Char-Broil

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Char-Broil, LLC

Company type	Subsidiary
Founded	1948; 76 years ago (1948)
Headquarters	Columbus, Georgia , USA
Key people	Tom Penner, CEO
Products	Outdoor grills and smokers
Brands	Char-Broil Dancook Oklahoma Joe's SABER
Parent	W. C. Bradley Co.
Website	http://www.charbroil.com/

Char-Broil is an American privately held manufacturer of charcoal, gas & electric outdoor grills, smokers and related products. Char-Broil is a subsidiary of W. C. Bradley Co.^[1]

In 1925, W.C. Bradley Co. acquired a controlling interest in the Columbus Iron Works, which previously made parts for steamboats and stove products.^[2] By the 1940s, agriculture started moving west. The Bradley Company adapted quickly, redirecting focus to the "backyard" leisure market and manufactured a portable outdoor cooker called "Char-Broil."^[3] The Char-Broil 19 (also known as the CB 19) is thought to be the first cast iron charcoal grill on the market.^[3] Hardware stores that carried the Bradley's agricultural and stove supplies begin selling the cast-iron charcoal grill for $19, which were purchased and delivered across the United States.^[2]

The early grills were made from a steel drum, and two years later, electric grills were manufactured. Between the Char-Broil brand and Certified Grill Parts, W.C. Bradley Company became a worldwide leader in the manufacture of aluminum gas grills, grill parts and accessories.^[2]

Due to increased demand for home grills, Char-Broil began to mass-produce gas grills in the 1960s.^[3]
In 1961, Char-Broil patented the first grease-handling system for an outdoor grill to make grilling safer and easier.^[3] In the 1970s, they were the first to package the LP tank and grill in one box, which revolutionized the backyard grill industry.^[2] Char-Broil introduced the first electric grills, portable gas grills and table-top grills in the 1970s. In 1973, the Manufacturing Division moved from the Iron Works to a more modern plant in the Bradley Industrial Park and becomes known as W.C. Bradley Enterprises. Then in 1977, W.C. Bradley Enterprises became known as Char-Broil. In 1989, Char-Broil became a separate business division of the W.C. Bradley Company.^[3]

In the 1980s, Char-Broil introduced "Certified Parts and Accessories" and began selling grill parts to consumers,^[2] and in the 1990s, Char-Broil introduced new paints, easy-to-clean materials and features along with the now-ubiquitous electronic ignition system.^[2] In 1997, Char-Broil acquired the New Braunfels Smoker Company and adds heavy-duty charcoal grills, smokers and accessories to its lineup,^[4] as well as the barbecue grill division of the Thermos Company of Schaumburg, Illinois.^[5] In 1998, Char-Broil purchased the Oklahoma Joe's brand of high-end smokers, grills and accessories, to complement its outdoor cooking selection.^[6]

Char-Broil launched the Commercial Series brand in 2003. This series was, and still is exclusive to Lowe's^[3] Char-Broil partnered with Thermal Engineering Corporation (TEC) to offer backyard chefs infrared technology and patented a new version of the TEC's infrared 100% cooking system, which led the company to a new series of grills and cookers in 2007^[7] They launched the Big Easy oil-less infrared turkey fryer in 2007 with the infrared technology. In 2008, Char-Broil launched the RED Series infrared gas grills that is exclusive to Home Depot.^[3] In 2011, Char-Broil introduced SABER grills, which is a dedicated business unit for premium grills,^[8] and they expanded into the European market with the acquisition of the Dancook brand.^[9] Early 2015, Char-Broil introduced the Kettleman, an improved charcoal kettle grill that uses the patented infrared technology, no-fall through grates, no flare-ups, a hinged lid. Then in the summer of 2015, Char-Broil launched its new line of digital electric smokers,^[10] and later in the year, they launched the SmartChef series of WiFi-connected electric smokers, which stemmed from the partnership with DADO.^[11]

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• 1984: Char-Broil CB940 grill is cited as the "World's Best BBQ Grill" in the Book of Bests.^[12]
• 1999: The Patio Bistro won the Honorable Mention Award in new Products for Mature Markets Design Competition from the American Society of Aging.
• 2000: Golden Hammer Award Winner in Outdoor Living.
• 2001-2002: Popular Mechanics Editors Choice Award in recognition of outstanding achievement in new product design and innovation.
• 2003-2008: Silver Award Winner in Barbecue by Home Channel News.
• 2008: Char-Broil's Big Easy oil-less infrared turkey fryer wins a VESTA Award at the HPBA Expo.^[3]
• 2011: Char-Broil won the first and sixth place Award of Excellence by National Barbecue Association for the Pinch of Sizzle Mystic Marinade and Pinch of Sizzle Mad Mustard seasonings.
• 2013: Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Thin grill won the Gold Medal Honor at the International BBQ Awards in Friedrichshafen, Germany.

As of 2015,^[update] brands managed and/or manufactured by Char-Broil include:^[13][14]

• Char-Broil
• Dancook
• Oklahoma Joe's
• Quantum
• SABER
• Thermos
• PBC