Char-Broil Classic 280 Propane Grill Review

The Char-Broil Signature Char-Broil Classic 280 Propane Grill is an affordable solution for all grillers

DESIGN + VERSATILITY | Simple, Easy Design

Char-Broil is a leading grilling company that produces seriously affordable but feature-packed grills. They produced one of the first grills in the world in 1948, and the rest is history. From high-end to practical grills, Char-Broil produces everything from gas grills, to infrared grills. Char-Broil also has a few affordable, but very useful, gas grills, one of the more popular being the Char-Broil Classic 280 Propane Grill. This grill is a very simple version of some other gas grills we’ve reviewed, but it still has some great qualities that make it a keeper.

This grill is a very simple version of some other gas grills…

With 280 square inches of cooking space, this leaves a lot of room to cook for a party. It also includes porcelain coated wire grates which are easy to keep clean. Just make sure you’re burning off any food that’s stuck on the grates, otherwise, you’ll end up with a build-up of food and sticking problems. Once the grates cool, you can clean them with a soft nylon grill brush. A wire or metal brush could scrape off the porcelain coating from the grates, and they’re also dangerous to use with anything that comes in contact with food or dishes.

Char-Broil Classic 280 Propane Grill

Due to the simple design of the Char-Broil Classic 280 Propane Grill, it can be used for large crowds but isn’t so big that it can’t be fired up for a small family meal, too. It has two burners with individual knobs for optimal heat control, and each burner puts out 20,000 BTU’s of heat, not bad for a little two-burner. It also comes with two metal side tables to set your accessories on. These side tables are easy to clean, are sturdy, and can be removed if you need to store the 280 Grill.

Two stainless steel burners

SAFETY + DURABILITY | Great for Novice Grillers

The Char-Broil Classic 280 Propane Grill is a sturdy little grill that will get the job done for a fraction of the cost of high-end gas grills. This two-burner is made primarily out of steel. The outside of the grill, the lid, and the firebox are reinforced with porcelain coating which helps protect the grill from rust. Although this grill would probably be okay outside, it’s always a good idea to buy a grill cover to get the longest life out of your grill. The grates are porcelain-coated like the lid and firebox which helps prevent them from rusting and from food sticking to them.

This two-burner is made primarily out of steel.

The burners are made of stainless steel and have drip plates that cover them to prevent flare-ups but also to add extra flavor to your feast. When juice or fat drips from your food, it lands on the drip plate and vaporizes, infusing flavor back into your food. A lot of grill companies call these “flavorizor bars” due to their capability to add a depth of flavor to whatever you’re grilling. These drip plates are an awesome thing to have because they help keep your burners clean and provide a safe grilling experience.

Drip plates protect the burners

One nice safety feature about the design is that the base is designed to taper outward near the bottom, allowing for a sturdier and safer grill. Some grills have bases that are narrow or go straight down, which increases the risk of your grill tipping over. The Classic 280 has a nice wide base which decreases the risk of your grill tipping over and creating a hazardous situation.

PERFORMANCE | Great Features for Low Price

Ease-of-Use

Because of the simple design, the Char-Broil Classic 280 Propane Grill is extremely easy to use. You can fire this puppy up with the push of a button thanks to the Piezo ignition system built into the grill, starting up the Classic 280 doesn’t involve matches or lighters and burning your hand off. There are also two side shelves making it easy to store tools and ingredients. The side shelves are perfect for holding spices, ingredients, plates or cooking utensils. One downside that would be very simple for Char-Broil to add are some simple hooks for grilling tools and accessories. Any kind of storage is a must-have for any griller.

You can fire this puppy up with the push of a button…

Two wheels are attached to the bottom of the stand allowing for good maneuverability which makes it easier to cart the Char-Broil Classic 280 Propane Grill in and out of storage. Another feature to make storage easier is that the side shelves are easily removable. They don’t fold down but come right off of the grill, so you still have to find a place to store the side shelves.

One very important feature for a lot of grillers is an easy cleanup. With the Char-Broil Classic 280 Propane Grill, the porcelain-coated grates allow for a lower amount of food stickage, and there’s also a grease tray for easy cleanup. The cup sits directly below the firebox, so cleaning the grease after cooking is simpler than if it was able to just drip all over the interior of the grill, which can cause dangerous grill fires and possibly leave you eyebrow-less. Yikes.

Best Features

There aren’t a ton of feature like there are with some high-end grills like the Napoleon Prestige 500 Propane Grill, but one of the best features of the Char-Broil Classic 280 Propane Grill is its unbeatable price. The second best feature has to be the quality for the price. It’s a solidly built little grill that is still able to grill food for a crowd of people with 280 square inches of cooking space. It has the ability to produce 20,000 BTU’s with only two burners. The burners are stainless steel and each has their own knob for optimal heat control.

It has the ability to produce 20,000 BTU’s with only two burners.

The Char-Broil Classic 280 Propane Grill also has the ability to start up with the push of the button, thanks to the Piezo ignition system. This means you can fire up the grill without having to worry about burning your fingers. After hearing the whoosh of the flames you can adjust the level of the flame with the corresponding dial.

Push-start Piezo Ignition system

Another useful feature with the Char-Broil Classic 280 Propane Grill is the drip pans and grease management system. The drip pans cover the burners to prevent the burners from getting dirty with food. They also act as “flavorizer bars” which means they help vaporize drippings to add flavor back into the food. These drip pans are also angled to allow additional fat to drip into the drip tray which can be removed and cleaned easily. There are also grillers who use the grill drippings for sauces or gravy. Yum! Don’t forget to deck out the rest of your yard for entertaining guests with a relaxing hot tub and a  playset or a trampoline for the kids!

PRICE + LONGEVITY | Unbeatable Price

Longevity

Although it’s not the fanciest gas grill on the market, the Char-Broil Classic 280 Propane Grill is reliable and durable. It’s made primarily of steel, with the majority of it being porcelain-coated. The exterior lid and box, as well as the grill grates, are all porcelain-coated which helps prevent rust and deterioration. With a simple frame and lots of joints and crevices, however, this makes the grill more susceptible to rust over time which is why it’s important to either cover your grill or store it when not in use. This will ensure you get the most life out of your grill.

The exterior lid and box…are all porcelain-coated which helps prevent rust and deterioration.

Price

Like mentioned above, one of the best features of the Char-Broil Classic 280 Propane Grill is the unbeatable price. The simple yet useful features packed into this little two-burner make it a steal-of-a-deal. It’s a perfect option for grillers who want a gas grilling experience without the huge price tag of most gas grills on the market.

PROS

• Piezo ignition system
• Metal side shelves
• Stainless steel burners
• Affordable price

CONS

• Smaller grill
• More susceptible to rust
• No tool storage

THE BOTTOM LINE | Simple and Affordable

With Char-Broil’s burners, precise control is a feature that comes with this grill. Cook with high heat on one side of the grill and low heat on the other. A one-touch electronic ignition makes for an easy start-up, along with storage on side shelves. There are solid features with the Char-Broil Classic 280 Propane Grill for a great price that you can afford. Looking for something more high-end? Check out our Weber Genesis II E-410 Propane Grill Review.