Char-Broil Classic 280 Gas Grill Review: Hit or Miss?

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There should never be a dull moment while out tailgating with the crew. If you are a tailgating fanatic like me, this will never be a problem with the right grill by your side. However, finding the perfect tailgating grill isn’t always that easy and definitely requires some research. This is probably why you are searching through some Char-Broil Classic 280 Grill reviews, to learn more about this grill and see if it’s the one for you.

In our Char-Broil Classic 280 Grill review below, we have compiled everything you need to know to help you make an informed decision before you pull the trigger and make your purchase. Planning on buying this grill? Don’t even think about it before reading our shocking review!

About Char-Broil Grills:

Char-Broil found online at charbroil.com is a subsidiary of W.C. Bradley – a privately-held manufacturer of home and leisure lifestyle consumer goods, including the Char-Broil Classic 280 2-Burner Gas Grill. The company was founded in 1944, and it is currently headquartered in Columbus, Georgia.

Char-Broil Classic 280 Features:

While looking for the best tailgating grill out there, a grill’s features gives you a good idea up front if the grill was made for you. So, here’s a close look at the features that make up the Char-Broil Classic 280:

280 square inches of cooking space – You’ll have enough space for 10-12 regular-sized burgers, or 5 steaks, with 280 square inches of cooking space to work with.

Metal side shelves – The grill comes with a two side shelves for extra storage and prep space.

Porcelain-coated steel lid and firebox – Stainless steel itself is rust-resistant to some extent, but they add a porcelain coat on the lid and firebox for easier cleaning and protection against the elements and rust.

Porcelain-coated cooking grate – Beneath the lid and above the firebox is a removable porcelain-coated cooking grate that promises to resist rust and be easier to clean.

Two stainless steel in-line burners – The lighter kindles two in-line burners seated side by side at the middle of the firebox. These two babies radiate 20,000 BTUs of heat!

Other notable features:

Piezo Ignition
Built-In stand
Two 6-inch wheels

Char-Broil Classic 280 Cleaning & Maintenance:

Apparently porcelain-coated steel withstands tough weather. But no amount of porcelain coat can prevent your grill from giving in if you don’t clean it. Here’s what to do while cleaning the Char-Broil Classic 280:

Interior cleaning

Cleaning the cooking grate, lid and firebox is pretty much straight-forward. Just scrub off food debris with a nylon brush. Then use warm, soapy water to clean the grate and the inside of the firebox, giving it a nice and tidy rinse, then leave the surfaces to dry off.

The burners also need regular cleaning. Wipe away any soot, grease or dust that may clog the perforations around the burner to ensure efficiency. You can use a stainless steel cleaner and a spider brush to clean the burner.

Exterior cleaning

With warm, soapy water and a cloth, you just have to give the grill a nice wipe, top to bottom. The grill is pretty much rust resistant, so regular wiping and cleaning should keep the exterior of your grill neat and tidy.

Char-Broil Classic 280 Portability:

The Char-Broil Classic 280 weighs 43 pounds and measures 16.9”H x 17.7”W x 26”D when assembled and standing on all fours. It might be heavier than units of similar size like the Blackstone Dash, but the wheels will work less muscles while moving it around.

Char-Broil Classic 280 Warranty:

The burners and firebox on the Char-Broil Classic 280 come with a 5-year warranty. All other parts feature a 1-year warranty. This warranty covers perforation, manufacturing and material defects only.

Dealing with warranty issues can be difficult and time consuming. But you can skip all that business when you shop on Amazon.com which guarantees that you will receive reliable customer service and no hassle returns.

Char-Broil Classic 280 Accessories:

Take your grilling to a whole new level with these Char-Broil Classic 280 accessories. For the best prices on some of these accessories shop for them on Amazon.com which offers amazing deals:

Char-Broil Classic 280 Replacement Parts:

Just like any piece of machinery, some parts won’t stand the test of time, so it’s always good to know what you can replace and what you can’t before buying a grill. So here are some Char-Broil Classic 280 replacement parts you can buy on Amazon.com:

Grease cup
Control knob
Ignitor
Cooking grate
Burner brace
Lid
Firebox
Side brace
Leg extender

There are also universal parts you might consider buying. You can view all replaceable parts here.

Char-Broil Classic 280 Cost:

The Char-Broil Classic 280 grill will set you back around $100. This is a bargain, compared to other models of its kind. But you can find the best and latest deal on this unit at Amazon.com, which provides FREE 2-day shipping for Prime members.

What Do We Like?

The Char-Broil Classic 280 is all-around remarkable. Here’s what impressed us the most:

Highly portable – The unit is highly portable, with legs and wheels to help move the 43 pound grill around with ease.
Easy to clean – These porcelain enameled parts help prevent food from sticking and are easy to clean.
Functional – This grill is as functional as they come. Most parts are replaceable, and you have a long list of accessories to play around with. You also have side shelves on either side as extra storage and working space.

Char-Broil Classic 280 Complaints:

It may not be easy to spot a grill’s weaknesses at first glance, but learning from other people’s experiences can help you make a more informed decision. So here are a couple of complaints about the Char-Broil Classic 280:

Assembling the unit is a bummer! – Well, the unit requires assembly. That’s totally fine, but customers say it’s really hard to put together. The instructions in the manual are terribly confusing and there are lots of tiny pieces, bolts and screws that don’t seem to fit anywhere. Customers who took a shot at assembling the unit the DIY way found it difficult to figure out how to correctly do so.

It wears out eventually – It may be porcelain enameled but some customers say their unit rusted and the paint peeled off after a year of use. Others say cleaning or covering it doesn’t help especially if you live in areas that experience crazy weather.

Other Tailgating Grills to Consider:

If any of the complaints above make you uncomfortable, check out our reviews on some Char-Broil Classic 280 alternatives:

Blackstone Dash – Lighter (20 pounds) with an almost similar cooking area (240 sq ft.)
Weber Go Anywhere Gas Grill – Also porcelain enameled, table top alternative
Portable Kitchen Grill – Stainless steel with wheeled stand, doesn’t require assembly

Should You Buy The Char-Broil Classic 280?

Very few grills rival the Char-Broil Classic.With 20,000 BTUs to work with, a stand with wheels, side shelves, porcelain-enameled everything and small size, I can comfortably say this is one of the best tailgating grills around. Again, it’s very hard to find a grill with similar features going for anything under $100. It may be tough to assemble, but getting expert help fixes that. So if you feel that this grill would be a worthy addition to your next tailgate experience, you can find great deals on it at Amazon.com and get it fast with the FREE 2-3 Day Amazon Prime Delivery.

What’s Hot

Highly portable
Porcelain-enameled for durability

What’s Not

Tough to assemble
Paint may peel off

OK, that’s a wrap! Thank you for taking your time to read our review. You should now have all the information you need to determine if the Char-Broil Classic 280 is the right grill for you. If you have any comments, thoughts or opinions feel free to share them in the comments section below. If you have questions, you may find answers on the Product’s Amazon page.

Chris