The 5 Best Gas Grills On The Market - An Expert Review
Shopping for a new gas grill can become overwhelming. How do you choose the right size, brand, etc.? Don't worry, The experts at The BBQ Depot are here to help! In this article we're going to dive into:
- what to look for in a gas grill
- grill features to consider
- budget, sizing, construction, and heat output
- our top 5 picks for easy shopping
Are you ready to walk through the basics of finding a great grill? Are you ready to make shopping easy by checking out our top 5 gas grill options? Don't wait, read our full article below:
Which Gas Grill To Buy?
It's hard to top the convenience and usability of a gas grill.
- They’re easy to set up, turn on and off, and maintain the right temperature for your grilling needs
- They light up quickly, heat up fast, and have plenty of room to fire up a healthy meal for the whole family
- Once the smoke clears, you also don’t have to worry about a messy cleanup at your grilling station
But what sets the best gas grills apart from the rest?
Here's what you need to consider before committing to a gas grill purchase:
What Size Grill To Buy
One of the most important factors to consider when buying a grill is its size. Often customers think that grill sizing is directly related to the number of burners, cooking space, and how hot a grill will get, but that's not always the case! For instance, grills with Straight Tube Burners require more burners than U Burners to cover the same grilling surface area. That’s why Consumer Reports breaks down its gas grill sizes based on the number of patties a barbecue can fit instead of the overall size of the grill.
Consumer Reports has divided grills into 3 different sizing categories:
- Small grills, which hold 18 or fewer burger patties. These are best suited for small families or those planning smaller cookouts. They’re also more portable and compact, which can help if you have limited yard space.
- Mid-sized grills, which hold between 18 and 28 burger patties. This is a popular choice due to their manageable size, and their ability to handle bigger BBQ parties.
- Larger grills, which hold over 28 burger patties. These grills offer the largest cooking area and a higher number of burners, which means they pack a powerful grilling punch. These grills are best for those who take grilling seriously, have bigger budgets, and have ample space to set up their grill.
Durable Gas Grills
The way you take care of your grill plays a huge role in both the the longevity of your grill and the safety of your food. However, at the end of the day the durability of your grill comes down to its construction (quality of parts, materials, etc.). Here's what to look for:
- avoid low-grade stainless steel and poor-quality parts
- don't only look for the cheapest option - these grills often have parts that deteriorate quickly
Grill BTUs & Heat Output
British Thermal Units (BTUs) are the standard measurement for how much heat a burner generates while lit. Many companies advertise high BTUs as being the best option, but it’s important to remember that a high BTU rating doesn’t always translate to a "hotter" grill. Total BTUs is calculated by taking the single burner BTU and multiplying it by the total number of main burners in the grill (it excludes the rotisserie back burner).
- Most gas grills are capable of 25,000 to 60,000 total BTUs.
- Some of the higher end brands can have over 75,000 total BTUs.
The BTUs you actually need depends a lot on the grill’s size and style of burner. It can take six or more straight burners to equal the BTUs of 3 U Burners. It just depends on the engineering of the grill. A compact grill, for example, won’t need a high BTU for effective heat distribution.
To determine the right BTU, divide the number of BTUs by the total square inches of cooking surface. Aim for about 100 to 110 BTUs per square inch.
Gas Grill Features
A standard gas grill will always come with:
However, many grills come with a number of additional features that can truly upgrade your grilling experience, such as:
- Infrared Sear Burners
- Digital Heat Gauges
- Smoking trays
- Lighted Control Knobs
- Griddles
- Rotisseries
- Smart grilling with remote Wi-Fi access
Gas Grill Pricing
The price for a gas grill can range from as little as $300 to over $10,000.
- If you're planning on intensive grilling, or need to feed a large number of people, you might want to look for a larger grill with professional grilling power and all the built-in grill features.
- If grilling is more of a casual weekend activity for only a few people, you might want to consider an inexpensive, entry-level grill or a downsized portable grill. Usually, these will run you less than $500!
While quality isn't always tied to price, the performance you get is the performance you pay for. Invest in a top-quality grill and you'll be rewarded with years of reliable grilling.
