Char Broil Performance Grill Review: A Great Introductory Grill at an Approachable Price
Updated: Jun. 30, 2024
Are you getting into outdoor cooking and looking for a grill at a mid-range price? Learn all about the Char-Broil Performance 375.
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Summertime means it’s the perfect weather for cooking outside. It’s also ideal for eating outside, whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue with friends or gathering around the outdoor table for dinner on a weeknight. While there are plenty of top grills on the market to choose from, including gas grills and charcoal grills, some may be a bit more than what you’re searching for. For a well-performing grill at a mid-range price point, the Char-Broil Performance 375 grill is the ideal fit.
The Taste of Home Test Kitchen put this grill to the test firsthand, with grilling expert Catherine Ward taking the lead. She loved how easy it was to assemble, how well it held its temperature and the beautiful cook on a seared steak. Here’s everything you need to know about this gas grill at an approachable price point.
What is the Char-Broil Performance 375?
The Char-Broil Performance 375 is a gas-powered grill. It is constructed from stainless steel, with a silver grill body, a black steel bottom cabinet and matching side shelves. At 44.5 inches wide by 45.3 inches tall, it’s fairly compact, making it a great choice for someone looking for an introductory grill for a small backyard, patio, balcony or deck.
TASTE OF HOME
We Tried It
Char-Broil Performance 375 Gas Grill
Stainless steel, 3-burner grill with 375-square-inches of primary cooking space.
Char-Broil Performance 375 Features
This gas grill has three burners spread across a 375-square-inch cooking area. It easily hooks up to a propane tank, which can be tucked away in the bottom cabinet so it’s out of sight. Unfortunately, there aren’t any hooks for grilling tools and accessories, but there is some extra storage room under the grill for small items. Char-Broil also sells a separate tool-holding magnet, which would make for a great gift for a griller.
Inside, the cast-iron grill grates are made that much more durable thanks to porcelain coating. It also has a warming rack above the main grate. There’s a built-in thermometer on the top of the lid of the grill, and there are two convenient folding side shelves for easy prep.
The grill is built with a removable grease pan for easy cleaning, which catches drippings while cooking.
How We Tested the Char-Broil Performance 375
Before the Test Kitchen could put this grill to the test, it was first evaluated based on ease of assembly. This grill was simple to assemble, with clear directions and few moving parts.
Three cooks were performed on this grill to test its performance. The Test Kitchen found that the push button ignition was simple to get the grill going, taking about five minutes to get up to temperature. Once it was hot enough, it was easy to regulate the temperature. A 1 1/2-inch steak was cooked on it at 500 degrees for a two-minute sear on each side and a four-minute covered cook between sears. This test proved that the grill lived up to its name, with a nice char on the steak’s exterior without being burned.
In another test, a whole cut-up chicken was cooked on medium at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to a temperature of 165 degrees. Once the chicken was sauced, it ended up having a deeper char, which was less appealing visually. Ribs cooked low and slow at 300 degrees didn’t quite have enough room on the grill. They needed to be placed at a slight angle, but even with that, there wasn’t enough room to keep the edges away from the heat source, so one edge ended up too charred. Overall, the grill performed decently on the cooking tests, but it was evident that this grill may be a better bet for higher-heat cooking with smaller items, such as steaks, burgers and brats or hot dogs.
Once it was time for clean-up, the grill grates could easily be cleaned with a grill brush, and the drip tray was emptied and washed.
After the inaugural tests in our Outdoor Test Kitchen, the Char-Broil Performance 375 was sent home with a long-term reviewer for further evaluation. Director of Editorial Services Kelly Madison-Liebe used the Char-Broil over a dozen times to prep chicken, burgers, brats, hot dogs, flank steak, asparagus and potatoes.
“The size is great; 3 burners are just enough,” Kelly says. “But there is still room underneath by the tank for cooking spray, tools or paper for our other charcoal grill. The features are pretty basic, but the electric start works great. The grease tray catches all the grease and the side tables are very handy. It also heats evenly.”
Kelly has noted, however, that the grill is a little wobbly. “It is easy to clean, but that’s when you notice the wobbliness. I might need to just tighten up some bolts,” she says. “The grease tray also falls out pretty easily. That was no big deal when it was empty, but it made a mess when it was full. It also catches rain from the back, which is something I’ve never noticed on other grills.”
Pros
- Good price point for a well-performing grill
- Excellent cook on seared steaks
- Doesn’t take up too much space in a small backyard
- Bottom cabinet to hide propane tank
Cons
- Not ideal for indirect cooking
FAQ
How do you clean a Char-Broil grill?
The grill grates of any grill should be kept clean for proper use. Use a grill brush to clean the interior grates of this grill, and empty the grease pan catch regularly.
Is Char-Broil or Weber better?
The choice between Char-Broil or Weber comes down to personal preference. It’s all up to what features are important to you, the design and how much you want to spend on a grill. Weber grills tend to be on the more expensive side than this mid-range grill, but they also have additional features and a longer warranty.
Why You Should Trust Us
The Taste of Home Test Kitchen tested this Char-Broil Performance grill, along with other gas and charcoal grill models, with grilling expert Catherine Ward taking the lead. The grill was thoroughly evaluated for assembly, performance, design and ease of cleaning.
I am a writer specializing in food and lifestyle, with a specific passion for outdoor cooking and grilling. While I love to keep my eye on the latest food trends and kitchen gadgets, I focus on stalwart products. My goal is to recommend items that are worth the investment and will last, including pizza ovens, fire pits, grills and smokers.
Product Comparison
The Char-Broil Performance 375 is a great grill for beginners or for those looking for a mid-range grill at a decent price that can be used for simple grilling. It didn’t perform quite as well as the Weber Spirit II E-310 gas grill or the Weber Genesis E-325, but it comes in at a much lower price point compared to those grills. It doesn’t perform as well in the gas grill category for more specific cooks, such as a whole chicken or low and slow-cooked ribs, but it excels when cooking steaks and burgers at high temperatures.
Final Verdict
The Char-Broil Performance 375 is a mid-range grill at a moderate price point. It performs well with smaller items, especially those you want to cook at a higher temperature for charred color and flavor. It’s not the best option if you want to cook large amounts of food and try your hand at low and slow cooking on more delicate items.
Where to Buy the Char-Broil Performance 375
TASTE OF HOME
We Tried It
Char-Broil Performance 375 Gas Grill
A great introductory grill at an approachable price.
Is a grilled steak or juicy hamburger calling your name? The Char-Broil Performance 375 grill can be purchased on Amazon or directly through Char-Broil.
Originally Published: June 20, 2024
