Charbroil The Big Easy 3 in 1 Smoker Roaster and Gas Grill Review for Everyday Cooking
Why This Product Is Worth a Look
Cooking a whole turkey outdoors can free valuable oven space while avoiding the oil, handling risks, and cleanup associated with deep frying. The Charbroil The Big Easy combines radiant roasting, light smoking, and compact grilling in one propane appliance. Its strongest capability is roasting, while the smoker and grill functions provide added flexibility for occasional use.
Product Overview
The Charbroil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared 3-in-1 Smoker, Roaster and Gas Grill, model 14101550, is a liquid propane outdoor cooker designed for oil-free roasting, wood-assisted smoking, and direct grilling.
A circular stainless steel burner produces between approximately 9,000 and 18,000 BTUs. Rather than placing food directly over the flame, the burner heats an internal stainless steel chamber. That chamber radiates heat inward toward the food while rendered fat drains away from the burner. This arrangement is intended to provide even cooking while reducing flare-ups.
The roasting basket can accommodate a turkey weighing up to 21 pounds. A removable 180-square-inch grate adds a small grilling surface at the top, while a side-loading smoker box accepts wood chips or pellets for additional smoke flavor.
This cooker is best suited to people who primarily want to prepare whole poultry, bone-in roasts, and other relatively large cuts outdoors. Its smoking and grilling functions are useful, but its temperature range and compact grate mean it is not a direct replacement for a dedicated low-temperature smoker or full-size gas grill.
Design, Build, and Everyday Feel
The Big Easy has a tall cylindrical form that uses vertical space rather than a wide horizontal cooking chamber. It measures approximately 23.1 inches deep, 23.4 inches wide, and 36.2 inches high. The listed product weight is 22.7 pounds, although packaging and assembled shipping weight may be considerably higher.
The exterior is made from black powder-coated alloy steel, while the internal radiant chamber uses stainless steel. A double-wall configuration separates the exterior housing from the heated inner cylinder. Three metal legs elevate the cooking chamber and provide a stable base when placed on a level, heat-resistant outdoor surface.
The roasting basket drops into the central chamber from above. The grill grate sits over the top opening when the appliance is configured for grilling. A side-mounted smoker box allows wood to be added without removing food or opening the main chamber, helping limit heat loss.
Grease is directed toward a removable tray underneath the cooker. This layout is simpler to manage than a container of used frying oil, although the drain path must remain unobstructed. Disposable foil liners can make routine cleanup more convenient.
Two side handles assist with repositioning the appliance after it has cooled. They should not be treated as heavy-duty lifting points while the cooker is hot or loaded. Available reports suggest that the sheet metal around the handle mounts may flex if excessive force is applied.
Its narrow footprint should work well on many patios, but the cooker still requires adequate ventilation and safe clearance from walls, overhead structures, combustible materials, and enclosed spaces.
Key Features
TRU-Infrared radiant cooking
The propane burner heats the stainless steel inner chamber, which then transfers radiant energy toward the food. Grease does not fall directly onto an exposed cooking flame. This helps reduce flare-ups and can support even browning and moisture retention. The same radiant intensity can darken sugary seasonings quickly, so it is less forgiving than gentle oven roasting.
Large vertical roasting basket
The internal basket is designed to hold a turkey weighing up to 21 pounds. Its vertical shape provides substantial roasting capacity without requiring a wide grill cart. The limitation is access. Food positioned on a lower level may require the entire hot basket to be lifted out for inspection, glazing, or removal.
Adjustable propane burner
The burner is rated from approximately 9,000 to 18,000 BTUs and is controlled through an integrated gas valve. This provides useful adjustment for roasting and general outdoor cooking. However, the unit does not appear to offer the precise low-temperature control expected from a dedicated smoker. Chamber temperatures may remain above the traditional 225 degree Fahrenheit barbecue range, even at a reduced setting.
Side-loading smoker box
The external smoker box can hold approximately half a pound of dry wood chips or pellets. It introduces smoke into the heated airflow without requiring the main chamber to be opened. Because the box is relatively small and the cooker runs hot, the resulting smoke profile is generally lighter than what an offset, charcoal, or pellet smoker can produce.
