Best gas grill

Find the best gas grills around right here to make cookouts, backyard parties, and tailgate get-togethers more fun. Each one has a decent amount of cook space, is designed for even heat distribution, and uses propane to quick ignition and heat up each time you use them. We've also rounded up the key features and things you need to look out for so you come away with the best gas grill for you.

It features three burners that churn out 30,000 BTUs while the push-button ignition makes getting started easy. This Weber gas grill works with lots of official accessories, including the iGrill 3 Bluetooth thermometer. And while this particular model uses propane, there is an option for a natural gas Weber grill.

There are two side tables on this grill with one featuring hooks to keep your grilling utensils handy. We like all this space but would have preferred one of them to double as a side burner. You do need to assemble this grill when you receive it. It comes with 3D instructions to help you.

The heat consistency is superb on this grill, getting right back up to temperature each time you close the lid. There is a thermostat on the lid that displays the internal temperature at all times. Each burner is independently controlled with its own knob, plus this grill has an easy ignition lighting system. It is compatible with a standard 20lb propane tank. The grills that cover the burners are easy to remove and you can cook directly on them, or use compatible pots and pans for frying and boiling. The way the grills are designed makes them a little difficult to clean since the crevices are a little tight in some areas.

While Char-Broil is a really good, dependable grill manufacturer, the Char-Broil Performance grill isn't made to last as long as its premium products. You can help extend the life of your gas grill by purchasing a cover.

t has consistent heat for your food and even has side tables. The Weber Q1200 is a great gas grill for a couple or family that wants to save space or stay mobile. The grill is quite basic but packs some power under its cast iron/porcelain-coated grills. Don’t expect to be roasting a chicken, but do expect a simple way to cook most other items you'd expect to find on a barbecue menu. If you love cooking breakfast out in the open it will be worth investing in the additional griddle to make this easier.

Expert grill chefs may find the one burner too restricting, as you can’t control different parts of the grill to suit different foodstuffs, but if you're after a simple barbecue grill, this is it. It's important to note that while the Q1200 is a portable grill, it’s not that light, so it’s portable in the sense that you could pop it in the car, but not take it out on a hike!

The main cooking area easily holds 24 burgers, plus you get an additional 136 square inches of warmer rack space that is porcelain-enameled, just like the burners. There’s a built-in thermometer, two side tables, a sliding grease pan, and a twist ignition. Even the rack is porcelain-enameled, giving it an easy-clean touch.

Just don't expect it to last half as long as the competition, since it's less than half the price. User reviews suggest that might be something of an understatement, too - but at least you should get a good summer of flame-grilled food out of it.

Key features to look for when buying a gas grill

Grilling area

Think about how much food you are going to prepare and purchase your model accordingly. The biggest grills we reviewed can cook up to 12 hamburgers at the same time, which may be perfect for some but overkill for others. The smaller grills we reviewed can fit three to eight burgers, which is probably enough for the average family.

Heat consistency

An unevenly heated grill can lead to inconsistent results. You may end up with one burger or steak burned, while the others are undercooked. Make sure you get a model that distributes heat evenly across the entire cooking space. However, if you do run into problems with heat distribution, you can probably confine your cooking to the center of the burner, where the heat will have the most uniformity.

Design

Most of the grills we reviewed have stainless steel exteriors. When maintained and cleaned properly, most of these grills can stand up to weather, wear, tear, and rust. The best grills have grates that are made of cast iron, which delivers a better cooking experience and is easier to clean than stainless steel.

Portability

When you buy a gas grill, you should consider what you’ll be using it for and how much you intend to move it. If it’s going to sit on your patio for years, you can probably get a bigger, heavier one. Most of the grills we reviewed have roller wheels, so you can move them around a bit.

What the experts say

Antonio Lexerot, Salt Lake City, is a member of a Utah outdoors club. He has catered their bi-annual summer camp for more than a decade – grilling food for dozens of people at a time. He owns several different types of grills, including charcoal, smokers, gas and infrared models.

Speaking about gas versus charcoal grills, Lexerot noted that gas grills give you even, long-lasting heat, whereas charcoal grills get hot quickly then “peter out over time.” His advice: “If you’re doing something quick, charcoal is fine, but if you are doing a larger project you need the indirect heat gas grills provide.”

When asked about what he looks for in a good gas grill he said, “You want one that has some kind of flare-up control, so if you drip some grease it doesn’t turn into a tire fire and ruin your food – especially chicken.” 

The most important point Lexerot stressed was, “If you’re going to get a gas grill that you plan on using regularly, get a sturdy grill with ample features, that's easy to use and will hold up over time."

However, not all grillers make gas grills their first choice. Jesse Johnson of the Utah BBQ Association is a pitmaster for a competitive BBQ team. At the time of publication, he owned 14 grills. He generally uses wood-burning grills because they create the Maillard reaction, which imparts more flavor to your meat. But he will use gas grills to create a reverse sear on steaks. 

Although he favors wood-burning grills, he says it’s all a matter of personal preference: “If someone is just looking to cook hamburgers and hot dogs, a gas grill will work just fine. But when I’m cooking for the family I like to slow everything down. The environment of cooking with the family is more important.” 

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