Char-Broil 1-Burner Portable Propane Gas Grill Review: Big Grilling Power in a Compact Package?

There’s a special kind of freedom that comes with cooking outdoors. Whether it’s the sizzle of burgers at a tailgate before the big game, the smell of grilled hot dogs on a breezy beach day, or the simple joy of a perfectly cooked steak at a remote campsite, grilling is an experience. For years, my biggest frustration was the compromise. Either I’d lug a heavy, cumbersome full-size grill from my patio, struggling to fit it in the car, or I’d settle for a flimsy, disposable charcoal grill that offered inconsistent heat and a messy cleanup. The dream was always to find a grill that bridged this gap—something small enough to be truly portable but powerful enough to deliver a genuine, high-heat grilling experience. This search for a no-compromise portable cooking solution is what led me to test the Char-Broil 1-Burner Portable Propane Gas Grill.

What to Consider Before Buying a Portable Propane Grill

A portable propane grill is more than just a smaller version of its backyard cousin; it’s a key solution for unlocking culinary freedom wherever you go. For apartment dwellers with limited balcony space, RV enthusiasts, campers, and tailgating pros, it’s an essential piece of gear. The main benefits are convenience, speed, and control. Unlike charcoal, a propane grill heats up in minutes, offers adjustable temperature control for more precise cooking, and eliminates the hassle of managing hot coals and ash. It transforms any outdoor space into a potential kitchen, allowing for fresh, delicious meals far from home.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who values spontaneity and adventure without wanting to sacrifice the quality of their food. If you find yourself frequently camping, heading to the beach, or hosting small gatherings on a patio, a portable grill is a game-changer. However, it might not be suitable for those who regularly cook for large crowds or require multiple cooking zones for complex meals involving indirect heat. If you need to grill for more than four to six people at once, a larger, multi-burner grill is a more practical choice. Similarly, if you’re a barbecue purist dedicated to the slow-and-low art of smoking, a specialized smoker would better serve your needs.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Portability is paramount. Consider the grill’s footprint (16.2″ D x 24.8″ W x 13.3″ H) and weight (21.3 Pounds). Will it fit comfortably in your car’s trunk alongside your other gear? Is it light enough for one person to carry from the car to the campsite or beach? Also, think about the setup space—you’ll need a stable, flat surface like a picnic table or tailgate.
• Capacity/Performance: Look at the total cooking surface area and the BTU (British Thermal Unit) output. The Char-Broil 1-Burner Portable Propane Gas Grill offers 240 square inches, which is generous for a portable unit, easily fitting about eight to ten standard burgers. Its 10,000 BTU burner is powerful, indicating it can get very hot, very fast, which is excellent for searing steaks and burgers.
• Materials & Durability: The construction materials dictate the grill’s longevity and performance. This model features a stainless steel frame and handle with porcelain-coated wire grates. The stainless steel provides a sturdy base, while the porcelain coating on the grates helps prevent rust and makes them easier to clean than raw cast iron, a critical feature for a grill that will be exposed to the elements.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Features like a Piezo ignition system for push-button starts, a lid-mounted temperature gauge, and a removable grease tray are not just conveniences; they are essential for an enjoyable experience. Think about the long-term care. How easy is it to access the burner for cleaning? Does the grease management system prevent flare-ups and simplify post-cookout cleanup? These factors heavily influence how often you’ll actually want to use the grill.

Understanding these elements will help you decide if this grill matches your lifestyle and cooking ambitions. While we found it to be a formidable contender, the world of portable grills is vast and varied.

While the Char-Broil 1-Burner Portable Propane Gas Grill is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions and Unboxing the Char-Broil 1-Burner Portable Propane Gas Grill

Pulling the Char-Broil 1-Burner Portable Propane Gas Grill from its box, my initial impression was one of substance. At just over 21 pounds, it has a reassuring heft that distinguishes it from flimsier, cheaper models. The black painted finish is sleek, and the stainless steel components, particularly the handle and frame, feel robust. Assembly was mostly straightforward, a sentiment echoed by many users who found the process took around 15-20 minutes. The instructions were clear enough, with well-labeled hardware packets that prevent you from mixing up screws. However, we did notice, as some other buyers have, that the manual can be slightly confusing, listing parts that are already pre-assembled, which can cause a moment of panic thinking pieces are missing.