Removable infrared grill grate
A 180-square-inch top grate allows the Big Easy to function as a compact gas grill. It can accommodate approximately six to eight burgers, depending on their size, and the separated burner design limits grease flare-ups. Its modest area restricts group cooking, and its heat delivery may not provide the aggressive contact sear some users want for thick steaks.
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What It May Be Like to Use
Based on the available product information and reported usage patterns, setup should be relatively straightforward with standard fasteners and alignment points. Before operation, the propane hose, regulator, and connections should be inspected and leak-tested according to the product manual.
The rotary ignition does not require household electricity. After the propane supply is connected correctly, the control mechanism creates a spark at the burner. As with any mechanical ignition system, users should follow the prescribed lighting sequence and verify that the flame remains active.
A new cooking chamber may benefit from seasoning. A thin layer of peanut oil or another high-smoke-point cooking oil can be applied to the inner chamber and basket, followed by heating on high for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. This process can create a darker protective coating and reduce sticking. Harsh degreasers may remove that coating.
For poultry, drying the skin and applying a light coating of oil can improve browning. Low-sugar seasoning blends are better suited to the intense radiant environment because sugar can caramelize and burn rapidly. A whole bird should be positioned so heated air can circulate and liquid does not accumulate in the cavity.
Reported cooking rates for poultry are often around eight to ten minutes per pound, with 14 to 20 pound birds sometimes finishing in roughly two hours. These figures should be treated only as estimates. Wind, outdoor temperature, food shape, starting temperature, and burner setting can all change the actual cooking time.
A dependable digital meat thermometer is important. The supplied or commonly bundled analog probe may not offer the precision needed for consistent results. Internal temperature should be checked in the thickest sections without touching bone, and current food safety guidance should determine when the food is ready.
Smoking is likely to feel more like smoke-enhanced roasting than conventional low-and-slow barbecue. Dry chips or pellets can be loaded into the smoker box, and an initial high burner setting can help them begin smoldering. The temperature may still remain too high for an extended 225 degree cook.
Grilling requires a proper preheat. Heating the grate on high with the lid closed for around 15 minutes should improve contact marks and reduce sticking. The cooking area is appropriate for a small batch but may require multiple rounds for a larger gathering.
What Works Well
The primary strength is fast outdoor roasting. Radiant heat can cook whole poultry more quickly than many conventional ovens while producing a browned exterior and retaining interior moisture when temperatures are monitored carefully.
The separated burner design substantially reduces flare-ups. Rendered fat drains beneath the chamber instead of falling onto an open flame, which is particularly useful when cooking burgers, sausages, poultry, or fatty roasts.
The 21-pound turkey capacity is generous relative to the compact footprint. This makes the cooker useful during holiday meals when the indoor oven is needed for side dishes and baked items.
No large quantity of frying oil is required. Owners avoid the cost of several gallons of oil, the hazards of lowering a turkey into hot oil, and the problem of storing or disposing of used oil.
The removable grease tray simplifies maintenance. When the drain remains clear and the tray is lined, most rendered fat can be removed without disassembling the entire cooker.
The rotary ignition and propane fuel system support independent outdoor operation without an electrical outlet. This can make placement more flexible, provided the selected location remains open, stable, and properly ventilated.
Things to Consider
Temperature control is the most significant limitation. The Big Easy is optimized for radiant roasting rather than maintaining very low smoking temperatures. Buyers focused on brisket, pork shoulder, or ribs cooked slowly at approximately 225 degrees Fahrenheit may find a dedicated smoker more suitable.
Smoke production is limited by the compact wood box and relatively high cooking temperature. The cooker can add a mild wood character, but it is unlikely to create the heavy bark, pronounced smoke ring, or deep flavor associated with a traditional charcoal or offset smoker.
The top grate offers only 180 square inches of grilling area. It is adequate for a small household meal but restrictive for parties or large groups. Thick steaks may also lack the intense surface sear available from a dedicated high-heat grill or cast-iron cooking system.
Strong wind can affect the burner, especially at a low setting. Gusts entering near the base may cause a flameout. The appliance should be used in a protected but fully ventilated outdoor location, and the flame should be checked during longer sessions.
Access to lower basket levels is inconvenient. The loaded basket can become heavy, and reaching food underneath upper items may require removing the entire assembly. Heat-resistant gloves and a suitable lifting tool are important.
