Photo: Blackstone
Gas grills are certainly not new. They are very popular in tailgating and other forms of barbecue parties specifically because they burn cleanly (producing practically no smoke) and are easy to use.
However, there are different kinds of these gas grills in the market, with some being small, others large and fully featured, and many other varieties of between. If you want to buy one, this article lists 10 of the best gas grills that you should consider buying.
In this post:
- 10 Best Gas Grills – Review
- 1. Cuisinart CGG-180T – Best Budget Gas Grill
- 2. Char-Griller E3001 – Hottest Gas Grill
- 3. Weber Q1000 – Compact Gas Grill
- 4. Char-Broil Performance 300 – Gas Grill with a Storage Cabinet
- 5. Weber Spirit E-210 – Gas Grill with a Gas Gauge
- 6. Weber Spirit E310 – Gas Grill with a Porcelain-Enameled Lid
- 7. Weber Q1200 – Gas Grill with Side Tables
- 8. Weber Genesis II E-310 – iGrill3 Ready Gas Grill
- 9. Blackstone 1666 – Griddle Gas Grill
- 10. Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 – Infrared Gas Grill
- How to Buy the Best Gas Grill
- Conclusion
10 Best Gas Grills – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
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1. Cuisinart CGG-180T (Best Budget) |
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2. Char-Griller E3001 (Hottest) |
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3. Weber Q1000 (Compact) |
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4. Char-Broil Performance 300 (Has Storage Cabinet) |
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5. Weber Spirit E-210 (Has Gas Gauge) |
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6. Weber Spirit E310 (Has Porcelain-Enameled Lid) |
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7. Weber Q1200 (With Side Tables) |
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8. Weber Genesis II E-310 (iGrill3 Ready) |
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9. Blackstone 1666 (Griddle) |
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10. Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 (Infrared) |
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PRODUCT |
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1. Cuisinart CGG-180T (Best Budget)
|
2. Char-Griller E3001 (Hottest)
|
3. Weber Q1000 (Compact)
|
4. Char-Broil Performance 300 (Has Storage Cabinet)
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5. Weber Spirit E-210 (Has Gas Gauge)
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6. Weber Spirit E310 (Has Porcelain-Enameled Lid)
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7. Weber Q1200 (With Side Tables)
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8. Weber Genesis II E-310 (iGrill3 Ready)
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9. Blackstone 1666 (Griddle)
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10. Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 (Infrared)
|
1. Cuisinart CGG-180T – Best Budget Gas Grill
Photo: Cuisinart
- Burner Heat: 5,500 BTU
- Cooking Surface: 145 square inches
- Number of Burners: 1
If you are on a tight budget, Cuisinart’s CGG-180T is an affordable gas grill to consider buying. That said, the unit has a 145 square-inch porcelain-enameled grate that can fit up to 8 burgers and is heated by a single 5,500 BTU burner.
The setup is held in place by aluminum legs and stabilizing feet, which are foldable for compact storage and transportation, while a built-in lid helps to preserve heat inside and completes the briefcase-style design with a handle for easy carrying.
Other features include easy start piezoelectric ignition and a spill-resistant drip tray. However, you get no side tables and no warming rack.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Foldable aluminum legs for compact storage and transportation
- Built-in lid locks the heat inside for quick cooking
- Easy-to-use piezoelectric ignition
- Spill-resistant drip tray
Cons:
- No side tables
- Lacks a warming rack
2. Char-Griller E3001 – Hottest Gas Grill
Photo: Char-Griller
- Burner Heat: 40,800 BTU
- Cooking Surface: 630 square inches
- Number of Burners: 4
With its 3 independently controlled burners, Char-Griller’s E3001 produces a maximum heat output of 40,800 BTUs, making it the hottest gas grill burner in this review.
There is an additional side burner on the left side table that produces up to 12,000 BTUs and provides an extra cooking space while the right-side table provides a convenient space for keeping ingredients within close reach.
Other features include a lid with a stay-cool handle for comfortable use when hot, a lid-mounted thermometer, an easy-to-move cart design with two wheels, a large 630 square-inch cooking area (438 and 192 square inches for the main and warming racks respectively) and electronic ignition.
