Char-Broil Classic C-453 User manual

Assembly instructions © 2013
PRODUCT GUIDE
MODEL 466436213
© 2013 Char-Broil, LLC Columbus, GA 31902 Printed in China
Serial Number
Date Purchased
IMPORTANT: Fill out the product record information below.
See rating label on grill for serial number.
For support and to register your
grill, please visit us at
www.charbroil.com
If you have questions or need
assistance during assembly,
please call 1-800-241-7548.
Classic C-453
10/23/12 • G432-001-360801

TABLE OF CONTENTS
For Your Safety....................................2-3
Grilling Guide......................................4-7
Use and Care ....................................8-13
Limited Warranty....................................14
Parts List..........................................15
Parts Diagram......................................16
Assembly.......................................17-25
Troubleshooting..................................26-28
Registration Card...................................31
2
1. Do not store or use gasoline or other
flammable liquids or vapors in the vicinity of
this or any other appliance.
2. An LP cylinder not connected for use shall not
be stored in the vicinity of this or any other
appliance.
WARNING
For residential use only. Do not use for commercial
cooking.
DANGER
DANGER: Indicates an imminently hazardous situation
which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
WARNING
WARNING: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation
which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION
CAUTION: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation or
unsafe practice which, if not avoided, may result in minor
or moderate injury.
Safety Symbols
The symbols and boxes shown below explain what each heading
means. Read and follow all of the messages found throughout
the manual.
DANGER
If you smell gas:
1. Shut off gas to the appliance.
2. Extinguish any open flame.
3. Open lid.
4. If odor continues, keep away from the
appliance and immediately call your gas
supplier or your fire department.
THIS GRILL IS FOR OUTDOOR USE ONLY.
Read and follow all safety statements, assembly
instructions, and use and care directions before
attempting to assemble and cook.
INSTALLER/ASSEMBLER:
Leave this manual with consumer.
CONSUMER:
Keep this manual for future reference.
Failure to follow all manufacturer’s instructions could
result in serious personal injury and/or property damage.
Some parts may contain sharp edges.
Wear protective gloves if necessary.
CAUTION
For residential use only. Do not use for commercial
WARNING
CAUTION
CAUTION

3
WARNING
Installation Safety Precautions
•Use grill, as purchased, only with LP (propane) gas and the
regulator/valve assembly supplied. If your grill is Dual Fuel ready,
a conversion kit must be purchased for use with natural gas.
•Grill installation must conform with local codes, or in their
absence of local codes, with either the National Fuel Gas
Code, ANSI Z223.1/ NFPA 54, Natural Gas and Propane
Installation Code, CSA B149.1, or Propane Storage and
Handling Code, B149.2.
• All electrical accessories (such as rotisserie) must be
electrically grounded in accordance with local codes, or
National Electrical Code, ANSI / NFPA 70 or Canadian
Electrical Code, CSA C22.1. Keep any electrical cords and/or
fuel supply hoses away from any hot surfaces.
• This grill is safety certified for use in the United States and/or
Canada only. Do not modify for use in any other location.
Modification will result in a safety hazard.
WARNING
Do not attempt to repair or alter the
hose/valve/regulator for any “assumed” defect. Any
modification to this assembly will void your warranty
and create the risk of a gas leak and fire. Use only
authorized replacement parts supplied by
manufacturer.
CAUTION
Using pots larger than 6 quarts in capacity could
exceed weight limit of the
side burner shelf
resulting in failure
of grill cart
components.
or side shelf,
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65
1. Combustible by-products produced when using
this product contains chemicals known to the State
of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or
other reproductive harm.
2. This product contains chemicals, including lead
and lead compounds, known to the State of
California to cause cancer, birth defects or
other reproductive harm.
Wash your hands after handling this product.
CAUTION
• Putting out grease fires by closing the lid is not
possible. Grills are well ventilated for safety reasons.
• Do not use water on a grease fire. Personal injury may
result. If a grease fire develops, turn knobs and LP tank
off.
• If grill has not been regularly cleaned, a grease fire can
occur that may damage the product. Pay close attention
while preheating or burning off food residue to insure
that a grease fire does not develop. Follow instructions
on General Grill Cleaning and Cleaning The Burner
Assembly to prevent grease fires.
Grease Fires
• The best way to prevent grease fires is regular cleaning
of the grill.
NOTE: DO NOT over tighten screws and washers that
come into contact with porcelain coated surfaces. Over
tightening may cause the porcelain coating to crack and
break, resulting in exposed metal that will be prone to rust.

