This is our all-in-one, no holds barred, best researched, thoroughly vetted (with a beer in hand) Ultimate Grill Guide to rule all the others.
If you’re considering it, we’ve researched it.
And then we’ve organized it into this badass list so you can sort based on your specific grill needs, budget and overall must-haves. We also included some of the more obscure options in case you’re ready to be surprised.
This list is designed to make finding your perfect backyard sanctuary devoted to all things meat EASY so you can spend the rest of your time stocking your beer fridge and perfecting your next rub.
You can thank us after your next successful family barbecue.
Contents
Ok burger boss. My favorite grills of all time in one spot. These are broken down since one size does not fit all when it comes to grilling. We have the Budget, Value, High-end and showstopper categories. Enjoy!
I personally own the Value grill, the Weber Spirit. It is actually the older version because Weber’s are kick ass and they really do last forever.
Use the buttons below to jump down the list. Each category has 10 of the best. Whether you are in the market for a portable, a two-burner or buying based on the price, we’ve researched it all.
This grill falls just within a $300 budget and man is it a little beauty. Char Broil has made some recent upgrades to this model and in addition to some fun features, you’ll notice lots more stainless steel.
The Char-Broil 463377319 is comfortably sized, offering 425 square inches of primary cooking space, with an additional 150 square inches of swing-away secondary cooking surface area. It’s also powerful, with 36,000 BTUs for the main burners and an extra 10,000 on the lidded stainless steel side-burner.
It also has some real top-level, experience-enhancing specs:
The Performance features rust-resistant porcelain-coated cast iron grates, a favorite for even, consistent cooking. These are paired with four stainless steel top=ported burners made for max durability and precise temperature control for fine-tuning your cook.
Getting the grill fired up is similarly smooth, simply pressing Char-Broil’s electronic ignition system produces just the right amount of heat and power. You don’t need to manually ignite and deal with the unreliability of a poor starter.
Comfortable cooking goes a long way in keeping me in a good mood, especially when I’m grilling in 100+ degree weather (I live in California).
Char-Broil’s sizable metal side shelves provide ample work space to make prep and finishing smooth and hassle-free. My family enjoys the freshness of a barbecued meal and I am constantly using the extra space to hold spices, prep veggies, sauces, baked potatoes, kabobs, you name it. The side shelves really are large enough to accommodate just about anything a serious grill man might need at the ready.
I also really appreciate that the side burner is lidded, so I can prep on top of it when not in use.
Char-Broil’s grease tray is also especially easy to remove and clean. After cooking sessions are done, you don’t have to struggle to clean up and remove grease from the grill – my least favorite task. The smooth, coated tray makes even the most stubborn grease easy to get rid of after dumping.
Like I said earlier, great savings doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of durability. Char-Broil’s exclusively stainless steel lid, handle, and side shelves support the equipment’s long-lasting usability and customers rave about the quality of the construction. I also have to report, these features make the Char-Broil look pretty bad ass and expensive, boosting your grill cred with the neighbors as well as friends and family.
When you’re trying to keep to a budget, the styling of a grill isn’t something you normally get to consider.
The Char-Griller is a top pick for me, not only because it has a great list of key features, but it is also a bad ass looking machine and reminds me of professional smoker-style grills.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not just into it for looks, this grill ranks at the top because it’s powerful, and reasonably spacious for the price tag. The great styling is just a nice bonus to make the neighbors jealous.
TheE3001 Grillin’ Pro offers 40,800 BTUs of total grilling power over a roomy 438 square inches. This is slightly smaller than the Char-Broil in our top spot, but nothing so significant that you’re really going to notice. It also has a 192 square inch warming rack, which is great for toasting buns, and a nice 12,000 BTU side burner, which I like for grilling up some onions for burners or hot dogs.
The construction on the Char-Griller is also a highlight. It’s made of durable steel in a matte black powder coated finish with pop up side shelves for easy prep work. Built to last.
Built-in utensil hooks make it convenient to store just about any tool you need to make grilling easy and efficient when you have a hungry horde of family waiting for a rack of ribs or the next steak.
Porcelain coated cooking grates make for even, consistent sear marks and grilling and the dual stacks on top help maintain a regulated cooking temperature throughout. The electronic ignition system also makes it easy to get the grill up and running at full steam.
Clean up is also pretty low maintenance with a sizable, removable grease tray for drippings. I don’t usually clean mine after each grilling session, and the roominess of this one is great if you prefer to wait, like me.
This is an excellent everyday grill for the backyard enthusiast who doesn’t need a lot of frills, but wants to be able to consistently cook a range of meats for a medium sized gathering of friends and family. It’s also a beast for the price tag!
The first time I saw the Fuego FELG21C, I wasn’t sure if I should cook on it or send it up into space.
It’s the brainchild of a former designer from Apple and it’s a definite stand out on this list for it’s circular design and innovative tech approach to grilling. It’s not your average shape or technology and I definitely see this as a top pick for millennial grillers with small spaces.
In terms of heat, like it’s name suggests, this grill really brings it. The main selling point for the Fuego is that it heats up to 500 degrees in just 5 minutes. Thanks to its dual zone heating system, the Fuego gives you the option of cooking just on the outer burner for lower temp, slower cooking, or to turn on the second burner to make full use of the 650 degrees of heat it can produce.
Cook power is an upgraded 22,000 BTUs/hour.
The design makes excellent use of space, and there are no hotspots, so you can cook perfectly on every inch of the space it provides. The round grill is deceptively large, and you can fit 10-15 burgers on without issue on the 346 square inch cooking area. the cooking grate itself is cast iron with an optional griddle or pizza stone attachment if you want to bump up your versatility.
Fuego also recently added a hinged 45 degree lid so you’re no longer fully removing and handling it like you would a classic Weber charcoal grill lid. This is a really sweet convenience factor that also helps with safety in addition to overall ease of use.
Another new feature Fuego added to this model is an easy-to-clean drop through residue removal system which allows grease to descend straight through the grill into an accessible drop tray that can be popped out for a quick emptying when full.
This is a great grill for the more tech-minded griller who doesn’t have or need much space.
If you loved our top grill pick but aren’t as interested in having so much cook space, and would prefer a lower price tag, then this 2 burner version is a solid contender.
This more compact version of the Char-Broil Performance is a great compact grilling machine that has most of the same features of the larger, 4-burner style. It offers: 24,000 BTUs of total cooking power, 300 square inches of main cook space, a 100 square inch swing-away warming rack, a stainless steel lid, standard electronic ignition for a reliable start-up, and folding metal side shelves for prep work.
The cooking grates are porcelain-coated and easy to clean, while providing even heat transfer to whatever you’re grilling.
We really like this grill if you have less pace to devote to grilling and for the price, it’s impossible to find something that delivers more value.
Cuisinart is known for its small, ubiquitous kitchen appliances and also for its portable, tabletop style grills, but a lesser known product is their more limited selection of full-sized grills that have a solid reputation in the mid-range category.
The CGG-7400 is one of the bigger options on our list for this price range, but it is definitely more bare bones in terms for bells and whistles in exchange. The design is simpler, more streamlined and the main selling point is the fourth burner.
So what can you expect from the 7400 in terms of specs? Overall size is spacious with a 443 square inch primary cooking area with an additional warming rack at 167 square inches. As I mentioned, you’re getting four stainless steel burners at 11,000 BTUs each for a combined 44,000 BTUs of overall power.The cooking grates are a more basic cast iron, no porcelain coating here. Cuisinart also included a twist start ignition and a lid-mounted temperature gauge.
The overall construction is primarily stainless steel with a basic cart design on casters. Two permanent side shelves provide room for prep and storage while cooking.
There’s no added side burner on this model, but Cuisinart is looking out for your best interests and mounted a bottle opener right on the grill.
This is a great option if you’re looking for extra grilling space and more basic features for the $300 and under price point.
This Weber may be little, but it is mighty, which is why it snags a spot on our 10 best list despite being a more compact, single-burner grill.
Weber is known for making the best home grills on the market, and this petite little powerhouse lives up to the name. Features include a single 12,000 BTU stainless steel burner, 280 total square inches of cooking space, porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grates, a cast aluminum lid, and an easy-start electronic ignition system. The side tables conveniently fold down and are just big enough to do a little prep work. The Q 2200 also offers an infinite control burner valve and is lightweight and portable.
It can sit either on a table top or you can add on the optional frame to make it a more permanent, stationery grill.
Char-Broil makes some of our favorite grills in other categories as well as the grill in our #2 spot, so it’s not a surprise to see this 3 burner making this list.
This is a slightly smaller version of the 4 burner we shared earlier and a great option if you just don’t need the extra cook space.
The 463370719 offers 450 square inches of primary cooking area. It is also equipped with 150 square inches of warming rack, for toasting buns or keeping a pile of burgers hot while you finish off some hot dogs. It includes the optional side burner and is outfitted with a lower cabinet to hide the propane tank and provide a little extra storage.
The cooking grates are porcelain-coated cast iron and it comes with a quick and easy electronic ignition system. Overall BTU’s are 44,000 across the three burners, with 10,000 just for the lidded side burner. The infrared technology allows the grill to heat up faster and more evenly (not hot and cold spots) for a better cooking, and eating experience.
Most of the construction is stainless steel so it’s also a good looking piece of backyard equipment designed to withstand the elements and whatever you have in store for it when it comes to grilling.
The Blackstone is a totally different style grill from the rest of the options on this list. This is a restaurant grade griddle-style set-up with a massive flat top and cart base. It’s a great option if you regularly feed a big group and also need some versatility.
With this grill station, you’re getting 720 square inches of flat top cook space, perfect for grilling up burgers, a steak or even a stack of pancakes with a side of bacon. 4 adjustable heat zones from the 4 burners allow you to fine tune the grilling experience based on what you’re cooking and over what part of the grill. Total power comes in at 60,000 BTUs.
Additional features include an easy to maneuver cart-style base, electronic push-button ignition, two side shelves with a built-in paper towel holder and a cutting board for prep work.
This is a great combo-style grill with a lot of cooking space, perfect for casual grillers who have a larger sized group to feed or like the flexibility of two grill types.
This combo grill can use both propane and charcoal for cooking with two separate grilling spaces and an extra side burner. It features 557 square inches of cooking area and 3 stainless steel burners with 24,000 BTUs of total cook power. It boasts enough space for 32 burgers cooking all at once, which is pretty sweet if you have a ravenous crew to satisfy.
