Char-Broil Oil-Less Fryer Lineup: Decisive Model and Accessory Guide

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Preparing whole turkeys, chickens, and large roasts for outdoor gatherings often creates a frustrating trade-off between culinary quality and workspace logistics. Deep frying produces crisp poultry skin, but it demands gallons of expensive peanut oil, presents persistent fire and burn hazards, and creates a messy post-dinner disposal dilemma. Choosing a dedicated char broil oil less fryer sidesteps these problems by applying radiant heat to brown meat evenly without boiling oil. For busy hosts who need dependable results on holiday deadlines, the real decision comes down to picking between standard cooker generations and equipping that base unit with the correct grease management and tiering accessories to keep the cooking schedule running smoothly.

The brand ecosystem is structured around high-capacity propane units and compatible modular accessories engineered to protect and expand them. At the center of the catalog sit standalone outdoor cookers powered by liquid propane, each designed with internal cylindrical chambers that can accommodate poultry up to sixteen pounds. Surrounding these primary cookers are targeted hardware add-ons: custom-fit aluminum grease cup liners that streamline post-meal sanitation, alongside multi-piece steel rack sets that reconfigure the vertical basket for ribs, wings, and skewers. Evaluating which char broil oil less fryer to buy requires looking closely at model revisions, burner ignitions, exterior metals, and the exact dimensions required for maintenance accessories to fit correctly.

Criteria matrix What each model in this report is credited with

Rows are the criteria that come up in the pros and cons listed for this lineup. A check means the criterion is named in this report’s write-up of that model; a dash means it is not. Criteria that apply to every model, or to only one, are left out because they separate nothing.

Criterion	Charbroil The Big Easy 4.8★	Char-Broil The Big Easy 4.3★	Drip Pans for Char 4.5★	brati Grease Tray Liners 4.1★	Char-Broil The Big Easy 22-Piece 4.6★
Cylindrical	✓Named	✓Named	Not named	✓Named	✓Named
Propane	✓Named	✓Named	✓Named	✓Named	Not named
Grease tray	✓Named	✓Named	Not named	✓Named	Not named
Dimensions	✓Named	✓Named	✓Named	Not named	Not named
Requires	✓Named	✓Named	Not named	Not named	✓Named
Stainless steel	Not named	✓Named	Not named	✓Named	Not named
Older grease	Not named	✓Named	Not named	✓Named	Not named
Base cooker	Not named	✓Named	Not named	Not named	✓Named
Criteria named	5 / 8	8 / 8	2 / 8	5 / 8	3 / 8

Built from the wording of this report, not from a bench test. A dash is not a fault: it only means the write-up does not mention that point for that model. Star figures are the average rating left by Amazon buyers, read from the product listing.

Char-Broil Oil-Less Fryers Lineup at a Glance

The Models in Detail

Charbroil The Big Easy Oil-Less Turkey

Best for: Hosts wanting simple front grease access

Pros

• 16,000 BTU burner
• Front-access grease tray
• Rotary knob ignition

Cons

• Requires separate propane cylinder

The Charbroil The Big Easy Oil-Less Turkey represents the modern baseline configuration of this outdoor cooker series, cataloged under model number 17102065. Built around a 16,000 BTU liquid propane burner, this unit utilizes patented TRU-Infrared cooking technology to generate direct radiant heat inside a fully enclosed cylindrical chamber. This engineering eliminates the open hot spots and erratic flare-ups common to standard gas burners while trapping natural moisture inside the meat. The primary cooking basket holds whole turkeys, whole chickens, or large roasts weighing up to 16 pounds, offering enough volume to feed a substantial family gathering without requiring kitchen oven space.

