Best overall: Char-Broil 463377319 Performance 4-Burner Gas GrillBest natural gas: Weber Genesis E-325S Natural Gas GrillBest dual-fuel: BLOSSOMZ Dual Fuel Combination Charcoal/Gas GrillBest for first-time homeowners: Weber 44010001 Spirit II E-210 2-Burner Liquid Propane GrillBest portable: Char-Broil Portable 240 Liquid Propane Gas GrillBest budget: American Gourmet Char-Broil Classic 360 3-Burner Liquid Propane Gas Grill
How we chose the best gas grills
When the weather gets warm, you’ll find the entire PopSci gear team heating up the grill and throwing on kebabs, corn, steak, and other foods that are tastier simply by being made on the grill. This is a pro-grill team. In fact, we like anything involving fire, including fire pits. With that said, we looked at reviews, recommendations, and performed our own testing to find an easy-to-use grill perfect for entertaining or steak slinging.
What to consider when buying the best gas grills
Nothing beats backyard burgers and hotdogs, but there is more to modern gas grills than a tank of fuel. Here’s what you’ll need to know and the feature you will need to control the heat and ensure your burgers don’t turn into bricks.
Why use gas grills over charcoal, electric, and wood pellet grills?
Of the main types of backyard grills—gas, charcoal, electric, and wood pellets—gas is the most popular, and with good reason. They are the easiest grill to start, control, and clean. Even if you’ve never grilled so much as a cheese sandwich, you can quickly become a gas-grilling master. Another big benefit of a gas grill is the size. You can cook a whole chicken or rack of ribs easily and efficiently on most gas grills. You can find small grills for camping and tailgating, but most backyard grills will have a nice big surface that can handle two dozen burger patties or more. Gas grills can be more expensive than charcoal grills, but you’re paying for convenience. Charcoal grills require more setup and monitoring, plus there’s the ash you have to deal with after cooking. Gas grills need a tank of fuel, but that’s about it. Touch the electric ignition and within a few minutes, the grill is ready to cook.
Find a gas grill with great grates
Besides the temperature, grill grates are the most important part of any outdoor cooker. Grill grates can be stainless steel, cast iron, or enamel-coated. Cast-iron grates are better for searing and maintaining high temperatures, and they add iconic grill marks better than stainless steel. But cast iron can be a pain to maintain and clean. Stainless-steel grates will last longer, plus they’re lighter and they’re easier to clean. Enamel-coated grill grates provide an excellent non-stick surface, but if that coating is chipped or damaged, the grate loses all of its magic and becomes difficult to clean. And don’t stick to just grilling grates. Add a griddle pan for easy outdoor frying.
BTUs and temperature control
Don’t get hung up on BTU (British Thermal Units) rating. While the BTU will tell you how much fuel the grill is guzzling, a higher BTU does not directly relate to higher heat. Preheat time does matter. It can take some fifteen minutes or more to get up to the right cooking temperature, and every minute waiting to cook feels like an hour. An infrared gas grill is designed to sear steak and chicken. It’s a popular feature of some of the best gas grills. But a lack of infrared burners shouldn’t be a total deal breaker as there are other ways to achieve similar searing effects. The burners on any gas grill will be the part of the grill most often replaced. A burner can last between two and 10 years, and some offer a 10-year warranty for the burners. Replacing the burners is not a hard task; most grill burners can be replaced in less than 10 minutes.
Can the grill hold up against a shake test?
Gas grills need to be sturdy. A grill that tips over is a serious safety concern. If possible, give the grill a shake before buying. If you feel too much wobble and rattling, the grill could fall apart after one season of use. Welded stainless-steel grills tend to hold up better. If the grill is built with nuts and bolts, make sure everything is tight and all joints are as seamless as possible. The lid should lift easily yet feel secure when closed. If you assemble the grill yourself, read the instructions carefully. Many grill manufacturers also provide easy-to-follow online videos and tutorials to make sure you’re grilling safely. The best gas grill should also have wheels or casters for easy mobility. Gas grills can be heavy, so if you plan on moving the grill make sure the wheels are up to the challenge and not cheap, hollow plastic. And always keep your gas grill covered when not in use. Rain is the obvious enemy of grills, but lawn chemicals and pesticides can also seep into the grill and cause damage.