4
First Time Use
Read your Assembly Manual and ensure the grill is put together
properly. Remove all Point-of-Purchase advertising material from
all grill surfaces before first use. We recommend operating your
grill on its highest setting for 15-20 minutes prior to your first use.
This aids in removing the oils used during manufacturing.
Lava Rock / Briquettes
This gas grill has been designed, engineered, and tested to be
used with flame tamers or heat distribution plates to provide
more even heating, improve the cleaning process, and reduce
flare-ups. The addition of after market lava rocks, charcoal, or
briquettes of any type will cause poor combustion and increase
the likelihood of a grease fire, and is not recommended. Using
briquettes, lava rock, or charcoal in this grill will void your
warranty. For extra smoke flavor, we recommend using a
smoker box with wood chips.
Temperature - Convective Grills ONLY.
The temperature gauge in the hood of your new grill measures
air temperature. The air temperature inside your grill will never
be as hot as the temperature at the cooking surface.
Note: Since 1995, all regulators (the part that attaches to the gas
tank to regulate the flow of gas) have included a safety feature
that restricts gas flow in the event of a gas leak. You can
inadvertently activate this safety feature without having a gas
leak. This typically occurs when you turn on the gas using the
grill control knob before you turn on the LP tank valve. If the gas
regulator safety feature activates, the grill will only reach
temperatures between 250°F and 300°F even with all burners on
the high setting.
If your grill is not getting hotter than 250°F to 300°F these
steps should be taken first to reset the gas regulator safety
device:
1. Open the grill lid.
2. Turn off all knobs on the control panel in front.
3. Turn off the tank knob.
4. Disconnect the regulator from the LP tank.
5. Wait 30 seconds.
6. Reconnect the regulator to the LP tank.
7. Slowly open the LP tank knob all the way. Do not put
excessive force on the valve at the full open position to avoid
damaging the valve.
8. Turn on the appropriate control knob and light the grill per the
instructionsl.
An illustration of this process is included in this Product Guide.
See Troubleshooting section for additional information.
Pre-Heating Your Grill
Just like your home oven, your grill should be pre-heated to
provide optimum performance. Pre-heat the grill on high for 10-
15 minutes – longer if weather conditions require. Please refer to
the lighting instructions inside the Product Guide if you have
questions about how to light your grill. A match-light chain and
hole is provided for your convenience.
GRILLING GUIDE – Getting Started
Regulator Coupling Nut

5
Outdoor grilling is really quite simple. You'll succeed with
burgers, dogs, or steaks usually on your very first try. With
experience, you will learn how to work with your grill, creating
more imaginative meals all the time. This knowledge makes up
the art of grilling. Before you start grilling, organize your food
according to cooking technique and required cooking time, and
optimize the use of your grilling area.
Direct Cooking
Direct cooking involves grilling your meat directly over high heat.
It is perfect for searing steaks, chops, and other smaller pieces of
meat and vegetables that quickly make their way to the table.
Indirect Cooking
Indirect cooking utilizes select burners to circulate heat
throughout the grill, without direct contact between the meat and
the flame. The meat is placed over the burner that is 'off'. This
method is generally used to slow cook large cuts of meat and
poultry. A pan can be placed underneath the meat to catch
grease and food drippings, and helps minimize clean-up.
Rotisserie Cooking
Rotisserie cooking is best for 'round' meat, such as large roasts,
whole poultry, and pork. It generally requires an accessory motor
and spit rod that allows the meat to be turned at a constant
speed. Rotisserie cooking is best done in front of a special
rotisserie burner, or utilizing an indirect cooking burner
arrangement. A pan can be placed underneath the meat to catch
grease and food drippings, and helps minimize clean-up.
Food Safety
Food safety is a very important part of enjoying the outdoor
cooking experience. To keep food safe from harmful bacteria,
follow these four basic steps:
Clean: Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces with hot soapy water
before and after handling raw meat.
Separate: Separate raw meats from ready-to-eat foods to avoid
cross contamination. Use a clean platter and utensils when
removing cooked foods.
Cook: Cook meat and poultry thoroughly to kill bacteria. Use a
thermometer to ensure proper internal food temperatures.
Chill: Refrigerate prepared foods and leftovers promptly.
GRILLING GUIDE – Grilling 101