No list is complete without a solid portable grill that can be taken on camping trips or tailgating adventures with friends. I love this Coleman option for being a solid add-on to favorite outdoor events.
Here’s what you can expect from this on-the-go powerhouse: 20,000 BTUs of power and 285 square inches of cooking area, 3 independently adjustable burners, an easily removable grease tray for easy clean up after each use, matchless push-button electronic ignition, and two pop-up side tables so you can prep even when you’re on the move.
Of all the portable grills in this price range, the Coleman is known for being especially reliable and delivering an at home style cooking experience even when you’re camping, at the park or pre-gaming at a favorite sporting event.
The original Spirit is the first grill I ever purchased and I was blown away by the hallmark Weber cooking experience delivered in a smaller package.
The Spirit II 310 is a newer, upgraded version of the original that delivers an even higher-level experience, with three glorious burners.
With the E310, Weber took the top, core features of their largest grills and engineered them to fit in a neat, mid-size version that still packs a power punch. The Spirit delivers 30,000 BTUs with 529 square inches of cooking space, providing solid, even heat to every inch.
Weber added in their new Gs4 grilling system, with three burners, each supported by stainless steel, top quality tubes. These tubes aren’t your typical burner tubes. They won’t rust quickly, or damage easy and leak gas. They are in fact, specifically designed to be durable and they actively limit the effects of rust agents.
Even with just three burners, the Weber really feels like an expansive outdoor kitchen. It comes with generously sized drop down tables on both sides (more room to layout food) that fold down for easy storage. Both tables are equipped with 3 sturdy hooks to hang your tools (pans, spatulas, knives, etc.).
You can also expect to enjoy Weber’s exclusive Flavorizer bar system, porcelain coated cast iron cooking grates (designed for quick cleaning), and the new infinity electronic ignition system.
What really signifies that this is a Weber grill is how evenly it cooks and how quickly. I’ve used the Spirit to cook just about any kind of meat you can think of: steaks, burgers, dogs, ribs, chicken breasts, chops, etc. It cooks all of them evenly (no random cold spots) and delivers a killer sear. Heat time is quick, usually 10 minutes, tops.
The E310 doesn’t come equipped with a side burner. You’ll have to upgrade to the Genesis for that. While I occasionally like to use one, it’s not a deal breaker and is a pretty minor. If your main concerns are quality and budget, then this shouldn’t be a major deterrent for you and for the under $500 gas grill field, this is the very best on the market.
Monument earned a spot in the top 3 for offering a reasonably priced grill with a full feature list and an impressive amount of power.
This 4 burner packs a serious punch. It is the most powerful grill in our top line up, with 72,000 BTUs for 4 burners and an additional side burner. The total cook space is 723 square inches, with 513 primary and 210 square inches of glorious warming rack. It comes in higher than both the Weber and Camp Chef on size.
The 17842 is well made, with all stainless steel housing and blue LED knob lighting for cooking in the dark. It also offers pilotless one button ignition for easy start-ups, porcelain-coated cast iron cooking grates and a built-in thermometer for easy temperature monitoring. Stainless steel flame tamers maintain even heat delivery for consistent cooking across the entire cook surface.
It also offers lots of prep space with 2 stainless steel side shelves outfitted with hooks for all your grill tools. The cart style base offers additional storage and keeps the propane tank hidden from view.
Monument also gives you a built-in rotisserie kit AND motor so you can get serious about your grill game and take things to the next level.
Reviewers rave about this grill, and give it a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
This is a serious 3 burner grill, coming in at the top of our price range and as a Weber, I would expect nothing less. This grill also receives excellent reviews on Amazon, with a top-level 4.5 star overall rating.
I know what you’re thinking, why am I showing you a griddle that looks like it belongs in a restaurant kitchen when you’re looking for grills?
Hear me out.
This huge 600 square inch beast represents the future of grill style and practicality. It is versatile. You can choose to use the griddle plates to cook up a tower of pancakes or switch over to grill grates if you’re hungry for some burgers. You can even enjoy a half and half situation and make burgers AND pancakes.
This is a professional restaurant grade grill that you can bring home and enjoy in your backyard. It offers 604 square inches of griddle space, and 501 square inches of grilling area to churn out enough food for 50-100 hungry guests PER HOUR.
It boasts four 12,000 BTU stainless steel burners for 48,000 total BTUs and electronic ignition. Heat distributes evenly so there are no hot spots and you get a consistent grill on everything you’re cooking.
The Camp Chef also features two roomy folding side shelves for easy prep. The grease management system is also intelligently design for easy clean up and no flare ups.
The grill grates are stationery and the griddle grates are placed over them when you’re ready to switch over.
Users are obsessed with this grill and give it 4.5 out of 5 stars with 133 reviews on Amazon.
This big bad beast from Char-Broil is a top pick for sheer size on this list and is a great value for the money if you regularly grill for a big crew.
The Performance 550 offers a mega-sized primary cooking are at 550 square inches and an additional 205 square inches of secondary warming rack for buns and veggies. It comes with 5 burners, including a 10,000 BTU lidded side burner.
Main burner power comes in at 45,000 BTUs. It also comes with electronic ignition for quick and easy start-ups and a built-in lid-mounted thermometer.
Overall construction and fascia is stainless steel, with a large lower storage cabinet for tools and to hide the propane tank. Stationary steel side shelves provide for extra prep space. This is a great offering from Char-Broil and one of the bigger units in their Professional line up.
The first time I saw the Fuego F24C, I wasn’t sure if I should cook on it or send it up into space.
It’s the brainchild of a former designer from Apple and it’s a definite stand out on this list for it’s circular design and innovative tech approach to grilling.
In terms of heat, like its name suggests, this grill really brings it. The main selling point for the Fuego is that it heats up to 500 degrees in just 5 minutes. Thanks to its dual zone heating system, the Fuego gives you the option of cooking just on the outer burner for lower temp, slower cooking, or to turn on the second burner to make full use of the 700 degrees of heat it can produce.
The design makes very good use of space, and there are no hotspots at all, so you can cook perfectly on every inch of the space it provides. The round grill is deceptively large, and you can fit 10-15 burgers on without issue. This is a great grill for the more tech-minded griller who doesn’t have or need much space.
This compact grill from Weber sure doesn’t look like the rest of the big grills on this site, but it’s a great higher-end option for small spaces.
Weber is our favorite standalone grill maker and the Q3200 is packed with great features, including 462 square inches of total cooking space (including the warming rack), 21,700 BTUs of power, two stainless steel burners and porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grates.
The overall grill body and casing is cast aluminum, which we would prefer in a stainless steel instead but the construction is solid and Weber is known for durability.
The Q3200 also gas an easy-start electronic ignition system and infinite control burner settings. The temperature gauge is front-mounted on the lid for easy monitoring. It also offers removable folding side tables, a bottom shelf for storage and the option to switch in griddle plates for flexible cooking.
With the E210, Weber took the very best, core features of their larger grills and engineered them to fit in a neat, compact version that still packs a power punch. The Spirit delivers 26,500 BTUs with 450 sq inches of cooking space and 90 inches of warming rack. This grill provides solid, even heat to every inch.
Weber added in their new Gs4 grilling system, with two burners, each supported by stainless steel, top quality tubes. These tubes aren’t your typical burner tubes. They won’t rust quickly, or damage easy and leak gas. They are in fact, specifically designed to be durable and they actively limit the effects of rust agents.
Even with just two burners, the Weber really feels like a portable outdoor kitchen. It comes with reasonably sized drop down tables on both sides (more room to layout food) that fold down for easy storage. Both tables are equipped with 3 sturdy hooks to hang your tools (pans, spatulas, knives, etc.).
You can also expect to enjoy Weber’s signature Flavorizer bar system, porcelain coated cooking grates (designed for quick cleaning), and the new infinity electronic ignition system.
I love the slim profile of this patio grill from Kenmore. This is a really great pick if you’re tight on space but aren’t ready to give in to a tabletop or portable style model. You still have the standalone feel of a big grill, but it isn’t going to dominate your space.
The Kenmore offers 3 burners capable of firing up 33 (yes, really!) burgers at once with a total cooking are of 522 square inches. The burners on this little beast are pumping out 10,000 BTUs each for a total of 30,000 BTUs across the board. Electronic ignition and beautiful powder coated shelves paired with stainless steel make the build on this one durable and good looking.
Heat tents paired with stainless steel burners create a great cooking set up with even, consistent heat and precision temperature monitoring using the lid-mounted thermometer.
Side shelves are folding to create an even smaller footprint (the grill literally looks like a podium) and tool hooks make it convenient to have everything you need within arms reach. The only drawback for this unit is it doesn’t come on casters so it can be a bit of a pain to maneuver if you have plans to move it around your space.
Napoleon is known for making exceptional built-in gas grills for luxury backyard kitchen experiences. I was so pumped to see a smaller standalone grill from them that is complete with a great list of features.
The TravelQ portable comes equipped with heavy-duty “Wave” porcelain cooking grids over 285 square inches of total cooking space. It offers two stainless steel burners and 12,000 total BTUs of power (just a little disappointing, I was hoping for more like 10,000 each).
The Napoleon includes folding side shelves and a lower rack for basic storage. It also sits on a folding scissor cart for easy storage and portability. It can also be customized with insertable griddle plates if you want to purchase them separately.
This grill is not as easily portable as the Coleman RoadTrip, but it is a solid option for a smaller backyard space.
Another great grill from Char-Broil, this time in a smaller, 3 burner set up but with one of the lower price points for this list.
This is a slightly smaller version of the 4 burner we shared earlier and a great option if you just don’t need the extra cook space.
The 463370719 offers 450 square inches of primary cooking area. It is also equipped with 150 square inches of warming rack, for toasting buns or keeping a pile of burgers hot while you finish off some hot dogs. It includes the optional side burner and is outfitted with a lower cabinet to hide the propane tank and provide a little extra storage.
The cooking grates are porcelain-coated cast iron and it comes with a quick and easy electronic ignition system. Overall BTU’s are 44,000 across the three burners, with 10,000 just for the lidded side burner. The infrared technology allows the grill to heat up faster and more evenly (not hot and cold spots) for a better cooking, and eating experience.
