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Head-to-head · Best Gas Grills

Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 4-Burner Cabinet vs Weber Summit FS38 S

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Weber Summit FS38 S comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.2 vs 4.4). The gap is mostly about High-frequency hosts entertaining 8-12 people weekly who want one grill that genuinely replaces a separate smoker, pizza oven, and rotisserie. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 4-Burner Cabinet
Ranked #5 in Best Gas Grills
Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 4-Burner Cabinet
$469

The Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 4-Burner Cabinet is the value pick that earns its place by doing things the more expensive Webers don't. The TRU-Infrared cooking technology eliminates flare-ups and produces noticeably juicier burgers and chicken — a real, repeatable advantage on the cooking surface. AmazingRibs gave the TRU-Infrared Commercial 4-Burner predecessor 4 stars / Gold Medal, calling it 'capable of high enough heat for searing, and low enough for smoking.' The trade-off is shorter warranty and lighter-gauge construction than Weber, but for a sub-$500 grill the cooking surface punches above its weight. Replace the porcelain-coated cast-iron grates with stainless rod grates after three years and the grill itself can run a decade.

Strengths
  • — TRU-Infrared cooking technology eliminates flare-ups and 'cooks up to 50% juicier food' per Char-Broil's testing — uniquely useful on fatty chicken thighs and burgers
  • — 10,000 BTU lidded side burner for sauces, sides, and reheating — a feature the comparably priced Weber Spirit II E-310 doesn't include
  • — 420 sq in primary plus 130 sq in warming rack and enclosed cabinet storage at under $500 — strongest dollar-per-square-inch in this lineup
Watch-outs
  • — Porcelain-coated cast iron grates corrode and chip over time — owners frequently upgrade to stainless steel replacement grates by year three
  • — 1-year burner / 2-year firebox warranty is shorter than every Weber and Napoleon in this comparison
  • — Cabinet sheet metal is thinner than Weber's, which several reviewers describe as feeling 'lightweight' or 'flimsy'
$469 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Weber Summit FS38 S
Higher ratedRanked #4 in Best Gas Grills
Weber Summit FS38 S
$3,999

Weber's Summit FS38 S is the company's flagship gas grill — what you buy when budget isn't the gate. Five PureBlu burners plus a top-down infrared broiler, integrated rotisserie, built-in smoker box, and 681 square inches of primary cooking area put it in a different conversation from the Genesis line. Weber rates it 4.4/5 across 218 customer reviews, with praise centered on heat evenness and the sear feature. At $3,999 it's a luxury purchase, but for the host who entertains weekly and wants one grill that does griddle, pizza, wok, rotisserie, and smoker — it's the only Weber that does all of it without accessory swaps.

Strengths
  • — Five 13,000 BTU stainless steel PureBlu burners plus 16,000 BTU top-down infrared broiler total 93,000 BTU — the highest-output Weber gas grill
  • — 681 sq in primary plus 372 sq in top grate cooks for crowds of 12+ without needing to stage in shifts
  • — Integrated rotisserie motor, forks, spit, AND stainless steel smoker box ship in the box — no add-ons needed for low-and-slow or whole birds
Watch-outs
  • — $3,999 is a serious investment that only makes sense if you actually entertain crowds or want every cooking technique under one lid
  • — 247-pound footprint and 73-inch width need a real patio bay — not a townhome or balcony
  • — Some owners report the propane-tank scale on the cart is awkward to load — Weber's customer reviews flag it
$3,999 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

How they stack up

Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 4-Burner Cabinet

The most affordable grill in this lineup at less than a third the price of the Weber Genesis E-435 and less than a seventh the price of the Weber Summit FS38 S. It cooks four burners' worth of food just like the Weber Spirit II E-310 does with three, adds a side burner the Spirit lacks, and uses infrared technology no Weber in this comparison offers — but builds the cookbox from thinner stainless and runs a shorter warranty. Versus the Napoleon Prestige 500, Char-Broil loses every build-quality comparison but wins on price for buyers who want infrared cooking without the $1,500 premium.

Weber Summit FS38 S

The most capable grill in this lineup at more than double the price of every other option. The Weber Genesis E-435 covers 80% of what a typical Summit owner actually uses for one-third the price; the Summit makes sense when the rotisserie, smoker box, infrared broiler, and WEBER CRAFTED ecosystem all matter on a weekly basis. Versus the Napoleon Prestige 500, the Summit FS38 S offers 181 more sq in of primary cooking area, a built-in top-down broiler instead of a side burner sear, and Weber's accessory ecosystem — but loses on side burner sear temperature.

Specs side-by-side

SpecChar-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 4-Burner CabinetWeber Summit FS38 S
Burners4 main + 1 side5 main + 1 side + 1 infrared broiler
Total BTU45,000 BTU/hr (35,000 main + 10,000 side)93,000 BTU/hr
Primary Cooking Area420 sq in681 sq in
Total Cooking Area550 sq in1,053 sq in
Grate MaterialPorcelain-coated cast iron9mm stainless steel rod
IgnitionElectronic (1 AAA battery)One-handed push-and-turn
Fuel TypeLiquid PropaneLiquid Propane
Warranty5-year burner, 2-year firebox, 1-year remaining parts15-year cookbox/lid, 10-year burners and grates, 5-year remaining parts
Weight90 lbs247 lbs
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