However, the grill’s storage cabinet space is not enclosed, which makes it a bit less practical to store some tools that might fall off when moving.
Pros:
- 3 main burners and a side burner (40,800 and 12,000 BTUs respectively)
- Convenient side table
- Lid with a stay-cool handle and thermometer
- Large 630 square-inch cooking surface
Cons:
- The storage cabinet is not enclosed
3. Weber Q1000 – Compact Gas Grill
Photo: Weber
- Burner Heat: 8,500 BTU
- Cooking Surface: 189 square inches
- Number of Burners: 1
This Q1000 is in many ways similar to the Q1200, featuring a compact design, with a strong but lightweight cast aluminum lid and body, making it easy to transport.
A single burner provides up to 8,500 BTU, and it is started by a push-button ignition then controlled via infinite burner valve settings for fine-tuning the flame to your preferred heat level.
Other features include a removable catch pan for cleanly collecting all the grease, a lightweight glass-reinforced nylon frame, large grip handles for comfortable carrying and porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates that distribute heat evenly across the 189-square-inch surface.
However, the unit lacks side tables for holding ingredients within close reach and it does not have a thermometer on its lid for monitoring the temperature level.
Pros:
- Compact and lightweight design for easy transportation
- Infinite control burner valve settings for fine-tuning the temperature level
- Removable catch pan for grease collection
- Large grip handles
Cons:
- No side tables
- No lid-mounted thermometer
4. Char-Broil Performance 300 – Gas Grill with a Storage Cabinet
Photo: Char-Broil
- Burner Heat: 24,000 BTU
- Cooking Surface: 400 square inches
- Number of Burners: 2
Though very large, Char-Broil’s Performance 300 is equipped with a storage cabinet underneath the grill, which provides a convenient space to store your propane gas cylinder and other accessories.
That said, the entire setup is suspended on 4 casters for easy movement and two of them are lockable for stability when cooking.
Two independently controlled stainless-steel burners provide up to 24,000 BTUs to heat up 300 square inches of porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates and a 100 square-inches swing-away warming rack, totaling to 400 square inches.
Other features include a shiny, stylish stainless-steel lid for trapping in the heat, a lid-mounted thermometer for temperature monitoring, 2 side tables for additional working space and a removable grease pan for easy maintenance.
Pros:
- Convenient storage cabinet
- 4 casters for easy movement with 2 lockable ones for stability
- 2 independently controlled burners with a combined output of 24,000 BTUs
- 100 square-inch swing-away rack for food warming
- 2 side tables
Cons:
- Bulky
5. Weber Spirit E-210 – Gas Grill with a Gas Gauge
Photo: Weber
- Burner Heat: 26,500 BTU
- Cooking Surface: 450 square inches
- Number of Burners: 2
Running out of gas can be pretty annoying when cooking. Weber’s Spirit E-210 is equipped with a fuel gauge to help you monitor the gas level in the cylinder so that you can determine when a replacement is due.
Other than that, the grill is fitted with a storage cabinet for holding your gas cylinder and other accessories while two side tables provide extra working space for preparing ingredients to put on the grates.
More features include an easily accessible front grease tray with a catch pan, a porcelain-enameled lid with a built-in thermometer, porcelain-enameled flavorizer barsthat to reduce flareups while adding more flavor to your food and six hooks for hanging your tools within close reach.
However, the unit is quite expensive and also quite bulky, but it gives you a large 450 square-inch cooking surface (a 360 square-inch grate and a 90 square-inch warming rack).
Pros:
- Fuel gauge for keeping tabs on the gas level in the cylinder
- Storage cabinet for keeping the gas cylinder and other accessories
- Easily accessible front grease tray with a catch pan
- Flavorizer bars for adding more flavor to your food
Cons:
- Relatively expensive
- Bulky
6. Weber Spirit E310 – Gas Grill with a Porcelain-Enameled Lid
Photo: Weber
- Burner Heat: 32,000 BTU
- Cooking Surface: 529 square inches
- Number of Burners: 3
Weber’s Spirit E310 is built with durability in mind, having a heavy-duty porcelain-enameled lid that won’t peel or rust overtime. Additionally, the unit has a durable porcelain-enameled cook box and grates, which have a cast-iron core for even heat distribution.
