Broilmaster P3X vs P3XF vs P3SX: Which Premium Gas Grill? (2026)
Short answer: the Broilmaster P3X, P3XF and P3SX share the same cast aluminum grill head, 40,000 BTU stainless steel bow tie burner and 695 square inches of total cooking area. The difference is in what comes included. The P3X uses Char-Master ceramic briquets, the P3XF swaps them for Flare Buster ceramic flavor enhancers, and the P3SX adds a stainless steel smoker shutter and griddle on top of the Flare Busters. Choose the P3SX if you want to smoke and griddle out of the box, the P3XF to cut flare-ups, and the P3X for the classic briquet setup.
Broilmaster P3X vs P3XF vs P3SX at a glance
| P3X | P3XF | P3SX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burner | Stainless steel bow tie, 40,000 BTU | Stainless steel bow tie, 40,000 BTU | Stainless steel bow tie, 40,000 BTU |
| Total cooking area | 695 sq. in. | 695 sq. in. | 695 sq. in. |
| Under the grids | Char-Master ceramic briquets | Flare Buster ceramic flavor enhancers | Flare Buster ceramic flavor enhancers |
| Stainless steel smoker shutter | Accessory | Accessory | Included |
| Stainless steel griddle | Accessory | Accessory | Included |
| Adjustable lid stop | — | — | Standard feature |
| Grill head weight | 76 lbs | 77 lbs | 91 lbs |
| Grill head size (W x D x H) | 26 3/4" x 18 3/4" x 20 1/2" | 26 3/4" x 18 3/4" x 20 1/2" | 26 3/4" x 18 3/4" x 20 1/2" |
| Fuel | Propane or natural gas | Propane or natural gas | Propane or natural gas |
| Mounting | Requires cart or post | Requires cart or post | Requires cart or post |
A dash means the spec is not published on the product page.
What all three share
Each grill head is heavy-duty cast aluminum in black, with one stainless steel bow tie burner rated at 40,000 BTU. Two stainless steel rod cooking grids adjust to three levels, and a stainless steel folding Retract-A-Rack adds another cooking level that folds away when you need the space. The stainless steel control panel has separate left and right controls for indirect cooking, grilling and roasting. All three have electronic ignition, a tall lid for smoking a turkey or roast, and a stainless steel lid prop.
None of the three ships as a stand-alone grill. Each page lists "Requires: Cart or Post", and the mounting is chosen as an option when you order.
Broilmaster P3X: the briquet grill
The P3X is the base model. It uses Char-Master ceramic briquets on a briquette grate as its flame tamer. According to the product page, the briquets are heated by the burner to spread heat evenly, and drippings fall onto them instead of the burner, where they burn off into smoke that gives food a charcoal flavor.
- Grill head weight: 76 lbs.
- Burner shape: "8" shaped stainless steel bowtie burner.
- The smoker shutter, griddle and Flare Buster flavor enhancers for P3 Series grills are all listed as accessories on its page.
It suits buyers who want the core grill head and may add accessories later.
Broilmaster P3XF: Flare Busters instead of briquets
The P3XF keeps the same burner, grids and size as the P3X, but its included list has Flare Buster ceramic flavor enhancers where the P3X lists Char-Master briquets. Broilmaster says the Flare Busters protect the burner from food drippings to reduce flare-ups.
- Grill head weight: 77 lbs.
- Its page states it fits all Broilmaster mountings.
- Smoker shutter and griddle are listed as accessories, not included.
It suits someone who grills fatty cuts often and wants fewer flare-ups but does not need the smoker shutter or griddle.
Broilmaster P3SX: smoker shutter and griddle included
The P3SX, listed as the Super Premium model, includes everything in the P3XF plus a stainless steel smoker shutter and griddle:
- Smoker shutter: converts the grill to an indirect cooking system, so you can smoke, roast, slow cook and bake.
- Griddle: made from thick stainless steel with a drip tray, for bacon, eggs, cookies and more.
- Adjustable lid stop: listed as a standard feature that lifts the lid to control heat and smoke.
- Grill head weight: 91 lbs, the heaviest of the three.
It suits a cook who wants smoking and griddle cooking from day one on the same 695 square inch grill.
Carts, posts and fuel options
The P3X, P3XF and P3SX each come in Propane or Natural Gas and offer the same eight mounting choices:
- No cart or post (grill head only)
- Stainless steel storage cart, painted steel cart or stainless steel cart
- 26" stainless steel or painted steel patio post
- 48" stainless steel or painted steel in-ground post
The stainless steel storage cart has a cabinet with a door that holds the fuel tank, tools and accessories, plus hooks for tools. The front shelves are listed as not recommended for use with that storage cart.
P3PK5 and P3PK7N grill packages
Broilmaster also sells bundled packages built on the P3X grill head.
The P3PK5 comes in propane or natural gas. Its included list is a P3X grill head with ceramic briquets, a stainless steel cart, one SKFB2 side shelf, plus the same grids, Retract-A-Rack, 40,000 BTU bowtie burner, electronic ignition, tall lid and lid prop as the P3X. Overall height is listed as 48 1/2".
The P3PK7N is natural gas only. It pairs the P3X grill head and ceramic briquets with a stainless steel post and a side shelf with stainless steel brackets, with the same grids, rack, burner and lid. Overall height is listed as 46 1/2".
Neither package's included list names the smoker shutter or griddle that come with the P3SX. If you want those in a package, ask us to confirm before you order.
Which one should you buy?
- Want the core grill and like the flavor of drippings burning off on briquets: P3X.
- Want fewer flare-ups: P3XF.
- Want to smoke, slow cook and use a griddle without buying add-ons: P3SX.
- Want a P3X with a cart and side shelf in one order: P3PK5.
- Have a natural gas line and want a post-mounted setup: P3PK7N.
See the full lineup in our Broilmaster collection, or compare other brands in outdoor grills.
Frequently asked questions
Is the P3SX bigger or more powerful than the P3X?
No. Both list a single 40,000 BTU bow tie burner, 695 square inches of total cooking area and the same grill head dimensions. The P3SX adds the Flare Busters, smoker shutter, griddle and adjustable lid stop.
What is the difference between the P3X and P3XF?
The P3X includes Char-Master ceramic briquets, and the P3XF includes Flare Buster ceramic flavor enhancers instead. Everything else in their included lists is the same.
Do Broilmaster P3 grills come with a cart?
Not by default. The grill head requires a cart or post, which you select as an option. The P3PK5 package includes a stainless steel cart and the P3PK7N includes a stainless steel post.
Can I get a P3 grill for natural gas?
Yes. The P3X, P3XF, P3SX and P3PK5 each come in Propane or Natural Gas versions, and the P3PK7N is natural gas only.
What warranty does Broilmaster list?
The pages list a limited lifetime warranty against rust-through on the aluminum grill housing (except paint), stainless steel cooking grids and griddles, and the bow tie burner. The Flare Buster flavor enhancer and stainless steel smoker shutter are listed at 5 years against rust-through.
Questions? Call or text (916) 262-7257 or email support@archicfurniture.com.
