Char-Broil · Updated June 2026
Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared: price, specs & release date
Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared, released 2015. Every price and spec below is linked to its source and dated — no guesses.
Source: charbroil.com verified ✓ corroborated verify in ledger
- Best for TRU-Infrared grate produced a beautiful sear and grill marks on burgers; Hinged lid.
- Skip if Wobbly, unstable build versus competitors is a dealbreaker.
Is the Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared a good buy?
At $200, the Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared is #3 cheapest of the 18 charcoal grills we track, where the median is $474. On the spec sheet, its primary cooking area sqin of 360 is below the median of the 17, and its release of 2015 is below the median of the 7.
Evidence of Record
Our dataNo independent lab has measured this product yet. 1 outlet has it on record by mention only, with no hands-on measurements published to weigh its claims against — a gap in the evidence, not a verdict on the product.
Review consensus · sourced & dated
What reviewers say about the Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared
One whitelisted hands-on tester survived verification — Reviewed (USA Today), whose chef-tester ran the Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared through a live cook-off against seven rivals and ranked it near the bottom. It praised the TRU-Infrared grate's sear and the hinged lid, but flagged a wobbly build, a v-shaped grate that traps grease and burnt bits, grates with no hinges (forcing hands into a dangerously hot spot when adding coals), and a handle-less ash bucket, concluding better grills exist for the price.
Based on 1 review · 1 lab-tested · 2024-04-18
Tested by Reviewed
Consistently praised
- TRU-Infrared grate produced a beautiful sear and grill marks on burgers
- Hinged lid
Commonly flagged
- Wobbly, unstable build versus competitors
- V-shaped grate very difficult to clean; grease and burnt bits lodge in crevices
- Grates have no hinges, putting hands in a dangerously hot spot when adding coals
- Ash bucket has no handle
Where reviewers disagree Single whitelisted source, so no cross-source corroboration is possible. Reviewed's below-average verdict ('for the price, there are certainly better grills out there') is one tester's qualitative hands-on take with no measured numbers reported for this model.
The sources (1)
including a hinged lid and a grill grate (which Char-Broil calls TRU-Infrared) that created a beautiful sear and grill marks on our burgers
the grill is wobbly and more unstable than the competition
the v-shaped grill grate might have seared nicely, but it was very difficult to clean. Burnt bits of burger and chicken grease wedge into its crevices.
Specifications
| Price (US) | $199.99 MSRP per charbroil.com (Black, model 16301878) |
|---|---|
| Brand | Char-Broil |
| Released | 2015 |
| Type | kettle |
| Primary cooking area sqin | 360 |
| Material | Porcelain-coated steel with TRU-Infrared porcelain grate |
| Hinged cooking grate | No |
| Ash catcher | Yes |
| Built in thermometer | Yes |
| Diameter or size (in) | 22.5 in |
Source: charbroil.com (verified 2026-06-19) · corroborated by grillpartsamerica.com. Re-verified on charbroil.com page 16301878: price $199.99, 360 sq in total cooking area confirmed. CORRECTED built_in_thermometer false->true — the hinged lid includes a mounted temperature gauge as a standard feature (confirmed across charbroil.com, retailer and AmazingRibs listings). CORRECTED diameter 21->22.5 in (model is the 22.5-inch Kettleman, model number 16301878 widely listed as 22.5"). Slide-out ash tray confirmed. Introduced 2015 per contemporaneous reviews.
Is the Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared worth it vs cheaper charcoal grills?
Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared against its closest cheaper and pricier charcoal grills on the specs that matter — every value sourced. See all 18 ranked
| Product | Price | Type | Primary cooking area sqin | Material | Hinged cooking grate | Ash catcher |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared this | $199.99 | kettle | 360 | Porcelain-coated steel with TRU-Infrared porcelain grate | No | Yes |
| Weber Original Kettle 22" | $149 | kettle | 363 | Porcelain-enameled steel bowl and lid, plated steel cooking grate | No | Yes |
| Weber Original Kettle Premium 22" | $229 | kettle | 363 | Porcelain-enameled steel bowl and lid, plated steel hinged cooking grate | Yes | Yes |
Frequently asked questions
What do reviewers say about the Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared?
One whitelisted hands-on tester survived verification — Reviewed (USA Today), whose chef-tester ran the Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared through a live cook-off against seven rivals and ranked it near the bottom. It praised the TRU-Infrared grate's sear and the hinged lid, but flagged a wobbly build, a v-shaped grate that traps grease and burnt bits, grates with no hinges (forcing hands into a dangerously hot spot when adding coals), and a handle-less ash bucket, concluding better grills exist for the price. Praised: TRU-Infrared grate produced a beautiful sear and grill marks on burgers; Hinged lid. Flagged: Wobbly, unstable build versus competitors; V-shaped grate very difficult to clean; grease and burnt bits lodge in crevices; Grates have no hinges, putting hands in a dangerously hot spot when adding coals; Ash bucket has no handle. (From 1 tester review, 1 lab-tested.)
How much does the Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared cost?
The Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared has a US price of $199.99 (MSRP per charbroil.com (Black, model 16301878)), as of 2026-06-19.
How does the Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared compare on price?
At $200, the Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared is #3 cheapest of the 18 charcoal grills we track, where the median is $474.
When was the Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared released?
The Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared was released 2015.
What are the Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared's key specs?
Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared (Char-Broil): type kettle, primary cooking area sqin 360, material Porcelain-coated steel with TRU-Infrared porcelain grate, hinged cooking grate No, ash catcher Yes. Full sourced spec sheet verified 2026-06-19.
Price of record: $199.99 at charbroil.com, 2026-06-27. Other retailers may be lower — check the current price:
See Char-Broil Kettleman TRU-Infrared on Amazon As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.Similar charcoal grills
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