Best Gas Grills: The Ultimate Guide

Hey there folks. I have created this post so that you can review the best gas grills and make an informed purchase so you don’t waste your money. Enjoy…

You want to cook outside. Serve delicious food to your family and friends no matter how the weather is. 

And you’re not alone. Grilling is extremely popular, with people firing up their grills some 60 million times a year.

Deciding what is the best gas grill so that you can cook food efficiently is not an easy task though, especially if you are on a budget.

This is why we have created this article so that you can choose from the best gas grills.

What Kind of Grill is Right For You?

When deciding what type of grill is best for you, it is first necessary to understand the basics of gas grills.

Gas fueled grills use propane or natural gas to produce heat or flames that cook food. Some restaurants even use larger gas grills because of the after taste that they leave in the food that they cook.

You, however, will likely be searching for a smaller grill that you can use at your home. There are both pros and cons to using grills, and this includes the best propane gas grill.

Some of these pros and cons are:

What are the Pros and Cons of Gas Grills?

Some of the pros of using a gas grill to cook your food are:

• Easy and quick to clean 
• A gas grill ignites and heats up quicker than a charcoal model
• Fast to come to cooking temperature
• Gas grills are known to be very convenient
• It only takes a few minutes to change the gas bottle if your appliance runs out of fuel

There are however some cons to using a gas grill that you should be aware of, they are:

• It can be challenging to get the natural flavor that you get from wood and charcoal on a gas grill (this can be overcome by Flavorizer Bars)
• Gas bottles can be quite heavy to carry around
• The in-built thermometers are sometimes not reliable in cheaper gas grill models

These are just a few pros and cons but they cover the important basics. 

Now we will move onto what factors of the best grills that you should consider when making your purchase.

Factors to Consider when Choosing the Best Gas Grill

How long do you want your grill to last? 

How many people will you be cooking food for? 

Do you have a place to store your grill when you are done using it? 

Do you have much space in your back garden to place it while you’re grilling?

These are all very important questions that you must consider when deciding what gas grill to purchase. As when you are on a budget, you will ultimately need to accept that you cannot buy a gas grill with every feature and will need to compromise.

Below we have listed out multiple gas grill features for you to decide which are the most important for your individual circumstances.

Gas Grills Eco-Footprint

You want to grill food, but you also want to keep your eco-footprint low. Gas grills use LPG (Liquid Propane Gas) as a fuel to create the fire that cooks the food. Liquid Propane Gas is much more efficient in its production and cooking than charcoal. 

In fact, the charcoal grilling footprint is 998 kg CO2e, almost three times larger than the footprint of LPG grilling, which is 349 kg CO2e.

So if you want to make sure your grills footprint is small, purchasing a gas grill is definitely the right way to go.

Heat Distribution

Uneven heat distribution is a major problem for some grills. It causes food to cook slower. You may find that some food on the left-hand side burners cook faster than the right side, for example. We recommend reading customer reviews about heat distribution before you purchase your gas grill.

The Grill’s Lid 

You may be surprised to find that on your journey researching what grill you should buy, that some do not have a lid. For gas grills, lids are very important. You want to have the option of cooking with the lid open or closed. When you are cooking with a gas grill, opening the lid will lower the heat and vice versa.  

Which Type of Gas Grill Burners is the Best?

When I talk about burners, I mean the primary burners under the cooking gate that you use for actual cooking. There are however secondary burners, which I will discuss further on in this article. Gas burners feature various temperature controls that enable food to be cooked in both low and high temperatures. The types of materials that burners can be made from are:

• Cast-aluminum
• Brass
• Stainless steel

The type of burners you need for your gas grill will depend on numerous factors. Now let’s discuss the secondary burners.

Side Burners

Side burners are a secondary burner that is attached to the side of a grill and is usually smaller than the grills primary cooking gate. They can be used to keep food at a warm temperature or cook something at a completely different temperature. They are a useful feature when cooking multiple dishes for guests.

