Broil King Imperial Review: 490, 590, 690 Series Grills Compared

A small perforated tube sits inside a larger stainless steel burner tube. Gas enters the inner tube first, creating two rows of flame that run the full width of the cookbox. The result is more even heat distribution across the grill surface and less concentrated stress on any single point — which is why the Dual-Tube™ system carries a 10-year warranty independent of the lifetime cookbox coverage.

The 590 reaches grilling temperature in under 10 minutes. The 690's 60,000 BTU output gets there faster. All Dual-Tube™ burners are cast stainless steel and rated for high-frequency cooks who run their grill multiple times per week year-round — the tube-in-tube geometry distributes heat stress evenly across the full length of the burner, extending service life well beyond standard tubular alternatives.

Stainless steel Flav-R-Wave™ flame tamers sit directly above each burner. When drippings hit the waves, they vaporize instantly and return as smoke that infuses back into the food — creating genuine barbecue flavor without a dedicated smoker. The waves also protect the burners from grease buildup and distribute both infrared and convective heat evenly across the cooking surface, keeping temperatures consistent and flare-ups controlled throughout the cook.

Broil King uses a single Sure-Lite™ igniter across all Imperial models rather than per-knob ignition — a deliberate engineering decision. When per-knob igniters fail, the entire mechanism typically needs replacing. A single Sure-Lite™ igniter means one component to service, and the grill always lights.

The Linear-Flow™ valves with 180° sensi-touch control give precise temperature adjustment across the full range — from high-heat searing to low and slow indirect cooking — without the dead zones common on standard rotary valves.

The pointed ridge side concentrates heat along a narrow contact line, delivering clean, defined sear marks on steaks, chops, and burgers. Cast stainless steel retains heat better between flips than stamped or rod-style alternatives — the grate doesn't drop temperature when cold food hits the surface, which is what produces a proper crust rather than a steam line.

Flip the grate and the grooved channel side collects juices as they render out of the food, pooling them along the cooking surface for continuous basting. Ideal for fish, poultry, and vegetables where moisture retention matters more than sear marks. No cast iron maintenance — cast stainless is rust-resistant, requires no seasoning, and cleans quickly after every cook.

Built-in interior oven lights illuminate the full cook surface so you can monitor food without lifting the lid and losing heat. This matters most on rotisserie cooks where hood-up time directly affects results. Both the oven lights and knob lights operate through the grill's 110V connection with no separate power switch required — standard across all three Imperial models at no upgrade cost.

The LED illuminated control knobs are readable in full daylight or complete darkness. Night grilling is a real use case for high-frequency cooks — owner satisfaction scores consistently cite the lighting system as a feature that gets used far more than expected. The knobs glow when the burners are active, giving a clear visual indicator that gas is live — functional as well as aesthetic.

The 15,000 BTU rear rotisserie burner runs the full width of the cookbox and operates completely independently from the main burners. Rotisserie cooking runs on rear heat only — this protects the food from direct flame below while the spit rotates continuously for even cooking on all sides. The premium rotisserie kit — spit rod, motor, and forks — ships in the box with every Imperial at no additional cost.

Whole chickens, prime rib, leg of lamb, and large roasts all fit with room to spare, particularly in the 690's high-clearance dual-oven hood. The deep cookbox and high hood clearance are intentional design decisions — Broil King built the Imperial to accommodate the rotisserie kit that's already in the box, not as an afterthought. Most grills at this price point sell the rotisserie kit separately. Broil King includes it because the rear burner is already there.

You grill multiple times per week

You want the last grill you'll ever buy

You're building a permanent outdoor kitchen

Rotisserie cooking is part of your routine

You entertain regularly and need real capacity

You want premium quality at a reasonable price

Budget is the primary driver

You need a ceramic infrared sear burner

You need a freestanding cart grill

No 110V outlet at your grill location

You only grill occasionally

You want a 2-zone dual-oven on a budget