The Bottom Line
- Multi-function 13,000 BTU side burner and griddle
- Hold low temperatures well
- Strong support from Lowes
- Limited cart design and construction
- Porcelain coatings may chip and crack exposing steel to rust
- Relatively low BTU output for the size
- Low quality stainless steel body parts
Description
- Three porcelain coated cast iron 12,000 BTU Burners
- Approximately 500 square inches of primary grilling space for a total cooking area of 675 inches
- 45,000 total BTUs from the main burners
- Cast aluminum construction with some 430 series stainless steel parts
- Multi-function 13,000 BTU side burner and griddle
- Electronic igniter
- Heavy porcelain coated steel cooking grates
- Porcelain coated "heat tents"
- Propane tank sold separately
- Built by Char-Broil exclusively for Lowe's
Guide Review - Char-Broil Advantage PerfectHeat 45,000 3-Burner BTU Gas Grill
The big selling feature of this grill is not the grill, but the side burner. Marketed as an outdoor stove, this large 13,000 BTU unit is designed to work as a regular side burner, griddle and warming oven. While this might seem like a nice feature if you can't really imagine yourself using it don't buy it. Most side burners go unused so this really isn't a great feature for the average griller. The rest of the grill is actually above average for Char-Broil. The cast iron main burners are pretty heavy though the porcelain coatings can chip away leaving them to rust and corrode.
This grill doesn't have too much to make it stand out. The control panel and front cart panel are stainless steel, but it is low quality 430 stainless steel which is prone to staining and rusting. The heating is pretty even but the burners are covered with light weight, porcelain coated "heat tents" that won't keep grease away from the burners and may not last. Heavy use and poor care will greatly shorten its life span, however, at under $300USD it isn't that bad of a grill as long as you don't expect too much from it.
The actual heat output from this grill is pretty good considering the 45,000 BTUs from the three main burners need to heat a total cooking space of 675 square inches. The searing abilities are due to the weight of the cooking grates as much as the actual power of the grill. If you need to keep the price down and don't expect it to last for a decade you might want to take a look at it.
