BIG HORN OUTDOORS 1500°F Portable Propane Grill Review: The Secret to Steakhouse Perfection at Home

We’ve all been there. You spend a small fortune on a beautiful, thick-cut ribeye or a prime New York strip. You season it perfectly, fire up your trusty backyard grill, and dream of that deep, mahogany crust and juicy, pink center you get at a high-end steakhouse. But what happens? The grill doesn’t get hot enough. Flare-ups char the outside before the inside is cooked. You end up with a steak that’s more grey than brown, disappointingly chewy, and a pale imitation of your culinary dreams. For years, I chased that perfect sear, trying everything from cast iron pans that smoked out my kitchen to so-called “sear burners” on conventional grills that simply couldn’t deliver the necessary thermal punch. The truth is, that steakhouse crust is born from extreme, face-melting heat that standard home equipment just can’t produce. This isn’t just about cooking; it’s about transforming a piece of meat into a transcendent experience, and failing to achieve that is a culinary tragedy.

What to Consider Before Buying a High-Temperature Propane Grill

A specialized high-temperature propane grill, often called a salamander or steak broiler, is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for achieving a specific, and often elusive, culinary result. It’s a purpose-built machine designed to do one thing exceptionally well: generate blistering, 1500°F heat from an overhead infrared burner. This top-down cooking method is the secret behind the rapid searing that creates a perfect Maillard reaction crust on meat without overcooking the interior. It eliminates flare-ups entirely, as drippings fall away from the heat source, resulting in a cleaner, purer flavor. For anyone serious about cooking steaks, chops, or even flash-cooking vegetables and pizzas, this type of grill is a game-changer that opens up a new world of flavor and texture that conventional grills cannot touch. You can explore the technology behind this powerful grill to see if it fits your needs.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who prioritizes the quality of their sear above all else. This includes steak aficionados, home chefs looking to elevate their technique, and even those who love the reverse-sear method and need a powerful tool for the final step. It’s perfect for individuals with limited space, like an apartment balcony, who want maximum performance from a small footprint. However, it might not be suitable for those who need a large, all-purpose grill for cooking multiple different types of food for a large family simultaneously. If your primary grilling involves hot dogs, burgers, and large quantities of chicken for a crowd, a more traditional multi-burner grill would be a better fit. This is a specialist’s tool, not a generalist’s workhorse.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: These units are designed to be countertop portable, but they still have a footprint. The BIG HORN OUTDOORS 1500°F Portable Propane Grill measures 16″ D x 21.5″ W x 15.4″ H. Ensure you have a stable, non-combustible outdoor surface with adequate ventilation and clearance above and around the unit, as it radiates intense heat.
• Capacity/Performance: The key metric here is heat output, measured in BTUs, and maximum temperature. With a single 19,000 BTU infrared burner reaching 1500°F, this unit is a powerhouse. Consider the cooking surface area (143 sq. inches), which is typically enough for two large steaks or one personal pizza at a time. This is not a high-volume cooker; it’s a high-performance one.
• Materials & Durability: Look for high-grade stainless steel. It’s not just for looks; it’s essential for resisting the extreme temperatures and the outdoor elements. The all-stainless steel construction of this model, as confirmed by numerous users, speaks to its longevity and resistance to rust, making it a solid investment.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: High heat means a learning curve. Mastering temperature control via the adjustable rack is key. For maintenance, look for detachable components. The fact that the internal parts are dishwasher-safe is a major advantage, as cleaning a broiler can be a messy affair. Simple ignition systems, like the one-touch pulse ignition, also add significant convenience.

Ultimately, choosing a high-heat broiler is about adding a powerful new weapon to your culinary arsenal. It won’t replace your smoker or your everyday grill, but it will perfect a crucial part of the cooking process that other tools simply can’t handle.

While the BIG HORN OUTDOORS 1500°F Portable Propane 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: Unboxing a Steak-Searing Powerhouse

Right out of the box, the BIG HORN OUTDOORS 1500°F Portable Propane Grill makes a statement. Our unit arrived securely packaged, a sentiment echoed by many users who noted the care taken to prevent shipping damage. The first thing we noticed was the weight and the finish. At just over 30 pounds, it has a substantial, rock-solid feel that immediately dispels any notion of it being a “chintzy” or flimsy piece of equipment. The polished stainless steel construction gives it the look of a professional kitchen salamander broiler, a serious tool for serious cooking. Assembly was refreshingly simple. As one user noted, it was “done in ten minutes,” and we found the same. The tool-free assembly is a brilliant touch, allowing you to go from unboxing to hooking up the propane in no time. Everything fits together snugly, with no rattling or ill-fitting parts. The included pizza stone and adapter hose are welcome additions, adding to the unit’s out-of-the-box value. It immediately feels like a significant upgrade over conventional portable grills, promising a very different, and much hotter, cooking experience. You can see its full feature set and build quality for yourself.

