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Char-Broil, Since 1948
1844: Columbus, Georgia
Steamboats traveled the Chattahoochee River, delivering coffee, sugar, cotton and salt from the South or manufactured goods from the North. On the wharf, the Columbus Iron Works opened for business to repair and maintain this river traffic. For nearly twenty years, business boomed and The Iron Works expanded, making kettles, ovens, plows and wagon wheels. |
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1860s: Civil War
Then, during the Civil War, it turned to swords, artillery, cannons and iron-clad gun boats. Following the war, peacetime pursuits resumed. |
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Early 1900s: W.C. Bradley purchased The Columbus Iron Works
The Columbus Iron Works was purchased by W.C. Bradley, a company with its own deep roots in Columbus cotton and banking. |
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1948: The first Char-Broil grill
Just about a century after the company repaired its first steamboat, it created its first Char-Broil grill. Introduced in 1949, the Char-Broil 19 sold in stove supply stores for $19. It featured adjustable air shutters and charcoal pan height; charcoal loading door, built-in work shelf and a mobile cart mounting. |
1960s - 1990s: Char-Broil takes off
Char-Broil becomes the international leader in outdoor grilling products, known for innovation in the category including:
- First to package an LP tank and grill in one box
- First to offer electric grills
- First to offer portable gas grills vs post mounts
- First mass marketer of tabletops
- Invented Certified Grill Parts and Accessories® with universal fit parts
- Created NO TOOLS REQUIRED grills so set-up is simple
- Introduced electronic ignition, superior burner systems, sturdier frames, weather resistant coatings and surfaces |
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2000s: The new millennium in grilling
Char-Broil continues the tradition of innovation in outdoor food and fun … we make everyone feel like a master chef!
The Grill2Go® family, which carries the Thermos® name, grows to more than one million units at home, camping and tailgating events, and forever popularizes mobile grilling.
The Big Easy® cooking system combines even heat with a built-in smoker and griddle to cook breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Char-Broil is the first grill at mass to have dual charcoal and gas cooking capabilities; two years later, the company introduces a liquid gas system that easily converts to natural gas capability.
Char-Broil introduces the Outdoor Stove & Griddle™, the ultimate in side burner use and versatility. This is the first side burner to combine high heat, a non-stick griddle and wok cooking.
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2005: Infra-red Technology
Char-Broil and Thermal Engineering Corporation (TEC) form a union to once again, revolutionize the grilling industry. In 2006, Char-Broil will introduce and infra-red TEC grill to the mass market. Better tasting, juicier meats, faster pre-heating and perfect searing will soon appear in affordable grills. Cooking outdoors will never be the same. |
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TODAY
We've come a long way from the early days repairing steamboats on the Chattahoochee. Today we offer the most choices to the most people, delivering the fun of the outdoor barbecue to every kind of backyard chef. By any measure when it comes to outdoor cooking, we can surely claim that Char-Broil is the Keeper of the Flame. | |
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