Rotisserie Burners

A rotisserie burner makes a gas grill versatile. Think about it – if you are constantly turning your food on a rotisserie it means that the juices cannot escape as easily and your food will be self-basting. Delicious.

How Many Burners do you need

If your budget is on the lower end, I recommend that the gas grill you purchase has a minimum of 2 burners. Some experts say, the more burners the better. 

What’s the Ideal Size for the Grill Cooking Area?

The ideal size of the cooking area will depend on the amount of food you need to cook. Think about it carefully. Will you be having large amounts of people over or will you just be cooking for yourself and a small family?

450-500 square inches will do, but some people will need more or less. The more space you have to cook the food, the easier and less stressful it the experience will be.

The Material the Grill is Made Out Of

You will find that most grills are made from cast iron, cast aluminum, stainless steel or cast iron. Most grills will stand up well to different weather conditions for a certain period of time. Whether you plan on keeping your grill protected and covered will lead you to different material options that are best for your situation.

Cast iron for example trains heat well but may corrode over time. Stainless steel doesn’t get as hot as cast iron grills but will also not rust. Therefore, with keeping these options in mind, the choice is yours when deciding on what grill to buy.

The Grill’s Grates

The gas grills grate are what holds the food above the fire while you are cooking. To have a great grilling experience, you need to make sure that the grates are free of rust and dirt. This is why the material of the grates is so important.

When it comes to the types of materials to choose from, the most popular are stainless steel, cast iron and porcelain.

Cast iron holds the most heat but it also requires the most maintenance in terms of cleaning. The porcelain coating can be chipped quite easily. 

What is great about stainless steel grates is that they resist rust. This means that if you purchase a gas grill with stainless steel grates you will be able to store it outside and the grates will remain in good condition against different types of hard-weather corrosion.

The Ignition System

There are usually three basic ignition systems that you will need to choose from. They are:

Piezo electric ignition system: Each time the start button or knob is turned, you will hear a click and a spark is generated. 

Electronic ignition system: This ignition system makes continuous sparks until the ignition is successful. You will hear the familiar click, click noise and it can sometimes fail.

Hot surface ignition system: This system uses an igniter rod that gets so hot that it instantly lights the burners. It does not spark.

Your Grill’s Temperature Gauge

If you want to cook something more than just hot dogs on your gas grill, such as chicken or burgers, you will need a temperature gauge. If you cook the meat too long, it will be chewy and lose its delicious taste. If you remove the meat from the grill too early and it is undercooked, problems can arise. Having a thermometer to monitor the temperature of your grill will help you prevent these situations from happening.

Propane (LP) vs. Natural Gas (NG) Fuel

The popularity of natural gas grills is currently rising, however, propane gas grills still remain the most purchased. Both options come with their own pros and cons though. 

The biggest advantage of owning natural gas grills is probably convenience. You never again have to worry about running out of gas while cooking or running to the shop to buy a new tank. All you have to do is plug the gas line into the grill. You will not be able to move the grill around as you please though, because of the connection to the natural gas line.

Propane gas’s biggest pro is being able to move it around. However propane is also much more expensive than natural. 

How Many BTUs do you need?

BTUs stands for British Thermal Unit. Today it is often recommended that gas grills come with 80 to 100 BTUs-per-square-inch cooking space. The higher the BTU rating of a gas grill means the faster it will use the fuel of your gas tank.

The Brand and the Warranty

When buying your grill, it is best to make sure that the manufacturer offers a warranty for their product. This will assure you that if anything does go wrong, you will be able to get parts replaced.

A good warranty will cover the grill for anywhere from 5-10 years. 

Top tip: make sure you read the warranty to find out what it exactly covers and how long for.

The Best Way to Maintain a Gas Grill

Your gas grill can have a long lifespan, but only if you care for it properly. This means maintaining and cleaning it regularly. We recommend you do each of the following before grilling season:

Check for Leaks

You need to do a leak test for your propane cylinder, regulator and hose. The test is known as the “soapy water test.” 