Performance Deep Dive: Mastering the Flame

A tool like the BIG HORN OUTDOORS 1500°F Portable Propane Grill isn’t judged on looks; it’s judged on fire. It lives and dies by its ability to deliver on the promise of its 1500°F temperature claim. We put it through its paces, cooking everything from thick-cut steaks to delicate vegetables and pizza, to see if it’s truly the backyard hero it claims to be. This is where we separate the marketing from the reality, and in our experience, the reality is scorching hot and deeply impressive.

The Main Event: Achieving the Perfect Steak Sear

Let’s be clear: this is why you buy this grill. We started with a pair of 1.5-inch thick choice ribeyes, seasoned simply with coarse salt. After connecting the propane, the one-touch pulse ignition fired up the 19,000 BTU infrared burner instantly. Within about three minutes, the ceramic burner element transformed from a blue flame to a mesmerizing, glowing red-orange sheet of pure heat. This is the moment you realize you’re not dealing with a normal grill. We placed the steaks on the highest rack setting, just inches from the heat source. The sizzle was immediate and violent. There was no smoke, no flare-ups—just the clean, intense energy of infrared radiation caramelizing the surface of the meat. After 90 seconds, we flipped them. The crust was already a deep, uniform mahogany. Another 90 seconds on the other side, and then we moved the steaks to a lower rack for two minutes to gently finish the interior. The result? Absolute perfection. As one user put it, “It’s the best steak I’ve ever cooked.” The crust was crisp and flavorful, with zero bitterness from char or flare-ups, and the inside was a perfect wall-to-wall medium-rare. The top-down heat truly does something magical, creating a textural contrast that a conventional grill simply cannot replicate. This is a feature that really sets it apart from the competition.

Build Quality and Thoughtful Design

The intense heat generated by this unit would tear apart a lesser grill, which is why its robust construction is so critical. The entire body, frame, and handle are made of thick-gauge stainless steel. We left it out on a covered deck through several rainstorms, and it showed no signs of rust or degradation, confirming one user’s experience of using it in a saltwater marina environment. The design is compact and efficient, making it ideal for small balconies or as an accessory grill in a larger outdoor kitchen. The core of its usability lies in the 10-position adjustable rack system. This is your throttle. Placing food on the top rack is for maximum, blistering sear. Moving it to the middle or bottom racks allows for more gentle cooking or warming. However, we did experience the one common complaint: the wire racks don’t slide as smoothly as one would hope, sometimes catching on the side rails. One user brilliantly solved this by using a small, shallow cast iron pan, which slides effortlessly and contains drippings. We tried this method, and it’s a fantastic pro-tip that enhances the user experience significantly. Despite this minor quirk, the overall build quality is exceptional for its price point, offering a sturdiness that inspires confidence.

Beyond the Sear: Surprising Versatility and Cleanup

While steak is its specialty, we were keen to test its limits. We threw on some thick-cut zucchini spears tossed in olive oil. On a middle rack, they were perfectly tender-crisp with a beautiful char in about 4 minutes. The included pizza stone was our next test. After preheating the stone on a lower rack for about 10 minutes, we slid in a personal-sized pizza. The top-down heat cooked the toppings and melted the cheese beautifully, while the hot stone created a crisp crust in under 3 minutes. As one user enthusiastically reported, making pizzas with pre-cooked flatbreads is a delicious and lightning-fast process. This versatility makes the BIG HORN OUTDOORS 1500°F Portable Propane Grill more than a one-trick pony. Cleanup, often the bane of grilling, was surprisingly manageable. The internal components are all detachable. The racks and drip tray can go into the dishwasher, though a good scrub is often necessary. We took a cue from another user and lined the bottom drip tray with aluminum foil, which made cleanup laughably easy. For the main body, a wipe-down with a degreaser or a stainless steel cleaner like Bar Keeper’s Friend keeps it looking sharp. The ability to cook amazing food and not spend an hour cleaning up afterward is a massive win and adds to its appeal for frequent use. You can find reviews detailing its versatile cooking capabilities online.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, the sentiment for the BIG HORN OUTDOORS 1500°F Portable Propane Grill is overwhelmingly positive. Users consistently praise its ability to produce “restaurant quality” steaks at home, with many, like us, claiming it cooked the best steak of their lives. One user, a self-proclaimed carnivore with no cooking experience, stated, “I can now humbly claim that my steaks are better than fine-dining steaks, thanks to this brand.” The solid build quality is another common theme, with descriptions like “rock-solid” and “great quality” appearing frequently. Many are pleasantly surprised by the sturdiness, especially given its affordable price point compared to professional salamanders that can cost over a thousand dollars.

