Customer Reviews

Char Broil Big Easy Infrared Smoker, Roaster, and Grill

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I purchased THE BIG EASY® SMOKER, ROASTER & GRILL late last year. I have used this item quite a bit since and it works well and doesn't consume a lot of propane like my full size grill does. I have however had some significant issues with this item that CharBroil did not resolve to my satisfaction. On purchasing this grill I read the instructions fully and assembled the grill. I seasoned the grill with cooking oil as recommended to protect the grill as described. I used the grill several times as an infa-red roaster for some ribs, roasts and such. It worked very well. I then put the grill grate on it and used it as a grill most of the summer. After every time that I cooked with it I allowed time afterwards with the flame on to burn all remaining food or grease off the grill. I recently removed the grill grate and found everything that was underneath to be extremely rusty, to the point of almost falling apart. I was very dismayed in my finding and today called CharBroil to discuss the matter with their customer service. I initially spoke with a customer service representative who was very nice and responsive but when he looked into the warranty coverage found that my grill was only covered for 90 days. What a disappointment! A $200.00 grill one season old that was falling apart due to rust not covered by warranty! I asked to speak with a supervisor and was put through to a supervisor that offered to replace my severely rusted basket, half racks, smoker basket, and inner drum, at a discounted rate of roughly $35. I was told that the parts would have normally been a bit over $100. I placed the order but did convey to the supervisor my disappointment at having to pay anything at all. I also asked that she relay my recommendation to CharBroil that they invest in some higher quality stainless for their products that would not rust as badly. It makes sense to me to produce something like a grill out of superior quality materials that don't have to be meticulously washed and dried after every use. I don't believe that it is not reasonable to ask the consumer to do so after every use to make this product last as it should. I wanted to make sure that anybody else considering this grill be made aware of these issues in advance. I hope that CharBroil also take this advise to better their product.

This BBQ is really built fairly well.

I've cooked three turkeys, and they all turned out wonderfully. It's easy to load, and looks fairly nice. I have found that when cooking a turkey, it is a good idea to cover the top of the bird, and the wing tips with aluminum foil and remove during the last half hour of cooking. The skin in both these areas will dry out otherwise, but it really doesn't affect the meat, just the appearance a bit. The drawer which catches the drippings is very useful, and allows you to make very good gravy. The whole thing is easy to clean with the insides made of stainless. I have treated these parts as if they were cast iron, and the patina they take on is easy to clean, and they really look pretty good too. I suspect complaints about uneven cooking may be due to starting with a partially frozen turkey, or the specific cooker may be defective. I've seen no such problems.

I did order an additional rack, two more half-racks and rib hooks. Shipping was quick, and I would rate the quality as very good.

Cons: The only weakness I see is with the main basket, which seems like it could be sturdier.

Wind will blow the flame out if it is strong enough, so use it in a sheltered area, especially in low heat.

The smoker basket seems to not hold sufficient wood chips to really smoke anything, not much smoke is produced even though the chips are ash by the end of cooking.

Pro: It will cook a 20lb turkey evenly in about 3 hours.

I've used it in temperatures as low as 20 degrees F and it cooked just fine.

The cooker cleans up easily. Certainly easier than a roasting pan used in the oven. Even though it is stainless steel, I have treated it like I do a cast iron pan, as the instructions suggest. So I clean up without soap, dry the parts and then re-oil them slightly.

The cooker seems to use propane efficiently, and takes little space to store. It's about the same size as an upright smoker.

I bought this grill for my husband for Christmas 2009. It has been the best grill we've owned! We grill a lot of steaks, chicken, shrimp and crab -- the results are consistent and continue to impress us. Our filet mignon is better than any restaraunt, the chicken is moist and flavorful,and the seafood is always perfect because the temperature is so easy to control. My husband's favorite aspects of the infrared cooking method are no flare-ups and even heat distribution. Why eat out when you can cook like this at home?!

Assembly was over 1 hour......I was being careful......no rework that way.

Smoked a pork butt first and it was GREAT!

Burgers went well!

Great combo for the money$$$$$

GREAT PRODUCT, I WILL NEVER FRY ANOTHER TURKEY AGAIN, NEVER HAVE TO BUY PEANUT OIL AGAIN. WHEN I RECEIVED MY COOKER, THE FIRST ONE WAS DAMAGED. THE SELLER RESPONDED TO MY PROBLEM AND SENT A NEW ONE WITHIN 3 DAYS. I WOULD BUY FROM THIS SUPPLIER AGAIN.

HUM,HUM

I was asked this Thanksgiving if I wanted to deep fry a turkey. Well, of course I said yes! So I went to a local store and was going to buy a deep fryer and a ton of oil, and set it up. When I got there, I saw the deep fryer, and a smaller version of this Char-Broil unit on display. For the cost of the deep fryer and oil, I could buy the smaller unit. Now, I knew it wasn't a deep fryer, but I was intrigued by the "infrared grill". So instead of buying either, I went home to do some research. I talked to a friend of mine, and we thought the Char-Broil infrared grill sounded good, but wouldn't it be better if we could add smoke to it? And that's what led me to find this unit, the Char-Broil Big Easy Infrared Smoker, Roaster and Grill.

