Testing Notes: What To Look For In A Gas Grill
BTWho?: BTUs are an outdated and easily manipulated measurement of grill power. The numbers grillmakers provide are calculated on per hour measurements, and are derived from data on how much fuel the grill burns, not its temperature levels. A bigger grill that chews through more gas could have a sky-high BTU figure and not breach the 500 degree barrier, which should be the absolute bare minimum. Ignore BTUs and look for max temperature output, which is a better gauge of a grill’s power.
Want steaks? Go infrared: Infrared burners get dramatically hotter than standard gas burners. Using standard burners, most gas grills will struggle to exceed 600 to 700 degrees, and won’t develop a browned crust on a steak before you’ve overcooked it the infrared burner solves this issue by channeling heat from a burner into a ceramic tile, which converts that convective heat into infrared heat, dramatically increasing its intensity. You need an infrared burner to brown a steak properly. It won’t matter how long you let the grill warm up with the lid down if the grill’s max temperature is meh. Note: some companies give infrared burners a branded name like Sear Zone or something in that vein.
You need a meat thermometer: Let’s not mince words the temperature probes built into most grills are absolutely worthless. Instead, get one of our recommended instant-read thermometers.
Camp Chef Apex Pellet Grill
Pellet grills smoky versatility has won over many a grill master, but most wont let you get a true flame-broiled fix. Enter the Camp Chef Apex. This unique hybrid combines the perfection of pellets with the blaze of gas, all in the same main chamber . Add a gasketed lid, double-wall construction and internal lighting, and youll never go back to a one-dimensional grill.
Weber 51010001 Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill
WEBER brand is sold in over 40 countries and they are also known as synonymous of barbecuing innovation. Their Liquid Propane Gas Grill is another innovative product for you.
It gives you a cooking area of 189 sq.in. which is sufficient if you live alone or with few people in an apartment. Generating tremendous heat of 8500BTU per hour it cooks your food in a very short time.
You can start your gas grill in quick time with the help of easy electronic ignition. The infinite control burner valve gives you any temperature you wish which allows you to cook your food at any temperature you require.
Special Features
Pros
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Snow Peak Takibi Fire & Grill
This portable grill is Japanese elegance at its absolute finest. Designed in Japan and made from hyper-tough stainless steel, the five-piece modular set is easy to pack, ultra-portable, and comes apart into individual pieces to make for easy packing and carrying. Youll need a special add-on to cook with charcoal , but once you get it set up and start cooking, youll fall in love with its design, durability, and versatility. Youve got everything you need for the perfect grilled meal right in your hands with the Takibi.
The Best Splurge Gas Grill: Landmann Ardor 5
Courtesy of Landmann
Now we’re getting into the higher priced, luxury models, which are often used for expensive outdoor kitchens. This grill is the centerpiece of Landmann’s premium modular outdoor kitchen system, allowing the owner to add such other elements as a separate side burner, a drawer unit, a double door set, and a rotisserie. They also offer an Ardor kitchen island with integrated worktop, allowing you to customize your own dream kitchen outdoors.
The burners feature Landmanns Precision Temperature System which was German-engineered to distribute heat evenly and efficiently across the entire cooking surface. According to Landmann, the system works in part by increasing the fuel output of the outside burners and angling the heat shields slightly up in the front to promote heat distribution to the outside edges and front of the grill, which is where most grills experience a temperature drop.
Cooking Area: 662 square inches
Heat Flux: 105.74 BTUs/square inch
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Best Portable: Weber Q 2200 Gas Grill
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Cart available for everyday use
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Expensive for a portable grill
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Grates can be tricky to clean
Whether youre going to a tailgate party or camping in the woods, youll be glad you have the Weber Q2200 Propane Grill to bring along. This portable grill is a favorite among grilling enthusiasts thanks to its compact form and reliable performance, and should you ever want to use it as your everyday grill, Weber sells a compatible stand for it, too.
The Weber Q2200 is powered by liquid propane, and it has 280 inches of space on its porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates, which are heated by a 12,000-BTU burner. The grill has electronic ignition, a built-in thermometer, and two folding work tables, and its removable catch-pan makes it easy to clean up when youre done cooking.
Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill
Step up your cooking game with this portable fold-out, stand-mounted grill. Designed to be erected in a matter of seconds, it allows you to cook anywhere you go without the need for a table or bench, making it perfect for having a picnic, camping, or tailgating. 13,000 BTUs per hour spread across 320 inches of cooking space means you can whip up a hot, tasty meal in a hurry. Use the adaptor hose to connect it to a 20-lb fuel tank to make sure you never have to fuss with tiny iso-butane bottles again.
