How does the Char-Broil Classic compare to other budget 4-burner gas grills? Find out everything you need to know with our Char-Broil 405 review.

Quick Review
The Char-Broil Classic 405 is a great budget-friendly propane grill that will please casual outdoor cooks. With a fair amount of cooking space and decent power provided by its four main burners, this is a simple grill that does the job perfectly.
★★★★☆
- 405 square inches of cooking space over porcelain-coated grates
- Main Burner BTUs 32,000 , 190 square inch porcelain-coated swing-a-way rack for warming
- Four stainless steel in-line burners for cooking performance
Char-Broil 405 Specifications
- 660 square inches of total cooking space
- 32,000 BTUs grilling power
- Porcelain-coated build for durability
- 4 burners for excellent grilling versatility
Size & Construction
The primary cooking area of the Char-Broil Classic 405 is 500 square inches, which is more than enough for most types of grilling. With the side-burner included, the total cooking space on offer is about 660 square inches. This is impressive for a budget grill, and also about average for most 4-burner grills.
The 405’s four burners are stainless steel, which ensures good durability and should give you a good number of years of use.
The grill grates are porcelain-coated cast iron, which means two things. One is that the grates are robust and will stand up to regular use well. The other is that porcelain coating is a good performer for heat retention and distribution. Hot and cold spots are often a complaint among users of low-end gas grills, but I’m glad to say that isn’t the case here. Char-Broil has done its due diligence in reducing the likelihood of that with their choice of build materials.
The 405 is qquipped with 40,000 BTUs of cooking power, making the grill compare well to other units of similar build and price. Not only that, but the Char-Broil boasts a 10,000 BTU side-burner to provide you with a bonus warming area or high-heat sear station. This opens up a world of low and slow gas grill barbecue smoking, as well as more advanced methods like reverse searing.
The unit has ample storage space in the form of a fully enclosed cabinet under the cooking area. Meanwhile, it has a silver finish across its control dashboard that’s sleek and modern.
The grill’s solid build even goes down to each of its four locking casters, which can be tweaked to move the grill or hold it in place. This easy maneuverability makes it easily portable while also painless to store away.

Grill Ignition
The Char-Broil classic features Piezo ignition, which can be found ina lot of modern-day gas grills and portable camping stoves. This electronic ignition system helps start the grill quickly with just a pish of a button. It worked every time when we tested it, helping us reach cooking temperatures of 400°F (205°C) in no time at all. It also performed well under wet and windy conditions, lighting up despite disruptive weather. The big appeal of propane gas grills is an easy and quick startup, so we’re pleased that the 405 delivered here.
Usability
People can use the Char-Broil 405 for a wide range of applications. For example, it is great for outdoor grilling and almost all types of cooking activities throughout the entire year. You can take it out of your home to the outdoor living space and enjoy cooking with your friends or family members. You can even celebrate outdoor parties while preparing mouthwatering food from it. If you want to cook a large amount of food within a short period of time, using the 405 is one of the best options that are available to you. That is the main reason why people use it at Barbeques.
The 405 is designed with porcelain-coated, cast-iron cooking grates designed to give you juicy burgers and meaty ribs. This Char-Broil 4 Burner Gas Grill is made with heavy-duty caster wheels, so you can easily move and reposition the grill on your patio. For weekend cookouts, parties, and special meals with friends and family, the Char-Broil 405 is an excellent choice.
Is it the best Char-Broil gas grill?
The Classic 405 sits at the low end of Char-Broils’ outdoor range and is a solid entry point to propane grilling. It is not Char-Broil’s best gas grill, and if you’re willing to spend a little bit more then I’d recommend making the step up to their Performance 4-Burner model.
For just a little more outlay, you get a sturdier build and greater cooking power in a modestly priced grill. To find out more, check out our Char-Broil Performance review.
Final Verdict
For people looking for an affordable yet reliable outdoor gas grill, the Char-Broil Classic 405 delivers. It’s well built and robust, while it offers decent enough cooking space for casual grilling cooks. For an entry-point grill or no-frills cookers, this is one of the best out there today.
- 405 square inches of cooking space over porcelain-coated grates
- Main Burner BTUs 32,000 , 190 square inch porcelain-coated swing-a-way rack for warming
- Four stainless steel in-line burners for cooking performance
Last update on 2023-05-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API