How to avoid flare-ups
No matter how careful you are, flare-ups will happen. When the fat hits the heat source, the result is a blast of flame. While this is most common with charcoal grills, it will happen with gas grills too. Most have a drip pan that channels and collects the grease away from the heat. These drip pans work well, and they are an improvement over older models. But the grease can still build up and collect, which can create a dangerous situation if it ignites. If you experience a flare-up, keep calm. Move the food to another part of the grill. Most flare-ups only last a few seconds and you won’t need to do much to fight the flame. But if the fire continues past the flare-up phase, you may need to take action. Snuff out the fire by closing the grill, shutting off the fuel, and denying it oxygen. Do not use water. This is a grease fire and water only makes things worse. A fire extinguisher or box of baking soda should be standing by to prevent an annoyance from turning into a disaster.
The best gas grills: Reviews & Recommendations
Ready to become a grill master? Shop for a gas grill that does what you need it to do. The grill should be big enough to handle your household, yet secure and safe too. Perhaps most importantly, it should fit your budget. Once you know what you’re looking for, you can easily find the best gas grill for your yard.
Best overall: Char-Broil 463377319 Performance 4-Burner Gas Grill
Why it made the cut: With a large cooking surface, this versatile grill can help fuel a few friends, your family, and even the entire neighborhood. Specs
Weight: 85 poundsMaterial: Stainless steelRust-resistant: YesDimensions: 50.4 x 24.5 x 45 inches
Pros
Just-right sizeEasy-to-clean drip trayLarge cooking surface
Cons
Not sturdy
The Char-Broil gas grill is big enough for a large family, but it’s not an oversized backyard behemoth. The stainless steel gas grill is easy to control and it heats quickly. Four burners provide perfect heat across the 425-square-inch cooking surface, with clean-up made easy thanks to the porcelain-coated cast iron grates. The porcelain drip tray is also easy to remove and clean. And the design is compact and stylish, perfect for any suburban backyard. And, it features a push-to-start electric ignition—no more cursing at the wind while hunched over the grill with a lighter and some newspaper. It’s not as sturdy as other grills on the list, so if you live in an area with high winds or have small kids or a dog, make sure you add some extra support to prevent spills.
Best natural gas: Weber Genesis E-325S Natural Gas Grill
Why it made the cut: Get the ease of propane with the taste of natural gas with this versatile grill from Weber. Specs
Weight: 188 poundsMaterial: Alloy steelRust-resistant: YesDimensions: 35.5 x 30.75 x 31 inches
Pros
Sear zoneLarge side tableLots of customizability and add-ons
Cons
Strictly natural gas
Natural-gas grills are different from traditional propane grills. They are fueled by your natural gas utility line. Why use natural gas? Food tastes better when cooked with natural gas, and the grills are more efficient. Plus, you won’t need to lug heavy propane tanks for refills. The Weber natural gas option is the best cooker of its kind. You get all the features of a Weber Genesis grill, with the added convenience and flavor of natural gas. The sear zone lets you cook multiple steaks at the same time, and allows you to serve them at the same time—your “well-done” friend and their stomach will thank you. Replaceable grates let you roast, bake, and even stir fry by swapping the grate for separate Weber grillware. Prep dinner on the extra large side table, and get more cooking room with the expandable top cooking grate. That said, this only runs on natural gas. While there are propane grills that come with natural gas options and hookups, this is strictly natural gas. Weber also makes a propane model of the grill.
Best dual-fuel: BLOSSOMZ Dual Fuel Combination Charcoal/Gas Grill
Why it made the cut: If you’re an indecisive griller, this grill can handle both charcoal and propane for any of your grilling moods. Specs
Weight: 103 poundsMaterial: Alloy steel and stainless steelRust-resistant: YesDimensions: 64 x 28 x 49.75 inches
Pros
Can cook with charcoal and propane at the same timeEasy to control and manageLots of cooking space
Cons
Not great for big parties
Can’t pick between gas and charcoal? With the BLOSSOMZ combination grill you get it all. A gas grill with three burners is on one side, and a charcoal grill is on the other. The gas side is slightly larger, with 295 square inches of space, compared to the 262 square inches of the charcoal side. That means this is a standard-sized charcoal grill with a smaller-sized gas grill (and not great gas grilling for big parties). Both sides are easy to control and manage simultaneously. If you want to experiment with flavor and dinner menu options, this fantastic food laboratory is a unique combination of gas and charcoal grill.
