for 6 people. It cooks very evenly from the back to the front. Just need to be careful as with all grills when opening the lid to keep from getting scorched. The controls are sensitive to maintain heat control. The side burner is also good for a pan. The heating rack inside the hood is good for baking potatoes and onions in foil. The only con is cleaning the grates, but that is true with most grills.