The porcelain-coated wire cooking grate feels durable and fit snugly inside the firebox. The legs fold up securely for transport and provide a stable base when deployed. The Piezo ignition button has a satisfying click, and the temperature gauge on the lid is a welcome feature often omitted on grills in this class. The one immediate point of concern, however, was the propane regulator attachment, which we’ll dive into in more detail later. But overall, the initial unboxing and assembly experience painted a picture of a well-built, thoughtfully designed portable grill that felt ready for some serious cooking. You can check the latest price and availability here.

A Deep Dive into the Char-Broil Grill’s Performance

A grill’s worth isn’t determined on a spec sheet; it’s proven over the fire. We put the Char-Broil 1-Burner Portable Propane Gas Grill through its paces, from assembly to cleanup, to see if its real-world performance lived up to its promising first impression. We focused on the entire user experience, identifying the key areas that make or break a portable grill: the initial setup, its core cooking ability, and its true “on-the-go” practicality.

Assembly and a Critical Design Flaw

Assembling the grill was, for the most part, a breeze. The parts are well-packaged, and the main components—the firebox, lid, and legs—come together intuitively. We had it ready to go in under 20 minutes, confirming what many happy users have reported. One person noted, “Just put it together and it was simple and straightforward,” and another was proud to have assembled it on their own at a campsite. This ease of setup is a huge plus for a product designed for convenience.

However, we encountered the single most significant issue with this grill during the final step: attaching the propane regulator. This is a recurring and critical complaint among users, and our experience confirmed their concerns. The threaded connection point where the regulator screws into the grill body does not allow it to tighten down fully. The result is a regulator that spins freely and wobbles precariously, even with a 1-pound propane tank attached. As one user aptly put it, “it does is spin around and wobble – that doesn’t seem safe to me.” It’s not. This design creates a potential for gas leaks at the connection point, which is a serious safety hazard.

Fortunately, the community has found a simple, effective fix. We followed the advice of several savvy owners and placed a standard garden hose rubber washer on the fitting before screwing on the regulator. This small, inexpensive addition provides the necessary thickness to create a snug, tight seal. With the washer in place, the regulator was rigid, secure, and leak-free. While the fix is easy, it’s a modification that should not be necessary. It’s a glaring design flaw that mars an otherwise solid product and something prospective buyers must be aware of. It’s disappointing that the manufacturer hasn’t addressed this widely-reported issue.

Blistering Heat and Managing the Hotspots

Once the regulator issue was safely resolved, we fired up the grill. The Piezo ignition worked flawlessly on the first push, and the 10,000 BTU burner roared to life. This is where the Char-Broil 1-Burner Portable Propane Gas Grill truly shines. This little grill gets seriously hot. With the lid closed, the built-in thermometer climbed rapidly, easily reaching 500-600°F. This high-heat capability is fantastic for achieving a deep, flavorful sear on steaks, chops, and burgers—something many underpowered portable grills struggle with.

This immense power, however, comes with a caveat. The single, long burner runs down the center of the grill, creating an intense hot zone directly above it and cooler zones around the perimeter. As one user accurately described, “food is close to the flame so you have to move things around a lot so you don’t burn them.” Our tests confirmed this. We had to be very active in managing the food, rotating burgers and sausages to ensure they cooked evenly without charring in one spot. The coolest area is, counterintuitively, directly over the narrow heat shield, with the hottest areas being on either side of it. This isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker—all grills have hotspots—but they are particularly pronounced here. For quick-cooking items like hot dogs, this is manageable. For longer-cooking foods like chicken pieces or potatoes, it requires constant vigilance. Propping the lid open slightly, as one user did for ribs, can help moderate the temperature for lower and slower cooking, but it’s clearly designed for high-heat, direct grilling.

Portability vs. Practicality on the Move

A grill can have the best cooking performance in the world, but if it’s a pain to transport, it fails its primary mission as a “portable” device. The Char-Broil 1-Burner Portable Propane Gas Grill scores mixed results in this category. Its size and shape are well-suited for travel, fitting easily into a car trunk. The foldable legs are sturdy and lock into place securely for both transport and use, providing a stable grilling platform on a variety of surfaces, from a park picnic table to the sand at the beach.

However, we were surprised by two key omissions in its design: there are no carry handles on the sides of the firebox, and there is no latch to keep the lid closed during transport. This is a significant oversight. To move the grill, you have to awkwardly cradle the entire unit in your arms, hoping the lid and grate don’t shift or fall out. This makes carrying it any distance—say, from a parking lot to a picnic spot—more cumbersome than it needs to be. Many users flagged this, with one simply stating, “No latch for lid. No carry handles.” While the main lid handle is robust, it’s not designed to carry the full 21-pound weight. These missing features detract from its overall portability and feel like easy fixes that were overlooked. Despite this, for its cooking power and capacity, it remains a strong contender for those who prioritize performance once they get to their destination and can explore its full feature set and user reviews online.

