The Char-Broil Signature TRU-Infrared 3 Burner Gas Grill is a mid-sized solution for the master griller.

Contents

DESIGN + VERSATILITY | Convertible Gas Grill

Char-Broil is a leading grilling company that produces seriously affordable but feature-packed grills. They’ve put a special focus on packing infrared technology into their grills over the past few years, and it shows with the Char-Broil Signature Tru-Infrared 3 Burner Gas Grill. Most gas grills produce a large amount of convection heat, which can dry out your food and meat, and usually need a sear burner to reach high temps to lock in the juices. Other brands of infrared grills can sear but don’t have the low temperatures need to cook slowly after searing. The Tru-Infrared 3 Burner has both the ability to sear at temperatures reaching 700 degrees Fahrenheit, but also to cook at lower temps down to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. This type of cooking mimics steakhouse and restaurant-style cooking for a tender, juicy steak.

The Tru-Infrared 3 Burner has both the ability to sear…but also to cook at lower temps…

The Char-Broil TRU-Infrared cooking system allows the grill user to cook their food evenly and with greater temperature control, using infrared technology. The Infrared heat helps prevent hot and cold spots on the grill’s cooking surface and facilitates faster cooking with the use of less gas. Very much like other propane grills we’ve reviewed, there is a set of sear plates that protect the burners from the fat drippings, and also provide vaporization for a flavor boost. This grill is also convertible between propane or natural gas, which is possible with a separate converter kit.

Char-Broil Signature Tru-Infrared 3 Burner Gas Grill Review

Char-Broil Signature Tru-Infrared 3 Burner Gas Grill

Char-Broil Signature Tru-Infrared 3 Burner Gas Grill includes other design features like porcelain-coated cast iron cooking grates and top-ported 443 (durable) stainless steel burners. These burners are adjustable to deliver either high or very low temperature and to distribute heat evenly. A large stainless steel door hides the gas tank while also allowing for additional storage. This grill has four caster wheels, including two that lock, for easy portability around your yard and for increased stability.

SAFETY + DURABILITY | Infrared Means Safety

Besides being made of stainless steel and cast iron, the build of this grill is sturdy but doesn’t measure up to some of the top grill brands like Weber. It does provide an affordable and versatile option for those looking for more features in a less expensive gas grill. Although it’s made of stainless steel, which sounds tough, it’s a lower grade stainless steel than other grills like the Napoleon Prestige 500 Gas Grill which is made of high-grade stainless steel. But, because it’s a lower grade, this allows the Char-Broil Signature Tru-Infrared 3 Burner Gas Grill to be more affordable for a wider range of people.

A few features create a safe grilling experience…

A few features create a safe grilling experience, like the adjustable heat, the infrared cooking grate, and the electronic ignition system. The top ported stainless steel burners can be easily adjusted to create high heat for searing or low temps for cooking slowly. The cooking grate designed by Char-Broil spreads heat evenly across the grill top, creating a barrier between the food and the fire and eliminating the risk of flare-ups. Also, because the heat distribution performs so well, this creates evenly cooked food and a lower risk for cold spots and uncooked food.

Char-Broil Signature Tru-Infrared 3 Burner Gas Grill Review TRU Infrared

Infrared grate and drip plates

PERFORMANCE | Wide Temperature Range

Ease-of-Use

A few nice features make the Char-Broil Signature Tru-Infrared 3 Burner Gas Grill easy to use without lacking in performance. A SureFire electronic ignition system offers a reliable spark at every burner, making starting the flames an easy task. The grill grates are porcelain-coated cast iron, perfect for even and hot heat distribution but also easy to clean. Plain cast iron cooking grates take more maintenance than porcelain-coated or stainless steel. There’s also 420 square inches of primary cooking on the grates, in addition to a 155 square inch swing away porcelain-coated warming rack.

A SureFire electronic ignition system offers a reliable spark at every burner…

All Char-Broil Signature Tru-Infrared 3 Burner Gas Grills have battery powered ignition as well as heat indicators. These grills can also convert to natural gas with an additional fuel kit that you need to purchase separately. There’s also a dual fuel and lid-mounted temperature gauge, which is great for interior temperature. However, it’s always a good idea to have a separate grilling thermometer if you want to cook with precision. And don’t forget a killer outdoor projector screen and Bluetooth speakers to pass the grilling time and entertain guests!