6
Cooking on your new grill is a hands-on experience, and it is
recommended to remain outside with your grill while cooking.
Grilling can be affected by many external conditions. In cold
weather, you will need more heat to reach an ideal cooking
temperature, and grilling may take longer. The meat's internal
temperature and thickness can also affect cooking times. Cold
and thicker meats will take longer to cook.
Internal Meat Temperatures
Meat cooked on a grill often browns very fast on the outside.
Therefore, use a meat thermometer to ensure it has reached
safe internal temperatures.
Please refer to the USDA for complete, up-to-date information.
Our internal temperature chart is based on USDA standards for
meat doneness. Check it out at www.isitdoneyet.gov
Sauces
Sauces containing sugars and fats can cause flare-ups, and your
food may burn. In general, apply these sauces during the final
10 minutes of cooking. Keep in mind, use of excessive sauces
or glazes will also require extra cleaning afterwards.
Marinades and Rubs
To enhance the flavor of grilled foods, a liquid marinade or dry
rub can be used prior to cooking. Meat can be either soaked or
injected with liquid marinade up to 24 hours prior to grilling. Dry
rubs can be applied directly to the meat immediately before
grilling.
GRILLING GUIDE – Tips & Tricks Wood Chips
For extra smoke flavor when grilling, try adding wood chips.
Soak the chips in water for approximately 30 minutes before
adding to a smoke box or pan. Place smoke box or pan on top of
the cooking grate above the flame. Turn grill on high until the
wood starts to smoke. Reduce heat to desired temperature for
cooking, and place food on cooking grate as desired. Close lid to
retain more smoke. Hardwood varieties that work particularly
well with grilled foods include Alder, Apple, Cherry, Grapevines,
Hickory, Mesquite, Oak, Rosemary and Sassafras.
Skewers
Metal skewers should be flat, with long handles. Round skewers
allow food to roll when turned, so it may not cook as evenly. Use
metal skewers when cooking meat kabobs. Wooden skewers
should be soaked in water for an hour before use, and are best
used for quick cooking foods such as vegetables and fruits.
Utensils
Use tongs or a spatula to handle the food instead of a fork, and
don't turn the food too
often. Piercing the food
with a fork will release
juices that you want in
the meat, and may
cause flare-ups.
USDA Recommended Safe Minimum
Internal Temperatures
145° F
Fish
(with a 3 minute rest time)
145° F
Beef, Veal, Lamb, and Pork - Ground 160° F
Egg Dishes 160° F
Turkey, Chicken & Duck Whole,
Pieces & Ground 165° F
Beef, Veal, Lamb, Steak, Roasts, & Whole Pork

7
Why Clean?
We've all heard the saying 'An ounce of prevention is worth a
pound of cure'. This is great advice when it comes to keeping
your grill clean.
Routine Care
Periodic cleaning of this grill is necessary,
as grill fires can occur when grease and
food debris collect in the bottom of the grill.
After each use, remove any remaining
food particles from the cooking grate and
inside of the grill using a grill brush. Do
this after the grill has cooled down, yet is
still warm. It is much easier to clean food
particles while warmth is still present, than
after the food particles have completely
cooled and hardened. This grill is not
designed to be 'burned off' by closing the
lid and turning the burners on High for an
extended time. The excessive heat
generated can cause leftover grease to
catch fire, and can cause permanent
damage to your grill.
General Cleaning
Plastic parts: Wash with warm soapy water and wipe dry. Do not
use abrasive cleaners, degreasers or a concentrated grill cleaner
on plastic parts. Damage to and failure of parts can result.
Porcelain surfaces: Because of glass-like composition, most
residue can be wiped away with baking soda/water solution or
glass cleaner. Use non-abrasive scouring powder for stubborn
stains.
Painted surfaces: Wash with mild detergent or non-abrasive
cleaner and warm water. Wipe dry with a soft non-abrasive cloth.
Stainless steel surfaces: Stainless steel can rust under certain
conditions. This can be caused by environmental conditions
such as chlorine or salt water, or improper
cleaning tools such as wire or steel
wool. It can also discolor due to heat,
chemicals, or grease build-up. To
maintain your grill's high quality
appearance, wash with mild detergent
and warm water, or use a stainless
steel grill cleaner. Baked-on grease
deposits may require the use of an
abrasive plastic cleaning pad. Use only
in direction of brushed finish to avoid
damage. Do not use abrasive pad on
areas with graphics.
GRILLING GUIDE – Cleaning Your Grill
Cooking surfaces: If a bristle brush is used to clean any of the
grill cooking surfaces, ensure no loose bristles remain on cooking
surfaces prior to grilling. It is not recommended to clean cooking
surfaces while grill is hot.
Storing Your Grill
• Clean cooking grates.
• Store grill in dry location.
• When LP cylinder is connected to grill, store outdoors in a well
ventilated space and out of reach of children.
• Cover grill if stored outdoors. Choose from a variety of grill
covers offered by manufacturer.
• Store grill indoors ONLY if LP cylinder is turned off,
disconnected, and removed from grill. Never store LP cylinder
indoors.
• When removing grill from storage, follow the 'Cleaning the
Burner Assembly' instructions in the Use and Care section of
the Product Guide.
Critters
Spiders like to make their homes in the venturi tubes of grills.
These must be inspected and cleaned regularly to ensure there
are no blockages. Refer to the Use and Care portion of this
Product Guide for complete information.
The Char-Broil® grill is equipped with Gear Trax™, which
allow for the easy mounting of our unique line of Gear Trax
accessories. Please visit charbroil.com for a complete list
of Gear Trax accessories. *Available on most models.
VISIT CHARBROIL.COM FOR
ALL YOUR GRILLING NEEDS!