Best for first-time homeowners: Weber Spirit II E-210 2-Burner Liquid Propane Grill
Buy it used or refurbished: eBay Why it made the cut: Get great quality when getting into the world of backyard grilling thanks to the Weber Spirit II E-210. Specs
Weight: 103 poundsMaterial: Porcelain enamel, cast ironRust-resistant: YesDimensions: 48 x 26 x 57 inches
Pros
Open cart designSimple ignitionQuick heating
Cons
Vents out of the back, so keep away from vinyl siding
This Weber gas grill is ideal for families of four, with 450 square inches of grilling space. The Weber grill is well-built and feels strong even on windy days. If you have young children racing around the yard, the lightweight Weber grill is pretty good at staying upright even when slightly pushed. Ignition is simple and dependable, and the grill heats up quickly. Food tastes particularly great thanks to the Weber grill flavorizer bars that help turn drippings into smoky flavor. For new homes and new families, this is a fantastic entry-level gas grill from a high-quality brand. This grill vents heavily out of the back, so be careful when placing it near vinyl siding
Best portable: Char-Broil Portable 240 Liquid Propane Gas Grill
Buy it used or refurbished: eBay Why it made the cut: Gas grilling isn’t limited to your backyard with a portable grill—we’re partial to this one from Char-Boil. Specs
Weight: 21.3 poundsMaterial: Stainless steelRust-resistant: YesDimensions: 16.2 x 24.8 x 13.3 inches
Pros
PortableCarry handleSturdy
Cons
Not lightweight
You won’t find a better portable grill for less than $100. The Char-Broil grill is designed for camping and tailgating. This tabletop gas grill is sturdy and dependable. Hook it up to a one-pound propane tank and you’ll be making dogs and brats in no time. It can easily cook five burgers at a time. While not a super lightweight grill (it weighs slightly more than 20 pounds, not including fuel), it is easy to carry thanks to the thick, comfortable handle. And it’s faster and easier than portable charcoal grills. Even if you only use it on a backyard table, this is a handy and affordable grill for any occasion.
Best budget: American Gourmet Char-Broil Classic 360 3-Burner Liquid Propane Gas Grill
Why it made the cut: Get high heat across 360 square feet of grilling surface for less than $200. Specs
Weight: 48.5 poundsMaterial: Stainless steelRust-resistant: YesDimensions: 24.1 x 51.2 x 43.5 inches
Pros
Porcelain-coated grates Inline burnersEasy to assemble
Cons
Some parts not as high-quality due to price
This grill is made by American Gourmet, a subsidiary company of Char-Broil. This means you get high-quality features for a great price, like easy-to-clean, rust-resistant porcelain-coated grates and stainless steel burners. In fact, you get 30,000 British Thermal Units (BTUs) of heat across the grill’s 360-square-inch cooking surface. This means you won’t have to wait long for the grill to heat up for fast grilling. It even includes a 170-square-inch warming rack for hot buns or warming up sides. Piezo ignition gives you burner start-ups at the push of a button, and the metal side shelves give you ample prep space. However, you get what you pay for in some included parts. For example, the grill comes with plastic wheels, which will damage over time in the rain, versus solid wheels with rubber tracks in higher-priced models.
Final thoughts on the best gas grills
Gas grills might be the very best way to cook outside. They are fast and efficient, with easy temperature control. They also excel at cooking large amounts of food for parties and events. Find a gas grill big enough for the family, yet small enough so it won’t look out of place in the backyard. Trusted brands like Weber and Char-Broil have a proven track record of grills. And always make sure the grill is sturdy and won’t topple over when hit with a mild breeze. For backyard BBQs, it’s tough to beat the classic and convenient gas grill.