Accessory contents may vary by retailer or package version. Product information sometimes lists only the user manual, while other descriptions mention shelves, hooks, a lifting tool, or a thermometer. Buyers should confirm exactly what is included before ordering additional accessories.
The appliance carries a one-year limited warranty according to the supplied product details. Prospective owners should review the current warranty terms and product manual for exclusions, maintenance requirements, and replacement-part coverage.
Who Is This Product For?
The Big Easy is worth considering for households that regularly cook whole chickens, turkeys, bone-in roasts, or similar large foods. It is especially practical for holiday cooking because it moves the main roast outdoors and leaves the kitchen oven available.
It may also suit people who want an alternative to turkey frying without handling a large pot of hot oil. Its upright design can be useful where patio space is limited, and the secondary grill and smoker functions add flexibility for occasional meals.
It is less suitable for barbecue enthusiasts who prioritize precise low-temperature control, strong smoke flavor, and long unattended smoking sessions. People who frequently grill for large groups may also prefer a full-size grill with multiple burners and a larger cooking surface.
Buyers mainly interested in steakhouse-style searing should not treat the top grate as an equivalent replacement for a dedicated high-temperature grill.
Helpful Tips Before You Buy
Measure the intended outdoor location and account for safe clearance around and above the cooker. It must not be operated indoors, in a garage, under unsafe overhead structures, or in another enclosed space.
Confirm that a compatible liquid propane cylinder can be positioned according to the manual. Inspect the regulator, hose, and connections before each session, and perform the manufacturer-recommended leak check before lighting.
Consider purchasing a reliable digital probe thermometer. Radiant heat can cook food faster than expected, so internal temperature is more dependable than time-per-pound estimates.
Use low-sugar rubs for poultry and roasts. Sweet sauces can be added closer to the end of cooking to reduce the risk of burning.
Plan for wind exposure. A naturally sheltered patio location may improve flame stability, but any wind barrier must preserve ventilation and maintain the required clearance from hot surfaces.
Keep the grease drain clear and use an appropriately sized foil liner in the removable tray. Wait until the unit has cooled before cleaning, moving, or applying a light protective oil coating.
If grilling capacity or multi-level roasting is important, verify the availability and compatibility of additional baskets, shelves, and rib hooks. Do not assume every accessory shown in demonstrations is included with model 14101550.
Common Questions
Can it really fry a turkey without oil?
It does not deep-fry food in the conventional sense. It uses propane-powered radiant heat to roast and brown the turkey without immersing it in cooking oil. The finished texture can include crisp skin, but the cooking process is technically closer to fast infrared roasting.
How large a turkey can it hold?
The roasting basket is rated for a turkey weighing up to 21 pounds. Fit may also depend on the bird’s shape and how it is positioned.
Can it maintain 225 degrees Fahrenheit for traditional smoking?
That may be difficult. Available reports indicate that the chamber often runs hotter than a conventional low-and-slow smoker, even at lower burner settings. It is better viewed as a roaster that can add smoke flavor.
How much grilling space is available?
The top grate provides approximately 180 square inches. That is generally enough for six to eight average burgers, but the exact capacity depends on food size and spacing.
Does it require electricity?
No household electrical connection is needed. The cooker uses liquid propane and a rotary piezo ignition system.
Is it easy to clean?
Cleanup is relatively manageable because grease drains into a removable tray. The drain must remain open, and cleaning should be performed only after the cooker has cooled. Gentle cleaning helps preserve the seasoned internal surface.
Final Thoughts
The Charbroil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared 3-in-1 Smoker, Roaster and Gas Grill is technically strongest as a compact propane radiant roaster. Its basket capacity, reduced flare-up design, relatively fast cooking, and oil-free operation make it well suited to whole poultry and large roasts.
The smoker box and top grate add genuine utility, but both involve compromises. The cooker generally runs too hot for precise low-and-slow barbecue, the wood capacity limits smoke intensity, and the 180-square-inch grate is small for group grilling.
For buyers who need an outdoor turkey and roast cooker with occasional smoking and grilling capability, model 14101550 offers a practical combination of capacity and compact dimensions. Those primarily interested in traditional smoking, large grilling sessions, or intense steak searing will likely be better served by more specialized equipment.
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