Royal Gourmet Gd: Best Gas Grill With Griddle For Tailgate Parties
Reasons to avoid
If youre looking for a portable grill with a greater cooking area than most, Royal Gourmets four-burner gas grill and griddle combo could be the one for you. With almost 600 square inches of hot surface split between grill bars and a substantial griddle and folding legs which allow it to fit into just about any trunk. The Royal Gourmet GD401 4-Burner Folding Gas Grill Griddle is a great choice for setting up a tailgate station, though it does skim the limits of portability in terms of weight.
Theres plenty of heat to offer your food, with four individually adjustable burners, but wed be careful about purchasing this if you dont have an inside space in which to store it as theres no lid to keep the elements off. That also limits its potential in terms of the specific things you can cook – but we dont think anyones going to mind if you just load them up with burgers.
Home Depots user score for the Royal Gourmet GD401 4-Burner Folding Gas Grill Griddle averages at 4.2 out of 5 stars, which isnt bad, though there are a number of negatives regarding the materials prematurely rusting and certain grills having slight quality control flaws out of the box. There are plenty of positives, however – this seems to be a grill users love for its simplicity and versatility, with the two side tables giving lots of options, though you may want to supply your own lid.
The 12 Best Gas Grills You Can Buy In 2021
From Weber to Napoleon, we’ve tested gas grills that cost less than $100 up to grills that cost more than a used car.
This definitive guide to the best gas grills of 2021 explores everything you need to know to find a gas grill best suited to your needs, including features to look for, materials, looks and price. Gas grill not for you? Check out our guides to charcoal and pellet grills.
Kamado Grills: Factors To Consider
AirflowJust like regular charcoal grills, kamado grills rely on airflow to regulate heat. More air moving over the coals lets a fire burn hotter, while limiting the flow keeps coals just lit, for low-and-slow cooking. Look for a model with a tight-fitting lid and solid dampers or vents. Many kamado grills have a gasket on the lid, and even locking latches, to create the tightest seal possible. Some kamado grills also have multiple dampers, which makes it easier to fine-tune the temperature youre shooting for.MaterialWe divide kamado grills into two categories: ceramic and nonceramic. Ceramic grills tend to be heavier, with inch-thick walls all the way around. Nonceramic models are made of metal. They tend to weigh less and to be more maneuverable.
Recommended Reading: What Kind Of Weber Grill Do I Have
How Do You Use A Smoker Box On A Gas Grill
If your grill has a smoker box, you can cook delicious, flavorful food quite easily. Start by soaking wood chips in water for at least 30 minutes, which will prevent them from catching on fire. Pre-heat your grill for 10 to 15 minutes, then place the wood chips into the smoker box using tongs. Close the lid of the box, as well as the grill’s lid, and wait for it to start producing smoke. From here, you can lower the grill temperature and arrange your food on the grates over the unlit burners.
Gas Grill Vs Charcoal Grill
If youre buying a grill, your first decision is which type of fuel: charcoal or gas.
Gas grills offer three big benefits:
- Control: Adjusting the heat is a simple matter of turning the burner knobs, so you can easily prevent burning or undercooking, as well as create different heat zones by shutting down one or more burner . You can do the same with charcoal, too, but it takes workyou need to move the coals around and adjust the vents.
- Convenience: Gas grills turn on with the press of a button and heat up fast. Charcoal grills require 20 minutes or so to light the coals and another 10 minutes or so for the grates to heat up.
- Cleanliness: Gas grills dont generate much smoke and dont produce ash or embers the way charcoal grills do, so cleanup is simpleyou just have to brush and wipe the grates and empty the grease trap after youre done cooking.
That said, charcoal grills have several upsides of their own. Charcoal burns hotter than gas, so you can get a superior sear on burgers and steaks. You can buy an exceptional, do-everything charcoal grill for $150 gas grills start at around $200, and youll spend at least twice that on a really good one. Lastly, theres the romance factor: For some people, its more fun to play with fire than to twiddle a few knobs.
Read Also: Smoking Steaks On A Traeger
How Many Btu Does Your Propane Grill Needs
Science and technical terms are often a source of confusion when researching potential purchases. In terms of propane grills, BTUs are widely discussed without discerning what significance they actually have.
Once youre aware of what BTUs are and their importance to a grills performance, you can buy with confidence. While the number of BTUs is important, the grills overall quality plays a huge part.
General rule of thumb is looking for 80-100 BTUs per square inch of space, per burner. Any more than that is overkill and risks burning your food, any less and youll find yourself cooking longer and often drying out your meal just getting it to the proper temperature.
Heres more details on what is a good BTU for a gas grill
Top Rated Natural Gas Grills For 2021
Best Overall Natural Gas Grill
Whether you are looking for a new natural gas grill to fit your homes natural gas utility line, or want to replace an older grill, we have the model thats right for you. With that in mind, our experts at BBQGuys have created this list of the best freestanding natural gas grills by picking out stable supplier lines and inventory availability through the COVID-19 pandemic, then appraising picks by grill class and considering the following important factors:
Quality – We look at everything from the reliability and thickness of the grill parts & materials used in construction, to how well the flame tamer system protects the grills burners. Many of these gas grills are constructed from high grade materials like 304 commercial grade stainless steel or rust-proof cast aluminum. Most have excellent warranties or are even backed for a lifetime.
