How We Picked The Best Gas Grill
We had three firm criteria that our main contenders had to meet:
Finally, we restricted our search to grills that burn propane from refillable tanks, the most common fuel by far, but you should note that most grills can also run on natural gasthough converting to natural gas isnt cheap or simple.1
We didnt fret much over two other factors that grill-makers spend a lot of time talking about: total Btu count and the grates material. First, the total Btu count on three-burner grills tends to vary between 30,000 and 40,000, and the industry is making a strong push toward more is better. But our research and reporting convinced us that at least as important as the total output was whether those Btus were applied efficiently, steadily, and evenly across the grates. We decided to reserve judgment until our tests.
We knew we would be looking at intangibles, too, such as how well the grills were packed, if the instructions were clear, and if assembly was reasonably straightforward. And, of course, we would consider the biggest intangible of all: the grills ability to perform in our tests.
But those judgments would have to wait until we got our hands on the contenders. So after weeks of research, reporting, and discussion, we settled on four gas grills to test in our main $400 to $700 category, and two grills around the $200 mark to test as budget options.
Shoppingthe Best Charcoal For Grilling
Gas grills dominate the backyard barbecues game not only because they can be portable and easier to operate with the click of a switch, though. More than anything cleanup is a breeze, said Dave Anderson, founder of Famous Daves. Plus, with a charcoal grill, temperatures can fluctuate like this years stock market. You think youve found the right temperature only, within minutes, your coals have died down.
You also dont have to worry about a gust of wind or playing a temperature guessing game when grilling with propane its a constant heat source. And firing up hot, glowing charcoal briquettes to add to the grill is not only dangerous but its a royal pain, added Anderson. Whereas once you light a gas grill, you can cook all day at the temperature you want. Gas grills are just so easy to manage consistent heating.
Weber Grill Side Burner
A side burner is an extra burner thats usually located on one of the side tables outside the main grilling area. These can be used for a variety of purposes, but many grillers use them to warm or cook sauces, or to cook additional sides that will accompany the main event. If you often find yourself multitasking while youre grilling, a side burner might be a great idea.
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Top 5 Usa Made Grills
All these are good sizes for the average back-yard griller, with the Americana brand being more versatile for taking on the road, like to the park or on a camping trip.
The Huntington doesn’t have great reviews, but it’s the the only inexpensive American made gas grill we could find.
Our personal favorite however, was the PK Grill & Smoker because it’s a charcoal-style grill , plus a smoker in one grill. It’s also portable, meaning it’s ready for your next camping trip or tailgate party.
Do you have another USA-made grill you’d like to add to this list? Please let us know in the comment section below.
Char Broil Vs Weber Comparison Review
In this comparison, we have tried to pit competing products at the same price point against each other, discussed their features and characteristics, and disseminated their pros and cons. This comparison cannot tell you for certain which product to buy. Rather, it aims to provide information and answer questions so that you can make your choice with some insight.
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Are Weber Grills Ever On Sale
Select Weber grills go on sale in the Spring about every two years when new models are being introduced and Big Box stores need to clear out the older versions from inventory. You can find drastic price cuts on certain models but will need to search for them in person as they are not advertised online.
How Long Should An Outdoor Grill Last
On average, Americans will throw their grill out after only three years. However, we assure you that they should last much longer than that! In reality, most gas grills last between 5 to 15 years before needing to be replaced. This depends on the level of care the owner takes in maintaining their grill.
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Dont Buy Just Anything
So far I have been making the case for why Weber grills are worth the money. However, you should always do a little research before you buy a particular model as there are few products that have missed the mark and, in my opinion, should be avoided.
Specific examples of Weber grills that, to me, are not worth the money include:
- The Summit Series. See Weber Summit 670 Review for details.
- The Smokefire Series. This was just a train wreck.
If you are looking for the absolute best value in the Weber product line then you need to look at the Weber Spirit E 330.
Meet The Weber Flavorizer Bars
Most of Webers grills include an impressive feature that they call Flavorizer bars, which serve a dual function thats critical for your safety, grilling experience and overall flavor of your food. These bars lay underneath the cooking grate, between the grate and the burners, and catch excess oil or grease that drips from the food you cook. Not only does this keep the oil or grease from falling into the flames and igniting, which could be a hazard, but the oil evaporates back up into your cooking ingredients, injecting them with even more flavor.
The Flavorizer bars are one of our favorite features of Weber grills, and theyre part of what sets apart Weber grills from other products and manufacturers.
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Weber Grills Models: Home Depot Vs Lowes
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The grills have become important for everyone who loves crispy veggies and perfectly-cooked steaks and meat. But again, using the right grill will directly influence the grilling experience and quality of food.
