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Both grills use infrared, but that's where the similarity ends. The Otto Wilde Steakmaker is a 1500°F overhead broiler designed for one job: perfect steakhouse crusts. The Char-Broil Big Easy is a TRU-Infrared oil-less fryer best known for incredible whole turkeys. Picking between them depends entirely on what you cook.
Quick Verdict
Get the Otto Wilde Steakmaker ($999) if you cook steaks more than once a week and want restaurant-quality results. Get the Char-Broil Big Easy ($199) if you want an affordable specialty cooker for whole birds and roasts.
The Contenders
Otto Wilde Steakmaker O.F.B.
$999
Steak fanatics chasing perfect crust and edge-to-edge medium-rare
Check PriceChar-Broil Big Easy
$199
Cooks who want crispy whole turkeys, chickens, and roasts without deep-fry oil
Check PriceCategory Breakdown
Steak Performance
Winner: Otto WildeOtto Wilde wins by a mile. 1500°F overhead heat sears in 90 seconds per side and produces crusts you cannot replicate on a normal grill. The Big Easy isn't designed for steaks at all. For steak-focused cooks, the Otto is essentially in a category of one.
Roasts & Whole Birds
Winner: Big EasyBig Easy wins. The TRU-Infrared cylinder cooks 16-lb turkeys in 2 hours with crisp skin and juicy meat — and it's been the cult favorite for whole birds for over a decade. The Otto can't fit a whole bird and isn't designed for low-and-slow roasting.
Versatility
Winner: Big EasyBoth are specialty cookers, not all-purpose grills. The Big Easy handles a wider range — turkeys, chickens, roasts, even ribs in a basket. The Otto is locked into the high-heat steak/burger lane. Neither replaces a primary grill.
Value
Winner: Big EasyBig Easy wins on raw price — $199 vs $999 is a massive gap. But the Otto is genuinely irreplaceable if you want true 1500°F searing at home. Different value propositions: cheap-and-useful vs expensive-and-specialized.
Build & Aesthetics
Winner: Otto WildeOtto wins on materials and finish — German-engineered stainless with a premium look that fits a designer outdoor kitchen. The Big Easy is unapologetically utilitarian; it works great but won't win style points.
Final Verdict
These aren't really competitors — they solve different problems. Buy the Otto Wilde if a perfect steak is your white whale. Buy the Big Easy if Thanksgiving turkey or weeknight whole chickens are your jam. Confident cooks own both, alongside a primary grill.
Buying Advice
If you can only afford one specialty cooker and you eat more poultry than steak, the Big Easy is the obvious pick. If steak nights are sacred in your house, the Otto pays for itself in saved restaurant trips faster than you'd think.
