Broilmaster P4 pick-up, test run....

[Josh Dekubber]

So not sure what I'm going to do with this Broilmaster P4 but I wanted to test it out. Also I want to get rid of these side tables and custom make new one out of IPE Ironwood. Also add a front flip table out of wood for the front. I will reuse the SS table brackets.

Everyone knows I like Small grills. This less common P4 is the little brother to the more common P3. The cooking surface on my P4 is the same width as Genesis x000 at 23 1/2" but 2 inches less in depth at 15 1/2". I may pick up the P3 big brother also. To try out and scavenge the front table bracket.

This P4 looks to have only been used a couple times so it should clean up like new. I want to make it nice so we'll see but it shouldn't take much. These are known for being well built American made but also have a reputation for being ugly grills. I have to say the look is growing on me and with custom wood tables I think I'll like the look.

Here's some pics of it and comparison pics with my Genesis 1000LX

 

[Steve Hoch]

I don't think it's ugly, but I do think it's pretty cool.

 

[Joe Anshien]

Congrats! Keep up updated with your progress and cooks! Looking forward to sharing the journey.

 

[Josh Dekubber]

Congrats! Keep up updated with your progress and cooks! Looking forward to sharing the journey.

Thank you Joe! I appreciate your knowledge and input about Broilmaster.

 

[Josh Dekubber]

I don't think it's ugly, but I do think it's pretty cool.

We'll see how it grills. I think 40,000 BTU should heat this small grill pretty easily. The waterfall grates are quality 8mm SS and reversible for a higher or lower setting. I still have more to learn about it but I'm optimistic.

 

[Steve Hoch]

I wouldn't expect that it be as good as a Weber at cooking, but it could be even if it is different. It could be fun to play around with at the very least.

 

[Josh Dekubber]

I wouldn't expect that it be as good as a Weber at cooking, but it could be even if it is different. It could be fun to play around with at the very least.

I agree I'm not sure what to expect and although I am not in need of another project I thought Broilmaster would be cool to try out.

 

[Steve Hoch]

I agree I'm not sure what to expect and although I am not in need of another project I thought Broilmaster would be cool to try out.

Sometimes things just fall into your lap when you weren't expecting it.

 

[Josh Dekubber]

Sometimes things just fall into your lap when you weren't expecting it.

It was extra appealing to me because it is the smaller less common P4 and also in excellent barley used condition and came with a full tank of propane. To buy new they are not cheep. This one used was listed for $350. I offered $100 and seller accepted because he was moving.

 

[Steve Hoch]

I didn't even realize they still made those, nice.

 

[Bruce]

That looks like a perfect rehab candidate. Do you know the date of manufacture?

 

[LMichaels]

They are excellent rehab candidates. Very few parts, even fewer that are rust prone. Built like little tanks. Great to rehab and keep. But, because many people are not drawn into the "no flash" aspect they're hard to "turn" for any gain. The tile bottoms make it behave more like an IR grill than a regular rock or flavor bar type as well. One big feature difference between the P4/P3 is the P3 can do 3 different positions on the grates as opposed to 2. And being slightly larger as well.
As a basic straight up grill they do a great job. burgers, steaks, dogs, chops, etc. Can do some indirect as well though not as well as an older original design Genesis. But, honestly if the burner is clean, excellent heat dispersal and great heat retention thanks to the heavier build as well over a more thinly built grill.
I think it's gonna kinda grown on you there big guy

 

[Josh Dekubber]

That looks like a perfect rehab candidate. Do you know the date of manufacture?

So I just did a little bit of looking into it and in order to find the manufacturer date I would have to submit the model number and serial number to Broilmaster. The best information I could find is that the the Broilmaster P4XF-2 grill was first introduced in 2011 so between 2011 and now.

Although the condition is exceptionally good it looks like it has been sitting for quite some time so I could see it being somewhere right in the middle between 2011 and now but that's just a guess.

 

[Josh Dekubber]

So I'm thinking about maybe picking up it's big brother the P3 today. There's one close by for free and I want the front SS table brackets off of it for my P4 and also maybe use the P3 while I restore the P4.

Check out this item on OfferUp. https://offerup.co/yLWBvbs2hWb

 

[Bruce]

Seems like a no-brainer to pick up that grill.

 

[Ed_T]

Having that control panel in good legible shape is important on those. Looks promising!

 

[Josh Dekubber]

So the P3 is considered a 27-in grill and the P4 is considered a 24 inch Grill and also a couple inches shorter from front to back. How I tell the difference is the control panel. The control panel on both are relative to the size of the cook box but if you look closely you can tell that the control panels are different sizes the P3 control panel is clearly longer than the P4 control panel.

 

[Josh Dekubber]

If I pick up the p3 I'll do a side by side comparison with the P4 to get a better idea of the size differences

 

[Jon Tofte]

Wow, Josh! When you jump, you go with both feet in!

I will be very interested to see what you do with these. The $350 original price on the first one was too high - although well worth it - but you got that at a steal and now a FREE one!

I agree with Larry about these being excellent cookers. Although you can't set up indirect ideally for a long rack of ribs, you can mimic the PK method of indirect for pork shoulders and other things that fit on one half of the grill. Left burner on, food on the right, add a smoker box and you are there. As far a high heat grilling, I think you may well find that a Broilmaster can do BETTER than a Weber!

 

[Josh Dekubber]

Wow, Josh! When you jump, you go with both feet in!

I will be very interested to see what you do with these. The $350 original price on the first one was too high - although well worth it - but you got that at a steal and now a FREE one!

I agree with Larry about these being excellent cookers. Although you can't set up indirect ideally for a long rack of ribs, you can mimic the PK method of indirect for pork shoulders and other things that fit on one half of the grill. Left burner on, food on the right, add a smoker box and you are there. As far a high heat grilling, I think you may well find that a Broilmaster can do BETTER than a Weber!

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Thank you Jon! I appreciate your input very much! Once again this forum is a huge help allowing me to venture into the unknown with enough knowledge to make educated decisions. It's nice to at least have an idea/starting point to know what I'm getting into. So thanks again to everyone here!