Before you do the test, make sure the propane tank is turned to “OFF”. Then you need to create the soapy solution by mixing 50/50 water and liquid dish detergent. Put the solution in a spray bottle.

Next, turn the propane tank valve on and apply the solution to the gas line and connections. If soapy bubbles appear it means there is a leak, and if they don’t appear it means there is not a leak.

Close the cylinder valve immediately if bubbles appear until you get it fixed.

Clean Your Burners

When cleaning the burners make sure the propane tank is turned off. You will then need to remove the burners. You may find information on how to do this is the manufacturer’s guide.

We recommend using a burner cleaning rod to remove the debris from inside the burner tube. On the outside of the burner wash them with a outside of the burner to further remove any debris. 

When finished cleaning your burners, reattach them. You may need to check the user’s manual again.

Cover Your Gas Grill

You will most likely need to cover your gas grill from the elements. This can be done by purchasing a cover and making sure you use it. Most brands do sell their own covers for the grills they produce and you might have to buy them separately. But they are a good purchase and will lengthen the life span of your grill.

Questions to Ask Before Buying a Gas Grill

There will be certain questions that you will undoubtedly have before you buy a gas grill. It is important that you find the answer to these questions as they will help you buy the best product.

What’s My Budget?

It is important that you know your budget before you search for a gas grill to purchase. Only then will you be able to compare the features that will make the purchase worthwhile.

Remember, you will most likely need to sacrifice some features for others if you are on a budget. 

What Will I Cook Most?

What you plan to cook will lead you to purchasing a certain type of gas grill. Some of the types of food you can cook on a gas grill are:

• Burgers
• Steaks
• Vegetables
• Kebabs
• Veggies
• Fish
• Sausages 
• Beans 
• Chicken 

Some of these foods are best cooked on a side burner – beans for example. 

If you want your chicken to constantly turn while it is grilling, you will want a gas grill that has a rotisserie burner.

Where Should I Buy My Grill?

We recommend that you purchase your grill online. Why? Well, you can find so much of the product information, as well as customer reviews so that you can compare each grill.

Below we have listed some of the best gas grills that you can buy today (you can find them all online too!)

The Best Gas Grills

Throughout writing this article I have researched thoroughly the best gas grills for you to buy from.

I have listed five of them below.

Char-Griller 3001 Grillin’ Pro

Not only does the Char-Griller 3001 Grillin’ Pro look great, but it is also very durable and has a large primary grill space to cook food, at 438 square inches. For anyone that wants to cook food for larger parties or groups of people and stick to their budget, this grill is an ideal choice for them.

This grill also has side burner and side shelves that offer you more versatility while cooking. The grill is made from heavy steel construction with a powder-coated finish. 

Product features:

• Primary grill space has 438 square inches
• 3 main burners
• Propane Gas
• Electric ignition 
• 40,800 BTU 
• Porcelain-coated cast-iron grates 
• 12,000 BTU Side Burner

Pros:

• Durable
• Inexpensive full-feature grill
• Retains Heat Better And Cooks Food More Evenly

Cons: 

• Plastic wheels
• Can take a few hours to put together

>> Check Price on Amazon <<

Char-Broil Performance Stainless Steel 4-burner gas grill 

If you care about how your grill looks while sitting out in your patio or balcony – the Char-Broil Performance Stainless Steel 4-burner gas grill may appeal to you.

This grill will look great in anyone’s home with its beautiful design and stainless steel materials. It also cooks great food, with the primary four burners producing 36,000 BTUs of heat evenly across the 425-square-inch cooking area.

The grill also offers a 10,000 BTUs side burner which is a great feature if you want to cook additional sauces or sides. It also comes with a temperature gauge that is mounted on the lid, so you will have help to stop you from burning any of the food that you’re grilling.