Operational convenience is a major focus of this specific iteration. A rotary ignition knob on the control assembly delivers rapid fire starts without the need for manual lighters or matches. Beneath the cylindrical heating cavity, Char-Broil integrated a dedicated front-access grease tray that slides out directly toward the user, preventing the awkward reaching and spilling associated with older rear-access setups. Shoppers who already operate a char-broil infrared grill will recognize the radiant heat emitter system, which crisps skin rapidly without parching the interior meat. The factory package ships with the outdoor air fryer body, cooking basket, basket lifter handle, wire lid, meat thermometer, and a one-year limited warranty.

This model is ideal for holiday hosts and busy entertainers who prioritize rapid cleanup, modern burner controls, and straightforward grease handling. It provides a complete turnkey setup right out of the box for handling whole poultry. However, buyers should note that this specific unit features a black-coated finish rather than bare stainless metal, and its updated front grease tray requires specific liner dimensions that differ from earlier generations of the Big Easy cooker platform.

Char-Broil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared Oil-Less

Best for: Entertainers smoking multiple meat cuts simultaneously

Pros

• 22-piece expansion hardware
• Dishwasher-safe steel
• Holds 12 wings and 8 kabobs

Cons

• Requires base cooker to operate

Best for: Cooks preferring classic stainless steel construction

Pros

• Durable stainless steel body
• Double-wall cylindrical chamber
• Safe for seasoned dry rubs

Cons

• Older grease tray dimensions

The Char-Broil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared Oil-Less, identified under model number 14101480, is the heavy-duty stainless steel reference model that established radiant turkey frying. Weighing 30 pounds and measuring 24.5 inches high by 21.1 inches in diameter, this appliance features a rugged stainless steel outer construction surrounding a double-wall cylindrical cooking chamber. An enclosed burner at the base radiates intense infrared heat uniformly upward and inward, eliminating the drafts and temperature fluctuations that often disrupt outdoor propane cooking during cold autumn holiday weather.

Culinary versatility is this cooker’s primary operational asset. Unlike traditional oil fryers that strip external spice pastes and dilute dry seasonings into boiling vats, this radiant system allows cooks to prep turkeys up to 16 pounds using injectable marinades, heavily salted dry rubs, or herb coatings without burning them. While an indoor appliance like a small breville toaster oven handles everyday countertop roasting, this heavy outdoor cooker handles holiday birds up to 16 pounds. The package includes the cooker housing, cylindrical cooking basket, heavy-duty wire basket lifter, analog meat thermometer, and a quick-start reference guide. Operation requires an external standard liquid propane tank, which is not included.

This cooker is the definitive choice for purists who value the longevity and appearance of an all-stainless steel exterior on their outdoor patio. It gives way to newer variants, however, when it comes to grease drawer convenience. In a detailed char broil oil less fryer comparison, model 14101480 utilizes an elongated grease tray setup measuring over 12 inches that cannot accommodate the compact slide-in liners manufactured exclusively for newer front-access housings.

Drip Pans for Char Broil

Best for: Cooks seeking versatile meal prep and disposal

Pros

• Heavy-duty aluminum foil
• 20-pack volume
• Recyclable metal

Cons

• Single-use disposable design

The Drip Pans for Char Broil, manufactured by DONSIQIZZ, provide a targeted sanitation solution designed specifically for the Big Easy series. Sold in a bulk 20-pack, each heavy-duty aluminum foil liner measures 10.4 inches wide by 6.3 inches deep with a 2.1-inch sidewall depth. These precise dimensions match the factory replacement specification for part number 2425514W12, allowing the pan to drop directly into the cooker’s grease receiving tray without bending, folding, or leaving unshielded gaps along the rim.

Functionally, these disposable char-broil big easy drip pans isolate hot poultry fat, basting liquids, and seasoning run-off before they can scorch onto the metal grease tray. Because the heavy-gauge foil retains structural rigidity even when filled with warm cooking liquids, users can slide out the tray and lift the liner out cleanly without tearing or spilling grease onto patio surfaces. Beyond pure waste collection, the listing specifies that the food-safe, recyclable aluminum material makes these pans suitable for catching clean drippings to make gravies, as well as for food preparation, freezing, or baking.