8
• NEVER store a spare LP cylinder under or near
the appliance or in an enclosed area.
• Never fill a cylinder beyond 80% full.
• An over filled or improperly stored cylinder is a
hazard due to possible gas release from the
safety relief valve. This could cause an intense
fire with risk of property damage, serious injury or
death.
• If you see, smell or hear gas escaping,
immediately get away from the LP
cylinder/appliance and call your fire department.
DANGER
USE AND CARE
LP Cylinder Removal, Transport and Storage
•Turn OFF all control knobs and LP cylinder valve. Turn coupling
nut counterclockwise by hand only - do not use tools to
disconnect. Loosen cylinder screw beneath bottom shelf or
and out of cart. Install safety cap onto LP cylinder valve.
Always use cap and strap supplied with valve.
Failure to use safety cap as directed may result in serious
personal injury and/or property damage.
•A disconnected LP cylinder in
storage or being transported
must have a safety cap installed (as shown).
Do not store an LP cylinder in enclosed spaces
such as a carport, garage, porch, covered
patio or other building. Never leave an LP cylinder
inside a vehicle which may become overheated
by the sun.
•Do not store an LP cylinder in an area where children play.
OPD Hand Wheel
LP (Liquefied Petroleum Gas)
•LP gas is nontoxic, odorless and colorless when produced. For
Your Safety, LP gas has been given an odor (similar to rotten
cabbage) so that it can be smelled.
•LP gas is highly flammable and may ignite unexpectedly when
mixed with air.
LP Cylinder Filling
•Use only licensed and experienced dealers.
•LP dealer must purge new cylinder before filling.
•Dealer should NEVER fill LP cylinder more than 80% of LP
cylinder volume. Volume of propane in cylinder will vary by
temperature.
•A frosty regulator indicates gas overfill. Immediately close LP
cylinder valve and call local LP gas dealer for assistance.
•Do not release liquid propane (LP) gas into the atmosphere.
This is a hazardous practice.
•To remove gas from LP cylinder, contact an LP dealer or call a
local fire department for assistance. Check the telephone
directory under “Gas Companies” for nearest certified LP
dealers.
LP Cylinder Valve
Retainer Strap
Safety
Cap
LP Cylinder
•The LP cylinder used with your grill must meet the
following requirements:
•Use LP cylinders only with these required measurements: 12"
(30.5cm) (diameter) x 18" (45.7 cm) (tall) with 20 lb. (9 kg.)
capacity maximum.
•LP cylinders must be constructed and marked in accordance
with specifications for LP cylinders of the U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT) or for Canada, CAN/CSA-B339,
cylinders, spheres and tubes for transportation of dangerous
goods. Transport Canada (TC). See LP cylinder collar for
marking.
•LP cylinder valve must have:
•Type 1 outlet compatible with
regulator or grill.
•Safety relief valve.
•UL listed Overfill Protection
Device (OPD). This OPD safety
feature is identified by a unique triangular hand wheel. Use
only LP cylinders equipped with this type of valve.
•LP cylinder must be arranged for vapor withdrawal and include
collar to protect LP cylinder valve. Always keep LP cylinders in
upright position during use, transit or storage.
LP cylinder in upright position for vapor withdrawal
disconnect other retention means, then lift PL cylinder up and