Most of the construction is stainless steel so it’s also a good looking piece of backyard equipment designed to withstand the elements and whatever you have in store for it when it comes to grilling.
When you strike up a conversation with another serious griller about top grill makers and ranges, the Genesis series from Weber is always going to be one of the first few grills either of you throws out there.
The Genesis line up and the E310 in particular, is currently among the most popular gas grills in any backyard. Weber’s hot new GS4 grilling system is a hit with users and really elevates their new line for both novices and seasoned grillers alike.
A top pick for quality, functionality, as well as aesthetics, the E310 is a standout and on our must-have list for the $1,000 and under price range.
There is a massive list of reasons why the Weber grills, and the 310 in particular, are so popular and consistently snag one of the top three spots on our lists. Let’s dive into the top features you should know about:
For starters, let’s talk about the 2 must haves: power and workspace. The Genesis comes packing with three stainless steel burners that generate up to 37,500 BTUs per hour. The overall grill space is also pretty generous with 513 square inches primary cooking area, a 156 square inch warming rack, and 2 high-grade stainless-steel side work surfaces for all the prep and storage you could ask for.
Next up are the porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates.
As we’ve said in a previous post of ours, porcelain-coated grates leave nice grill marks and don’t scorch the meat to death. They also are especially easy to clean and maintain, with a longer lifetime than other metal grates. On the highest priced luxury grills you’ll start seeing stainless steel grids, but at this price point, porcelain is going to serve you well.
Another Weber feature I like to highlight is the Flavorizer bar system. Unique to Weber gas grills, the Flavorizer bars catch drippings in a way that helps ensure they will circulate back into the food, thereby intensifying its flavor and aroma. The Flavorizer system is built over the high-grade stainless-steel burner tubes, which also helps protect these tubes from wear and tear.
The Genesis offers a quick electronic infinity ignition system, easily accessible front-mounted control knobs, a porcelain-enameled shroud, which helps ensure it retains the max amount of heat, center-mounted thermometer, porcelain-coated grease management system, which not only helps you avoid making a mess, but also makes cleaning up the liquid-propane grill itself easy, and a cast-aluminum cookbox.
Most everything on the Genesis is made of the best materials like stainless steel and porcelain, where appropriate. It is designed to be a permanent backyard fixture that will outlast the rainy seasons and perform like new in Spring and Summer months.
I’m turning into a bit of a Napoleon fan and my next backyard addition will probably be one of their models, possibly this really solid 4 burner that’s hitting a sweet spot for the under $1,000 category.
Coming in a little lower in price than the Weber, the LEX is a really excellent value, and I would say the most bang for your buck grill on this list. It’s roomy, powerful and has enough stainless steel to satisfy just about anyone.
This is a pretty big grill at 675 square inches of total grilling area with 4 burners and 48,000 BTUs. It’s got you covered for average family grilling sessions as well as summer parties with friends and neighbors drinking all your beer and forgetting to bring a side dish to make up for it.
It also includes all the usual amenities that are pretty much standard at this price point: a matchless, push button ignition, stainless sear plates designed to conduct drippings into a catch-pan, stainless steel tube burners, backlit LED control knobs and a lid-mounted precision thermometer.
One feature this grill has that the Weber doesn’t are Napoleon’s exclusive wave-shaped stainless steel cooking grids (the Genesis offers porcelain-coated cast iron). We love these because there is basically no maintenance and the unique shape conducts heat like a dream. You usually see these on the over $1,000 price point grills so it’s a sweet bonus here.
This grill exterior is packed with stainless steel. The Weber doesn’t quite compete on this point either, the LEX has a rust-resistant stainless steel cookbook and shroud as well as massive stainless side shelves, complete with drink holder and a stainless lower double-door cabinet.
The cabinet is roomy and large enough to hold and protect your propane tank while still leaving extra space for all the grilling accessories you want to pack away when you’re done.
This is an exceptional value from Napoleon and a standout grill whether you’re new to the grill scene or a veteran ready to upgrade to a seamless, professional-style experience.
Finishing off our top 3 is the massive 6 burner from Char-Broil with the super reasonable price tag.
This is a sweet grill fi you want something big and powerful but don’t need all the fancy finishings and brand name of the Weber or Monument. Char-Broil is considered a bit more of a budget grill so you can get a lot of burners and grill space for your money.
The Performance 650 offers, not surprisingly, 650 square inches of primary cooking area (that’s enough room for 30 burgers, friends) with SIX main burners at 60,000 BTUs and a nice bonus side burner built into the left shelf with an added lid so you can use that space for prep or storage when you aren’t cooking up a side or heating sauce.
The burners are all stainless steel, five which are top ported inline, with one sear burner. Heat tents are also stainless for a really smooth, reliable cooking experience. the 280 square inch warming rack is also pretty roomy and perfect for keeping buns and veggies hot.
The cooking grates are porcelain-coated cast iron and conduct heat evenly and consistently for a beautiful, reliable grill on just about anything you lay down on them.
The 650 also offers all our usual features considered standard on this list: a matchless, push button ignition, lid-mounted thermometer and easy to remove grease catch tray for basic maintenance and clean up.
You won’t find any light up LED knobs on this grill, but it does offer a spacious double door lower cabinet for storage and two roomy side shelves.
The whole cart is on locking casters so even though it’s huge, it’s easy to maneuver and store during winter months.
The construction on this grill is also solid with a stainless steel grill lid, UFC and fascia, ideal for withstanding the elements and lots of use.
This is a great budget option with lots of space, basic amenities and a solid reputation.
This little powerhouse from Napoleon is a sweet, smaller profile grill with a solid reputation for grilling like a pro.
Offering three stainless steel burners with 37,000 totals BTUs, one of which acting as a “sizzle zone” infrared side burner, the Rogue 365 is powerful. Total cooking area is 365 square inches with an additional warming rack space.
The components used on this grill are of the highest quality, with stainless steel sear plates optimized for even heat distribution, flame-throwing push button ignition for quick starts and heavy-duty S wave rod style stainless steel cooking grids. You’re getting a smaller cook space, but every part of this grill is top level.
The overall build is heavy on the stainless steel, including the side shelves, shroud and cabinet-style base. A detachable storage basket makes a nice addition for holding condiments or favorite grilling tools.
The Rogue is perfect if you plan to primarily grill for your immediate family and prefer your budget to go to nice fittings and better quality construction rather than lots of space and extra burners you may not use.
This list wouldn’t be complete without a second Weber grill in the top spots. The LX S-240 is similar to the Genesis E-310 and of course offers the signature high-quality Weber cooking experience.
Here are the small differences you can expect to see: This grill is slightly smaller with 380 square inches of primary cooking area, a 114 square inch warming rack and just two burners.
It offers 29,000 BTUs for the main burners and the standard 12,000 on the side burner. It also gives you the safe side work surfaces, Flavorizer bars, steel heat deflectors, and signature GS4 grilling system.
What you’re getting with this grill is everything the 310 offers, except one additional burner and some square inches of cooking space.
Another spot, another Weber. The E-335 is almost identical to the other two on our list and offers the same signature experience. This is the most upgraded model on our list.
Here is what’s different: 39,000 BTUs instead of the 37,500 on the E310, stainless steel cooking grates instead of porcelain-coated, it also has a 9,000 BTU sear station which is the main feature distinguishing it from the 310, which also has 3 burners.
The E-335 grill comes in at a higher price point, so it’s really a question of whether those few tweaks to your cooking experience are worth the additional cost over the savings offered with the 310.
3 Embers is newer to the grill scene but they’re already rising to the top with some innovative features and a well-rounded list of high-quality bells and whistles.
This 4-burner version comes equipped with some serious luxury features, including: ceramic-titanium coated burners, a freaking viewing window to rival the best indoor stove, knobs illuminated with LEDs for cooking in low-light conditions, 540 square inches of primary cooking area, 160 square inches of warming rack, a 12,000 BTU side burner and stainless steel cooking grates.
The radiant embers cooking system is the real standout with special stainless steel heat tents optimized to ensure the most even cooking experience. They’re beautiful to look at and are some of the newest tech to hit the grill scene.
Built-ins are generally priced on the higher-end of the grill spectrum, typically because if you’re going to buy a built-in, you’re planning to really invest in your outdoor kitchen.
I really love this option from KitchenAid for being more budget-friendly as a built in but still offering a reliable and quality overall grill experience for the price.
So what can you expect in terms of specs from the 740? Total cooking area is what you would expect for a 30 inch built-in at 884 square inches and offering up 71,000 BTUs over 4 main burners and one ceramic rotisserie burner. An additional sear burner is a fun bonus. The main burners are stainless steel with angled fame tamers designed to prevent flare ups, vaporize drippings and provide even and consistent heating.
You’ll also find a matchless push-button ignition, lid-mounted temperature gauge and stainless steel wrapped cooking grates.
The overall construction is stainless steel designed for easy upkeep and to withstand corrosion from both heavy use and the elements.
Hanging out at mid-range for this price group, the 4 burner from Kenmore is a recommended alternative if you’re not looking to hit the top or bottom of the price range and want something durable and consistent to start out with.
In addition to being priced for a wider range of budgets, the PG-4040 is also pretty spacious. It offers a very roomy 621 square inches of primary cooking area with an additional warming rack. Total BTUs come in at 53,000, with an added lidded side burner in the right hand side table pumping out 13,000 BTUs on its own. This is one of my fave bonus features you start to see more commonly with 4 burner grills.
Kenmore also used a ton of stainless steel on this grill, outfitting all surfaces, fascia, the firebox and lid, so it’s as shiny as can be.
Electronic push-button ignition, folding side shelves, an enclosed lower cart, well-made locking casters and convenient tool hooks round out the feature list. This is a nice alternative to the Webers and Char-Broil options on our list and is a favorite for consistent daily cooking.
I love that this big, rugged beast is called “the Baron.” This is one of the larger grills on the list and a solid contender if you’re looking for lots of space and fewer frills.
In terms of grilling real estate, it offers 805 square inches of total cooking space, with an additional swing away warming rack for toasting buns or keeping veggies heated. It offers 5 stainless steel dual-tube burners pumping out 50,000 BTUs of power. It also comes equipped with a powerful 10,000 BTU side burner and an additional 15,000 BTU rear burner and rotisserie kit.
