A compact one-burner propane grill with about 190 square inches of cooking space, fold-over legs, and simple campsite-friendly setup for burgers, brats, and quick tailgate meals.
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Table of Contents
Char-Broil portable grill review: 7 Practical Pros and 3 Drawbacks
The Char-Broil portable grill is a compact one-burner propane model built for campers, tailgaters, and anyone who wants simple outdoor grilling without hauling a full-size cart grill. The Amazon listing for model 465133010 puts it at about 190 square inches of cooking space, while the official product page and retailer listings back up its lightweight, tabletop-first design.
That positioning matters. This is not a backyard replacement grill for feeding a crowd. It is a low-cost, packable option for burgers, brats, skewers, and quick campsite meals when a stove and pan setup feels too limiting.
Check the current Amazon price if you want to compare today’s deal before reading the full breakdown.
Key features at a glance
The Char-Broil portable grill gives you the basics most campers actually need: a steel body, porcelain-coated cooking grates, fold-over legs that help with transport, and a liquid propane setup that stays easy to source in the U.S. The Amazon page lists dimensions of 24.1 inches wide, 12.3 inches deep, and 15 inches high, with an 11-pound carry weight that feels reasonable for car camping and tailgates.
On the official manufacturer page, Char-Broil frames this model as a convective portable gas grill for quick meals away from home. The warranty is short at 90 days for the burner, grate, lid, and other parts, so the appeal here is convenience and price rather than premium long-term coverage.
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | 465133010 |
| Cooking area | About 190 sq. in. |
| Heat output | 11,000 BTU |
| Fuel | 1 lb liquid propane cylinder |
| Weight | 11 lb |
Real-world cooking performance
In calm weather, the Char-Broil portable grill should be enough for straightforward camp cooking. With 11,000 BTU spread across a compact grate, it has enough heat for burgers, sausages, vegetables, and chicken pieces, especially when you let the grate preheat fully before loading it up.
What you do not get is the flexibility of a larger two-zone setup. A single burner means less room to separate direct and gentler heat, so you need to stay engaged when cooking thicker foods. For campsite cooks who mostly grill quick proteins and buns, that tradeoff is manageable. For longer cooks, a sturdier two-burner option or a stove-plus-pan setup is easier to control.
If you are building out a lightweight cook system instead of a dedicated grill kit, our MSR PocketRocket 2 review is a useful contrast. If you already cook with cast iron at camp, our Lodge skillet review shows when a pan-based setup can be more versatile than a compact grill.
Portability, setup, and cleanup
For campers who care more about convenience than raw cooking capacity, the Char-Broil portable grill is easy to understand. Fold-over legs, carry-friendly proportions, and a low 11-pound weight make it simpler to stash in a trunk than a heavy tabletop griddle or a full camp kitchen box.
Cleanup is also one of the better points here. Porcelain-coated grates are easier to brush down than bare steel, and the grill is small enough that a complete wipe-down does not become a project at the end of a long day. That said, you still need to manage grease carefully and let the unit cool completely before packing it away.
How it compares with other camp cooking options
Compared with a basic camp stove, the Char-Broil portable grill gives you better searing, a more familiar burger-and-brat workflow, and less dependence on cookware. Compared with a larger tabletop grill, it gives up heat-zone control, lid size, and batch capacity in exchange for lower cost and easier storage.
This is where the purchase decision becomes simple. If your trips usually involve two to four people and quick outdoor meals, this grill fits the job. If you regularly cook for larger groups or want more flexible temperature management, moving up to a bigger tabletop grill or a double-burner stove will feel less cramped.
Pros, drawbacks, and best-fit buyers
The Char-Broil portable grill makes the most sense for budget-minded car campers, tailgaters, and apartment dwellers who want a compact gas grill without stepping into a much higher price tier. It is especially appealing if your normal menu is burgers, hot dogs, chicken skewers, or vegetables instead of low-and-slow cooks.
- Pros: lightweight carry size, easy propane setup, simple cleanup, affordable entry point, and enough grate space for small-group meals.
- Drawbacks: short warranty, limited heat zoning, no real prep surface, and a grate area that feels small once you move past a few portions.
Important safety notes before you cook
Always follow the manufacturer’s assembly and ventilation guidance on the official product page and in the product manual. For food safety, the USDA safe minimum temperature chart is worth bookmarking before any trip where you plan to grill poultry or ground meat.
The CPSC also reminds grill owners to keep grills outside, away from structures, and clear of anything that can catch fire. That matters even more with compact equipment because it is tempting to use a small grill too close to tents, awnings, and vehicle cargo areas.
Frequently asked questions
Is this model big enough for family camping?
For a couple or a small group, yes. The Char-Broil portable grill is sized better for small-batch cooking than for back-to-back meals for a large family.
What propane does it use?
The Char-Broil portable grill uses a standard 1-pound liquid propane cylinder, which is easy to find at outdoor and hardware stores across the U.S.
Is it a better choice than a camp stove?
That depends on what you cook most often. If you mainly want grilled foods, browning, and a familiar barbecue feel, this model is more satisfying than a simple burner-and-pan setup. If you boil water, simmer meals, and want one tool for all cookware, a stove is still more flexible.
Final verdict
If you want a simple, affordable way to grill outdoors, the Char-Broil portable grill hits the practical middle ground between a flimsy ultra-budget unit and a much bulkier tabletop model. Its short warranty and single-burner limitations are real, but the low weight, easy cleanup, and straightforward setup still make it a reasonable buy for casual camp cooking.
For shoppers who want a compact propane option for quick burgers, brats, and tailgate meals, this is an easy model to understand. Check the current Amazon price here if the size and feature set match how you actually cook outdoors.
