Char-Broil Versa-Tile | This Grill Can Do What!?
When it comes to outdoor cooking, it's fair to say that most people consider coal to be king—and it's hard to argue with that.
However, there are two specific types of food—also two of the most popular fast foods on the planet—that just don’t cook as well over coal as they do right here… on the brand new Char-Broil Versa-Tile.
Now, you might be wondering why I'm wearing this hat. Well, as the great Michelangelo once said: "It's pizza time!"
I'm not referring to the famous Italian sculptor (though he probably liked pizza too), but to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.
Before we dive in, let me say this: no BBQ or grilling session is complete without some music. You might be into Iron Maiden—and even if you're not, you'll appreciate this pairing. It's Iron Maiden Darkest Red: Eddie the Head's blend. They sent me six bottles. It's good. Really good. I've had a hangover for roughly the last two and a half weeks.
"A robust red blend from the Douro in Portugal, the palate delivers a crescendo of blackberry, ripe black cherries, and plums, layered over subtle spice and a bold, rich finish."
Best enjoyed with the volume cranked up. And with pizza.
As for the second type of food that shines on this grill—that'll be a surprise. And trust me, the recipe is worth sticking around for. You might not have seen anything quite like it.
But first, let me show you what the Char-Broil Versa-Tile is all about.
Design & Setup
The grill arrives boxed up nicely. It took me and my friend AntMan about an hour to assemble. Every screw and part is number- and letter-coded, making the process super simple.
The trickiest part is fitting the gas hose to the grill. Thanks to Andrew from the Char-Broil team, I now know a trick: soak the end of the hose in boiling water for a minute or two. It softens up and becomes much easier to attach. A little WD-40 also helps.
Control Panel
Across the front, you'll find two gas dials—one for each side of the grill. Look closely at the right-hand dial and you'll spot a pizza icon. That marks the ideal gas level for perfect pizza cooking.
On the left side, there's what I'm calling the AllSpark. This crucial ignition button is powered by a single AA battery. Without it, there is no fire—at least not the easy kind.
Hooks & Storage
There are hooks across the front for hanging your utensils. Char-Broil offers premium utensils if you want that perfectly matched look.
Underneath, there’s a shelf to store your tools, ingredients, seasoning, and maybe a bottle or two of Iron Maiden wine.
Gas Canister Strap
There’s also a semi-circle cutout to strap your gas canister to the side when not in use. But a crucial note: the gas bottle must be placed away from the grill when cooking.
Wheels & Mobility
The grill features four wheels: two smaller ones with locking mechanisms and two rugged off-road-style wheels for easier movement over uneven surfaces.
Cooking Area
Here’s why they call it the Versa-Tile. Lift the sturdy hood and you’ll find a large, ceramic-coated steel grilling surface. You get two cooking zones, but it’s the right side that makes this grill stand out.
Remove the circular tile to reveal a modular space:
Swap in a cast iron grill for classic meats and vegetables.
Twist the metal riser lock to place a wok or wide frying pan.
Or use the ceramic pizza tile on the riser for perfect pizza cooking. The heat flows up and around the edges, creating that ideal oven-like environment.
Pizza Time
I’m not a pro chef, so I used fresh, ready-made dough and handpicked my toppings.
Here's my method:
Tomato base with garlic (because garlic bread is life).
Thin layer of mozzarella.
Parma ham next (important: add after cheese so toppings don’t slide off).
Another sprinkle of cheese.
Black olives and fresh red chillies.
Grated parmesan for a salty kick.
Finished with fresh rocket added at the end.
Smash Burgers
The second popular food? Smash burgers. Sure, you can grill burgers on coal, but not like this.
Here’s how I do it, thanks to tips from Jack at Jack's Meat Shack:
Use beef with 20% fat.
Add parmesan to the mix for crispy edges.
Roll into balls and place on the flat grill plate at high heat.
After 30-60 seconds, smash them thin.
Cook for about 1 minute per side.
Flip, add American cheese, and let it melt.
But wait—what’s this fried egg doing here?
Well, this is inspired by GBK’s Kiwi Burger. It includes:
Beef patty
Fried egg
Pineapple ring
Sliced beetroot
Lettuce
Sounds crazy, but trust me, it works—and you can’t do this easily on a coal grill.
Cleanup & Final Thoughts
Cleanup is another win for the Versa-Tile. Just scrape the excess fat into the side channels. There are two removable drip trays underneath that catch everything for easy disposal.
So, final verdict?
The Char-Broil Versa-Tile is a seriously impressive grill with incredible versatility. Whether you're into pizzas, burgers, kebabs, or want to try your hand at Japanese teppanyaki, this grill can handle it all.
And if you're still a die-hard coal fan? Check out my Char-Broil Gas2Coal video—Jurassic Park intro and all. Some say... it's kind of epic.