Standard features on the Baron also include push-button ignition for a quick start, a lid-mounted thermometer, easy-access drip tray, the stainless steel Flav-R-Wave cooking system to infuse drippings back into the meat, linear flow valves and reversible heavy-duty cast iron cooking grates.
The lower cabinet offers stainless steel double doors and lots of storage for all your grilling accessories. The side shelves are also stainless and allow plenty of space for prep and storage as you’re cooking.
This is a solid, bigger profile option with a reputation for consistency as a daily griller.
The original Spirit is the first grill I ever purchased and I was blown away by the hallmark Weber cooking experience delivered in a smaller, 2-burner package. The Spirit II is a newer, upgraded version of the original that delivers an even higher-level experience.
With the E210, Weber took the top, core features of their larger grills and engineered them to fit in a neat, compact version that still packs a power punch. The Spirit delivers 26,500 BTUs with 450 sq inches of cooking space and 90 inches of warming rack. This grill provides solid, even heat to every inch.
Weber added in their new Gs4 grilling system, with two burners, each supported by stainless steel, top quality tubes. These tubes aren’t your typical burner tubes. They won’t rust quickly, or damage easy and leak gas. They are in fact, specifically designed to be durable and they actively limit the effects of rust agents.
Even with just two burners, the Weber really feels like a portable outdoor kitchen. It comes with reasonably sized drop down tables on both sides (more room to layout food) that fold down for easy storage. Both tables are equipped with 3 sturdy hooks to hang your tools (pans, spatulas, knives, etc.). It functions just like the bigger grills but with a slimmer profile and lower price tag.
You can also expect to enjoy Weber’s exclusive Flavorizer bar system, porcelain coated cooking grates (designed for quick cleaning), and the new infinity electronic ignition system.
What really signifies that this is a Weber grill is how evenly it cooks and how quickly. I’ve used the Spirit to cook just about any kind of meat you can think of: steaks, burgers, dogs, ribs, chicken breasts, chops, etc. It cooks all of them evenly (no random cold spots) and delivers a killer sear. Heat time is quick, usually 10 minutes, tops.
The E210 doesn’t come equipped with a side burner. While I occasionally like to use one, it’s not a deal breaker and is a pretty minor. If your main concern is space, then this shouldn’t be a major deterrent for you and for the 2 burner gas grill field, this is the best on the market.
The Spirit II has a solid 4.4 out of 5 star rating on Amazon with over 175 reviews.
I was trying to come up with the right word to describe this compact offering from Char-Broil, when my buddy hit the nail on the head: Muscular.
That sums it up perfectly. The Char-Broil is a little powerhouse of a grill and a more budget-friendly option than the Weber Spirit if you’re sticking to a budget and want to make the most of your money.
The Performance delivers a 2-burner set up, like the Weber, but with slightly less power at 24,000 BTUs. Total cooking space is 300 square inches with the addition of a 100 square inch swing away warming rack for toasting buns or keeping a rack of hot dogs primed and ready for eating.
The cooking grates on this grill are also porcelain coated, like the Spirit II, which makes for easy clean up and even grilling. The Flavorizer bars are a Weber hallmark, so you won’t see those here, but you can expect an electronic ignition system for quick and easy start-ups.
The grease pan is also removable on the Performance 300 for easy cleaning and maintenance.
The lower storage cabinet is easily big enough for the propane tank (side-mounted on the Weber), along with any accessories, and the side tables fold down to reduce the footprint when not being used. The lockable casters – a must, especially for those with restricted space – mean it can be easily wheeled away after everyone’s been fed.
The reviews for the Performance on Amazon are pretty stellar, ranking 4.6 out of 5 stars with over 160 reviewers.
Char-Broil is dominating the top of this list, claiming the number 3 spot as well as the second place distinction.
This company makes some of our favorite grills in the $200-$500 range, but if you’re searching for a compact, 2 burner option under $150, this is a great budget-friendly contender.
This grill differs from the 300 mainly in size and amount of cook area offered. You’ll find 2 burners heating 280 square inches of total cook space and delivering 20,000 BTUs of power. You’re sacrificing a little bit of roominess, but you’re definitely enjoying some cost savings, so if the group you’re cooking for is a smaller one, this grill is worth considering.
The 280 also includes porcelain-coated cooking grates for simplified clean up, and a push-button start ignition system.
I also love that the Classic can be purchased with or without the optional side burner for about a $50 difference. The extra burner delivers 8,000 BTUs and is great for sauces or side dishes. This is such a nice feature and it’s great to be able to add this on if you’re a little more serious about your grilling game.
Like the 300, this version of the Classic also offers 2 side shelves for cook prep. It is mounted on a cart, instead of a cabinet style base, so there is less storage for tools and gear.
It has a porcelain-coated lid instead of the stainless steel offered on the 300 and some of the other parts are plastic instead of metal.
Users rank this grill an excellent 4.0 out of 5 stars, with over 520 reviews.
The only reason this Weber didn’t steal one of our top 3 spots is for one simple reason: COST.
This grill is pricy for only offering a 2 burner set-up and isn’t realistically in most everyday grillman budgets. If cost isn’t a factor, this grill sweeps the category, but if you are looking for something friendlier to your wallet, the Spirit II is a better bet.
What do we like about the Genesis II? The better question is what don’t we like? This grill has all the features you expect from a big 5 burner, but in a great, slim 2 burner package.
The Genesis offers: the GS$ grilling system, which includes 2 stainless burners, stainless steel Flavorizer bars and a new grease management system to eliminate flare-ups. It also comes with 380 square inches of cooking space and a 114 square inch warming rack. Total cook power is 29,000 BTUs with an extra 12,000 on the side burner.
This is a premium 2 burner grill that delivers an insane experience, but with a hefty price tag.
This is a great griddle option in the two burner category if you’re looking for a flat top style grill. Blackstone does griddles especially well and the roominess of this one makes it a prime pick for feeding large groups of people fast.
In terms of size, this grill offers 470 square inches of flat top cooking area with two independently controlled H-burners with 15,000 BTUs each. It also includes an easy push-button start ignition, 4 adjustable heat zones for max versatility whether you’re going bacon, eggs or quesadillas. It is also designed to accommodate some storage with a folding side shelf, lower cart with casters and side mounted towel rack.
If you are planning to host large parties, do a little catering or are just ready to move on from a grill style cooking experience, this flat top is a solid performer that is also really friendly to pretty much any budget, coming in under $200.
The compact 2 burner from Huntington is a great budget option grill for those just getting into at home grilling and wanting to test the waters before diving in with a Weber.
This isn’t a grill packed to the gills with bells and whistles. It’s a streamlined, no frills package, but what it does do, it does well and is designed with longevity in mind, so it is meant to last you reliably through many grill seasons. So what does that even mean?
Here’s a breakdown of the features Huntington offers in this model package: The total cooking area is 300 square inches with additional warming rack space, it offers two H-burners with two temperature control knobs and an electronic push-button ignition, the wire cooking grids are porcelain-coated steel and cooking components are also made of stainless steel, the outer casing is die-cast aluminum with a weather resistant card that includes a lower rack for the propane tank.
I do love the ample prep space offered by the two side shelves – they are permanently up so they don’t fold down to save space, keep this in mind if you don’t have a lot of backyard area to house it. This is a solid beginner grill with all the essentials and reliable reputation.
When it comes to two burners, this list wouldn’t be complete without some portable options and this is one of my favorites. It’s the perfect portable partner for grilling on the move.
If camping, picnicking, tailgating and boating with friends and family is your thing, or if you just have a small outdoor patio space that can’t accommodate a full size set-up, this is a great go-to two burner for solid, reliable cooking.
Where the Coleman really shines is when it comes to portability and durability. Getting toted around to all your favorite events and on trips this little guy is going to take a hit or two, but that’s ok, it’s exactly what it was intended to withstand.The RoadTrip is designed to be collapsible to fit neatly in the trunk of most cards (well, maybe not if you have a smart car), and the stainless steel casing keeps it sturdy and ready to roll.
Overall cook size is a surprising 285 square inches, which is larger than you would expect from it’s slim profile. It is pumping 20,000 BTUs of power over 3 burners and includes porcelain coated cooking grates which get top marks for ease of clean up and maintenance.
New to the RoadTrip is the instastart ignition, no matches required, just instant heat at the push off a button. A removable grease tray makes clean up fast and mess-free, which is a serious bonus when you’re on the move and want to enjoy your day instead of spending it maintaining your grill.
Our favorite feature on this grill that make it a best value pick are the swappable griddle, grill and stovetop plates that can be used interchangeably to customize your cooking experience. This is super useful when you’re on a camping trip and want to cook up a stack of pancakes and sausage for breakfast, but need to be able to grill a pile of hot dogs for lunch or dinner. Pop up side tables also make prep convenient for any meal.
For indoor grilling, the Cuisinart is the top pick to sit on your countertop.
The size of a large panini press, this little powerhouse can give you the taste of an outdoor grill in the comfort of your very indoor kitchen. It offers 2 stainless burners boasting a pretty impressive 20,000 BTUs (significantly higher than the Petit Gourmet). Twist start ignition, foldaway legs and total temperature control round out the feature list.
This is a solid pick if you’re looking for the smallest of the small for your indoor grilling adventures.
The Blackstone Grills Tailgater is the perfect on-the-go grill for sporting events and camping trips or it can serve as a slimmer backyard staple for the less frequent griller.
The feature list on the Blackstone includes 2 burners, one stainless and one cast iron that are independently controlled. It also offers 35,000 BTUs of power (15,000 from the steel burner and 20,000 just from the cast iron). It boasts 512 total square inches of cooking area with a large multi-purpose grill and box on the left and a flat griddle on the opposite side for a really versatile set-up.
The cast iron grill box is heavy-duty and made to withstand some serious wear and tear.
This is a great option if you want to be able to cook away from home or if you want the flexibility to grill or cook with a variety of other tools, be it a frying pan, dutch over or cook pot.
When it comes to two burners, this list wouldn’t be complete without some portable options and this is one of my favorites. It’s the perfect portable partner for grilling on the move.
If camping, picnicking, tailgating and boating with friends and family is your thing, or if you just have a small outdoor patio space that can’t accommodate a full size set-up, this is a great go-to two burner for solid, reliable cooking.