Performance – How well a grill performs depends on numerous factors: high heat capability, even heat distribution, wide temperature range, and minimal flare-ups. When we tested these grills at our BBQGuys showroom, they scored well in these categories, which has earned them a spot on our list.
Value – We define a natural gas grills value as the point where the overlap of its quality, features, & performance correlate to its cost. Its not enough for a grill to be simply the best it must also make every dollar count.
Recommended Reading: Grilling Boneless Chicken Breasts On Gas Grill
Best Gas Grill Of 2021
Become a grill master with these top-rated gas grills.
Winter is inching closer, but grilling season is still on — especially with football tailgating now in full swing. If you’re looking for the best grill for cooking outside, there are plenty to choose from. You could get a charcoal grill, an electric grill, a kamado grill, a freestanding grill, a pellet grill, a portable grill or a tabletop grill, but most grilling enthusiasts opt for gas grills, which are a great choice if you’re looking to replace an old charcoal or electric grill.
Gas grills are also perfect for grilling newbies because they’re easy to use, heat up quickly and are roomy enough to feed the whole family . And many come equipped with nifty features like a temperature gauge, a rotisserie burner, a sear burner, flavorizer bars, different cooking grids, stainless steel grill grates and battery-powered electronic ignition.
To help you find the best gas grills, we put a bunch of the best-selling models through their paces by cooking up burgers, whole chickens, ribs and more. This list is updated periodically.
Get the best reviews, videos and comparisons in CNET’s Smart Home and Appliances newsletter.
Best Overall: Camp Chef 36
With so many amazing grills out there, its a losing battle trying to name the best one around, because not everyone will agree. So, after much deliberation, we awarded the Camp Chef 36-inch Wi-Fi Woodwind Pellet Grill & Smoker With Sidekick as the best overall grill. We selected it because of its versatility and performance. Being a pellet grill, you have the option of infusing your food with smoky flavor as with a charcoal grill or smoker. You can also grill with almost the same speed and intensity as a gas grill. It has a slide and grill flame management system, which under a direct flame will produce temperatures of up to 650 degrees Fahrenheit .
The included sidekick, including a cast-iron griddle , also cooks with actual gas and is a handy tool for achieving heavy sears, toasting bread/buns, or any other type of cooking you might need a flat top for. It has a chamber capacity of 7,000 cubic inches and a cooking rack area of 1,236 square inches. It has a straightforward digital control panel for selecting your temperature and smoke levels. Finally, the icing on the cake is the four-probe Wi-Fi-enabled smart grilling system that allows you to monitor your meats temperature through the control panel or a smartphone app. On top of everything, the stainless steel design makes this beautiful grill easy on the eyes.
Also Check: Clean Weber Stainless Steel Grates
Coleman Roadtrip 225 Portable Propane Grill
Why youll love it:
Small in price and size, but good value.
From tailgating in parking lots before the big game to cooking in campgrounds without power, this little Coleman grill can handle it all. It has a compact design that can fit into the trunk of your car but features all the cooking space that you need. When you lift the lid, youll see grates inside with 225 square inches of space for all your food.
Cooking for a crowd or a group is easy with this model because it features two burners that each have a control knob on the outside. Coleman added graphics that show you which way to turn each one to increase and decrease the heat. It also features a push ignition that brings the grill to life in seconds when you hook up a propane cylinder and press down on the button.
When it comes to cooking greasy and fatty foods, youll like the grease collection pan located on the base of the grill. All the grease and other liquids that fall off your foods will land in this pan. You can add some water to keep the grease from sticking and dump the pan when you finish cooking.
How Do You Cook On A Gas Grill
Like any cooking technique, mastering a gas grill takes time and practice. Here are some general tips to get you started:
- Light the grill: Connect the propane tank to the grill using the grill’s hose, open the valve on the propane tank all the way, turn the burners to the lightning bolt symbol, and press the ignite button.
- Always preheat: Just like you would preheat an oven before use, you should also preheat a grill. This not only helps clean the grill but ensures the cooking grates get nice and hot for searing. You can preheat a grill by turning all the burners on and closing the grill lid for 5-10 minutes.
- Use cooking zones: Once the grill is preheated, you usually won’t need all the burners on unless you’re cooking for a crowd. Turn one burner off to act as a “cool” zone on your grill, where you can place food that is close to being done or needs to cook slower. Place foods that you want to sear or cook quickly over the lit burners.
- Close the lid: When you cook with the lid open, you let a lot of heat out. When you first place foods on the grill, close the lid to help the temperature recover. You can cook with the lid open when you get closer to your food being done.