Top 5 Gas Grills On The Market
Ready to order your new gas grill? We've rounded up the top 5 gas grills on the market below - featuring tried-and-tested brands that have been delivering consistent results for years!
1. Weber Summit FS38E
If you’re on the hunt for a solid, reliable gas grill, Weber is one of the first brands you should consider. As a well-established brand, Weber grills are known for delivering consistent cooking results. Their Summit Grills line includes their top of the line models. With high-quality construction and a wide temperature range, these high-performing grills are well worth the investment.
The featured Weber FS38E includes:
- 5 stainless steel burners totaling 65,000 BTUs
- Top-down infrared broiler that can caramelize meats & veggies, and create a perfect rotisserie chicken
- Heavy-duty, integrated rotisserie
- Back Lit LED Knobs
- Heavy duty expandable stainless grates & cooking space for 35 burgers or 25 steaks
- Stainless-steel smoker box allows you to add a wood-smoked flavor
- Side burner for heating sauces and sides
2. Alfresco ALXE
Alfresco's top-of-the-line grills are restaurant-inspired, and built with a grill master in mind. Featuring commercial-grade construction and performance, their grills include high-performance Accufire burners and a fully airtight gas grill cover for the best heat retention.
The most popular model, Alfresco ALXE 42-inch gas grill, includes;
- three Blue Flame Burners
- an optional restaurant-quality infrared sear zone that can reach 1600°F that can replaces one blue flame burner
- an integrated rotisserie system with an infrared burner. Like most Alfresco grills, this model comes at a steep price
- a lifetime warranty on the grill’s stainless steel components and Main U burners. The sear burner is five years.
3. Artisan AAEP-32
Artisan grills feature a sleek yet retro design, constructed of durable stainless steel with a spring-assisted hood. Their gas grill hoods are double-lined with seamless welds to add durability and to insulate the grill for retained heat.
For a straightforward and more affordable grilling experience, Artisan offers the American Eagle line, including the Artisan AAEP-32. This model offers an array of features that are normally found on more expensive models, like:
- two stainless steel U-burners with 20,000 BTUs of heat output
- warming racks
- built-in thermometer
- powerful 9v electronic ignition
4. Solaire Everywhere
Solaire grills are built first and foremost for durability and simplicity. With heavy-gauge welded, stainless steel construction, and a double-lined hood, these grills are made for toughness! They also use infrared technology that produces radiant direct heat, which:
- leads to a rapid heating time — requiring just three minutes to preheat the cooking surface
- allows you to cook your food quickly while retaining moisture
Solaire's unique heating technology packs a powerful punch, especially in its ultra-compact grill — the Solaire Everywhere. A more affordable choice for many grillers, it's one of the most portable grills on the market today. The Everywhere features:
- a single burner that is powered by 14,000 BTU's
- a weight of just 15 pounds
This grill is a great choice to for camping trips and tailgate cookouts.
5. Twin Eagles Eagle One
The Twin Eagles Eagle One is the ultimate luxury grill and certainly isn’t cheap. With a price tag of over $10,000, it takes a huge upfront investment, but what you get in return is an impressive synergistic grilling system that combines direct and radiant heat to reach higher temperatures, distribute heat more evenly, and give you full control over the temperature.
The grill is divided into different zones, allowing you to cook different types of food at the same time while maintaining the correct temperature levels to assure each dish is cooked perfectly. It’s also engineered with an air drafting feature, which pushes the hot air onto the cooking surface for more efficient heating while taking stress off the burners.
This grill is also loaded features, such as:
- Rotisserie back burner
- Chef-grade cooking grates
- Ambient illumination
- 25,000 BTU per burner
- Internal halogen light
- Smoker box
- Warming rack
- Proprietary 5-part grilling system
Get The Best Gas Grills At The Best Price At The BBQ Depot
From first-time gas grill buyers to seasoned grill masters, it isn’t easy picking out the best grill in a crowded market. Whatever type of gas grill you need, we've got it. From portable, lightweight models you can take camping to the luxurious, ultra-efficient 5-burner models that can tackle a cookout of any size, there’s something out there for every griller.
Ready to find your perfect grill? Shop our top 5 grills from this article or shop all of our grills now!
Want help finding the perfect grill? Contact our team of experts now!
