The Char-Broil CB500X Portable Charcoal Grill is a scaled down version of its big brother, the 940X. The 500X has the same black powder coated steel body, pre-seasoned cast iron grates, adjustable height coal grate and front access ash/coal door. At 38 pounds with dimensions of 16D x 24W x 16H and a 240 square inch cook surface, it’s somewhat large for a portable, but perfect for patio and small capacity grilling. It sits on four small steel legs, has a wooden lid handle upfront and a wooden carrying handle on each side. There is one small sliding damper on each side of the lid and a built in heat indicator.
The adjustable height coal tray can provide 2-zone cooking: coals up high, just beneath the grates for searing then dropped down to the bottom of the firebox for moderate heat. The easy access front coal/ash door allows you to replenish fuel without removing the grates. Ash removal is facilitated by a slide out ash tray that is also the bottom of the firebox. Be advised: there is no grease removal system and grease reportedly can accumulate inside and drip down the legs.
The CB500 is a searing machine, great for grilling steaks and burgers hot, fast and juicy on cast iron. However, it does not appear optimal for roasting and smoking. This leaky box allows air in and heat and smoke out from a variety of angles. The slide out bottom has open seams on all four sides, there are rotisserie holes on both sides and the thin metal construction will not retain heat well.
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