This 20-pack is the ideal acquisition for regular outdoor cooks who host multiple gatherings per season and want to eliminate manual tray scrubbing entirely. While it does not expand the cooking surface inside the fryer, it eliminates one of the most tedious maintenance steps associated with outdoor propane poultry cookers. It gives way only when paired with older legacy models that utilize extended grease drawers rather than the 2425514W12 form factor.

brati Grease Tray Liners for Charbroil

Best for: Owners of current model 17102065 cookers

Pros

• Direct fit for model 17102065
• 20-count bulk pack
• Quick slide-in grease containment

Cons

• Incompatible with older 14101480 trays

The brati Grease Tray Liners for Charbroil offer another specialized disposable management option, packaged as a 20-count set of foil cups engineered to fit the Big Easy grease collection system. These silver foil pans measure 10 inches long by 6 inches wide by 2 inches deep, matching part numbers 2425514W12 and CB1250032P6. The liners are built from aluminum that holds its shape under heat while catching drippings that drain through the bottom port of the cylindrical cooking chamber.

Compatibility clarity is the strongest feature of the brati listing. The manufacturer explicitly confirms that these charbroil big easy grease tray liners fit the Char-Broil Big Easy outdoor turkey fryer model 24102165 and the black 17102065 propane fryer. The listing also provides an explicit exclusion: these liners are completely incompatible with older TRU-Infrared cookers, specifically models 12101480, 14101480, 14101550, and 15102042, which require a much longer 12-3/8 inch grease tray. This clear demarcation prevents buyers from purchasing ill-fitting pans for older hardware.

These liners are strictly tailored for owners of modern Char-Broil fryers like model 17102065 who need disposable convenience. By catching hot oil and drippings directly beneath the burner assembly, they prevent baked-on carbon buildup and cut clean-up time down to a single movement. They give way only if your patio setup features the original stainless steel 14101480 cooker, where their 10-inch length will fail to span the older grease cavity properly.

Char-Broil The Big Easy 22-Piece Turkey

The Char-Broil The Big Easy 22-Piece Turkey accessory kit, cataloged under model 7238884, transforms the single-purpose poultry cooker into a comprehensive vertical cooking system. Manufactured from heavy standard wire steel with chrome plating, all 22 components in this kit are dishwasher safe for straightforward post-cook sanitizing. This kit addresses the primary operational limitation of cylindrical oil-less fryers: the inability to load multiple smaller cuts of meat into the basket without stacking them on top of each other.

The hardware kit contains dedicated brackets and hanging tools engineered to utilize the entire vertical heat column. It includes two specialized leg racks that suspend up to 12 chicken legs or wings along the perimeter of the basket, letting grease render away while hot radiant air crisps the skin. For barbecue enthusiasts, the set includes four standard boneless rib hooks and six easy-out rib hooks, enabling users to hang full slabs of ribs vertically inside the cylinder. For mixed grilling, an easy-load kabob holder rack securely positions eight included steel skewers upright, cooking meat and vegetables evenly from all sides without rotating them manually.

For cooks who enjoy the indirect heat of a char griller stone or the versatility of a multi-burner charbroil gas grill, this 22-piece expansion opens up comparable multi-zone smoking and roasting flexibility. This accessory set is an essential upgrade for hosts who want to use their Big Easy throughout the year for tailgates and family barbecues rather than storing it away after Thanksgiving. It does not include cooking power of its own, so it requires an accompanying Big Easy base cooker to function.