Where the Coleman really shines is when it comes to portability and durability. Getting toted around to all your favorite events and on trips this little guy is going to take a hit or two, but that’s ok, it’s exactly what it was intended to withstand.The RoadTrip is designed to be collapsible to fit neatly in the trunk of most cards (well, maybe not if you have a smart car), and the stainless steel casing keeps it sturdy and ready to roll.
Overall cook size is a surprising 285 square inches, which is larger than you would expect from it’s slim profile. It is pumping 20,000 BTUs of power over 3 burners and includes porcelain coated cooking grates which get top marks for ease of clean up and maintenance.
New to the RoadTrip is the instastart ignition, no matches required, just instant heat at the push off a button. A removable grease tray makes clean up fast and mess-free, which is a serious bonus when you’re on the move and want to enjoy your day instead of spending it maintaining your grill.
Our favorite feature on this grill that make it a best value pick are the swappable griddle, grill and stovetop plates that can be used interchangeably to customize your cooking experience. This is super useful when you’re on a camping trip and want to cook up a stack of pancakes and sausage for breakfast, but need to be able to grill a pile of hot dogs for lunch or dinner. Pop up side tables also make prep convenient for any meal.
Monument earns our top spot in the 4-burner category for designing a reasonably priced grill with a full feature list and an impressive amount of power.
This grill bring the heat with the amount of VALUE you’re getting in terms of square inches, straight BTUs and the overall quality of the materials used. It’s less than half the price of the Weber and offers more power per square inch.
The 17842 packs a serious punch. It is the most powerful grill in our top line up, with 72,000 BTUs for 4 burners and an additional infrared side burner for sauce or side prep.
The total cook space is a very roomy 723 square inches, with 513 primary and 210 square inches of glorious warming rack. It comes in higher than the Char Broil on size and just short of the Weber.
It is also well made, with all stainless steel housing and blue LED knob lighting for cooking in the dark. It also offers pilotless one button ignition for easy and reliable start-ups, porcelain-coated cast iron cooking grates and a built-in thermometer for precision temperature monitoring. Stainless steel flame tamers maintain even heat delivery for consistent cooking across the entire cook surface so all your steaks are cooked to a perfect medium.
Monument also offers lots of prep space with 2 huge stainless steel side shelves outfitted with hooks for all your grill tools. The double door cart-style base offers additional storage and keeps the propane tank hidden from view.
You’ll also enjoy a couple bonuses with this grill, including a built-in rotisserie kit AND motor so you can get serious about your grill game and take things to the next level.
Weber has long had an industry dominating line-up of grills in the Genesis collection, with the S-435 coming in hot as a 4-burner option with a great exterior design and solid feature list.
Like the rest of the Genesis line, and even some of the lower-budget Spirit grills, the S-435 offers Weber’s GS4 grilling system, a new component package comprised of core grilling necessities for the highest-quality grilling experience designed to be enjoyed and appreciated by both weekend warriors AND die-hard grill snobs.
This component set-up combines Weber’s infinity ignition system for fast, reliable start-ups with high performance burners, their longtime signature flavorizer bars and a new, super efficient and easy grease management system to eliminate flare ups. The result is a finely tuned grilling experience that is smooth and reliable so grilling is always fun and the result is always ridiculously tasty.
The 435 combines all of these features in a roomy 4 burner with 646 square inches of primary cooking space and a 198 square inch sling-away warming rack for buns, sides and finished meat. The total power on the main burners is 48,000 BTUs plus an additional 12,000 on the lidded bonus side burner.
I’m a huge advocate for a side burner, and especially at this [rice point. It’s one of the selling features that differentiates grills at this level and should disqualify more inferior grills for consideration at this level. I love them because they’re great for cooking up sauces or sautéing sides to complement the meat.
The Genesis line also comes iGrill3 ready (yay tech-savvy grillers!), which means you can sync your smart phone up with your grill to remotely monitor temps using Weber’s app. This is the future, friends, isn’t it glorious?
A few other favorite bonus features include a lighted handle bar on the main lid and lighted knob controls for grilling in low light conditions. I like to prolong my grilling season as much as possible and after the fall time change, I’m often out on the deck even after the light is gone.
This is an excellent grill if you’re looking for reliability and overall durability with a tech-forward, smart line-up of features.
This grill is a little powerhouse that is a great alternative to the Weber at a significantly lower price point. Char Broil has made some upgrades to this model recently and in addition to some fun features, you’ll notice lots more stainless steel.
The Char-Broil 463377319 is comfortably sized, offering 425 square inches of primary cooking space, with an additional 150 square inches of swing-away secondary cooking surface area. It’s also powerful, with 36,000 BTUs for the main burners and an extra 10,000 on the lidded stainless steel side-burner.
It also has some real top-level, experience-enhancing specs:
The Performance features rust-resistant porcelain-coated cast iron grates, a favorite for even, consistent cooking. These are paired with four stainless steel top=ported burners made for max durability and precise temperature control for fine-tuning your cook.
Getting the grill fired up is similarly smooth, simply pressing Char-Broil’s electronic ignition system produces just the right amount of heat and power. You don’t need to manually ignite and deal with the unreliability of a poor starter.
Comfortable cooking goes a long way in keeping me in a good mood, especially when I’m grilling in 100+ degree weather (I live in California).
Char-Broil’s sizable metal side shelves provide ample work space to make prep and finishing smooth and hassle-free. My family enjoys the freshness of a barbecued meal and I am constantly using the extra space to hold spices, prep veggies, sauces, baked potatoes, kabobs, you name it. The side shelves really are large enough to accommodate just about anything a serious grill man might need at the ready.
I also really appreciate that the side burner is lidded, so I can prep on top of it when not in use.
Char-Broil’s grease tray is also especially easy to remove and clean. After cooking sessions are done, you don’t have to struggle to clean up and remove grease from the grill – my least favorite task. The smooth, coated tray makes even the most stubborn grease easy to get rid of after dumping.
Like I said earlier, great savings doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of durability. Char-Broil’s exclusively stainless steel lid, handle, and side shelves support the equipment’s long-lasting usability and customers rave about the quality of the construction. I also have to report, these features make the Char-Broil look pretty bad ass and expensive, boosting your grill cred with the neighbors as well as friends and family.
Out of all Webers – and they make some damn fine grills – I think I have finally decided that this is my favorite. There is something about the refined power of the Summit, I keep coming back to. I just love this grill.
First of all, it’s hard to ignore its looks. This is the equivalent of having that Italian sports car sat on your drive. I am in the camp that believes the Europeans make better sports cars than us, but one thing I know we do better is grilling, and this baby is made right here in the US of A. Cooking on this, you almost expect it start playing the star spangled banner.
I’m telling you, cooking on every one of its 650 square inches of grilling space is a joy. It is remarkably easy to control the heat, and there is a lot of heat. A LOT. If you haven’t cooked on one of these babies before, it will blow you away how much heat these things produce, and how quickly you can use it.
That is the thing you will notice when you step up to your first proper grill. A lot of my buddies who have toiled away for years on sub-standard grills assume it’s the norm to be constantly fighting with flare ups, cold spots, irregular heating etc etc.
You get a Summit in your yard and those days are gone. Quick, even heat all day long.
A quick word on the Flavorizer bar system that Weber created and use on this grill. It is not a gimmick. The bars catch drippings from your cooking, and then smoke that back onto and around the food, creating a more intense flavor. It really does improve the taste of almost everything you’re likely to cook on one of these.
Whenever I’m cooking on the Summit – it comes in both propane and natural gas versions – I always get the feeling that they have gone back to basics with this grill. They have just given you what you need to cook damn fine food on it, and I really don’t think they could have done anything better.
There are some exciting features, but you get the feeling they are there for a reason, as opposed to just being thrown on there for the sake of it which unfortunately is too often the case now with the high end grills. Sear station, side burner, rear rotisserie… It has it all!
The grill out handle lights on this are a very handy feature, and work very well. No more groping around trying to find that last burger you know you put on there.
I am really struggling to come up with a negative about this grill. Yes, you will pay more for a Weber, but buying something cheap that will need replacing every 2 or 3 years is false economy. Why not get something you are going to live with and love for many many years to come?
The Blackstone is a totally different style grill from our top 3. This is a restaurant grade griddle-style set-up with a massive flat top and cart base.
With this grill, you’re getting 720 square inches of flat top cook space, perfect for grilling up burgers, a steak or even a stack of pancakes with a side of bacon. 4 adjustable heat zones from the 4 burners allow you to fine tune the grilling experience based on what you’re cooking and over what part of the grill. Total power comes in at 60,000 BTUs.
Additional features include an easy to maneuver cart-style base, electronic push-button ignition, two side shelves with a built-in paper towel holder and a cutting board.
Another Monument Grill grabbed our number 1 spot, but that was the version offered in stainless steel with the rotisserie kit. Monument also offers this grill in black, without the rotisserie for a lower price point.
This grill has all the same features of our top pick with the two exceptions noted above. You’ll find, 4 burners, 60,000 BTUs of cooking power, 513 square inches of cooking area, a 210 square inch warming rack, a lidded side burner and porcelain-coasted cooking grates. It also has the standard center-mounted temperature gauge and electronic ignition for an easy start-up.
If you’re not picky about color and don’t think a rotisserie kit is something you’ll use, this is a great alternative to consider.
What I love about this grill from Royal Gourmet is it’s huge BUT it’s also portable.
This is the perfect grill if you need to cook for a large gathering (think team picnic, church social, or tailgating party with a big friend group) and don’t want to spend your whole day slaving over a tiny two burner.
It offers both a grill and griddle option over 584 square inches of total cooking space. 48,000 BTUs power four distinct cooking zones for maximum versatility and flexibility. It also has two fold-down side tables equipped with tool hooks and a bottle opener to give you additional working space.
With this portable from Royal Gourmet, you’ll also enjoy the same easy push-button ignition used on their larger grills in addition to quality stainless steel burners.
Mid-range for price-point, this 4 burner from Kenmore is a recommended alternative if you’re not looking to hit the top or bottom of the price range for the category.
