The Char-Broil Patio Bistro Tru-Infrared Electric Grill might be electric, but it’s made to fit almost any griller’s needs!

Contents

DESIGN + VERSATILITY | Revamped Electric Grill

In 1948, Char-Broil brought one of the first charcoal grills to market. Since then, they’ve paved their way to one of the top grill producers in the world, and are innovating new features like their TRU-Infrared technology which helps create a more evenly heated cooking surface. Char-Broil is known for creating all grill types, including electric grills. One of their top selling electric grills, the Char-Broil Patio Bistro TRU-Infrared Electric Grill, is the perfect grill for those who don’t wish to use charcoal or gas fuel and is ideal for apartments, condos, balconies, and patios. Just plug the grill in and get cooking.

Char-Broil Patio Bistro Tru-Infrared Electric Grill Review

Char-Broil Patio Bistro TRU-Infrared Electric Grill

The Char-Broil Patio Bistro Tru-Infrared Electric Grill is a top contender in the electric grill market. Electricity as a fuel source is very affordable, and you don’t have to worry about having enough charcoal, gas, or other fuel sources. Just turn it on with the flip of a switch and start cooking. There are some downsides to electric grills, like:

  • Inability to reach searing temperatures
  • Lack of portability: your grill needs to stay plugged into an outlet
  • No charcoal-grilled flavor
  • Not able to smoke foods like gas and electric grills can

However, there are some advantages to working with electric grills. Affordability and simplicity are two benefits to these grills as well as safety. You aren’t working with fire as a heat source, so there really are no fire hazards. One seriously great feature of the Easy Street Deluxe Electric Cart Grill is that it actually LOOKS like a grill, as silly as that may sound. Even if you can’t or choose not to grill with charcoal grills or gas grills, you may still be after that “grilling experience”, and the Easy Street Deluxe will give it to you.

Affordability and simplicity are two benefits to these grills as well as safety.

This grill is a revamped version of the older Char-Broil Patio Bistro Electric Grill, but with better improvements. The new Char-Broil Patio Bistro TRU-Infrared Electric Grill brings a couple, but very important design features to the table. There are two convenient side tables that can fold up or fold down for space-saving storage. There is 240 square inches of active grilling space, plus a warming rack great for grilling buns or keeping food warm for a total of 320 square inches of heating space. Although this grill is powered by electricity, it can easily reach temperatures of 550 degrees Fahrenheit in less than thirty minutes after turning it on. This also means that the Patio Bistro can reach hot enough temperatures to sear, not something many electric grills we’ve reviewed can do.

Char-Broil Patio Bistro Tru-Infrared Electric Grill Review Porcelain Coated Cast Iron Grates

Porcelain-coated cast iron grate

SAFETY + DURABILITY | Tough and Durable

Not only are electric grills safer to use, they are much easier than dealing with bags of messy charcoal or tanks of volatile gas. There is no risk of flare-ups because you aren’t cooking over an open flame, and the grill is easy to turn off and cool down once you are finished using it. The grill lid and firebox are constructed of durable porcelain-coated steel. The cooking surface is made of porcelain-coated cast iron grates which are easy to clean but also rust-resistant and create an even heated space.

The grill lid and firebox are constructed of durable porcelain-coated steel.

Also, a lid-mounted temperature gauge provides the griller with increased heat control and allows you to keep the lid closed during cooking to keep the heat trapped in for optimal temperatures. Definitely keep the electric element of the Char-Broil Patio Bistro Tru-Infrared Electric Grill where it won’t get wet or damaged from indecent weather. Keeping it covered or stored while not in use is probably your best bet, as this is an electrical appliance.

PERFORMANCE | Simple but Powerful

Ease-of-Use

The Char-Broil Patio Bistro Tru-Infrared Electric Grill works great for cooking everything from steaks and burgers to veggies and sides. The grilling temperature is adjusted using an oven-style control knob with a lighted display. Just turn the control knob to the desired temperature and wait for it to reach searing temps.

Just turn the control knob to the desired temperature and wait for it to reach searing temps.

The lid-mounted temperature gauge provides the griller with increased heat control. However, if you are a frequent food checker, just note that this grill loses heat quickly once the lid opens, and it takes a while to reach high temperatures again, unlike the Weber Q 2400 Electric Grill, which holds onto heat extremely well.. So, just resist the urge to open the grill top more than necessary, or check out the Easy Street Electric Grill that has a viewing window to check on food. Also, The easy-to-use oven-like knob controller sits on the front of the grill and has a light ring on the bezel that illuminates when the grill surface is hot for added safety.

Char-Broil Patio Bistro Tru-Infrared Electric Grill Review Knob Controller

Simple heat control knob

Two side shelves offer sufficient prep and storage space. They easily fold down for those times you need to store your Patio Bistro away. There’s also an under-mounted rack for additional storage as well as sturdy wheels for easy mobility. The old Char-Broil Electric Grill didn’t have these side tables, making the new Char-Broil Patio Bistro Tru-Infrared Electric Grill a more convenient and easy choice.