Matching a Model to Your Setup

• Holiday Hosts Upgrading to Modern Hardware: The Charbroil The Big Easy Oil-Less Turkey (model 17102065) suits hosts who want rotary knob lighting, 16,000 BTUs of dependable output, and effortless front-access grease removal.
• Backyard Traditionalists Demanding Stainless Durability: The Char-Broil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared Oil-Less (model 14101480) is built for cooks who prioritize heavy 30-pound stainless steel body construction and proven double-wall heat containment.
• Year-Round Barbecue Entertainers: The Char-Broil The Big Easy 22-Piece Turkey accessory kit matches outdoor chefs who want to roast 12 wings, 8 kabobs, or multiple slabs of ribs simultaneously rather than just whole turkeys.
• Owners of Modern 17102065 Cookers Seeking Clean Maintenance: The brati Grease Tray Liners for Charbroil provide guaranteed 10x6x2-inch drop-in compatibility for front-access trays, preventing grease buildup and eliminating scrubbing.
• Multi-Purpose Prep Cooks: The Drip Pans for Char Broil (DONSIQIZZ) fit standard 2425514W12 trays while offering heavy-duty recyclable foil sturdy enough for meal prep and gravy drippings collection.

Before You Buy

Before adding an oil less turkey fryer propane setup to your outdoor cooking area, you must plan for fuel sourcing and clearance requirements. Neither the 17102065 nor the 14101480 cooker ships with a propane cylinder; both units require a standard 20-pound liquid propane tank equipped with a standard valve connection. Furthermore, these appliances generate high levels of radiant infrared heat and are certified strictly for outdoor use on non-combustible surfaces. You must ensure adequate overhead and lateral clearance from patio overhangs, wooden railings, and house siding, as the cylindrical chamber vents significant heat during a two- to three-hour whole-bird roast.

Dimensional compatibility is another crucial detail where listings leave critical gaps. When shopping for replacement drip pans, you must verify your cooker’s exact model number before purchasing. Newer front-access units utilize 10-inch pans matching part number 2425514W12, whereas legacy cookers such as model 14101480 use longer 12-3/8 inch trays that render modern compact liners unusable. Additionally, the listings do not specify rigid minute-per-pound cooking charts because ambient air temperature and wind speed impact radiant heat transfer. Outdoor cooks must always rely on the included internal meat thermometer rather than an arbitrary timer to determine when poultry reaches food-safe internal temperatures.

FAQ

How does a char broil oil less fryer cook whole poultry without oil?

The cooker uses an enclosed liquid propane burner positioned beneath a double-wall cylindrical cooking chamber. The burner heats the internal chamber walls, which in turn emit uniform TRU-Infrared radiant heat inward from all sides. This radiant heat cooks the poultry directly and circulates hot air upward, searing the skin to create a crisp exterior while sealing in natural meat juices, entirely bypassing the need for cooking oil.

What is the primary difference in the char-broil 17102065 vs 14101480 comparison?

The primary differences lie in exterior materials, ignition systems, and grease tray access. Model 17102065 features a black exterior finish, a modern rotary ignition knob, and a front-access grease tray that slides out directly toward the user. Model 14101480 features a stainless steel housing weighing 30 pounds and an older grease drawer layout measuring 12-3/8 inches long, which requires different liner dimensions.

Can dry rubs and injected marinades be used in an oil less turkey fryer propane cooker?

Yes. Because the cooker relies on dry radiant infrared heat rather than a turbulent bath of boiling liquid oil, exterior dry rubs and spice pastes adhere firmly to the skin without washing away or burning into the oil vat. Injectable marinades also remain sealed inside the muscle tissue as the radiant heat rapidly crisps the poultry exterior.

Will brati grease tray liners fit the older 14101480 Big Easy cooker?

No. The brati liners measure 10 inches long by 6 inches wide and are explicitly designed for modern cookers such as models 17102065 and 24102165. The manufacturer listing notes that they are incompatible with legacy Big Easy models including 12101480, 14101480, 14101550, and 15102042, which utilize extended 12-3/8 inch grease trays.

Are the components in the 22-piece accessory kit dishwasher safe?

Yes. The listing confirms that all 22 components in the accessory kit—including the 8 skewers, kabob holder, 2 leg racks, 10 rib hooks, and lifter—are manufactured from chrome-plated standard steel or wire steel and are completely dishwasher safe for simple post-meal sanitizing.