Char-Broil Signature Tru-Infrared 3 Burner Gas Grill Review Cast Iron Grates.png

Cast iron covered grates on top of infrared plates

One downside to this grill was the grates. Although they are coated in cast iron and are stainless steel, the actual shape of the grates made some buyers state that it’s hard to clean. The grates have a unique “V” shape to them, causing juices to pool in the crevices of the grates (unlike other grill grates where juices drip right through the openings). The Signature Tru-Infrared grates have very small holes in them to help the juices drip through, but a lot of “leftovers” don’t pass through these holes, causing a buildup of food which needs to be cleaned frequently.

Best Features

A lot of the features that come with the Char-Broil Signature Tru-Infrared 3 Burner Gas Grill are very similar to other gas grills we’ve reviewed. The only difference is the complete infrared cooktop which creates even heat distribution like no other, and the temperatures are very easily controlled. With 420 square inches of primary cooking on porcelain-coated cast iron grates, and 155 square inches on the warming rack, there’s enough space to cook for a crowd. In addition, there’s a side burner (not infrared, and not for direct grilling) that’s perfect for sides and sauces. When not in use, the fold-down cover provides a flat working surface for prepping, sauces, or rubs.

Char-Broil Signature Tru-Infrared 3 Burner Gas Grill Review Side Burner

The lid of the Signature Tru-Infrared 3 Burner has an inner double layer to trap heat.

The lid of the Signature Tru-Infrared 3 Burner has an inner double layer to trap heat. This allows it to be converted into a smoker or for baking, creating more versatility in your cooking experience. Because this grill can reach lower temperatures than other gas grills, it’s a great option for smoking, especially because you can create smoke by tossing food-grade wood chips, sawdust, or pellets between the grates, below the food, or off to the side. This is a great asset to Char-Broil’s Tru-Infrared design.

Char-Broil Signature Tru-Infrared 3 Burner Gas Grill Review Ignition Start

Burner controls and ignition start button

 

The specially designed cooking grate designed specifically for Tru-Infrared technology spreads heat evenly across the grill grates. Because this special grate creates a barrier between food and flame, dangerous flare-ups are in the past. The grates are designed with tiny holes spaced evenly to provide a minimal amount of drippings to hit the sear grates, creating a delicious flavor element. Also, Char-Broil made these grills to convert from liquid propane (LP) to natural gas (NG) with a natural gas conversion kit, something you won’t find with many other gas grills.

PRICE + LONGEVITY | Affordable but Less Durable

Longevity

The steel lid and firebox have a durable porcelain coating to stand up to the elements. Anything on the exterior that isn’t porcelain coated is stainless steel. It is a lower grade stainless steel (440) but still will prevent rust and corrosion. However, it’s always a good idea to purchase a grill cover to make sure you get the most life out of your grill. Char-Broil makes their grills packed with features but sometimes can lack durability to compensate.

Char-Broil Signature Tru-Infrared 3 Burner Gas Grill Review Warming Rack

Grill and warming rack

Price

The price for the Char-Broil Signature Tru-Infrared 3 Burner Gas Grill is very reasonable considering the features included. Construction of this grill doesn’t compare to durable brands like Weber, but this is a very affordable and feature-packed option for any griller’s needs. In addition, Char-Broil is known for having good customer service and is available Monday through Saturday for any needs. The warranty on this grill isn’t as nice, however. The Signature Tru-Infrared 3 Burner Series is covered for 10 years on the stainless burners, 3 years on the firebox, lid, grates and emitters, and all other parts are covered for 1 year.

The price…is very reasonable considering the features included.

PROS

  • Infrared capabilities
  • Ability to sear AND cook at low temperatures
  • Powerful side burner and ignition system
  • Great features for the price

CONS

  • Lower quality build
  • Poor warranty
  • Difficult to clean

THE BOTTOM LINE | Great Infrared Option

The Char-Broil Signature Tru-Infrared 3 Burner Gas Grill is the perfect grill for a conservative budget while still packing some features. This grill includes infrared technology, a heating system that uses radiant heat for a perfectly even heat distribution. Other gas grills we’ve reviewed don’t have this capability, which eliminates cold spots for an even sear. The sear plates underneath the cast iron coated grates help vaporize drippings, adding a nice smokey flavor back into your food. With the infrared grates, the risk for flare-ups is eliminated creating a safer grilling experience.

The Tru-Infrared 3 Burner has both the ability to sear at temperatures reaching 700 degrees Fahrenheit, but also to cook lower down to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. This type of cooking mimicks steakhouse and restaurant-style cooking for a tender, juicy steak. With Char-Broil’s burners, precise control with a wide range of heat 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 tons of storage on side shelves, tool hooks, and cabinet-like storage underneath. There are a ton of top-line features with the Char-Broil Signature Tru-Infrared 3 Burner Gas Grill for a great price that you can afford. Looking for something more affordable? Check out our Char-Broil Classic Propane Grill Review.