Nexgrill Fortress 1-Burner vs Char-Broil: How to Run and Judge a Compact Single-Burner Grill
A practical, step-by-step guide to buying and cooking on a small-footprint gas grill - confirming the model, sizing fuel, and managing heat when you only have one burner to work with.
In This Article
Confirm the Model First
One Burner, One Zone
Balcony Rules Come First
What You're Actually Comparing When One Side Has a Single Burner
A single-burner compact gas grill is a different tool from a full-size backyard cooker, so the comparison is not really Nexgrill versus Char-Broil in the abstract - it is how each brand solves a small, one-zone cooking problem. On a compact chassis you are comparing burner architecture, fuel logistics, footprint, and cleanup, not raw BTU bragging rights. Generic single-burner compacts typically land around 8,000-11,000 BTU with roughly 150-220 sq in of primary cooking area; treat all figures here as estimates and verify against the actual spec sheet.
Verification note: at the time of writing we could not confirm a Nexgrill model sold specifically as a “Fortress” 1-burner. Before you compare figures, confirm the model plate on the unit or product page. Nexgrill model numbers begin with 720-.
Prerequisites: Confirm the Model Plate, the Fuel, and Where You're Allowed to Cook
Three things must be true before any spec comparison matters: you know exactly which model you are looking at, you know which fuel it takes, and you know you are permitted to use it where you live. Balcony and patio rules are a genuine blocker in the United States - many apartment leases prohibit open-flame grills on balconies, and local fire codes set minimum distances from walls and combustible railings. Check your lease and your local fire department before you shop.
USFA and NFPA both publish grilling safety guidance covering placement away from siding, deck rails, and overhead structures - worth a two-minute read before you commit to a compact grill.
Step 1: Read the Model Plate and Spec Sheet Before You Compare Anything
Find the plate (usually on the back panel or inside the cabinet) and write down the full 720- number. Then pull the spec sheet and record four numbers only: primary cooking area, total BTU, burner count, and assembled weight. Ignore “total cooking area” figures that fold in a warming rack - on a compact grill, that inflated number can overstate usable space by a third or more.
Step 2: Match Fuel Logistics to How You Store and Transport the Grill
Most single-burner compacts run on 1 lb disposable propane cylinders, often with an optional adapter hose for a 20 lb tank. The math decides this for you:
| Fuel Setup | Typical Runtime | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1 lb disposable cylinder (~0.236 gal) | Roughly 1-2 hours at compact output | Tailgating, short balcony sessions |
| 20 lb tank via adapter hose | Many sessions per refill | Home patios, frequent weeknight cooking |
Per-hour fuel cost is dramatically lower on a 20 lb refill in most US markets, so if the grill lives at home, budget for the adapter hose.
Step 3: Judge Heat Control on a One-Zone Grill (This Is Where Buyers Get Burned)
One burner means one heat zone. You cannot run a hot side and a cool side with the knobs - so ask how each design helps you manage that limitation. Look for a lid that traps heat for roasting, a grate height that keeps food off the hottest center, and whether the burner runs the full width or sits centrally. On a compact grill, moving food to the cooler edge is your real temperature control.
Step 4: Test the Portability and Cleanup Path Before You Commit
Lift it, fold it, and trace the grease path. Removable drip trays and dishwasher-friendly grates matter enormously on a small grill you clean weekly. If it is going in an RV or truck bed, assembled weight and whether the legs lock are decisive. Try comparing two products side by side below to see which fits your routine:
Once You've Weighed Two Compact Grills, Here's What Still Decides It
Specs get you to a shortlist; your cooking habits close the sale. The remaining questions are how the burner delivers heat, how the first cook goes, and which mistakes you are most likely to make under pressure.
TRU-Infrared vs an Open Single Burner: How the Cooking Physics Differ
Char-Broil's compact and portable line commonly uses TRU-Infrared, a perforated emitter plate between the burner and the grate. It spreads heat more evenly and largely eliminates flare-ups because drippings vaporize above the plate rather than hitting an open flame. An open single burner on a Nexgrill-style compact gives you more direct, responsive heat and visible flame control, but fat drippings can flare. Neither is better in the abstract: infrared suits steady, low-attention cooking; open burners reward an attentive cook who wants instant response.
Step 5: Set Up Your First Cook Session on a Single-Burner Grill
- Light the burner and preheat with the lid down for 10-15 minutes.
- Brush and oil the grates right before food goes on.
- Establish a hot center and a cooler edge, then move food as it browns.
- Use a foil shield or half-cover to create a makeshift indirect zone for thicker cuts.
- Keep the lid down between checks to hold temperature.
Tip: on a one-zone grill, a folded sheet of heavy foil under one half of the grate is the cheapest two-zone conversion you will ever make.
Six Mistakes That Sink Small-Grill Purchases
- Buying before confirming balcony or fire-code rules.
- Comparing inflated “total cooking area” including the warming rack.
- Ignoring per-hour fuel cost on 1 lb cylinders.
- Expecting two-zone cooking from one burner.
- Skipping the adapter hose for a 20 lb tank.
- Not checking assembled weight for RV or tailgate use.
A 10-Minute Pre-Purchase Checklist for a One-Burner Grill
Confirm the 720- model number. Record primary area, BTU, and weight. Decide fuel setup. Check lease and local code. Verify lid, grate height, and drip tray. Confirm return policy.
Which Buyer Should Pick Which: Renter, Tailgater, or Weeknight Cook
Apartment renter: prioritise a covered, low-smoke design and confirm permission first. Tailgater or RV camper: favour light weight, locking legs, and 1 lb cylinder compatibility. Weeknight cook for two: if you grill more than three nights a week, consider stepping up to a two-burner model for real two-zone control.