Product features:

• Primary grill space has 425 square inches
• Propane Gas
• Push-to-start electric ignition
• 36,000 BTU
• 10,000-BTU lidded side burner
• Four stainless steel top-ported burners 
• Two side shelves
• Stainless steel

Pros:

• The grill has a lid-mounted temperature gauge which provides increased heat control and monitoring
• The side burner has a lid that folds down which projects the burners

Cons:

• The warranty on certain parts is quite short

>> Check Price on Amazon <<

Weber Q 2200 Gas Grill

Weber Q 2200 Gas Grill is great for anyone searching for a portable grill that they take with them. This grill is smaller, with the primary cooking area measuring at 280 square inches, and with one burner. But if all you want to cook is a small chicken or two burgers, then this grill is ideal.

This grill weighs 42.5 pounds and may need two hands to carry it. So, even though it isn’t the lightest grill to carry around, you know you can trust that you will be able to cook delicious food on it since it belongs to the Weber brand.

It also has side tables that fold inside the grill, in case you are concerned that you may need some more cooking space without requiring extra room. The high grade cooking grates also make sure that the heat is evenly distributed.

Product features:

• Primary grill space has 280 Square Inches
• One burner
• Propane Gas
• 12,000 BTU
• Electronic ignition 
• Two Folding side tables
• Cast aluminum lid
• Porcelain-enameled, cast iron cooking grates
• Weighs 42.5 pounds

Pros:

• It only takes approximately 30 minutes to assemble
• Comes with two side tables
• The grill is light enough to carry around
• Compact storage

Cons:

• Leg support is wobbly 
• No wheels on the legs

> Check Price on Amazon << (opens in a new tab)">>> Check Price on Amazon <<

Char-Broil Performance 300 2-Burner Cabinet Gas Grill

If you want a cheaper gas grill that gets the job done without any bells and whistles, then the Char-Broil Performance 300 2-Burner Cabinet is for you. 

It is a simple grill that will cook delicious food without complicating the process. It’s not without any extra features though, as it also contains a secondary cooking area (warming rack) and side shelves that are metal and fold. These two features will come in handy when you do need extra space when cooking.

The grill also has a lid-mounted temperature gauge so that you can keep track of the temperature easily while grilling. Its 2 stainless steel burners also provide 24,000 BTUs of heat and its stainless steel features make it very durable.

The grill has food mobility since it sits on four casters. However, it is also stable if you want to secure it in a particular location.

Product features:

• Primary grill space has 300 square inches
• 2 stainless steel burners
• Propane gas
• 24,000-BTU
• Electronic ignition
• Metal side shelves
• 100 square inch secondary cooking area
• Lid-mounted temperature gauge

Pros:

• Gas tank storage cabinet with door
• The metal side shelves fold down
• The grease pan is removable

Cons:

• Some owners of this gas grill have complained about uneven heat distribution

>> Check Price on Amazon <<

Dyna-Glo DGB390BNP-D Smart Space Living 3 Burner LP Gas Grill

The Dyna-Glo Smart Living gas grill is great for people who want to cook great food if they do not have a lot of space either in their balcony or back garden. The grill uses propane gas as fuel and has 3 stainless steel burners with good heat distribution. It also has porcelain-enameled, heavy gauge steel heat tents that protect its burners (they also help with the heat distribution).

It is durable and made of good quality because of the stainless steel materials used to build it. Its lid also has a handle which is great for opening and closing the lid to adjust the heat that you will be grilling the food at.

The grill also has two side tables that are made of powder-coated steel that are great for placing containers and plates onto while you are grilling. This makes the experience easier.

Product features:

• Primary grill space has 390 square inches
• 3 stainless steel burners
• 36,000 BTU
• Propane gas 
• Electronic pulse ignition system
• 117 square inches secondary warming rack
• Built-in stainless thermometer 

Pros:

• Durable and high quality
• The total cooking area is 507 square inches
• The lid has a handle 

Cons:

• Some owners of this grill have said the grates are harder to clean

 >> Check Price on Amazon <<

Wrapping the Best Gas Grills Under

I hope this information helps you finalize your research on the best gas grills. To be honest, you have everything you need here in this article to make an educated purchase. We hope you have a delightful time grilling for yourself, friends and family and make some great memories while doing so.