Two side tables are built-in to provide a convenient working space close to the grill while six hooks let you hang your grilling tools within close reach when cooking.
Other features include 3 independently controlled burners with a combined output of 32,000 BTUs, a 529 square-inch cooking area (424 and 105 square-inch primary and warming area respectively) and a storage cabinet for keeping your gas cylinder on board.
On the downside, this grill is quite expensive and bulky but is fitted with 4 casters for easy movement.
Pros:
- Peel and rust-resistant porcelain-enameled lid, cook box and grates
- Two convenient side tables and 6 hanging hooks
- 3 independently controlled burners for versatile cooking
- Large 529 square-inch cooking area
Cons:
- Quite costly
- Bulky
7. Weber Q1200 – Gas Grill with Side Tables
Photo: Weber
- Burner Heat: 8,500 BTU
- Cooking Surface: 189 square inches
- Number of Burners: 1
Weber’s Q1200 is equipped with 2 side tables, 1 on each end of the grill. These provide some extra working space, allowing you to place and prepare ingredients while conveniently close to the cooking surface.
That said, you get a 189 square-inch cooking surface that can fit up to 6 burgers and is composed of porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates that retain heat evenly while searing the food beautifully.
Heat is provided by a single burner, which is quite limiting because it’s not possible to create different heat zones. However, the burner has infinite control settings that allow you to fine-tune the heat level up to 8,500 BTU.
Other features include a grease tray for grease collection, a lid with a mounted thermometer for retaining heat and monitoring the heat level respectively, and electronic ignition for easy starts. However, no cart is included for raising the grill to a comfortable cooking height.
Pros:
- 2 side tables for placing ingredients within close reach
- Evenly-heating porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates
- Infinite control burner valve settings for fine-tuning the heat level
- Easy-to-use electronic ignition
- Lid and thermometer for retaining heat and temperature monitoring
Cons:
- Only equipped with a single burner
- Carrying cart not included
8. Weber Genesis II E-310 – iGrill3 Ready Gas Grill
Photo: Weber
- Burner Heat: 39,000 BTU
- Cooking Surface: 669 square inches
- Number of Burners: 3
Though very expensive, Weber’s Genesis II E-310 is quite unique because it is iGrill3 ready, which means you can fit in an additional digital Bluetooth thermometer so as to easily monitor the temperature and gas tank level in real-time remotely.
However, this thermometer and its probes are not included in the set. What is included is a lid with a thermometer mounted on it and a stay-cool handle for easy opening of the cooking area when hot.
You also get three independently adjustable burners with a combined output of 39,000 BTUs, 2 side tables and a 669 square inch (primary, 513 and warming, 156) cooking surface, which is very large.
However, the unit has an open cart design, which is not ideal for storing cooking accessories when moving.
Pros:
- iGrill3 (digital Bluetooth thermometer) ready
- Stay-cool lid handle for comfortable use
- 3 independently adjustable burners
- Large 669 square-inch cooking area
Cons:
- Expensive
- Open cart design. Not ideal for storage during transportation
9. Blackstone 1666 – Griddle Gas Grill
Photo: Blackstone
- Burner Heat:24,000 BTU
- Cooking Surface: 330 square inches
- Number of Burners: 2
As opposed to having a grate as the cooking surface, Blackstone’s 1666 is equipped with a griddle cooktop, which is easier to clean, prevents flareups and cooks the meat in its grease and juices, preventing loss of flavor.
That said, the excess grease and juices are directed to flow through a grease channel at the back and into a collection tray. This prevents the food from being too fatty and also simplifies the cleaning process.
Other features include 2 independently adjustable H burners that heat evenly and create different heat zones so that you can cook and warm simultaneously and a 330 square-inch cooking surface. Combined, these features make this the top-rated gas grill in this review.
On the downside, this unit lacks a top lid for covering and preserving heat inside, and it has no side tables for holding ingredients.