The porcelain-coated cast iron grates are great for cooking at even temperatures, but also very easy to clean. There’s also a nice removable grease-tray allowing you to dispose of grease easily and safely. The grease tray is easily accessible from the front of the grill and easy to replace once you’re finished cleaning.

Char-Broil Patio Bistro Tru-Infrared Electric Grill Review Grease Tray

Removable grease tray for easy clean-up

Best Features

One thing that grillers can miss out on with electric grills is the smokey flavor. To get a smoky flavor with your food, put presoaked woodchips on top of a sheet of aluminum foil. Fold over the aluminum foil and make it nice and tight. Poke a few air holes into the foil. Then throw the balled up foil onto your grill as it heats up for ten minutes, then keep the foil there for the rest of the cooking process. This infuses your food with the wonderful flavor of charcoal grills without all the mess and money.

Char-Broil Patio Bistro Tru-Infrared Electric Grill Review Burner

Electric heating element

As far as operating the Char-Broil Patio Bistro Tru-Infrared Electric Grill, it’s as simple as plugging it into any standard 120-volt outlet and turning it on with the turn of a button. The patio Bistro features TRU-Infrared technology, but because this grill is already electric this is kind of a misnomer. TRU-Infrared technology is an electric component that’s usually added to fire-based grills to get a more even cooking surface. However, this grill is powered by electricity, making it infrared by default. Either way, the cooking surface rivals other grills, getting as hot as 550 °F, hot enough to sear almost any steak (searing temps need to be around 500 °F).

…the cooking surface rivals other grills, getting as hot as 550 °F…

The cooking surface is powered by one 1,750-watt electric heating element which heats 240 square inches of primary cooking surface over porcelain-coated cast iron grates which are known for creating a hot and even cooking surface. These grates are rust-resistant and easy to clean. The Char-Broil Patio Bistro Tru-Infrared Electric Grill also features an 80 square inch warming rack, perfect for cooking sides or heating buns. There are also no flare-ups, making this grill safe and easy to use. Also, has anyone ever noticed how nice it is to have prep tables during grilling? Char-Broil does, and they’ve made sure to put foldable side tables on this grill as well as two large wheels for easy mobility. And don’t forget to check out some of the best outdoor hammocks, perfect for waiting while your food cooks on the grill and for entertaining guests!

Char-Broil Patio Bistro Tru-Infrared Electric Grill Review Portable

PRICE + LONGEVITY | Durable and Reasonable

Longevity

Char-Broil made sure to build this grill well, giving it a durable porcelain-coated finish, a sturdy frame, and anti-rusting materials. However, because it is an electric grill it’s always a good idea to store this puppy out of the elements or find a good grill cover for it. Otherwise, everything else on this grill is porcelain coated: the steel exterior, the grease drip pan, and the cast iron grates making almost every inch of this grill anti-rust and very hardy.

Price

Char-Broil Patio Bistro Tru-Infrared Electric Grill is one of those grills where you’re getting your bang for your buck. There are not only great features that make grilling with electricity a breeze, but the build and quality of this grill are better than other electric grills we’ve reviewed. The warranty doesn’t compare to charcoal and gas grills we’ve reviewed, but the customer support and help offered by Char-Broil is unmatched. This is a business that started small, and they still have the small-business mentality of  “putting the customer first.” The firebox and the lid for this Electric Patio Bistro have a two-year warranty. All of the other parts of this grill have a twelve-month warranty.

This is a business that started small, and they still have the small-business mentality…

PROS

  • 1750-Watt Burner
  • Reach Up to 550°F
  • 320 Square Inches of Grilling including warming racks
  • Comes in a variety of colors
  • Rust Resistant Grates, rolling wheels, and side tables

CONS

  • No tool rack
  • Difficult to assemble
  • Loses temperature easily when grill lid is lifted

THE BOTTOM LINE | Quality Electric Grill

Char-Broil is known for making quality grills to fit any griller’s need. The design and quality of materials used is right up there with other top grilling brands. Char-Broil is known for making grills of all shapes and sizes, and the Char-Broil Patio Bistro Tru-Infrared Electric Grill is one of the best electric grills you can find on the market. It puts out 1,750 watts of power to bring the heat up to searing temperatures of 550 degrees Fahrenheit. It features 240 square inches of cooking space as well as an 80 square inch warming rack.

In addition to these great cooking features, there are two foldable side tables that help with prep space, a storage rack near the bottom of the grill, a removable grease drip pan, and large wheels for easy mobility. It’s also coated with a porcelain exterior making it resistant to rust. With all of these features (and more!), it’s almost impossible to pass this grill up if you’re in the market for an electric grill. Looking for more of a traditional grill? Check out some of the best gas grills on the market!