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Features To Look Out For
If you havent looked for a new grill in some time, you might be surprised at how attractive the entry-level models can be. Many of these are now available in stainless steel, which gives your backyard a more modern appeal. If you buy one of the latest models, you can also benefit from some of the new features on offer.
Some grills come with built-in containers to hold your wood chips and on occasion, a smoke chamber. You might also come across sear stations, rotisseries, side burners and built-in thermometers, all of which have their uses. Like many other appliances, grills are getting smarter too with some offering Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity. With this, you can get notified when its time to flip the burgers, baste your dish or serve up. It can even let you know when its running low on gas.
Be on the lookout for hooks on which to hold your tools as well its a simple, but useful addition which you can find regardless of the price. Side tables are convenient as well for placing dishes. Removable ash catchers and drip pans are also good to have as they help with cleaning up.
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Cynthia Lawrence specialises in Homes ecommerce, covering all things homes and garden-related. She has a wealth of editorial experience testing the latest, must-have home appliances, writing buying guides and the handy how to features.
What Are Gas Grills
Gas grills are units that somewhat resemble a traditional barbecue grilling unit.
The main difference is that the former uses gas to power it.
Compared to traditional systems, it takes less time to heat the entire cooking surface to prepare it for grilling.
It is also easier to control gas grills. You simply have to turn a knob like you might on your stove to turn the heat up and down.
With gas grills, cleaning time is faster and usually hassle-free.
You wont have to dispose of ash.
Most grills come with removable drip trays, so managing grease is a smooth and easy process.
Gas grills also offer instant ignition, temperature control, customization, and flexibility.
Some models have multiple burners allowing you to cook different types of food at the same time.
They also come with a wide range of accessories, which means you can personalize the grill easily.
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Propane Or Natural Gas
This isnt nearly as hot of a button as gas vs. charcoal, but there are differences you should note.
Propane is the most popular of the two methods to power your grill. This is because its easily accessible and mobile. Its simply one quick stop at the gas station away.
However, natural gas will provide you with cheaper fuel at the cost of flexibility. Natural gas is most commonly used in permanent areas near a household.
Natural gas grills will need to be powered by a natural gas line, usually installed outside of your home. This creates a permanent residence for your natural gas grill.
Overall, natural gas is cheaper and more efficient for your budget. But, you wont be able to move it around or use it somewhere else unless you can find another natural gas line.
Propane may be a good option if you can see yourself moving your grill to different locations and dont mind the increased fuel price. But natural gas is probably the best home gas grill option.
Cyber Monday Grill Deals: Our Top Picks
The Genesis II E-335 comes with Weber’s smart technology built right in, and can even be paired with your smartphone for remote monitoring. With a 9,000 BTU sear zone burner and a 12,000 BTU side burner, it’s a mighty grill that’s up to just about any task you could throw its way.
What we love
Infinity ignition meant we were able to get the Genesis II E-335 cooking in no time at all. It was ready to cook in just 10 minutes, and the Flavorizer bars are angled stainless steel, which left a classic grid-mark pattern on steaks and vegetables when grilling.
We were able to pair the probe with our smartphone, and set it to monitor for a specific type of meat and preference in cooking. It alerted us when the meat was at the perfect temperature for juicy, medium-rare steak, with no guesswork involved.
Features
At nearly 85kg, there is no denying that this is a hefty grill. Assembly took a while too, but once we had everything set up and ready to go, it was more than worth the trouble it took to assemble.
You can monitor the grill from your phone but you cannot change the temperature or control it, so keep this in mind when slow cooking your meat.
Homes & Gardens rated 5 out of 5 stars
What we love
Features
Weber’s Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill has a 22-inch diameter that can fit a family-sized amount of hamburgers or hot dogs. For parties though, you may struggle with its singular burner.
What we love
Features
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Are Natural Gas Grills Safe
For the most part, a natural gas grill comes with all the same health and safety risks as a propane grill, with most of the hazards being heat-based. However, since a natural gas grill is connected to your home supply, there is a very small chance that things can go spectacularly wrong if you dont take the proper precautions.
If you have, or are thinking about getting, a natural gas grill, here are some simple safety tips that you can use to minimize any potential risk:
- Make sure you have two gas shut off valves, one near the grill and one near the house. This means that, in the event of a fire, the gas can be shut off without getting near the grill.