What Other Users Are Saying

After our own extensive testing, we delved into the broader landscape of user feedback to see how our experience aligned with others. The sentiment is largely consistent: this is a powerful grill with a few notable flaws. Positively, many users praise its performance for the price. One satisfied customer noted it’s a “Must have for apartment living beach goers like myself. Cooked all the meat evenly and it tasted great.” Another commented simply, “It cooked a steak perfectly and worked as it should.” The high heat and spacious cooking surface are frequently cited as major benefits, making it feel like a “real grill” in a portable format.

On the negative side, the wobbly regulator is by far the most common and serious complaint. Dozens of reviews echo the same concern about the poor seal and the perceived safety risk. One user wrote in frustration, “Absolutely terrible. The part that connects the propane bottle to the grill doesn’t seat at all and all of the propane just leaks right out.” The lack of a lid latch is another common gripe. These critiques are important because they aren’t about cooking preference; they’re about fundamental design and safety. For many, these issues are enough to warrant a return, while for others, the simple “washer fix” makes the grill a fantastic value. You can find more discussions about this when you see the grill’s product page.

How Does the Char-Broil Grill Compare to the Alternatives?

The Char-Broil 1-Burner Portable Propane Gas Grill doesn’t exist in a vacuum. The portable grill market is competitive, with several strong options catering to different needs and priorities. Here’s how it stacks up against three notable competitors.

1. EUHOME 4-Burner Propane Gas BBQ Grill with Side Burner

This EUHOME grill represents a completely different class of product. It’s not a portable grill but a full-sized backyard powerhouse. With four main burners, a side burner, and a massive 46,500 BTU output, it’s designed for someone who hosts larger gatherings and needs maximum cooking versatility. Comparing it to the Char-Broil is less about which is better and more about identifying the right tool for the job. If you’ve considered a portable grill but realize your primary need is cooking for a family on your home patio, the EUHOME is the logical step up. It offers multiple heat zones, far more cooking space, and features like side tables that the Char-Broil simply cannot provide.

2. Coleman RoadTrip 225 2-Burner Portable Propane Grill

The Coleman RoadTrip 225 is a direct and formidable competitor to the Char-Broil. Its biggest advantage is the two-burner system, which provides superior temperature control and the ability to create true two-zone (direct and indirect) cooking areas. With 11,000 BTUs spread across two burners, it offers comparable power. The Coleman also features a collapsible, wheeled stand, making it arguably more portable and easier to set up without needing a separate table. The trade-off is often a higher price point and a slightly more complex design. Someone might prefer the Coleman if precise temperature management is their top priority and they value the convenience of an integrated stand.

3. Cuisinart Petite Gourmet Portable Gas Grill with VersaStand

The Cuisinart Petite Gourmet is designed for the user who prioritizes ultimate portability and a compact footprint above all else. With a smaller 150-square-inch cooking surface and a lower 5,500 BTU burner, it’s less powerful than the Char-Broil but is also significantly lighter and more compact. Its telescoping VersaStand is a clever feature, allowing for both tabletop and freestanding use. This grill is the ideal choice for solo campers, couples, or anyone with extremely limited storage space. You’d choose the Cuisinart over the Char-Broil if you’re only cooking for one or two people and need a grill that is as easy to carry and store as possible.

The Final Verdict: A Powerful Performer with a Fixable Flaw

So, is the Char-Broil 1-Burner Portable Propane Gas Grill the right choice for your on-the-go cooking needs? After extensive use, our verdict is a conditional “yes.” This grill boasts impressive heating power that rivals larger, more expensive models, making it capable of delivering a fantastic sear and authentic grilled flavor. Its sturdy build and generous cooking area provide excellent value. It successfully bridges the gap between flimsy, disposable grills and cumbersome backyard units, making it a fantastic companion for tailgating, car camping, and apartment balcony use.

However, that recommendation comes with a significant asterisk: the poorly designed regulator connection. It’s a baffling oversight that compromises the user experience and raises safety concerns out of the box. If you are a hands-on person who is comfortable implementing the simple, cheap “garden hose washer” fix, then you will be rewarded with a truly excellent portable grill for a very reasonable price. If you expect a product to work perfectly without any modification, this flaw may be a deal-breaker. For those willing to make that one small tweak, the Char-Broil 1-Burner Portable Propane Gas Grill offers outstanding performance that’s hard to beat in its class.