Recommended Reading: Grilling Temp For Pork Tenderloin
Traeger Pro 575 Pellet Grill
Best pellet grill
Reasons to avoid
Traeger Pro 575 Pellet Grill makes the process of smoking pretty much stress free. You add hardwood pellets to a hopper, set a target temperature, and the grill does the rest. It has an electronically-controlled thermostat that works like the one in your indoor oven. The only caveat is that if the temp you want is super-hot to get a steak browned and crusty on the outside and rosy on the inside, you wont be getting it from this grill which tops out at 500°F.
If you want to go about your yard work, or even just loll in a hammock while your ribs are smoking, you can connect the Traeger to an app which will let you know when its time to baste, raise the temp to finish them off, or alert you that theyre ready to serve.
Reasons to avoid
Instead of grates, the Blackstone 36″ Griddle Cooking Station has the kind of large flat cooking surface you see in diners. That gives you room for 28 burgers at once, and means your hot dogs and shrimp wont fall through the slats.
Underneath are four burners that you can set to different temperatures, so you can keep garlic bread warm on low while simultaneously searing some steaks. Just keep in mind that you wont get grill marks, and wont be able to smoke ribs or brisket.
The Best Gas Grill Under $: Char
Courtesy of Char-Griller
Low-cost gas grills are the instrument of choice for most residential outdoor cooks, so were always on the lookout for models that deliver a lot of bang for the buck. They are rare because, to restate the obvious, you usually get what you pay for. And apart from their Akorn Kamado, we have not been fans of Char-Griller products. However, Grillin Pros exceptional performance for a gas grill under $300 was a welcome surprise. Many gas grills, especially low cost models, can’t produce high enough temperatures for effective searing. Not Grillin’ Pro. We cranked this unassuming gasser way past 800°F to super sear steaks! You have to screw around removing the fold out warming rack to make room for a whole chicken, but you wont need to do a thing to enjoy Grillin Pros pure power. Shoppers with realistic expectations looking for a gas grill in this price range would do well to consider Grillin Pro. Its not built to last and will probably only provide a few years of optimal use, especially if it isn’t covered and maintained, but it will out-sear any comparably priced gasser we know of.
Cooking Area: 390 square inches
Heat Flux: 104.62 BTUs/square inch
Don’t Miss: Akorn Professional Char Griller
Best Griddle: Royal Gourmet Pd1300 Portable 3
-
Prone to hot spots
Griddles are great for cooking everything from breakfast foods like eggs and pancakes to side dishes like roasted veggies or shrimp, and the Royal Gourmet Portable 3-Burner Gas Griddle is an affordable option for your outdoor cooking needs. It’s powered by three individually controlled burners that deliver a total of 27,000 BTUs, and its porcelain-enameled flat top offers 326 square inches of cooking space, which can fit up to 15 hamburger patties at once.
A removable grease drip cup collects liquids while you cook, making the griddle easy to clean, and the unit’s compact and lightweight design makes it easy to take camping or to a tailgate.
Dimensions: 25.2 x 18.1 x 9.4 inches | TotalCooking Area: 326 square inches | BTUs: 27,000
The Char-Broil Classic Series 3-Burner Gas Grill is an extremely well-priced option, as it features three burners, 360 square inches of cooking space, and total heat output of 30,000 BTUs. However, if you’re looking for a portable option, check out the Weber Q1000 , which is an ideal choice for camping, tailgating, and more.
These Gas Grills Are A Steal
Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer. She’s an expert on all things home, including kitchen appliances, grills, and other cooking gadgets.
Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the bestproducts youcan learn more about ourreview process here.We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.
The Spruce Eats / Photo Illustration by Chloe Jeong / Retailers below
A top-of-the-line gas grill can cost thousands of dollars, but if you’re looking to spend less than that, there are certainly options for you. While you won’t be getting a professional-grade product that lasts forever, a budget-friendly version should get you through years of barbecuing hot dogs, hamburgers, steaks, and moreas long as you take the proper steps to clean and maintain it. Because there are so many options on the market today , we tested and researched top-rated brands to help find the best option for you.
Here, the best gas grills under $250.
Don’t Miss: What Temperature To Grill Pork Chops
Blackstone 22 Inches Tabletop Grill Portable Gas Griddle
This Blackstone 22-inch Gas Tabletop having 2 Burner Griddle and 330 square inches is designed perfectly as a transportable unit. It measures 22.5 x 19 x 9 inches and weighs 32 pounds. The heating power is 24,000 BTU with two H-style heavy-duty burners.
Noticeable Features
Experience a perfect size griddle with adjustable heat zones, a rear grease system, and portability. Also, it is small and convenient to use. It includes heavy-duty burners, which mainly distribute the heat equally on the surface.
This means having meals that are perfectly cooked. You can cook a wide variety of food on its 330 square inches surface, which would cook big and enough meals for many people. Moreover, it is easy to install that you only need 10 minutes of work. Now cooking is a lot easier outdoors with this Blackstone grill.
This tabletop grill doesnt take ages to cook your food. It can take place grills in full size. You are hitting two birds with one stone with it because it lets you keep your food warm on the other side and cook on the other side. No worries and no regrets.
