Friday, October 19, 2018

The best gas grills you can buy

First, let me say that I'm not a believer in the whole "grilling season" thing. For me, the grilling season starts on January 1st and ends on December 31st. So while many people won't take the cover off their grill until the weather warms up in the springtime, know that all of the grills in our guide can be used during the spring, summer, fall, and winter.
I've cooked up plenty of Thanksgiving and Christmas eats on our Broil King — even in driving snow. With proper cleaning and care, a good gas grill should last you at least five years and likely more than 10 with regular year-round use.
While all the grills in our guide are certainly good choices, selecting the best gas grill for your home is a personal decision. Do you have limited outdoor space but want plenty of cooking surface nonetheless? Do you have lots of room but no need for a massive grill? Are you going to hardline your grill into your home's natural gas line? Do you want a gas grill small enough to bring to the beach, park, or campsite? And for what kind of cooking is your gas grill intended, anyway? Just flipping burgers and dogs, or for slow-cooking ribs, roasting whole birds, or even for smoking brisket?
Don't worry, we've got you covered no matter what you want from your gas grill. In fact, you're living in a golden age of gas grills, and there are all sorts of options available at all sorts of price ranges. There's been a lot of innovation in a short time, too. The first propane grills weren't developed until the 1960s. Flash forward to today, and you can order a five burner 55,000 BTU gas grill complete with expert in-home assembly off the web. That's progress, people.
Here are our top picks for the best gas grills you can buy:
  • Best overall: Broil King Regal S590 Pro 5 Burner Natural Gas Grill
  • Best value: Weber Spirit II E-310 LP Gas Grill
  • Best portable grill: Coleman Road Trip Propane Portable Grill LXE
  • Best compact grill: Dyna-Glo Smart Space Living 3 Burner LP Gas Grill
  • Best charcoal and gas grill: Char-Griller Double Play 3 Burner Gas and Charcoal Grill

Read on in the slides below to check out our top picks for the best gas grills.


The best gas grills of 2018

The weather is officially warming, and barbecue season is here! We can just smell those seared ribeyes and taste those juicy burgers. Are you itching to show off your grill skills at that Fourth of July potluck or block party, but don’t know which gas grill will suit your needs the best? We’ve done the research for you and rounded up the best gas grills on the market right now. They are listed here in ascending price. Follow this guide as well as our grilling gadgets guide, and you’re sure to be the hit of the summer. Just make sure you have enough ribs to feed all those hungry mouths.
Looking for a gas grill that’s great to use but easy on the pocketbook? One of the best affordable grills on the market is this four-burner, 36,000-BTU gas grill from Char-Broil. This grill comes with 475 square inches of primary cooking space, as well as an additional 175 square inches of secondary space. The porcelain-coated cast-iron grates will give you those perfect sear marks. The lid, handle, and control panel are stainless steel, giving the grill a sleek look and extra durability.
The lid also has a temperature gauge mounted right in, giving you extra control of the heat. The grease pan is removable, allowing for an easy and straight-forward clean-up process. You can also keep tools and accessories on the large side shelves, which also act as work and prep space. An electronic ignition gives you quick start-ups, so you don’t have to wait around for ages for the grill to warm up. After all, ravenous burger-lovers are waiting!
This grill offers great results for the price. It comes with 390 square inches of primary cooking space (507 square inches of total cooking space), as well as porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grates for maximum heat retention and flavor. The straight burners are made of commercial-grade stainless steel, so you can be sure the grill will stand the test of time, allowing you to host memorable barbecues for years to come.
The grill also comes with side shelves, tool hooks, and a towel bar to give you room to put your homemade barbecue sauce, plates, and utensils. Start the grill up quickly with the push of a button when the neighbors show up uninvited. Who said throwing a killer Fourth of July barbecue has to mean breaking the bank? You can host the party of the year while still being frugal.

Everything You Need to Know Before You Buy a Gas Grill

Before you run to the hardware store to buy a new gas grill you should know that there are a lot more grills out there than you'll find in one store. I've broken down the best gas grills on the market by price so you can find the perfect gas grill for you. While many of these gas grills are easily found, try shopping at specialty grill stores for the best BBQ grills. Updated for 2018

Gas Grills under $250

If you are looking to purchase a new gas grill for no more than $250 (based on typical sales price) then these are the ones you should be looking at. You get what you pay for, so don't expect these grills to last forever or cook well, but they should serve you for a couple of years and do an okay job of grilling burgers and hot dogs.
  • Top 10 Gas Grills under $250
  • Gas Grills under $250 Buyer's Guide

Gas Grills between $250 and $500

These are the most common and familiar gas grills on the market. You'll find many of these grills in local stores, but there are other grills you should consider that can be a bit harder to find. If you are interested in grilling hamburgers or steaks these gas grills will do the job. Some of these grills have additional features like side burners and rotisseries, but I suggest you keep it simple.
  • Top 10 Gas Grills between $250 and $500
  • Gas Grills between $250 and $500 Buyer's Guide

Gas Grills between $500 and $1,000

  • Top 10 Gas Grills between $500 and $1,000
  • Gas Grills between $500 and $1000 Buyer's Guide

Gas Grills between $1,000 and $2,000

Gas Grills in this price range should be powerful, have good features, and quality construction. This doesn't mean complete stainless steel construction, but it does mean durable construction. Look for brand names and be prepared to look beyond the big box stores. The best place to find these gas grills is at a local Barbecue Products Specialty Store.
  • Top 10 Gas Grills between $1,000 and $2,000

Gas Grills between $2,000 and $4,000

Now you are heading towards professional gas grills. Here you will find large, stainless steel grills with all the accessories you need to be a master backyard chef. These grills are built to last and to look great. In this price range, you will find a lot more natural gas grills and you should plan on spending some money preparing the right place for one of these.
  • Top 10 Gas Grills between $2,000 and $4,000
  • Gas Grills between $2000 and $4000 Buyer's Guide

Gas Grills above $4,000

These top of the line gas grills come with a top of the line price, but if you want the best of the best these are the grills for you. Spare no expense and get the gas grill that not only impresses your guests but can grill anything, and I mean anything. Make sure you know who is selling you one of these grills so you know you will get the support and installation you need.
  • Gas Grills over $4000 Buyer's Guide

Top 10 Small Grills

Sometimes you just don't have space for a big grill. Whether you live in an apartment, condo, on a boat or just don't have a big patio, it doesn't mean that you can't enjoy a good cookout. Try one of these smaller grills in gas, charcoal or electric to give you real grilling flavor and fun. Remember to check with the local rules where you live to know what kind of grill you can have. Most apartments don't allow gas or charcoal grills. This list contains a wide range of types and prices.
  • Small Grills

Top 10 Gas Grill Inserts under $4,000

These gas grill inserts represent the best to be had for less than $4,000. There is a lot for choose from, but it is important to remember that if it is permanently mounted to a custom grill enclosure it should last for many years. These grills offer the best longevity, features, and grilling capabilities to be had for a price that won't break the bank.
  • Top 10 Gas Grill Inserts under $4,000

Top 10 Gas Grill Inserts over $4,000


Before you can begin designing your custom gas grill enclosure you need to pick the perfect grill. Most high-end gas grills come in an insert configuration that allows you to put it where you want it, but many are not a standard size so pick your grill first. Here I have listed the top 10 gas grill inserts over $4,000 to help you find the one that is right for you. Prices can vary a lot so make sure to do some serious shopping to get as much as you can for little as possible.