This Broil King grill review comes down to one point: Broil King builds solid, mid priced gas grills with heavy cooking grids and long stated warranties, and the series you pick matters more than the brand. The Crown is the value line, the Baron adds stainless grids and rotisserie gear, the Regal adds a stainless cookbox, the Imperial covers built-ins, and the Keg is a charcoal cooker in its own category. Below is what each line gets you, using specs and prices from our own listings.
Who makes Broil King grills?
Broil King is made by Onward Manufacturing Company, a family owned Canadian business based in Waterloo, Ontario. On its manufacturing page, Broil King says the company dates back to 1906 and shifted its focus to Broil King barbecues in 1985. Its story page says its gas grills are designed, engineered, manufactured and assembled in facilities in Waterloo, Ontario; Huntington, Indiana; and Dickson, Tennessee, using both domestic and globally sourced components. So “made in North America” is fair, but not every part is Canadian.
Broil King grill review: the lineup we sell
We carry a wide Broil King range, from portables to island grills. These are the main models, with figures exactly as our product pages list them.
| Model | Fuel | Burners | Main BTU | Cooking area | Grids | Our price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crown 310 Shadow | Gas | 3 | 30,000 | 470 sq in total | Cast iron | $699 |
| Crown 520 Shadow | Gas | 5 | 45,000 | 780 sq in total | Cast iron | $1,099 |
| Baron 420 Pro Shadow | Gas | 4 | 40,000 | 630 sq in total | 8mm stainless rods | $899 |
| Baron 590 Pro Shadow | Gas | 5 plus side and rotisserie burners | 45,000 | 570 primary, 780 total | Stainless | $1,299 |
| Regal S 420 Pro | Gas | Not listed | Not listed | 500 primary, 695 total | Stainless V-Grids | $1,299 |
| Regal S 590 Pro Infrared | Gas | Dual-Tube plus IR side and rotisserie burners | Not listed | 625 primary, 875 total | Stainless V-Grids | $1,999 |
| Imperial S 470 Built-in 32″ | Gas | 4 | Not listed | 500 primary | Cast stainless | $2,599 |
| Keg 5000 | Charcoal | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not listed | Reversible cast iron | $899 |
| Keg Kamado | Charcoal | Not applicable | Not applicable | 405 sq in total, two levels | Cast iron | $1,499 |
We also list Signet, Monarch, Royal, Gem and Porta-Chef gas grills, Regal pellet grills and island grills. Prices change, so check the product page.
Broil King Crown: the value line
Our Crown listings describe a cast aluminum cookbox, stainless steel Dual-Tube burners, the stainless Flav-R-Wave cooking system and heavy 3 position cast iron grids. The 310 Shadow covers a small family; the 520 Shadow gives you 780 square inches for bigger cookouts. What you give up: the Crown models above have no side burner or rear rotisserie burner. The Crown 520 listing itself points you to the Baron or Regal if you want those.
Broil King Baron: the step up most people should look at
The Baron swaps cast iron for 8mm stainless steel rod grids, which hold heat well. The 490 and 590 Pro Shadow add a 10,000 BTU side burner and a 15,000 BTU rear rotisserie burner with a kit. The Baron S 490 and S 590 Pro Infrared trade the standard side burner for an infrared one. If you plan to spin chickens or roasts, the rear burner is the reason to buy a Baron over a Crown; our grill rotisserie guide explains how that burner is used.
Regal, Imperial and built-ins
The Regal S series moves to a stainless steel cookbox with cast aluminum end caps and reversible stainless V-Grids. The Regal S 590 Pro Infrared adds an infrared side burner that our listing rates to 1,700 degrees F, plus a rear burner with an auto reversing rotisserie motor. The Imperial built-ins use cast stainless grids and include an insulating sleeve for combustible construction, according to our S 470 listing. If you are planning an island, read our built-in grill and outdoor kitchen guide first.
Broil King Keg: charcoal, different animal
The Keg 5000 uses an insulated double walled steel body instead of ceramic. Our listing says it is lighter than ceramic kamados, and an optional adapter mounts it on a trailer hitch. The newer Keg Kamado uses a cast aluminum firebox and lid with a ceramic diffuser. Both are for smoking and searing over charcoal, not quick weeknight gas grilling. If you are torn between fuels, see charcoal vs gas grill.
What stands out across the range
- Heavy grids. Broil King says it uses cast stainless, cast iron or stainless steel grids depending on the series. Even the entry Crown gets cast iron.
- Flav-R-Wave. A stainless steel tray system over the burners that, per Broil King, vaporizes drippings. It is on every gas model in the table.
- Dual-Tube burners. Broil King’s patented design, which it says spreads heat more evenly.
- Warranty. Our Baron 590 and Regal listings state a limited lifetime cookbox warranty and 15 years on parts and paint. The Crown 420 listing states 10 years on major components and burners and 2 years on remaining parts and paint. Confirm current terms with Broil King when you register the grill.
Broil King’s BTU numbers are moderate rather than huge. That is by design, and our gas grill BTU guide explains why heat per square inch tells you more than the total.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Cast iron or stainless grids at every gas price point we list
- Rotisserie burners and kits included on Baron 490/590 and Regal infrared models
- Clear step up path from Crown to Baron to Regal to Imperial
- Strong stated warranty on the Baron and Regal lines
- Large parts and accessory catalog, including replacement burners, Flav-R-Wave trays and grids
Cons
- The Crown and Baron Shadow models come in a black finish, not a full stainless build
- Cast iron grids need oiling and care to avoid rust
- No side burner on the Crown models above
- Built-in and island Imperial models get expensive fast
Who a Broil King suits
A Broil King suits someone who grills often, wants better grids and burners than a big box grill, and does not want to pay luxury stainless prices. Pick a Crown for straightforward grilling, a Baron if you want a rotisserie and side burner, a Regal for stainless construction and more room, and an Imperial for a permanent outdoor kitchen. If you want a fully stainless grill with dedicated sear burners on a smaller budget, a Broil King Crown will not be it.
Is Broil King a good grill?
Yes, for most backyard cooks, as long as you match the series to your needs. The engineering choices are sensible, the company is a long standing North American manufacturer, and replacement parts are easy to find; we stock many of them. It is not the cheapest gas grill and not the most luxurious. In our lineup the Baron is where the value is strongest, since it adds stainless grids and, on the 490 and 590, a side burner and rotisserie setup.
Frequently asked questions
Is Broil King a good grill brand?
Yes. It is made by Onward Manufacturing, uses heavy grids and Dual-Tube burners, and the Baron and Regal lines carry long stated warranties.
What is the difference between the Broil King Baron and Crown?
The Crown uses cast iron grids and, on the models we list, has no side or rotisserie burner. The Baron 490 and 590 Pro add stainless grids, a 10,000 BTU side burner and a 15,000 BTU rear rotisserie burner.
Where are Broil King grills made?
Broil King says its gas grills are built in Waterloo, Ontario; Huntington, Indiana; and Dickson, Tennessee, using domestic and globally sourced components.
Can a Broil King run on natural gas?
Some listings, like the Crown 520 Shadow, mention propane or natural gas options. Check the exact model before ordering, and have a licensed gas fitter make the connection. Local code has the final word.
Not sure which Broil King fits your patio? Call us at 866-777-2590, Mon-Fri 9AM-6PM PST. Orders of $999 or more ship free by freight, and orders below that ship for a $200 flat rate.
