Best Gas Grills For Outdoor Barbecues

Grilling is such an enjoyable pastime that it has become a regular method of cooking for many people. If it’s nice outside, they’re going to be out there cooking some kind of protein over an open flame, then later enjoying a delicious meal. And gas grills are by far the easiest grills to use.

There are many different models, sizes, and types of both propane gas grills and natural gas grills available today. The following guide will help you zero in on the best gas grill for you.

• Best Gas Grill For the Backyard: Char-Broil 4-Burner Grill
• Best For Large Gatherings: Weber Spirit II E-310 Natural Gas Grill 
• Best For Tailgating: Cuisinart Propane Tabletop Grill 
• Best Combination Gas/Charcoal Grill: Blossomz Dual-Fuel Grill
• Best Budget Gas Grill: Char-Broil Classic 280 

Getting Started

While buying your gas grill, keep these factors in mind:

• Size: A large grill may sound appealing, but the larger the grill, the more gas it will consume to get to a proper cooking temperature. Think about not just what you’ll be cooking, but the volume.
• Gas Type: Most gas grills run on propane, meaning you have to buy propane tanks from time to time. Grills that run on natural gas require a gas line out to wherever the grill is located, but once that’s done, you’ll never run out of gas, and you’ll never have to run out to get a fresh tank. They’re also cheaper to operate. 
• Portability: Will the grill be residing in your backyard, or will you want to take it with you on picnics, tailgaters, or other events?
• Features: Will you want warming racks to keep cooked food warm or toast buns? Do you want a side burner to keep sauces warm or boil corn outside?

The Backyard Grill

A gas grill for the backyard typically needs to be large enough to feed a crowd but small enough so that you can cook for only a few people without wasting gas. It should have multiple burners so you can grill at various heat levels simultaneously, and side trays to keep cooked and uncooked foods nearby…as well as a cold drink for the chef. And it should look good. After all, the grill will be a part of your backyard decor.

Best Gas Grill For the Backyard: Char-Broil 4-Burner Grill

See It

The stainless steel finish looks great on this grill, which has an electric start, four burners, porcelain-coated cast iron grates, a swing-away warming rack, side trays, and a side burner that holds a pot or pan. The 425 square inches of cooking space is just the right compromise between small and large grills.  You can order it with a custom grill cover, and roll it out of the way when it’s not in use.

Will You Be Feeding Large Crowds?

If you have a big family or entertain a lot, you’ll need a grill with a lot of cooking space. Typically, grills with over about 500 square inches of grill space are considered large and can generally get the job done for your large family or friend group. A large grill will use more gas, so getting one that runs on natural gas will keep costs down. You’ll have to pay for a natural gas line running out from your home to the grill’s location, but once that’s done, you’ll never run out of gas, and you won’t pay nearly as much for natural gas as you would for propane.

Best Gas Grill For Large Gatherings: Weber Spirit II E-310 Natural Gas Grill 

See It

This Weber grill has a 10-year, 100 percent guarantee and features electronic ignition, three burners, porcelain-enameled flavorizer bars, and a grease management system. The open-cart design has six tool hooks and two large wheels. A built-in lid thermometer lets you keep a constant eye on the cooking temperature.

Small Gas Grills: Grilling on the Go

A gas grill that’s easy to transport gives you the simplicity of cooking anywhere. They heat up fast, with no charcoal to light and no hot ashes to deal with once you’re finished cooking. Many people use small gas grills when tailgating or camping. When looking for a good tailgating grill, consider both its weight and how compactly it can fold up for transport, especially if you’ll be transporting it in a car trunk. Also, consider how many people you’ll be feeding. Portable grills are naturally small, so don’t get one that’s too small for the job.

Best Gas Grill For Tailgating: Cuisinart Propane Tabletop Grill 

It’s lightweight, but with two 20,000 BTU stainless steel burners, you’ll have the power to get even a big job done. An integrated thermometer and adjustable burner knobs help control the heat of the grill with ease. A twist-start automatic ignition means you won’t need matches or a lighter to get it going.

The Gas Grill for the Pro Barbecuer

Some grillmasters love to cook on gas but don’t like to mess with charcoal. Others swear by the taste of meat cooked on charcoal grills, and won’t even think about cooking over a gas grill. Many, however, like cooking on both kinds of grills, and choose depending on what is on the menu that day.

Fortunately, many companies make combination grills that have one side that runs on gas and the other side that uses charcoal for grilling. These are the best of both worlds, allowing you to enjoy the succulent taste of charcoaled meats when you have the time and don’t mind the mess, but also to cook on the gas side when you don’t want to wait a long time for the grill to heat up. If there are occasional fire restrictions where you live, the propane side allows you to cook safely.

Best Combination Gas/Charcoal Grill: Blossomz Dual-Fuel Grill

See It

The gas side of this grill, which features 295 square inches of cooking space, has 3 stainless steel tube burners offering a total of 24,000 BTUs. The charcoal side is nearly as large, with 262 square inches of grilling space. It features an integrated ignition for all burners and dual warming racks. 

Cheap Gas Grills

Cheap gas grills don’t necessarily mean bad gas grills. You just need to be careful when shopping and make sure you choose one with quality components. 

Some of the places companies skimp to make grills cheaper include non-coated cook surfaces, cheaper wheels, lesser quality hardware, little or no warming space, and small controls. Be sure you know what you’re purchasing and hit that “Buy Now” button. There are many good budget gas grills, but there are plenty of bad ones too.

Best Cheap Gas Grill: Char-Broil Classic 280 

See It

This budget Char-Broil grill is a two-burner grill that delivers 20,000 BTUs of heat and 280 square inches of cooking surface—enough space for about 12 burgers. The grates are porcelain-coated, making them very easy to cook on and to clean. It also features a side table and a side burner, perfect for making sides and sauces while you grill.

FAQs

All your gas grill questions answered.

A Final Tip About Gas Grills

If you’ll be buying a propane grill, get an extra propane tank while you’re at it. It’s easy to forget to check the gas level before you start cooking, and having a reserve tank means you’ll never run out of gas midway through your cooking.

Why Trust Outdoor Life

Outdoor Life editors don’t just enjoy hunting and fishing as hobbies, the pursuit of these passions make us who we are. Our writers are diehard outdoors people, too. For more than a century, OL has been evaluating the latest and greatest outdoor gear and providing our readers with no-B.S. reviews. We test products in the field under real-world conditions. We write about the pros and cons of every product we review so that you know exactly what you’re getting if you decide to purchase the gear we cover. Only the best hunting, fishing, backpacking, camping, and survival gear will make the cut in our reviews and roundups. If we’re covering it, you know it’s legit.