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Char-Broil's Performance Amplifire uses TRU-Infrared technology — emitter plates that vaporize drippings and cook with even infrared heat. The Weber Spirit uses traditional open burners with flavorizer bars. Same price bracket, fundamentally different cooking technology.
Quick Verdict
Buy the Char-Broil Performance Amplifire 3-Burner ($399) if you want even infrared heat with no flare-ups and easier cleanup. Buy the Weber Spirit E-310 ($449) if you want the proven traditional gas grill experience with Weber's parts ecosystem.
The Contenders
Char-Broil Performance Amplifire 3-Burner
$399
Cooks who want flare-free even infrared heat and easier cleanup
Check PriceWeber Spirit E-310
$449
Traditional gas grillers who want Weber's proven flavor profile and parts ecosystem
Check PriceCategory Breakdown
Heat Distribution
Winner: Char-BroilChar-Broil wins. The infrared emitter plates produce dramatically more even heat across the entire grate than open burners. No cold spots, no hot spots.
Flare-Ups
Winner: Char-BroilChar-Broil wins decisively. The infrared system vaporizes drippings before they pool — virtually zero flare-ups. The Weber's flavorizer bars help but don't eliminate them.
Flavor Profile
Winner: WeberWeber wins. The flavorizer bars vaporize drippings into smoke that flavors the food. The infrared system reduces flavor-from-drippings — food tastes cleaner but less smoky.
Long-Term Durability
Winner: WeberWeber wins decisively. The Spirit lasts 10-15 years easily. The Char-Broil's infrared emitter plates degrade in 4-6 years and require replacement.
Value
Winner: TieTie. Char-Broil wins on price up front; Weber wins on dollars-per-year over the long haul.
Infrared vs Traditional Gas Grilling
This comparison covers the Char-Broil Performance Amplifire 3-Burner — the TRU-Infrared model — against the Weber Spirit E-310. The Amplifire's emitter plates sit between the burners and the grates: gas heats the plates, the plates radiate heat upward, and drippings vaporise on the plate surface instead of falling onto open flame. The practical differences are fewer flare-ups, more even edge-to-edge heat, and a surface that shields food from direct flame contact. The trade-offs are a slower response to knob changes and emitter plates that need cleaning to keep working properly.
The Weber Spirit uses conventional open burners with Flavorizer bars: faster to respond, more flare-up risk with fatty cuts, and the traditional gas-grill flavour profile most cooks already know.
If you're comparing Char-Broil's conventional Performance grill rather than its infrared Amplifire version, see Char-Broil Performance vs Weber Spirit.
Final Verdict
Buy the Char-Broil Performance Amplifire if you hate flare-ups and want even infrared heat. Buy the Weber Spirit if you want the proven 10+ year grill with classic flavor.
Buying Advice
Try infrared at someone's house before buying — the cooking style is genuinely different and not everyone loves the cleaner, less-smoky flavor profile. If in doubt, the Spirit is the safer choice.
