Electric Grills have always been small, underpowered alternatives to charcoal or gas grills. These little cookers are frequently the only choice for apartment and condo dwellers. But now, the Char-Broil Edge Electric Grill is a full-sized unit that gives you a really grilling experience.
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The Char-Broil Edge is a full-height electric grill with side tables and an enclosed cabinet for storage. It uses Char-Broil’s Amplifire Cooking Technology which allows a single heating element to give you grilling temperatures over 700ยฐF. The cooking grates are Adonized Aluminum and virtually eliminate the possibility of flare-ups or corrosion. A single dial lets you adjust the cooking temperature from 200ยฐF to 700ยฐF. It even has a clean function that burns off residue and then shuts the grill down.
Specifications
- 270 square inches of cooking surface with 60 square inches of warming space
- Temperature range: 200ยฐF to 700ยฐF
- 1750-watt heating element
- Single knob temperature control system
- Autoclean Function
- 12-foot cord
- Adonized Aluminum cooking grates (never rust)
- Grease tray mounted in the storage cabinet underneath the grill
- Two fold-down side shelves
- Weight of 109 pounds
- 3-year limited warranty on Cooking Grate, Emitter, and Firebox
- 1-year warranty on all other parts (the electronics!)
Capacity
Even the best electric grill is small. The Edge is a full-sized grill, but still only has 270 square inches of total cooking space. The total cooking area is 22″ by 14″ with a 14″ by 4″ warming rack. This warming rack is simply a steel plate for placing food away from direct heat. It isn’t really wide enough for much use.
You can grill up to 18 burgers at a time on this grill, but they will need to be small burgers tightly packed. I would say that comfortably you could grill up to a dozen burgers or six steaks or chicken breasts. This electric grill is large enough for most small families.
Pros
- Easy to operate
- Smoke can be created by adding wood chips to the cooking surface
- High maximum grilling temperature
- Low Flare-up potential
- Rust resistant construction
- Attractive design
Cons
- Warming area too small to be of much use
- Long preheat time (up to 40 minutes)
- Actually produces a lot of smoke
- Limited Availability
- The actual temperature can be very different from the displayed temperature
- No Indirect Cooking capability
Note: Buy the excellent cover for this grill. It costs about $40USD from Char-Broil and is completely worth it.
Char-Broil Edge Electric Grill Review
Summary
I received this grill to review from Char-Broil. It arrived on a pallet and I unpacked and assembled the grill myself. Of all the Char-Broil products I have reviewed over the years, this one was packaged the best. In fact, it was packaged more like computer equipment than a grill.
The assembly was straightforward and the instructions were easy to follow. There is a lot to put together though. The whole process took me less than 30 minutes (but understand, I have assembled over 500 grills in the past 25 years). All the tools necessary to assemble the grill were provided and all the parts were clearly separated and marked.
With the side tables folded down, the grill has a small footprint and will occupy only a small corner of any patio or balcony. The cord is 12 feet long, which is excellent. Extension cords and electric grills are not always a good mix and with a longer cord, you don’t have to park this grill right next to an electric outlet.
The Edge does take a long time to heat up. To get to the full 700ยฐF temperature can take over 30 minutes. This is a problem, but one common to electric grills. The issue is amplified by the large cooking chamber. Most electric grills have low hoods, but this one has a good deal of internal cooking space.
Cooking on this grill is very straightforward. It does direct grilling only and the cooking chamber does not hold a lot of heat. The cooking is done by contact with the cooking grates. At high temperatures, it will sear a steak very well, but with thicker cuts, like a roast, the grilling becomes a little more complicated. You will need to turn foods over frequently to get an even level of doneness.
This is a basic grill. It is good for simple foods from burners to vegetables. It can do a good job with a steak but don’t expect a lot of versatility. All in all, it is a good grill for those who have to choose electric.
About Me
I have been writing about Barbecue & Grilling for 25 years. I have cooked on almost every grill or smoker ever built. In that time, I have endeavored to match people with the grill or smoker that is right for them. I believe that the right product is the one that you find easy to use, capable of doing everything you want, and has all the reliability you need. If you have a good first experience, you will be back for more. In this way, we grow barbecue for the next generation. I want you to make memories that your children will cherish.
Affiliate Disclosure
This article and the website it appears on uses sales affiliates to cover the cost of operation. If you choose to purchase a product through the links provided, a portion of that sale will go to me. It helps me create content, so I can help you and others have the best barbecue experience. I am grateful to all my readers over the years that have been so kind as to assist me in my exploration of outdoor cooking. Thank you.