Now, obviously this unit does not deep fry. It's a roaster, smoker and grill. So if you have your heart set on deep frying something large, you should go and do that. Myself, I was concerned. One, because the oil needed was going to cost about $20/use, and then I have to dispose of all that oil somewhere. What a waste! Second, any splash-over could result in a major fire. I was hoping to cook the turkey on the deck, but thought that was probably a bad idea, so I'd have to go and do it on the back lawn. Depending on the weather, that might not be a lot of fun.

I bought the Big Easy, assembled it in less than an hour (directions were easy and straightforward, and it went together fine). I seasoned it. And then I tried a 7.5 lb chicken in it, just to get a sense of what it could do. Wow!! We figured it would take 10-15 minutes per pound to cook. So I put it in and checked it an hour later. The chicken was done - actually past-done - as the coldest part of the chicken was already 173 degrees. It took only 7-8 minutes per pound. Darn! But wait, it looked great!! And I used some mesquite wood chips in the smoker, and you could smell it! The result: this chicken was the moistest, tastiest, most wonderful chicken I have had in a very long time!! It was awesome!! Subtle, but not overpowering smoke. Flavorful throughout. Skin was crispy and wonderful. Even over-done, it was great!

Round two: 20 lb turkey. We put it in, and planned 2.5 hours for it to be done. It was almost done (temp 155 degrees) after an hour. I turned it down to low, and put some more wood chips in, and let it cook for another hour. It was done by hour 2, and pretty much perfect throughout. We pulled it, let it rest, and again - amazing results!! Best thanksgiving turkey we've ever had. Moist, juicy, a nice smokey flavor without being really powerful. We also took the pan drippings and made a wonderful gravy. Easy. Delicious.

The unit is pretty solid. It is simple to use. And the results are great. I can't wait to do some ribs, a ham, a roast, and even corn, in the Big Easy. If the results are anything like our two poultry items, I am so glad I went in this direction.

Again, if you want to deep fry, go ahead. Deal with the oil (cost, disposal) and the occasional call to the fire department. If you want to cook food easily and deliciously, this is a great way to do it.

A friend recommended this grill. I love it. The burner is not in direct contact with the greases from the meat you cook - hence it is going to last much longer. As this is an infrared cooker, you don't have to worry about charring your meat. The grill element is very hardy. Cleanup is easy. Recommended!

Bought this Charbroil SRG because our grill needed $40+ in repairs and my teenage son asked for a turkey fryer for Christmas, after tasting deep fried turkey at a friend's house. This thing is incredible!! After assembly and seasoning all surfaces like ironware we roasted a chicken and turkey breast, using the Oregon Scientific AWA 131 remote thermometer (see my review Oregon Scientific AW131 Grill Right Wireless Talking Oven/Barbecue Thermometer, Red), with some mesquite wood chips. My son couldn't believe how the meat was even juicier than oil-fried, yet with the same crispy skin. Healthier, and much less cleanup and expense. Order the least expensive 10in diameter spring form cake pan you can find in rolled steel Wilton Recipe Right 10 Inch Springform Pan to make the Tommy Ring TM, as found on the Char Broil fourums for the SRG. It allows you to produce more smoke flavor. Now, if you wish to smoke beef brisket for 10-12 hours at 225 degrees F. this may not be the unit for you. It is extremely difficult, it not impossible, to obtain temperatures below 275 without making serious modifications to this unit. If you want to truly smoke foods, buy a smoker. One final caution: This item qualifies for super saver shipping. Be sure to change from the default setting before finalizing your transaction! Join me in encouraging Amazon to set super saver shipping as the default choice, to avoid the appearance of a deceptive practice of inserting undesired shipping charges for what should be an "upgrade" option.

Ordered this after a long debate and searching for other alternatives. Am glad i waited. This is easy to use, easy to set up ( less than an hour to assemble) with just a few simple tools you have at home. And it just plain kicks butt. Electric versions don't come close.

Have yet to use it to cook a turkey but have smoked several hams and salmon plus prepared kebabs and whole chickens tandoori style. This is an under rated and over looked unit, especially if you are living in an a space challenged home.

Follow the break in directions closely! coat everything as directed, light it up, and let it smoke. When it stops smoking, shut it down and let it cool. Put a lanyard on the grill and basket handle. otherwise it will get lost easily. Thats the only criticism i really have.

Do your homework. The best price i found for this unit was here on Amazon, and i am a member of sevral other clubs that give deep discounts to their members. And forget the big box "outdoor" shops, they either don;t have it or will charge you $300.00 for it.

I have not stopped cooking on this since It came, it is the best grill, and smoker I have ever used. Have cooked chicken, pork loin, ribs, burgers, steaks, and all turned out great. It has not used a half tank of propane after many uses. I do alot of cooking for others and I am thinking of getting another one. This is well worth the money. I also bought the rib hangers and the wing racks, works great.