However, the feedback isn’t without its critiques, which align with our own findings. The most common point of constructive criticism is the learning curve. As one reviewer candidly admitted, “I wanted more char in them, and ended up over cooking them a bit; determined that I had it too close to the infrared heaters.” This is a powerful tool, and it demands respect and attention. The other minor issue noted is the racks not sliding smoothly. One user gave it 4 stars for this reason, calling it a “fair amount of effort” to move them, which is a valid point. This feedback is crucial as it paints a realistic picture: this is an exceptional, specialized grill that requires a bit of practice to master. After seeing the wealth of positive feedback from fellow users, it’s clear these minor issues are far outweighed by its incredible performance.

How Does It Compare to the Alternatives?

The BIG HORN OUTDOORS 1500°F Portable Propane Grill is a specialist. To understand its value, it’s helpful to compare it against other popular outdoor cooking appliances that serve different purposes.

1. ARC Advanced Royal Champion 13″ Single Propane Burner

The ARC Single Propane Burner is all about raw, bottom-up power. This is not a grill or a broiler; it’s a high-output burner designed for wok cooking, deep frying, or boiling large pots of water for a crab boil. While it can produce intense heat, its application is entirely different. It offers no precision for searing a steak and has no enclosed cooking chamber. Someone would choose the ARC burner if their primary need is high-heat cooking in large vessels for stir-frying, canning, or brewing. It’s an excellent tool for what it does, but it cannot replicate the top-down, flare-up-free searing of the BIG HORN.

2. Char-Broil Performance Series 2-Burner Gas Grill

The Char-Broil 2-Burner represents the traditional, all-purpose portable gas grill. It’s a fantastic option for someone who needs versatility over specialized searing power. With two burners and a larger cooking surface, you can grill burgers, hot dogs, chicken breasts, and vegetables for a small family all at once. It’s a generalist. However, it will never reach the 1500°F temperatures needed for a true steakhouse sear. A buyer would choose the Char-Broil for its larger capacity and ability to handle a variety of foods with conventional grilling methods, making it a more suitable primary grill for many households.

3. SKOK 3 Burner Outdoor Propane Griddle

The SKOK Griddle offers a completely different cooking experience with its flat-top surface. This is the perfect choice for someone who loves making smash burgers, hibachi-style meals, pancakes, bacon, and eggs outdoors. The large, even-heated surface is incredibly versatile. While you can get a great all-over crust on a steak with a griddle, it’s a different kind of sear—more akin to a cast-iron pan than an infrared broiler. A cook would choose the SKOK griddle if their preferred style of outdoor cooking involves direct contact with a solid hot surface, which is ideal for a wide range of foods that would fall through the grates of a traditional grill.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy the BIG HORN OUTDOORS 1500°F Portable Propane Grill?

After extensive testing, our conclusion is clear: the BIG HORN OUTDOORS 1500°F Portable Propane Grill is not just a grill; it’s a specialized searing instrument that brings a professional culinary technique to the home user at an incredible value. It is not meant to replace your do-it-all family grill. Instead, it’s the ultimate accessory for anyone who is passionate about cooking the perfect steak. The build quality is surprisingly robust, its performance is shockingly powerful, and the results speak for themselves—a deep, flavorful crust and a perfectly cooked interior, every single time, in a matter of minutes.

Yes, there is a learning curve, and the racks could be smoother, but these are minor footnotes in an otherwise stellar performance review. If you have ever felt disappointed by a steak cooked at home and have yearned for that steakhouse-quality finish, this is the tool that will finally bridge that gap. For its price, performance, and the sheer joy of cooking a perfect steak in under five minutes, we wholeheartedly recommend it. It’s a game-changer for any serious meat lover. If you’re ready to take your steak game to an entirely new level, we highly recommend you check the latest price and availability.