In addition to being priced for a wider range of budgets, this model from Kenmore is also really spacious. It offers a very roomy 621 square inches of primary cooking area with an additional warming rack. Total BTUs come in at 53,000, with an added lidded side burner in the right hand side table pumping out 13,000 BTUs on its own. This is one of my fave bonus features you start to see more commonly with 4 burner grills.
Kenmore also used a ton of stainless steel on this grill, outfitting all surfaces, fascia, the firebox and lid so it’s as shiny as can be.
Electronic push-button ignition, folding side shelves, an enclosed lower cart, well-made locking casters and convenient tool hooks round out the feature list. This is a nice alternative to the Webers and Char-Broil options on our list and is a favorite for consistent daily cooking.
Bull is one of our favorite grill brands for built-ins and if you’re not looking for a standalone this is a great 4 burner for your outdoor kitchen.
The Outlaw also has a fairly attainable price point that isn’t beyond your average budget for a grill of this size.
It comes equipped with 60,000 BTUs of overall power, a dual lighting system for getting up to temp quickly and easily, 4 stainless steel bar burners, and ReliaBULL technology designed by the geniuses at CalPoly to improve heat distribution and eliminate hot and cold pockets for ultimate grilling consistency. It also includes a smoker box, which is a really nice and welcome addition. Total cookspace is 810 square inches.
The Bull is available in both propane and natural gas, depending on your needs and preferences.
This is a great budget grill if you’re looking to keep your purchase under $200, but still need a full 4 burner set-up.
The RevoAce is surprisingly roomy at 480 square inches, which can accommodate about 28 burgers comfortably. It also has a 180 square inch warming rack for toasting those buns and porcelain-coated cast iron cooking grates. The stainless steel burners churn out about 48,000 BTUs and the stainless steel lid helps lock in heat for a consistent grilling experience.
Additional features include a push-button ignition system, a lidded side burner, which is a great bonus for this price point, and two prep shelves.
The Weber Summit 7470001 S-670 Natural-Gas Grill is a beauty. You can’t deny it’s good looks and really, who doesn’t want a killer piece of eye-candy shining on their patio?
You should also know the name Weber as being synonymous with quality and durability. The company is known for designing some of the best gas grills in the market across a range of price points.
With six stainless steel burners, including a side burner, sear station burner, smoker burner, and rear-mounted infrared rotisserie burner, you can cook almost anything you would ever want to eat all in one massive unit. It offers a total of 838 square inches and 60,600 BTUs for a powerful experience.
It also comes with Weber’s well-known flavorer bars for capturing the aromatic juices of the meat and two stainless steal workspaces.
The Summit’s body is primarily made up of stainless steel so it’s especially durable. This grill also boasts an individual ignition system for each separate burner, so you do not have to light the whole thing just to cook one or two small items. You can also adjust the temperature of each burner to suit whatever you’re grilling, whether it’s salmon or a New York strip.
You can either get the Summit as a propane gas grill model or hook it up to your home and run it on natural gas – it also ranks as one of our picks for the best natural gas grills.
While the Weber may empty out your wallet a little more thoroughly than some of the other grills on the market, its durability is a return on the investment.
Napoleon is known for producing top-end, high-quality grills. We especially love their range of built-in models.
This 6 burner standalone is pretty much the ultimate in luxury grilling. There is nothing it doesn’t have and if you have the cash to spend on the baddest beast on the market, here’s your holy grail.
So let’s start with the core functionality. The Pro 825 comes with 6 main burners, like the rest of the models in this article. It also includes a power side burner as well as infrared rear AND bottom burners. So basically, all the burners you could possibly need or want. It’s pretty much designed to function as an outdoor kitchen so you can cook an entire meal on it, including mains, sides and even dessert if you’re feeling wild.
In terms of power, it brings 123,000 BTUs and man is it roomy at 1430 total square inches of cooking space. I don’t think you could fill all of that up even if you tried. That’s almost double what the Weber Summit is offering.
Napoleon also includes all the standard and non-standard luxury features you could expect at this price-point: matchless push button ignition with an extra fast heat up, dual lid-mounted thermometers for each lid/cooking zone, a truly beautifully designed roll top lid, an infrared rotisserie burner, and an integrated smoker tube so you can convert your grill set up into a smoker with it’s own dedicated burner.
The S head packs two infrared burners that reach maximum heat levels and are designed to produce a restaurant quality sear on steaks. The power side burner has a reversible cooking grid and is designed to handle sauce and side prep.
One of my favorite features are the lighted control knobs that you can customize to your preference with a bunch of color options. There’s also a nice safety feature where knobs will glow red when the gas isn’t fully turned off.
The overall design of the Napoleon is shiny and actually pretty breathtaking. Stainless steel and chrome finishings are used liberally throughout. The lower cabinet is broken into drawers and doors so you can store all your tools plus a few extras in all that cabinet space.
There are no drawbacks to this grill, it is a performance piece of machinery meant to provide an outstanding experience on every level. If you have the budget to spend, it’s a no brainer.
The name “Regal” is so appropriate for this grill. It is massive, shiny, and tricked out with every bell and whistle you can think of. It’s definitely grill royalty.
Of the three in our top spots, the Broil King is the most expensive, but it does pack in the best feature list and should be your go-to if you have an open budget and are looking for an insane grill experience.
Let’s start off by talking size. The Regal offers 750 square inches of primary cooking area with an additional 250 square inches of warming rack. It features stainless steel cooking grids in the main oven compartment and cast iron grids in the secondary cook box.
The overall power of this beast is also impressive, with 60,000 BTUs for the six main burners, a 10,000 BTU infrared side burner AND a dedicated 15,000 BTU rotisserie burner, with the kit included.
Broil King’s signature Flav-R-Wave cooking system is designed to vaporize drippings and infuse the flavor back into whatever you’re grilling while simultaneously delivering consistent, even heat.
The linear flow valves are also optimized to give you measured temperature control for a nuanced grilling experience.
The Broil King features electronic ignition and a front-mounted temperature gauge. The overall build is primarily stainless steel, with chrome detailing on knobs and fixtures for ultimate durability. The knobs are also LED illuminated for evening grilling, so when it’s getting dark and you’re just not ready to call it quits, you can keep your grill session going.
This grill also offers a ton of storage, with drop down stainless side shelves that include tool hooks, shelf slots and towel racks. The three under cabinets are perfect for storage and concealing the slide out mechanism for the propane tank, another detail feature we love.
Grillers on Amazon are die-hard fans, raving about all the features and the smooth experience for grilling with an overall rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars.
This 8-burner behemoth from Royal Gourmet isn’t really designed for the casual backyard grillman. This grill is more suited for large event spaces, like church bbqs, picnic spaces or event halls.
The Royal Gourmet Event Grill features 8 stainless tube burners, 104,000 BTUs of total cooking power, 2 regulators for the propane system, 950 square inches of total cooking space and porcelain-coated cooking grates. It also includes a stainless steel control panel for extra durability, an electronic ignition system, and large capacity grease management system.
Since this grill is designed to feed a small army, it also has roomy side shelves for prep and two lower shelves for serious storage. It comes with a giant cover to keep it protected from the elements and is a great pick if you’re regularly in the habit of feeding a small army.
This is a solid grill from Monument and a massive addition to any backyard grilling experience.
It includes 6 stainless steel primary burners spread over 634 square inches of primary cook space in addition to the 266 square inch warming rack. It also includes an additional side burner for sauce or side prep. Overall power is an impressive 84,000 BTUs, the max on this list.
The Monument also offers a stainless steel design with stainless lid and cook box, stainless steel cooking grates for even heat distribution, stainless steel flame tamers, electronic ignition system, LED control knobs, and zinc plated, removable grease tray for easy maintenance.
It is mounted over a roomy lower cabinet designed to conceal the propane tank and offer additional storage. This is a great pick if you’re looking for a ton of cook space for your money.
Royal Gourmet has a great line up of grills and this is another solid, and massive addition.
The Mirage offers 465 square inches of primary cooking space, a 90 square inch warming rack, porcelain cast-iron cooking grates with a specialty slope design to lock in flavor, stainless steel tube burners, two separate stainless lids with built-in thermometer gauges.
Total BTU output is 96,000 for all burners, including the infrared rear burner and shelf-mounted, lidded side burner. The build is primarily stainless steel with a huge under-cabinet, sliding tank rack and two side shelves with tool hooks for storage.
The Genesis II S-435 is a little smaller than some of the other grills on this list, the 6 burners for this one include the side burner and the sear station burner. It only includes 4 primary burners with 48,000 BTUs of combined output. The sear station burner has 9,000, with 12,000 on this side burner.
It includes stainless steel cooking grates, Weber’s signature Flavorizer bars, an easy-access grease management system, generous lower cabinet storage with rack style shelving, two side tables with tool hooks and the lidded side burner, as well as a front-mounted temperature gauge.
The S-435 is primarily stainless steel construction with chrome finishings. Like all Weber grills, it is designed to last.
This roomy offering from Char-Broil is a top pick for sheer size for the price value on this list and is a great pick if you’re not yet ready to splurge on a Weber.
The Performance 650 offers a mega-sized primary cooking are at 650 square inches and an additional 280 square inches of secondary warming rack for buns and veggies. It comes with 6 primary burners, plus a 10,000 BTU lidded side burner. Main burner power comes in at 60,000 BTUs. It also comes with electronic ignition for quick and easy start-ups and a built-in lid-mounted thermometer.
Overall construction and fascia is stainless steel, with a large lower storage cabinet for tools and to hide the propane tank. Stationary steel side shelves provide for extra prep space. This is a great offering from Char-Broil and one of the bigger units in their Performance line up.
If we’re talking 6 burners, we have to include at least one of my favorite built-in options. Bull is the king of built-in grilling and this 6 burner grill head is a beautiful addition to a built-in backyard kitchen set-up.
The Diablo is their largest model at 105,000 square inches of grilling area for 6 cast stainless steel burners running at 15,000 BTUs each for a combined 105,000 BTUs of total power. There’s also a bonus infrared back burner that’s ideal for perfect precision searing.
Bull includes their “relia-bull technology” which guarantees even heat distribution by using specially designed flame tamers (thanks to the geniuses they hired at Cal-Tech) to create a more even grilling surface that better eliminates hot and cold spots. They claim this improves heat distribution by up to 50% and allows you to use the whole surface with incredible consistency.