Also, what can be better than Weber grills, right? In this article, we are sharing Weber grills Home Depot vs. Lowes, so you know which Weber grills are available at Home Depot and Lowes!
Who Makes Weber Grills
The company is still owned by Weber-Stephen products LLC, also headquartered in Palatine. In 1952, a man named George Stephen, working for Weber Brothers Metal Works in Chicago, invented the kettle grill.
His design was inspired by the shape of a buoy , and the iconically shaped grill has been made in the US by the same company ever since. Todays company offers decent warranties for its products, has a catalog of replacement parts on its website, and has a customer support service seven days a week.
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Weber Grill: 5 Best Weber Grills Reviewed In 2021
If youre interested in purchasing a Weber grill, congratulations! Youre already well on the way to selecting one of the highest-quality, most dependable and all-around amazing gas grills available on the market.
But not all Weber grills are created equal, and the extensive line of Weber gas grills and Weber grill accessories are designed for a wide range of grilling styles in a variety of outdoor spaces and for different budgets.
Most of us are lucky enough to grill for three out of four seasons, preparing everything from early springtime roasts and the ubiquitous summer burgers to our Thanksgiving turkey and Superbowl Sunday hot wings. If theres a special recipe to add to our grilling arsenal, theres usually a Weber grill accessory designed to make it happen.
Weber understands the call to the great outdoors and their patented Weber grill covers are designed to protect our investment by not cracking in the winter or melting in the summer. On top of that Webers customer service is one of the most responsive in the industry and Weber grill parts are easy to order should you ever need to replace anything.
If You Buy A Gas Grill At Home Depot
To ensure that we test the same grills available to you, Consumer Reports’ secret shoppers purchase each one we test, either in-store or online. Here’s their advice for making it a smooth experience:
In-store Check inventory online before you shop. The grill you want might be in a store near you. If it’s not, Home Depot will ship it free of charge to a store where you can pick it up.
Check the grills dimensions on Home Depots website or on the grills summary page in our gas grill ratings. Assembly at the retailer is free. Check your cargo space. Youll need an SUV or a pickup to haul the grill home. You can also rent a truck at some store locations or pay to have the retailer deliver an assembled grill. The delivery fee varies by market, but in most places its $79. You can have most grills delivered unassembled at no charge.
Online Check the box before you start assembling the grill to make sure all of the parts are included and nothing is broken or damaged. If something is missing, call Home Depot’s customer service . If the wait for a replacement is too long, you might try calling the manufacturer directly and pleading your case to get it sooner. Check your address. Beginning last May, Home Depot started offering in-home grill assembly to online buyers in the Carolinas, Central Texas, and South Florida for $79 and up. If you go that route, consider ways to stay safe when an assembly or repair person comes to your home.
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From The ‘consumer 101’ Tv Show
Sturdy construction, even heating, flare-up reductionConsumer Reports’ experts explain to Jack Rico, ‘Consumer 101′ TV show host, what to look for when buying a gas grill.
Paul Hope
As a classically trained chef and an enthusiastic DIYer, I’ve always valued having the best tool for a jobwhether the task at hand is dicing onions for mirepoix or hanging drywall. When I’m not writing about home products, I can be found putting them to the test, often with help from my two young children, in the 1860s townhouse I’m restoring in my free time.
Best Overall Gas: Weber Spirit Ii E
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Even heating surface and few flare-ups
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Compatible with Webers iGrill 3
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Easy-to-read fuel scale
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Grease management system makes it easy to clean
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Price tag is steep for three burners
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No side burner
If youre looking for a well-built gas grill to sizzle your steaks and serve up perfectly charred hamburgers, the Weber Spirit II E-310 is our top pick for a gas grill.
The Weber Spirit II E-310 offers three burners with an output of 30,000 BTUs per hour, and it features the brand’s GS4 grilling system, which includes improved ignition, porcelain-enameled “Flavorizer” bars, and an efficient grease management system. The grill has 529 square inches of cooking space across its enameled cast iron cooking grates, providing plenty of room for all your burgers, steaks, and veggies, and there are tables on each side of the grill area, one of which can be folded down.
This grill’s open cart design provides additional storage space for your favorite tools, and it has integrated hooks on the side tables, as well. The grill is available in several colors, and it has an easy-to-read fuel gauge next to the propane tank to let you know how much fuel you have remaining. Our tester said its performance, advanced design features, and warranty make this “worth the splurge.”
Dimensions: 45.5 x 52 x 24 inches | TotalCooking Area: 529 square inches | Type: gas
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Best Gas Grills To Buy At Home Depot
Top models in every size, at a variety of pricesplus one to avoid
When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. 100% of the fees we collect are used to support our nonprofit mission.Learn more.
