Char-Broil

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

Char-Broil, LLC
Subsidiary
Founded1948 (1948)
Headquarters
Columbus, Georgia
,
USA
Key people
Chris Robbins, CEO
ProductsOutdoor grills and smokers
Brands
  • Char-Broil
  • Dancook
  • Oklahoma Joe's
  • SABER
ParentW. C. Bradley Co.
Websitehttp://www.charbroil.com/

History

Early 1900s

In 1925, W.C. Bradley Co. acquires controlling interest in the Columbus Iron Works, which previously made parts for steamboats and stove products.[2] By the 1940s, agricultural 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]

First Char-Broil charcoal grill.

The early grills were made from steel drum, and two years later, electric grills were manufactured. Char-Broil brand products have set the standards for grills and led the way with features such as the Flarefighter shutter grid, wide viewing window and anti-wobble construction. 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]

1960s - 1970s

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]

1980s - 1990s

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 cement an unbeatable outdoor cooking selection.[6]

2000s - 2010s

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 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]

Awards and mentions
  • 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.
  • 2015: Men's Journal features the Char-Broil Kettleman as one of the top 50 must have's for 2015.[13]

Brands

As of 2015, brands managed and/or manufactured by Char-Broil include:[14][15]

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

References
  1. "An Overview On Our Companies". W.C. Bradley Co. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  2. "Char-Broil History Brochure". W.C. Bradley. 1989.
  3. "A History of Innovation". W.C. Bradley and Company. 2015. Archived from the original on 15 January 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  4. "Company Overview of New Braunfels Smoker Co". Bloomberg. 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  5. "History of the Thermos Company". Kitchen Kapers. 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  6. "The Story of Joe Davidson". Joe Davidson. 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  7. "Char-Broil names CEO, partners with TEC". Casual Living. 15 August 2005. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  8. "SABER's Heritage: Quality, Value and Innovation". Saber Grills. 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  9. "Get to Know Dancook". Dancook. 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  10. "Where There's Smoke... There's Great Barbecue!". Broadway World. 4 August 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  11. "DADO Partners With Char-Broil For Better Outdoor Cooking in 2015". DADO Labs. 9 December 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  12. "Heritages of Innovation". Char-Broil. 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  13. "50 Best Tools, Tech and Toys for 2015". Men's Journal. 2 March 2015.
  14. "Our Companies: Char-Broil". W. C. Bradley Co. Archived from the original on September 12, 2015.
  15. "Best Brands for smokers: Char-Broil". Smokers Hub. 28 February 2020.
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