Char-Broil Versa-Tile review: A solid BBQ for all occasions

As the warmer weather settles in, many of us will be looking to bolster our outdoor space with one of the best barbecues on the market. There are a wide array of options out there for budding grill gods, which can make it a tough choice.

Before you even get to the model level, you need to decide what kind of outdoor cooking solution you want. You can opt for old-school charcoal barbecues, or a modern electric barbecue.

Still, one of the most popular these days is a gas barbecue. That's exactly what the Char-Broil Versa-Tile is. I've been using it for a few weeks to get a feel for exactly what it can do, and whether it's worth your hard-earned cash.

Char-Broil Versa-Tile review: Price and Availability

The Char-Broil Versa-Tile retails for £549.99 / €499 (approx. US$755 / AU$1,150).

Here in the UK, you can find it at retailers like Argos and John Lewis.

Char-Broil Versa-Tile review: Build and Set-up

It's rare that I can say I've been bested by a build. I consider myself to be something of a flat-pack fanatic; a DIY lover who is more than capable of following some instructions and getting a product out of it.

Even with credentials like that, though, this really tested me. For starters, there are no physical instructions in the box – despite having a 200-page booklet in the box. To get the instructions, you have to download an app, find the model you own and then stream the instruction manual.

That's not ideal if, say, you're building the barbecue in a garage which struggles with WiFi. But I could get around that if the subsequent instructions were at all coherent.

Unfortunately, they weren't. At times, the insertion of four separate screws warranted four individual instructions, while others would offer a poor quality image that left a lot of guesswork.

All in all, the build took me around six and a half hours across two sessions, which is rather absurd. It was a frustrating experience, though once it's done, it does at least leave you with a solid end product.

Char-Broil Versa-Tile review: Design and Features

Let's kick off with the design, which should be a fairly short conversation. It's a relatively plain black metal affair, which is rather unassuming. It's certainly not a bad looker, but its minimalism leaves it part of the pack, rather than a standout.

While we're talking design, let's talk about the sheer size of the thing. The main section is already quite large, but add on the side panels and it really does become a behemoth. It'll need a fair old space to keep it in – you have been warned.

It's also a relatively simple affair in terms of the specs. The two burners are each controlled by a single knob. Turn it up for hot, down for less hot. That's it – couldn't be simpler.

The left-hand burner stops there, but the right-hand side is where the magic happens. A trio of swappable plates offer the same flat plate as the left side, a traditional slotted grill, or the raised pizza oven.

(Image credit: Sam Cross)

(Image credit: Sam Cross)

Char-Broil Versa-Tile review: Performance

In use, the Versa-Tile is relatively faultless. The different sections which can be added to the right hand portion of the barbecue are a real godsend, allowing you to customise the cooking style at will.

The flat portion is perfect for most things, effectively acting as an extension of the base. Swap it out for the griddle portion and you get the classic browning marks on your food – though be aware that the more open design will burn things more quickly.

The pizza oven portion is also a real boon, allowing users to get a semi-authentic pizza cooking experience too. Be sure to pre-heat that one on full before reducing the temperature down to the pizza marker, otherwise you'll struggle to get a good crust.

I'd love it if there was an easier way to swap them out on the fly. I've often found myself wanting to cook, say, a pizza early on, then swapping over to the flat grill for other foods, but waiting for the panel to cool down makes it impossible.

Other than that, there's really nothing to complain about. The cook is even, the fat drains effectively into a safe spot and there is really nothing to get confused about – one dial per section, turn it up for more hot and down for less. Simple.

Char-Broil Versa-Tile review: Verdict

The Char-Broil Versa-Tile is an interesting concept. As a barbecue it is brilliant, and the flat grill is perfect for all manner of cooking styles. The pizza oven is certainly a rarity – it's not as good as a dedicated unit, but it's good enough if you're looking for an all-in-one solution.

The setup process really did let it down – there's just no need for things to be that convoluted – but all is forgiven once the first piece of food hits your lips. It's certainly not cheap, but you'll enjoy it if you're a regular entertainer with a varied menu.

Char-Broil Versa-Tile review: Also Consider

For a little more cash, one of the best alternative picks is the Weber Spirit E-425. That's a four-burner grill, which should enable a little more versatility – though it doesn't have the varied cooking zone of this model.