More than 50 percent of gas grills sold in the U.S. come from the home center giants Home Depot and Lowes. Home Depot alone carries hundreds of models, dozens of which can be found on the floor of your local store. Of course, not every grill it sells is a winner.
Consumer Reports tests dozens of new gas grill models every year. This year we’ve already evaluated over 25, and our test engineers are in the process of building and assessing even more. That’s on top of the nearly 200 that we’d already rated.
Below, weve compiled a list of the very best gas grills at Home Depot, including models from our latest tests. If youre unsure which size you need or which features matter, start with our gas grill buying guide. CR members can also jump right into our grill ratings to compare models.
No matter how you prefer to shop, Home Depot has good options. A typical store has dozens of in-stock models, and the retailer has more than 300 models on its website. It also offers curbside pickup. With either of those options, be ready to tackle assembly yourself.
How Much Does It Cost To Assemble A Grill
The average cost to assemble a grill with three legs is $42. A large grill with four legs is $75. This service wont install a gas line but is much cheaper than hiring a certified service provider to install a brand-new grill or BBQ. Most electricians or contractors can add the new line for as low as $90.
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Are The Weber Grills In Big Box Stores The Same
JohnD said:Everyone, thank you for your responses. I realized after reading the responses that my original statement was misleading. The military discount would be my father’s, not mine. He’d be buying it with my cash. I’m very proud of his service and thankful for all the men and woman who have done so to protect our freedom. It would have been an insult to him, and all of them, for me not to have set the record straight. Again, sorry for not being clear in my original statement.
You tell your father that we all thank him for his service. Did you get your grill yet?
JohnD said:Well apparently the Lowe’s coupon specifically states that Weber and some other manufacturers do not qualify for the 10 % off. Home Depot wouldn’t honor it either for the same reason. While chatting with customer support online at Home Depot I asked if there was any other discounts that they could apply and they offered 5%. Not the discount I had hoped for but with the free shipping and not having to wait till the end of July I pulled the trigger and ended up ordering a Spirit E-320. It was the wife’s suggestion, and who am I to argue with upgrading, because when we lost power with Sandy we ended up using the side burner on our last grill since our electric stove was out of commission. Now I just have to wait for it to get here.
Best Overall: Weber Genesis E
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Burners: 3 Burners totaling 39,000 BTU’s | Fuel: LP | Cooking Grates: Porcelain Enameled | Color: Black | Capacity: 669 sq. in. Appr. 20 Burgers on the surface | Side Burner: No | Rotisserie: No
The Genesis II E-310 is what we call the Weber workhorse. This is a perfect all-around product designed to meet all of the needs of the average family who loves to grill. It boasts a reasonable and budget-friendly price point, yet still comes packed with all the most popular and powerful features of Webers best offerings.
Three individual burners, digital thermometer-compatible, with a 669 square inch cooking area including a tuck-away warming rack. Add in wing tables on either side, Flavorizer bars underneath the grate and Webers legendary Infinity ignition and youve got the perfect grill for just about anyone.
Although all Weber grills share the same firebox design the build quality goes up on higher price points.
Weber Genesis grills are far more sturdy compared to the Spirit series. And their burners are 30% more powerful. Unlike the Spirit grills that which you need to construct meticulously, the Weber Genesis grills are far less complicated than an Ikea project.
Burners: 3 Burners totaling 39,000 BTU’s | Fuel: LP | Cooking Grates: 9 mm Stainless Steel | Color: Black, Copper, Crimson Red, Smoke | Capacity: 669 sq. in. Appr. 20 Burgers on the surface | Side Burner: Yes | Rotisserie: No
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Best Overall Charcoal: Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill
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Tried-and-true cooker makes amazing food
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A cost-conscious option
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Ash catcher makes cleanup a breeze
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Charcoal fuel takes more effort than gas or pellets
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Small to medium cooking space
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Wheels are small
The Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill is a classic option for anyone who loves grilling with charcoal, and you can’t beat the reasonable price for such a well-made product.
This kettle grill has a 22-inch diameter, and it can hold up to 13 burgers at a time on its 363 square inches of cooking space. The lid and bowl of the grill are porcelain-enameled for superior heat retention, and the lid has a built-in thermometer and aluminum dampers. When cooking, the grate has a hinged design that makes it quick and easy to add more charcoal, and the angled lid hook allows you to conveniently hang the lid on the side of the grill, saving you from having to place it on the ground.
Another feature that makes the Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill great is its one-touch cleaning system, which sweeps ash into a removable high-capacity container for easy disposal. The grill also has integrated hooks on its outer handles, as well as durable wheels for better mobility.
Dimensions: 39.5 x 22.5 x 27 inches | TotalCooking Area: 363square inches | Type: charcoal
“Maintaining a consistent temperature is crucial, and the Weber does this better than any other in its price range.” Nicholas McClelland, Product Tester