Construction is 16 gauge 304 stainless steel, which is professional level and zinc knobs that are perfectly fitted. This is Bull’s luxury grill head and the top of their line so every piece is top-quality.
If you’re looking for the biggest, baddest 6 burner grill head on the block, you’ve met your match with this guy.
The E-640 version of the Genesis is an incremental upgrade on the S-435 we talked about in the #7 spot and the E-610 in our very top spot. The outer construction and inner workings are almost identical, with a few small upgrades.
What can you expect to see enhanced on the E-640? The overall cooking size is larger at 770 square inches (same as the 610). The power is also amped up on this model, with 72,000 BTUs for the main burners (the 610 has 69,000), but the side burner remains the same at 12,000 BTUs. The only other upgrade is a second handle light (the 435 only has one), which is a pretty minimal bonus.
If you’re considering this model, it’s really only to get some extra cooking space and a little more power over the S-435 and E-610 versions of the Genesis. Reviews from other users are consistently strong for both models.
Just because you’re on road doesn’t mean you can’t feel at home. This grill, known for its reliability and at-home experience, doesn’t sacrifice functionality for its portability. Be the star at your tailgate when you pull this one out and grill just as well as you would on your own patio.
With up to 20,000 BTUs of grilling power and 285 square inches of cooking area, the Coleman RoadTrip makes a great option for people on the go. Its size means you can grill a lot of food at the same time, perfect for picnics or family vacations.
It also has three independently adjustable burners, compared to most portable grills that only offer one or two. It also has an integrated thermometer for regulating the temperature to achieve that perfect sear. Also useful is the Coleman’s push-button ignition that lights the grill without matches; just one less thing to worry about when you’re packing for a trip.
As any camper knows, one of the most important aspects in a portable grill is that it’s easy to clean. The RoadTrip has a water pan to catch cooking grease, which is removable for hassle-free cleaning.
Just because you’re traveling doesn’t mean you should feel cramped in your grilling set-up. The Coleman RoadTrip has two side tables that slide out for your utensils and drinks so it really offers that great portable kitchen experience.
What I really love about the Coleman is that it’s sturdy. Just because something is portable doesn’t mean I want it to feel like it could collapse mid-barbecue.
But that’s exactly what it can do: when you’re done grilling and cleaning up, the Coleman folds right up and can be stored upright to fit tight spaces until your next trip. From there, it’s easily portable on its two wheels. The scissor legs mean you can just fold it up and roll it out like a suitcase. Easiest ever.
Want all the ease of travel as a portable grill combined with the size of a regular grill? The Napoleon TravelQ should be a serious contender. When unfolded, the Napoleon stands up to waist height and lets you enjoy basically the same grilling experience you’d have at home. The side tables help expand your space for food prep or utensils.
When it’s time to pack up, this grill is super compact to enhance portability. The Napoleon has a locking lid, legs, and side handles, and comes with a cart to let you wrap this thing up and go.
The Napoleon is also powerful for a portable grill. Two stainless steel burners let you do both direct and indirect grilling with a total of 12,000 BTUs. It’s not as strong as some of the other grills on the list, but the size, power, and dual burner system give you a little bit more temperature control, as opposed to some other portable grills that are known for getting too hot too fast.
A major issue with portable grills is that it’s hard to get an even heat across the surface. Not a problem with the Napoleon. The Napoleon’s heavy-duty porcelain-coated “wave” cooking grids and 285 square inches of cooking area let you achieve the perfect grill while away from home. It distributes heat evenly across your food and provides a non-stick surface.
This particular grill operates on portable propane cylinders, but can be converted to use a 20 pound propane tank like a regular sized grill. However, the conversion kit does need to be purchased separately.
I need my grills to be sturdy above all else, especially when I travel and want to set up and take down cooking gear quickly. Sometimes they just take a beating. The Napoleon is made with stainless steel and aluminum, so this grill can handle some bumps and bruises while you’re on the road.
I love this little model from Cuisinart. It embodies everything that a portable grill should: ease of transport, power and capacity to cook enough food for a small group gathering.
If you’re not ready to commit part of your outdoor space to a full size grill, this is a great alternative that looks good at your family barbecue, but can easily sit on any tabletop to make grill time convenient and tasty. What I like about this option is it’s big enough to actually feed a small party and cooks reliably so you don’t feel like your sacrificing quality for a small footprint.
It offers a single stainless steel burner with 12,000 BTUs of cook power over a 240 square inch cooking grate. The porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grate conducts heat evenly and reliably across the surface of the grill and a twist-start ignition makes start ups as easy as a big 5 burner grill.
A lid-mounted temperature gauge helps monitor your food and the double-walled steel constructed lid locks in heat for solid retention, even after opening.
The All Foods also has two folding stainless steel side shelves for holding finished burgers or steaks, or even doing a little sauce prep.
Cuisinart also makes an optional standing base that is as slim and compact as the grill itself in case tabletop grilling isn’t your style. This is also a solid pick to take along on tailgates or boat days as it will fit neatly in your trunk and is easy to clean up once you’re done grilling for the day.
Got a need for speed? This grill uses infrared technology to heat up in just three minutes. The Solaire gets HOT!
When I’m on a camping trip, I often have better things to do than wait for dinner to cook. The heat of this grill makes it perfect for searing on the go. Its fast, intense heat lets you grill up that perfect steak in very little time.
The high heat also means that the Solaire stays clean, since any residue basically gets incinerated into ash. How convenient is that?
It’s also ideal for someone who doesn’t want the hassle of assembly. All you need to do is attach the handles and bolts, and you’re done; the Solaire is made for travel.
The Solaire is on the smaller end of products on our list, so it’s better suited to individuals or couples that love traveling. It can be used for large groups since it does cook so fast, but it’s more work on your part to keep the food moving.
The downside is that its price tag is a little steeper than some of the other grills with more bells and whistles, but it consistently provides high-quality, fast sears, and a small size makes it easier to travel with.
If you love the infrared technology of the Solaire, but not the price tag, then the Char-Broil Grill2Go might be the perfect alternative.
The Char-Broil boasts an infrared, no flare-up cooking system. It has one burner with 9,500 BTUs, this does make temperature control a little harder, but the tradeoff is its powerful punch when grilling. Even for its small size, the Char-Broil still offers 200 square inches of grilling space on a stainless steel grate for easy cleaning.
The Char-Broil folds down easily and is highly portable. It has two heat-resistant side handles for easy pick up and moving, as well as a main handle and latches that allow you to carry the grill around like a briefcase.
It weighs less than 20 pounds, but is as durable as it looks with a high-impact frame and aluminum lid. You can lug it around from tailgate to camping trip to a friend’s house without worrying about damaging delicate parts.
When it comes to portables, this list wouldn’t be complete without a few Coleman options, a camping and outdoor favorite.
Where the Coleman really shines is when it comes to portability and durability. Getting toted around to all your favorite events and on trips this little guy is going to take a hit or two, but so what, that’s exactly the type of treatment it was intended to withstand.The RoadTrip is designed to be collapsible to fit neatly in the trunk of most cards (well, maybe not if you have a smart car), and the stainless steel casing keeps it sturdy and ready to roll.
Overall cook size is a respectable 225 square inches, which is larger than you would expect from it’s slim profile. It is pumping 11,000 BTUs of power over 2 burners and includes porcelain coated cooking grates which get top marks for ease of clean up and maintenance.
New to the RoadTrip is the instastart ignition, no matches required, just instant heat at the push off a button. A removable grease tray makes clean up fast and mess-free, which is a serious bonus when you’re on the move and want to enjoy your day instead of spending it maintaining your grill.
Our favorite feature on this grill that make it a best value pick are the swappable griddle, grill and stovetop plates that can be used interchangeably to customize your cooking experience. This is super useful when you’re on a camping trip and want to cook up a stack of pancakes and sausage for breakfast, but need to be able to grill a pile of hot dogs for lunch or dinner. Pop up side tables also make prep convenient for any meal.
If you’re looking for a slightly larger model, we recommend checking out the RoadTrip 285 for an extra burner and a little more cookspace and power.
This compact grill easily becomes multi-purpose if you buy the (separate) griddle or stove grates to swap out for the grill, giving you a pretty great range of functionality in one small item.
The Coleman NXT Lite delivers 8,500 BTUs across 168 square inches, meaning it can get hot relatively quickly. The Coleman has one burner, so you there is a little less temperature control as with the others. It does not have an inbuilt thermometer, so you’ll need to monitor temperature by using your own.
The Coleman also has a removable drip tray and porcelain-coated steel grates for easy cleaning. Like the others on this list, it also features a push-start ignition.
The Coleman is compact and powerful enough without the bells and whistles. It comes in at the lower end of price points on our list, so if you’re looking for good value, this is a reliable, wallet-friendly pick.
This grill is small but efficient. Only 16.5 inches wide, 16 inches deep and 13 inches tall and weighing just 13.5 pounds, even though it looks like a cute little Panini press, the Cuisinart nonetheless has a cooking surface of 145 square inches. It’s best for grillers who are really space-sensitive in their grilling needs.
It has one 5,500 BTU burner and a porcelain-enameled grate. That makes the heat less powerful than some other grills on the list, but for its size will get the job done.
The legs fold in and the grill has a handle for easy, briefcase-style carrying.
Propane cylinders are not included, but it connects with either a screw-on tank or a regular-sized propane tank if you use a hose (also not included).
Due to its size, the Cuisinart is well-suited for those with limited space or who aren’t cooking for more than 2 or 3.
Overall, the Cuisinart is a good option for those who favor simplicity. There is hardly any assembly involved, it’s easy to pack up and carry, and by just screwing on a propane tank you’re all set to go.
Like its name suggests, the Coleman Camp is designed for campers. Its main draw is that it has a 2-in-1 grill and stove design for quick but versatile food preparation. You can grill and cook at the same time – road-tripping is no reason not to have a full foodie level meal!
Two panels on the side of the grill fold up and down, so they can be either wind blockers to protect the burners from the elements or little side tables for prep.
The Coleman Camp Propane Grill/Stove gets up to 20,000 BTUs, making it as powerful as some of the large portable grills on the list. The stove side fits a 10-inch pan, while the grill space is 130 square inches.
Like other grills on this list, the Coleman Camp has a removable drip tray for cleaning on the go.