Pros:
- Easy-to-clean griddle cooktop
- Rear channel and tray for grease collection
- 2 independently adjustable burners create different heat zones for versatile cooking
- H burners for even heating
Cons:
- No side tables
- Lacks a top lid
10. Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 – Infrared Gas Grill
Photo: Char-Broil
- Burner Heat: 9,500 BTU
- Cooking Surface: 200 square inches
- Number of Burners: 1
Wrapping up the list is Char-Broil’s Grill2Go X200, which incorporates the use of infrared technology to heat the food.
Infrared heat penetrates food without drying it or forcing the juices out. The result of this is faster cook times, no flavor loss, no flare-ups and minimal grease accumulation, which makes the grill cleaner to use.
Other than that, the unit has a solid, high-impact frame that is built for traveling and it is fitted with legs for stability and large handles for comfortable carrying.
More features include a 200 square inch stainless steel grate, a lid-mounted thermometer, and a push-button ignition. On the downside, you get no side tables and a stand or table is required since the built-in legs are very short.
Pros:
- Infrared heating prevents flare-ups
- Strong and durable high-impact frame
- Large, comfortable carrying handles
- Easy-to-use push-button ignition
Cons:
- Requires a table or stand
- No side tables
How to Buy the Best Gas Grill
Photo: Char-Broil
1. BTU
BTU stands for British Thermal Unit and it is a measure of the amount of heat produced per time, mostly per hour. The higher the BTU rating, the hotter the grill will be, which means faster cooking.
In most cases, a high BTU is associated with having multiple burners and therefore, grills with multiple burners tend to cook faster.
2. Cooking Area
This is a very important factor to consider because a larger cooking area can prepare more food at a time, making it suitable for a large group or party. On the other hand, smaller grills are best for small families when camping or tailgating.
Read More: The Best Tailgate Grills
Also, the size of the cooking surface is usually proportional to the size and weight of the grill. As such, a larger cooking surface means a heavier and bulkier unit that is not easily portable and requires more space to set up.
3. Number of Burners
A grill with many independent burners is advantageous for various reasons. For starters, it allows you to create different heat zones within the cooking surface so that you can cook on one side if preparing food for few people or fire up the whole area when preparing lots of food.
Multiple burners also create a hotter cooking surface that cooks faster and they usually cover a wider cooking area, making the grill ideal for preparing food for many people.
However, the more the number of burners, the more expensive the grill is. Therefore, you should consider this factor based on the price and the number of people you want to serve.
For instance, a 2-burner grill is ideal for serving 5-8 people, a 3-burner for 8-12 people and a 4-burner for a big party. If you are on a tight budget, a single burner grill will do.
4. Warming Rack
Warming racks are meant to cook food at lower temperatures or keep it warm after exiting the main cooking surface.
It is very convenient to have as it increases the size of the cooking area and is ideal for warming ingredients that don’t require cooking in high heat, such as the veggies for burgers.
5. Fuel Tank
For compatibility purposes, you need to check which tank size the grill is compatible with before buying.
Smaller units are usually compatible with small 1-poundcylinders while the large ones can fit 20-pound cylinders in their storage cabinets. Depending on the cylinder size that you have, buy a compatible grill.
6. Ease of Cleaning
Grilling produces a lot of grease and juices, which tend to bake on the hot grates after heating for a long time. For ease of cleaning, these grates should be coated with a non-stick material such as porcelain. The best grill should actually be coated all around with porcelain to prevent sticking.
Another important feature to have is a grease collection tray to hold all the excess fluids for clean disposal later on.
7. Portability
Size and weight do play a crucial role in determining the portability of a grill but certain features can enhance this even if the unit is large and heavy.
For instance, a grill with large wheels and handles is much easier to move than one without. These two features are highly recommended if you want to buy a big grill because you will be able to roll it easily into position.
However, such grills are not built for traveling. If you want a grill to carry to summer camps or for the road trip, get a small piece that does not occupy a lot of space.
Conclusion
All in all, gas grills are quite popular and they are available in different sizes with different numbers of burners and many other different features.
That said, the buying guide above covers all the important factors that you should consider so as to pick your best gas grill from the ones listed in the review.