Nexgrill 720-0896B vs Char-Broil: How to Decide, Repair, or Replace
A practical how-to for identifying your exact model revision, comparing it fairly against Char-Broil's infrared design, and knowing when a used unit is worth the money.
In This Article
Identify Your Exact Revision
Parts Ecosystem vs Flare-Up Control
Repair-or-Replace Test
Before You Compare: Three Things to Confirm About Your Nexgrill 720-0896B
You cannot fairly stack a Nexgrill 720-0896B against a Char-Broil until you know exactly which grill you own. The 720-0896B is a six-burner propane unit sold widely through Home Depot, and the 'B' is a revision of the earlier 720-0896, not a cosmetic trim. That letter changes which burners, heat tents, and manual apply to your firebox.
Three things to nail down first: the revision letter from the serial plate, the verified spec for your build, and how each brand manages heat and grease. Get those right and the rest of the comparison becomes arithmetic instead of guesswork.
Parts listings that say '720-0896' without the B may not fit your revision. Confirm before ordering.
Step 1: Photograph the Serial Plate and Match the 'B' Revision
Open the cabinet doors and look for a metal plate or sticker on the inside wall or the rear crossbar. Photograph it with your phone, including the model and serial numbers. Then write the full model string on a piece of tape stuck inside the cabinet door, so you never have to hunt for it again.
Step 2: Write Down the Specs You Can Actually Verify
BTU figures, grate material, and total cooking area should be confirmed on the live spec sheet for your exact revision, not quoted from a forum or a third-party listing. Record what you can read off the plate and leave the rest blank until verified. Comparing BTU alone is the most common cross-shopping error: burner count and heat-tent design often matter more than a headline number.
Step 3: Map How Each Brand Handles Heat and Flare-Ups
| Consideration | Nexgrill 720-0896B | Char-Broil |
|---|---|---|
| Heat method | Conventional burners with heat tents | TRU-Infrared perforated emitter plates |
| Flare-up control | Depends on tent condition and grease tray | Emitter design limits flare-ups |
| Replacement parts | Broad, inexpensive burner ecosystem | Proprietary emitters sourced from Char-Broil |
Char-Broil's infrared emitter plates will not fit a Nexgrill firebox, so treat the two heat systems as fundamentally different rather than interchangeable.
Step 4: Check Parts and Manual Availability Before You Commit
Download the manual for your revision and confirm that burners, igniters, and heat tents are listed as replaceable. Reach out through Nexgrill support if the model string does not resolve cleanly. A grill with a documented parts path is worth repairing; one without is not.
Step 5: Inspect a Used 720-0896B in Ten Minutes
Pull the cooking grates and look straight into the firebox. Lift the heat tents and check the burner tubes and crossover for rust-through. Run the click test on the igniter, check the regulator date stamp, and plan a leak test after any swap. Probe the firebox floor and lid seams for soft metal.
A sound firebox with tired burners is a cheap fix; rusted-through metal is not.
Common Mistakes When Cross-Shopping These Two Brands
- Ordering base-model 720-0896 parts for a 'B' revision.
- Buying used without lifting the grates to inspect the firebox.
- Storing uncovered through winter.
- Lighting all six burners for a two-person meal.
Try comparing two products side by side below to see which fits best:
Once You've Weighed Two Options, Here's What Else Matters
Specs tell you what a grill is; ownership tells you what it costs. A replacement burner set for a Nexgrill typically runs in the tens of dollars as an estimate, while Char-Broil emitter plates are proprietary and must come from Char-Broil, often at a premium. That asymmetry is the real long-term cost difference between the two platforms.
Repair vs Replace: A Simple Decision Rule for the 720-0896B
Apply one test: if the firebox and lid are structurally sound, repair is almost always the cheaper route. If the firebox floor is rusted through or the lid seams are soft, replace the unit. Burners, igniters, heat tents, and regulators are wear items; sheet metal is the line in the sand.
Any time you swap a regulator or hose, do a soapy-water leak test before the first cook.
Who Each Grill Actually Suits
- Current 720-0896B owner: repair if the box is sound; otherwise move to a 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill in Black or the side-burner version.
- Used-market buyer: a verified 720-0896B with a clean firebox is a strong value pick; skip anything with soft metal.
- Home Depot spec shopper: if flare-ups are your main frustration, Char-Broil's infrared design is the honest alternative, but budget for proprietary parts.
- Gas-to-pellet mover: the Oakford Pro 875 pellet smoker is a different cooking style entirely, not a parts swap.
What to Look For in a Char-Broil Alternative
If you want infrared-style flare-up control without the proprietary parts lock-in, prioritize a grill with a solid heat-tent system and a well-draining grease tray. Then weigh three things: parts availability, burner tube quality, and whether the firebox is thick enough to survive five winters uncovered in a humid climate.
Closing Checklist Before You Buy, Repair, or Swap
- Serial plate photographed and revision confirmed.
- Manual downloaded for your exact model string.
- Firebox and lid inspected for structural rust.
- Leak test scheduled after any regulator change.
- Cover sized to the unit and used year-round.
