Char-Broil Performance TRU Infrared 450 3-Burner Cart Liquid Propane Gas Grill Review
Infrared grilling continues to grow in popularity among outdoor cooking enthusiasts who want to be able to impart a steakhouse quality sear to the meals they prepare. One knock on infrared grills with ceramic elements is that most of them are only capable of producing very high heat and that they struggle to handle low-temperature applications like hybrid grilling.
The Char-Broil Performance TRU Infrared 450 addresses this by using tube style infrared elements set above three high-quality propane burners. This gives you the ability to create a professional steakhouse sear when you want it, while also being able to perform low heat grilling applications.
Each propane burner is independently controlled which allows you to grill over three different temperature zones if you want to. At the same time, when all three elements are set to the same temperature the infrared technology provides superior even heating. It’s also worth noting that the nature of infrared heat helps meat and vegetables to retain more of their natural moisture, while also vaporizing drippings for easier cleanup.
The Char-Broil Performance TRU Infrared 450 also comes with a propane side burner hidden inside one of the side tables. It spares you the headache of having to run back and forth between the kitchen and the grill! The burner is also thoughtfully setup on the left-hand side of the grill, which allows a righthanded person to use the right-side table for prep and serving platters.
The grill also sits on a sturdy cart which provides you with convenient storage for grill items or the propane tank. However, there are no tool hooks and there is not a formal door to access the cart if you need to grab something in a hurry.
Construction & Ease of Assembly
In general propane and infrared grills take longer to assemble than charcoal. The Char-Broil Performance TRU Infrared 450 might take you around two hours and will require some basic tools. Char-broil uses quality materials in all their components, this includes a porcelain coating on the grill grates.
One thing to note with the Char-Broil TRU Infrared 450 is that it is not a dual fuel grill. There is no kit available to convert it to natural gas.
Grilling Performance
The Char-Broil Performance TRU Infrared 450 uses tube style infrared elements to provide you with high heat when you want it, and low heat when you want to grill with indirect heat. It has also been designed to provide consistent and even heating, so you don’t have to struggle with hot and cold spots on the grill grate.
The infrared elements are also set up to prevent drippings from landing directly on the burner. When excess marinade, rendered fat, or meat’s natural juices drop on the element they are quickly vaporized which provides a pleasantly smoky aroma.
Grilling Areas
The Char-Broil Performance TRU Infrared 450’s primary grilling area provides 450 square inches of grilling space. It also has a 150 square inch warming rack. This gives you enough grilling space to prepare food for a large number of diners, with enough space to hold over items that get done early. Both racks are coated with a special semi-nonstick porcelain glaze.
The warming rack is large enough that you can use it for indirect heating. This allows you to wrap some vegetables in tinfoil, soften some asparagus spears, or keep your kid’s hotdogs warm while you finish grilling your chicken breasts.
Special Features
The electric ignitor allows you to start the Char-Broil Performance TRU Infrared 450 without having to fumble around with matches or a stick lighter.
The tube style propane infrared burners allow you to grill over high heat as well as low heat and indirect heating applications.
The side burner is conveniently located under the left-hand side table, which allows you to prepare side dishes, without losing the right-hand side table.
Ease to Clean
Infrared grills tend to be much easier to clean than charcoal and even other types of gas grills. The high heat created by the Char-Broil Performance TRU Infrared 450 means that drippings are often vaporized. The porcelain coated grill grates also make it easy to scrape clean with a stiff nylon or a wire grill brush. If something is stubbornly stuck on you can remove the grate section and soak it in warm soapy water. The special porcelain coating will protect the metal from rusting.
On the rare occasion where drippings end up getting below the infrared elements, the Char-Broil Performance TRU Infrared 450 can be a little difficult to clean. The elements and burners tend to get in the way making it hard to reach any material or debris that makes it to the bottom of the firebox. A stiff nylon brush with a long handle can help scrape away material. A pair of tongs with a silicone tip can help pick it up or hold a piece of paper towel to help wipe it away.
Warranty
The Char-Broil Performance TRU Infrared 450 comes with a 1-year limited warranty on parts and material defects.
Conclusion
Infrared grills that are capable of low heat and indirect grilling give you the versatility of a high-quality propane grill, with the ability to create a superior steakhouse sear. The Char-Broil Performance TRU Infrared 450 ticks all these boxes.
There are a few missed opportunities in this grills design, in that it lacks a formal door in the cart and tool hooks. However, these are minor issues, that doesn’t detract much from the grill’s overall performance. Especially when you consider its very friendly price point compared to other competitive grills of a similar size.
