Char-Broil Professional Ir 420 3-Burner Gas Grill

Food is the fuel that powers us, but cooking is so much more than that. Cooking is what brings the family together. While not all kinds of cooking are that enjoyable, grilling is a delight for most family men and women.

As fun as it is, it’s still an art that has to be mastered. And mastering it is not easy – one has to make sure the meat is cooked evenly and be extra-cautious around the heat. However, the right equipment does most of the work for you.

Like most quality gas grills, the Chair Broil Tru Infrared 2 was designed to make grilling simple and efficient. Here we have one of the most compact gas grills money can buy. Even though it’s a space-saver, all of the great features are still there.

But what really makes it stand out is its infrared system which allows the user to cook the meat more evenly, and which helps avoid flare-ups. Aside from its small size, the sleek design is what wins over many buyers.

It’s a radiant grilling setup that was made to be an excellent alternative to your standard gas grill. But what makes it a worthy replacement?

Why Get It?

Specs and Performance

The radiant heat surface, backed up by two stainless steel tube burners, brings heat close to the meat. It also shields the meat from direct flame, reducing hot, dry convection heat.

Most gas grills put out a lot of convection heat and typically require a sear burner if you want to reach steak house temperatures. On the other hand, a lot of infrared grills are excellent at searing but do not come with a low-temperature range. This grill blends the best of both worlds.

The model is easy to use and quite versatile. The manufacturer states that the Tru Infrared 2 Burner Gas Grill is designed to offer a wide temperature range (250° – 700°), to be budget-friendly, reduce fuel consumption, prevent flare-ups, and, most importantly, cook juicy meat. The general consensus is that the model sure does deliver on its promises.

When you scratch under the surface, you realize this is a bit more than an ordinary propane grill. The setup is equipped with two 25,000 BTU burners, which are located underneath porcelain-coated cast iron grates. The user can maneuver them via a pair of dials.

The entire grilling surface is covered by a thin metallic plate that’s manufactured to spread the heat evenly across it. The manufacturer has branded it “TRU-Infrared,” and it’s the grill’s main component. One of the best things about it are its ridges.

The ridges are designed to catch juice and grease that drips from the meat. Above each burner, there’s a set of wedge-shaped metal bars that not only protect the burners but also channel the heat from them. The whole grill emulates the uniform and intense temperatures of a bed of burning coal.

Thanks to such properties, the food doesn’t dry out and stays juicy. It’s still cannot flavor the food with smoke as a charcoal grill does, but it’s the next best thing.

Another significant advantage this model has over other gas grills is the ability to reach high temperatures very fast. It can reach 500° in under 2 minutes.

Since this is a liquid propane grill, starting it up is straightforward. The well-designed electronic ignition system never fails. The setup comes with a lid-mounted thermometer that allows for better and easier grilling.

Size and Storage

The main cooking surface measures at 325 sq in. It might not be the biggest one around, but it ought to be enough for an average family cookout. The setup also features a 120 sq in warming rack which always comes in handy.

The best thing about the size is that it doesn’t take up much space in the backyard. To make the process even more convenient, there are a couple of large side shelves that offer plenty of wiggle room. You can fold them down easily.

Behind the stainless steel door, you can find ample storage for grilling tools, sauces, rubs, wood chips and anything else you might need on hand. The four caster wheels make the setup very mobile and stable.

Add-Ons

You can connect the grill to your Wi-Fi network. The feature allows for remote monitoring via the SmartChef smartphone app.

The app also displays a fuel gauge which alerts the users when the propane levels are running low. If one or both burners go out unexpectedly, the app will also send out a notification. Its usefulness doesn’t end there as the software reminds you to shut down everything and tells you when the setup has cooled down enough so you can cover it.

Testimonials

The grates sure can make all the difference. Their design isn’t just good looking. Thanks to the cast-iron grates, grilling is much easier and so is the cleanup.

What to Watch Out For

Assembly

Gas grills come with plenty of neat features and advantages, and will last you quite a while with proper care, but you have to go through the assembly process first. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it isn’t any fun either. If you haven’t put together a gas grill before, you’ll need to brace yourself.

The instructions are clear, but the assembly still takes plenty of time. If you are not up for it, you can always hire a pro to assemble it for you.

A Piece of Advice

Clean-up

When you’re done with a cookout, it’s best to burn off the food debris and any excess drippings that have accumulated. Set the temperature to high and shut the lid. Fifteen minutes ought to be enough to turn it all into ash.

When the time is up, turn off the burners and let it cook for a while. Wait for it to cool down and then remove the debris using a nylon brush.

You can use the metal scraper on your grill brush to remove baked-on food particles. Tap the infrared emitters and the grilling grates lightly to remove baked-on ash and debris. Make sure to apply high-heat cooking oil to the infrared emitters and grill grates, but only lightly.

Verdict

This is a well-designed grill that can last many years, if not a lifetime, with proper care. It’s an excellent choice for those who have limited deck space. But its biggest advantages are the ability to heat up quickly, the wide range of temperatures, and the even distribution of heat.