Gas grills tend to be more expensive than their charcoal-using brethren because they have slightly more complicated designs as well as built-in safety features to prevent flare-ups, gas leaks, and explosions. But even though they cost more up front, using liquid propane to grill is cheaper in the long run, since a typical 20-pound propane tank can last up to a month; compared to needing to buy a new bag of charcoal every other week. Other models that plug into your home’s existing natural gas lines can save you even more money, since you don’t have to pay to exchange empty cylinders. To help you find the grill of your dreams, I’ve picked five of the very best gas grills you can buy. I’ve broken down their features and price points to help you decide which is the best fit for both your budget and your outdoor space. Must read:
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If you’re looking to buy your first gas grill or upgrade your outdoor entertainment space, the Char-Broil Performance 5-burner grill is the best you can get. Each of the five burners features stainless steel construction to resist rust and corrosion, and the cast iron grill grates have a porcelain coating to prevent damage from food sticking and from the elements. A 10,000 BTU side burner lets you cook sauces and sides or keep appetizers warm while you grill ribs, whole chickens, steaks, or burgers. The right-hand side of the grill has a fixed shelf to keep seasonings and utensils close by, and if you need more space, the side burner has a lid that folds down to convert it into a second shelf. An electronic ignition button ensures quick and easy grill lighting, while the built-in thermometer lets you check cooking temperatures at a glance. The main grill grates give you 495 square inches of cooking area, while a warming grate lets you move things around so they stay warm without getting overcooked, which is perfect for quick-cooking proteins like fish or vegetables that you want to char but not let get mushy. When it’s time to clean up, the removable, porcelain-coated grease pan makes disposing of burnt food and waste fat fast and simple. The Dyna-Glo 3-burner cart propane grill proves that you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a great gas grill. For under $200, you’ll get a total cooking surface of 449 square inches: 310 square inches of direct-heat grilling area and 139 square inches of warming rack. The grill also features two side shelves to keep utensils, seasonings, and sauces close by, while the stainless steel construction and porcelain-enamel coatings protect your grill from rust and corrosion caused by weather and the dripping juices and fat from foods. The three burners give you a total of 24,000 BTUs, which is perfect for burgers, chicken, steaks, and veggies. The grill also comes in three colors (black, blue, and red), so you can choose one that complements your deck or patio decor. For customers with deeper pockets, the KitchenAid 6-burner dual chamber propane grill is an excellent investment for your outdoor kitchen, deck, or patio cooking area. It features five main burners with a combined output of 50,000 BTUs for quickly searing steaks and burgers, while the 16,000 BTU ceramic/infrared side burner lets you cook sauces and sides, and the 12,000 BTU rotisserie burner perfectly cooks whole chickens or turkeys time after time. The main grate gives you 1,057 square inches of cooking surface, so you can tackle huge cuts like whole racks of ribs, entire briskets, or even salmon. The left-hand side of the grill features a side shelf for keeping utensils and seasonings handy, while a storage cupboard and shelf let you safely tuck away things like aprons, cast iron skillets, skewers, and cutting boards. There also is a tank storage area with a pullout drawer for easier access to your LP tank when you need to switch it out. A battery operated ignition button gives you consistent, continuous burner lighting, and should you ever need a replacement part or to replace the whole grill, KitchenAid offers a 10-year warranty. The Kenmore 4-burner grill is a bit different from other gas grills you may find: You can convert it to run off of your home’s natural gas line rather than use a liquid propane tank. With the conversion kit, you can plug your grill into your existing gas lines for continuous fuel so you don’t have to worry about making time to exchange an empty tank or running out of propane in the middle of cooking your meal. But if you prefer a propane tank for your fuel, twin doors on the front of the cart give you easy access to the tank for opening fuel lines or changing it out when it’s empty. The powder-coated steel frame features four caster wheels for easier maneuvering around your deck or patio, and two of those wheels have locks to keep the grill firmly in place while you use it. The main grill has porcelain-coated cast iron grates for durability and better heat distribution, while giving you 425 square inches of grilling space; there’s also a 165 square inch warming rack for slower cooking or to keep delicate proteins or veggies from burning while you wait for everything else to finish cooking. The four main burners have an output of 40,000 BTUs to handle everything from slow roasting to high-temp searing, and the side burner has a 12,000 BTU output, which makes it perfect for sauces, sides, and anything else your culinary imagination can dream up. An electronic ignition button ensures fast, easy lighting, while the built-in temperature gauge lets you monitor internal heat without needing to lift the lid. The grill even comes with a firebox for using wood chips or other flavoring accessories to elevate your cooking. For anyone who loves to go camping, on picnics, or have tailgate parties for their favorite sports events, there’s the Weber Q 1200 portable gas grill. This model has a compact, folding design that is perfect for on-the-go grilling. You get 189 square inches of cooking area, which is big enough for about a dozen burgers or a few steaks, and the main burner has an output of 8,500 BTUs. It uses propane camping cylinders for fuel, which means you don’t have to lug around a heavy, standard sized tank when you want to go on a weekend RV trip or grill up some brats in the stadium parking lot before the big game. There’s a conversion kit available for 20-pound LP tanks if you want one for longer camping trips. The stainless steel burner and cast aluminum body help prevent corrosion from the elements, while the cast iron cooking grate has a porcelain-enamel coating to help prevent rust from cooking juices and fat. Two foldout shelves allow you to keep utensils, seasonings, and to-be-cooked food close by while also giving you more stability for safer cooking. The Weber Q 1200 portable gas grill also has ergonomic carrying handles built into the body to make it easier and more comfortable to move it around.