- As with any gas grill, never close the lid when you are trying to light it.
- Keep your grill as clean as possible. Removing grease buildup from your grill can help to prevent fires and flare-ups.
- When siting your natural gas grill, make sure to position the grill well away from your house any deck railings or awnings, and out from under eaves. Dont underestimate how hot the air above your grill can become.
- Always remember to turn off both shut-off valves for the gas the moment that you are done with cooking.
Broil King Imperial Xl 6
Get the ultimate grilling experience with the Imperial XL 6-burner grill by Broil King. The Imperial is a great natural gas grill option and is great for cooking for large crowds! The Imperial features two high-power cook boxes, each with its own warming rack and temperature gauge. It also features a side burner and rear rotisserie burner.
The high-performance cooking grids are reversible allowing you to get restaurant-quality sear marks or to capture juices for basting. In addition to the enhanced cooking space, this grill offers ample storage with pull out cabinets, shelves, a condiment bin, and integrated hooks to store plates, utensils, grilling tools all of your cookout essentials.
Features we like:
- Built-in cook box lights and LED control knob lights
- Casters for easy mobility and storage
- 10-year burner warranty
Enjoy free home delivery on this grill and keep up with the latest coupons and deals at Target when you shop through Giving Assistant.
Features we like:
- One oversized burner with 250-850 degree temperature range
- Grill easily removes from pedestal to become a portable grill
- Self cleaning cooking surface
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The Best Grills Of 2019
Grilling season is here, and you’ll find plenty of options staring back at you at your local home improvement store. Picking the best one can be overwhelming, though.
Here are eight of the best-selling grills you can buy right now and how they performed in our testing.
Disclosure: CNET may get a share of revenue from the sale of the products featured in this gallery.
High End Grill Brands
If youre looking for a quick hitting list of brands who manufacture high end grills, check out the below names. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but the brands below make excellent quality grills and any would be a welcome addition to any outdoor kitchen. Weve done deep dive reviews on many of the brands, so click the below links for an in depth review on each.
Its worth pointing out again that this is a high end gas grills round up so some of the premium brand names like Kamado Joe, Traeger, etc. are left off intentionally.
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The Best Gas Grills: An Expert’s View
Top Ten Reviews acquires as many products as possible for side-by-side testing. During each test on gas grills, we record our personal experience, what we liked and disliked about the gas grill, as well as noting each models strengths and weaknesses. In other words, our conclusions are based on real-life testing.
Our evaluation team included four members with years of experience using and reviewing gas grills. On top of that, we reached out to grilling experts and others who use gas grills regularly, asking what they look for when they buy a new grill.
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.
If youre doing something quick, charcoal is fine, but if you are doing a larger project you need the indirect heat that gas grills provide
Antonio Lexerot
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 youre doing something quick, charcoal is fine, but if you are doing a larger project you need the indirect heat gas grills provide.
How Long Do Gas Grills Last For
Though you’re probably making your gas grill investment with this summer in mind, it’s worthwhile to think about how much use you can get out of it for years to come. Given the high temperatures used in grilling, it’s no surprise that wear and tear will have an effect on the quality of your model over time.
Rather than immediately thinking about replacing your gas grill when it loses its shine, it’s best to consider any repairs that can be done to save it. That might include fixing up its regulator or lighting system, so you can get back to flipping burgers, rather than searching for a whole new grill.
Check out the warranty of each potential gas grill model before you buy too. Even though most grills are said to last around 5-15 years, it’s always best to have a guarantee you can fall back on should anything go wrong.
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Are Gas Grills Healthier
Some people raise concerns about carcinogens in caramelized meat, which begs the question whether gas grills are any safer than traditional charcoal grills.
Straight off the bat: NO.
Whichever grill youre using hardly matters but what matters is how long youre cooking the meat and how aggressive the heat is. Regardless of using a grate, pan, or stove, meat cooked on high temperatures carries the same carcinogenic risk.
But does that mean you wont be able to enjoy cooking with gas grills? Not necessarily. You should do fine by sticking to common tips like trimming off the fat, marinating the meat, and monitoring the temperature. And in the end, what matters most is the food and the fun for everyone involved.
Best Medium Capacity: Weber Three
This gas grill has a 52-inch cooking surface, providing you with 529 square inches of space for grilling meat, vegetables, and other food. Additionally, this natural gas grill has a 10-foot flexible hose and grease management system. Its open cart design includes six tool hooks and a built-in lid thermometer.
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