9
WARNING
If “growing” bubbles appear do not use or move the LP
cylinder. Contact an LP gas supplier or your fire
department!
Connecting Regulator to the LP Cylinder
1.LP cylinder must be properly secured onto grill. (Refer to
assembly section.)
2.Turn all control knobs to the OFF position.
3.Turn LP cylinder OFF by turning hand-wheel clockwise to a
full stop.
4.Remove the protective cap from LP cylinder valve. Always use
cap and strap supplied with valve.
Safety Relief Valve
Nipple has to be centered
into the LP cylinder valve.
OPD Hand Wheel
Type 1 outlet with
thread on outside
c k w
o
l
i
s
C
e
f
f
O
Do not use a POL transport plug
(plastic part with external threads)!
It will defeat the safety feature of
the valve.
Strap and Cap
LP Cylinder Exchange
•Many retailers that sell grills offer you the option of replacing
your empty LP cylinder through an exchange service. Use only
those reputable exchange companies that inspect, precision fill,
test and certify their cylinders. Exchange your cylinder only
for an OPD safety feature-equipped cylinder as described
in the "LP Cylinder" section of this manual.
•Always keep new and exchanged LP cylinders in upright
position during use, transit or storage.
•Leak test new and exchanged LP cylinders BEFORE
connecting to grill.
LP Cylinder Leak Test
For your safety
•Leak test must be repeated each time LP cylinder is exchanged
or refilled.
•Do not smoke during leak test.
•Do not use an open flame to check for gas leaks.
•Grill must be leak tested outdoors in a well-ventilated area,
away from ignition sources such as gas fired or electrical
appliances. During leak test, keep grill away from open flames
or sparks.
•Use a clean paintbrush and a 50/50 mild soap and water
solution.
▲ Do not use household cleaning agents. Damage to gas
train components can result.
Brush soapy solution onto areas indicated by arrows
in figure below.
5.Hold regulator and insert nipple into LP
cylinder valve. Hand-tighten the
coupling nut, holding regulator in a
straight line with LP cylinder valve so
as not to cross-thread the connection.
•Place dust cap on cylinder valve outlet whenever the cylinder is
not in use. Only install the type of dust cap on the cylinder valve
outlet that is provided with the cylinder valve. Other types of caps
or plugs may result in leakage of propane.

10
6.Turn the coupling nut clockwise and tighten to a full stop. The
regulator will seal on the back-check feature in the LP cylinder
valve, resulting in some resistance. An additional one-half to
three-quarters turn is required to complete the
connection. Tighten by hand only – do not use tools.
NOTE:
If you cannot complete the connection, disconnect regulator and
repeat steps 5 and 6. If you are still unable to complete the
connection, do not use this regulator!
Straight
Hold coupling nut and regulator
as shown for proper connection
to LP cylinder valve.
DANGER
• Do not insert any tool or foreign object into the valve
outlet or safety relief valve. You may damage the valve
and cause a leak. Leaking propane may result in
explosion, fire, severe personal injury, or death.
Leak Testing Valves, Hose and Regulator
1.Turn all grill control knobs to OFF.
2.Be sure regulator is tightly connected to LP cylinder.
3.Completely open LP cylinder valve by turning hand wheel
counterclockwise. If you hear a rushing sound, turn gas off
immediately. There is a major leak at the connection. Correct
before proceeding.
4.Brush soapy solution onto areas circled below, or other similar
5.If “growing” bubbles appear, there is a leak. Close LP
cylinder valve immediately and retighten connections. If leaks
cannot be stopped do not try to repair. Call for replacement
parts.
6.Always close LP cylinder valve after performing leak test by
turning hand wheel clockwise.
NOTE: Sideburner
shelf fascia not
shown for clarity.
• Outdoor gas appliance is not intended to be installed
in or on a boat.
• Outdoor gas appliance is not intended to be installed
in or on an RV.
• Never attempt to attach this grill to the self-contained
LP gas system of a camper trailer or motor home.
• Do not use grill until leak-tested.
• If a leak is detected at any time, STOP and call the fire
department.
• If you cannot stop a gas leak, immediately close
LP cylinder valve and call LP gas supplier or your fire
department!
WARNING
fittings on your grill.
NOTE: Your grill
may NOT be
equipped with a
sideburner.