First Day of Spring Signals Start of Grilling Season and Availability of Superior Cooking Technology

COLUMBUS, Ga., March 18 /PRNewswire/ -- More Americans will have access to advanced cooking technology this year, thanks to an expanded collection of infrared products from Char-Broil designed to meet every outdoor chef's cooking style and budget.

Char-Broil introduces two new grill lines, Char-Broil RED(R) and Char- Broil Quantum(R), to complement The Big Easy(R), the first oil-less, infrared turkey fryer that cooks turkeys in the same amount of time - start to finish - as do conventional turkey fryers that use hot oil.

Once found only in restaurants or professional-grade grills retailing for thousands of dollars, infrared cooking systems deliver superior taste, simplicity and efficiency, perfecting an innovation that truly enhances the grilling experience.

"The expanded Char-Broil infrared collection offers versatility in design and function, with products that meet the needs of backyard chefs eager to experience infrared cooking at any level," said Thom Ward, Director of Marketing for Char-Broil. "From beginners looking to enhance their results to experienced cooks looking for the ultimate tools for outdoor cooking perfection, our infrared products deliver."

Consumers and the industry have spoken

A recent consumer survey of 185 The Big Easy owners suggests that infrared technology is at the heart of a grilling revolution. Of those surveyed, 78 percent said there seemed to be a difference between infrared heat and the convection heat they experience in their grill or oven. In addition, 85 percent said they would be interested in purchasing a grill or other The Big Easy products that use infrared heat.

The grilling industry is taking notice of Char-Broil's infrared products as well. The Big Easy was recently awarded Hearth & Home Magazine's highly coveted 2008 Vesta Award for technology and innovation at the 2008 Hearth, Patio and Barbeque Association's trade show.

"I've created numerous new recipes and perfected favorite ones on Char- Broil's new infrared grills and the enhanced flavor and juiciness is obvious," said Chef Marvin Woods, an Emmy(R) Award-nominated television host, restaurateur and cookbook author. "The grills' even heat distribution, elimination of flare-ups and fine restaurant-quality results are an outdoor chef's dream."

Replicating the radiant, even temperatures of charcoal to seal in flavor and moisture without fear of charcoal flare-ups, the new Char-Broil products also boast all the advantages chefs have come to love when cooking with infrared: juicy, flavorful grilled foods that do not dry out; the ease of using wood chips for a rich, smoky flavor; effortless self-cleaning to simplify maintenance; and engineering that increases energy efficiency - both in the amount of propane used and in personal time savings.

The Char-Broil RED features a stylish front red panel and a new u-shaped infrared emitter that evenly distributes 100 percent infrared heat, eliminating hot or cold spots on the grill. This grill is available at The Home Depot for an affordable $599. The all-stainless steel Char-Broil Infrared Commercial Series with Quantum inside combines infrared and convective, open-flame heat and is available at Lowe's for just $499.

More information about these grills and the The Big Easy (SRP: $149) is available at www.charbroil.com.