Formerly called Red, Char-Broil’s Gourmet line has a significantly different design than the Commercial or Professional models. Below the porcelain coated cast iron grates and above the burners sits a dark non-stick trough that radiates heat to the cooking surface. This makes the entire grill an indirect cooker. There is no ability to cook directly over live fire and no radiant panels directly under the grates that provide searing heat like other Char-Broil TRU-Infrared lines. It has four stainless steel burners, a 13,000 BTUs burner with oversize lid to accomodate an optional griddle and battery powered ignition.
The cooking grates have an ornamental design with openings that allow you to drop wood chips into the trough for BBQ smoking. The trough effectively vaporizes drippings and is easy to clean. But, as with all Char-Broil grills, owners are divided into two camps, they either love them or hate them. Some complain it takes too long to heat up and the non-stick surface on the trough flakes off causing it to rust and need replacement. Yet Red models were recommended in the 2012 by a leading consumer rating publication.
Gourmet grills have hood mounted heat indicators. As always we urge you to get an accurate digital thermometer. The double layer hood provides good insulation and heat retention. Lid, control panel and handles are stainless steel. The cart is black painted steel with three stainless steel doors and four casters.
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