We recommend being careful not to put pots and pans on the grill, as this will damage the metal of the grill grates. Also note that burner adjustability is limited, so you may not have as much temperature control as you would with the other grills.
The whole kit folds up and latches for portability so you can just toss it in the trunk next to your ice chest and head out.
This two-burner Pit Boss grill might look small, but actually features 275 square inches of cooking surface, that’s getting up there with the big boys! The two burners offer 10,000 BTUs each for 20,000 BTUs of total power.
In terms of portability, the Pit Boss Grill has folding legs and a latching hood. It doesn’t have a carrying handle, but it’s lightweight enough at 27 pounds to pick up and carry when cool.
Like the other grills, the Pit Boss has a push-turn ignition. It also includes an inbuilt thermometer.
What’s more: this thing is pretty! With a stainless steel exterior and cooking grids, the Pit Boss is a great option for those that value design even while on the road.
Napoleon is one of our favorite grill makers offering a range of styles at a comparable range of price points. This is a sold mid-range natural gas grill that won’t break the bank, but isn’t a bargain basement steal either.
So what can you expect in terms of size and power? The LEX485 comes with 4 main stainless steel burners with 74,000 BTUs of power as well as a back burner and lidded infrared side burner.
Total cooking area is just as big as the twice as expensive Lion in the #2 spot at a spacious 805 square inches. It is large enough to grill up to 24 burgers at one time, enough for a whole horde of hungry family members.
Stainless steel cooking grids are designed to maximize and retain heat evenly for consistent grilling on everything you’re cooking up.
Napoleon also includes its signature jetfire ignition system for speedy and simple start ups, a stainless steel sear plate perfect for finishing steaks, a double walled lid to maximize heat retention, and my favorite bonus feature: a lidded ice box for keeping a few beers and some cokes cold while you’re at the grill helm.
Details we love are the extra large front-mounted temperature gauge, roomy cabinet for storage, large side shelves with tool hooks and condiment holders and LED knob lights for low-light grilling situations.
The Lion is a big, shiny beast, dominating the natural gas category in terms of size, quality of materials and feature list. It also has a pretty hefty price tag so it isn’t going to be a great fit if you have any kind of budget for this purchase.
First, it is absolutely essentially to note that this grill is made from commercial grade 304-gauge stainless steel. This is the best it gets, folks. You’re not going to find a grill that can outlast this one in terms of wear and tear.
In terms of space and power, the Lion offers 5 cast stainless steel burners with 75,000 BTUs of total cooking power, over a generous 802 square inches of cooking space. It also includes a 15,000 BTU infrared rotisserie back burner. Five Quick Lite valves ensure a speedy start with easy knob operation.
Lion also gives you a double-layer, seamlessly welded stainless steel grill head for maximum durability, along with 4 cast iron burners, solid stainless steel cooking grates and an extra large temperature gauge mounted front and center.
You’re also going to enjoy all the bells and whistles you should expect at this price point in a commercial grade grill. We especially like the rotisserie and included smoker box, but you’re also going to see an included griddle for versatility in cooking both traditional meat dishes and sides, and a griddle remover WITH an included bottle opener. That is what we call winning, folks.
This grill also comes with a great amount of storage in the lower cart area, tidily concealed by two stainless steel drawers and a side door. Included in the below storage is shelving and a super-convenient built-in paper towel holder.
Extra features worth noting include two interior lights for night grilling, chrome trimmings on knobs and handles and towel racks on both side shelves, designed to provide extra space for any gear. And food prep you might need to do.
It wouldn’t be a top 10 list without at least a couple Weber’s snagging a spot. The Summit S-470 is a beautiful, shiny powerhouse of a grill and a great upgrade from the Spirit if you’re set on a Weber.
The Summit S-470 would have ranked higher on the list, but we like to see a range of price points represented in the top three spots for our category options.
So what can you expect from the Summit? This grill offers 580 square inches of total cooking area, with 110 square inches in just warming rack, 48,800 BTUs of overall power over 4 main burners, Snap-Jet individual burner ignition for quick starts, a ton of extra burners including a sear station burner, side burner, smoker burner and a rear-mounted rotisserie burner.
Grillers using the S-470 will also notice a beautifully designed enclosed double-door cart for storage and hiding the propane tank, stainless side shelves with towel racks and tool hooks, stainless steel cooking grates and Weber’s signature Flavorizer bars.
This is a luxury grill that is more of a shiny outdoor kitchen on wheels.
The original Spirit is the first grill I ever purchased and I was blown away by the hallmark Weber cooking experience delivered in a smaller package.
The Spirit II 310 is a newer, upgraded version of the original that delivers an even higher-level experience, with three glorious burners.
With the E310, Weber took the top, core features of their largest grills and engineered them to fit in a neat, mid-size version that still packs a power punch. The Spirit delivers 30,000 BTUs with 529 square inches of cooking space, providing solid, even heat to every inch.
Weber added in their new Gs4 grilling system, with three burners, each supported by stainless steel, top quality tubes. These tubes aren’t your typical burner tubes. They won’t rust quickly, or damage easy and leak gas. They are in fact, specifically designed to be durable and they actively limit the effects of rust agents.
Even with just three burners, the Weber really feels like an expansive outdoor kitchen. It comes with generously sized drop down tables on both sides (more room to layout food) that fold down for easy storage. Both tables are equipped with 3 sturdy hooks to hang your tools (pans, spatulas, knives, etc.).
You can also expect to enjoy Weber’s exclusive Flavorizer bar system, porcelain coated cast iron cooking grates (designed for quick cleaning), and the new infinity electronic ignition system.
What really signifies that this is a Weber grill is how evenly it cooks and how quickly. I’ve used the Spirit to cook just about any kind of meat you can think of: steaks, burgers, dogs, ribs, chicken breasts, chops, etc. It cooks all of them evenly (no random cold spots) and delivers a killer sear. Heat time is quick, usually 10 minutes, tops.
The E310 doesn’t come equipped with a side burner. You’ll have to upgrade to the Genesis for that. While I occasionally like to use one, it’s not a deal breaker and is a pretty minor. If your main concerns are quality and budget, then this shouldn’t be a major deterrent for you and for the natural gas field, this is the very best on the market for those two priorities.
Any grill in the Genesis line from Weber is going to serve your grill boss needs well. They all have a few adjustments to size, burner count and power, and the best fit for you will depend on how much grilling you do on a regular basis and for how many hungry people.
The E-335 is a great mid-range option for Weber and for natural gas offers 3 primary burners with 39,000 BTUs, a rear sear station burner and an extra infrared side burner for cooking up sauces and marinades. The total grill size is 335 square inches and grill grates are porcelain coated stainless steel.
It doesn’t have the optional handle light on the slightly larger Genesis models, but it does have stainless steel side shelves and a roomy lower cabinet for storage.
This grill also features Weber’s new super easy grease management system to prevent flare-ups and an electronic infinity ignition for reliable starts. Weber’s classic Flavorizer bars lock in a drool-worthy smoky flavor to whatever you’re
The Regal S590 from Broil King is a great larger size grill in the natural gas category that has some great pro features for a backyard set-up.
Broil King packed in 5 stainless steel dual-tube burners pumping out 55,000 BTUs, with an extra side burner with 10,000 BTUs and a rear rotisserie burner maxing out at 15,000 BTUs. The total cooking space is huge at 625 square inches with additional warming rack space for toasting up some buns or keeping meat warm while you finish up.
The signature Broil King Flav-R-Wave system ensures even heat distribution for a consistent cooking experience, the electronic ignition delivers quick and easy starts and the linear-flow burner valves maintain precision temperature control.
The overall storage is great, with two stainless side shelves and a lower cabinet with double doors.
Napoleon makes some excellent grills, both propane and natural, and the Prestige 500 is no exception. This does fall toward the higher end of our pricing categories so it doesn’t rank quite as well on the list, primarily for that reason.
This is an especially good pick if you’re looking for a few extra burners that the Weber line up doesn’t offer but without the astronomical price tag.
The 500 comes with 4 primary burners, an infrared rear burner and a fun bonus infrared side burner. I love a side burner for sauce or side prep, so that’s always a great bonus to find. Overall, the size is generous, and by generous I mean this grill can pack in 31 burgers on the main 500 square inch cooking space and can accommodate up to 8 on its 140 square inch side burner. BTUs are an impressive 48,000 per hour output.
Stainless steel is also the name of the game here with tube burners, cooking rods and sear plates all being high-quality and designed to endure. I especially love the knob design which in addition to stainless steel fittings, also includes a safety glow feature where the knobs will glow red when the burners are on and blue when off.
The Jetfire ignition system delivers a quick and easy single touch start along with a back channel that allows the burners to light off of each other. The sizzle zone side burners heats up to 1800 degrees in 30 seconds or less.
This is an excellent grill for big families or avid grillers. If you have a little extra to spend for the additional burners, the overall experience and cooking value is totally worth the overall investment.
This compact grill from Weber sure doesn’t look like the rest of the big grills on this site, but it’s a great higher-end option for small spaces.
Weber is our favorite standalone grill maker and the Q3200 is packed with great features, including 462 square inches of total cooking space (including the warming rack), 21,700 BTUs of power, two stainless steel burners and porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grates.
The overall grill body and casing is cast aluminum, which we would prefer in a stainless steel instead but the construction is solid and Weber is known for durability.
The Q3200 also gas an easy-start electronic ignition system and infinite control burner settings. The temperature gauge is front-mounted on the lid for easy monitoring. It also offers removable folding side tables, a bottom shelf for storage and the option to switch in griddle plates for flexible cooking.
The Summit S-670 is a beautiful, shiny powerhouse of a grill. It comes with a heftier price tag, so it ranks a little lower on our list.
So what can you expect from the Summit? This grill offers 693 square inches of total cooking area, with 145 square inches in just warming rack, 60,000 BTUs of overall power over 6 main burners, Snap-Jet individual burner ignition for quick starts, a ton of extra burners including a sear station burner, side burner, smoker burner and a rear-mounted rotisserie burner.
Grillers using the S-670 will also notice a beautifully designed enclosed double-door cart for storage and hiding the propane tank, stainless side shelves with towel racks and tool hooks, stainless steel cooking grates and Weber’s signature Flavorizer bars.
This is a luxury grill that is more of a shiny outdoor kitchen on wheels.
If you’re looking for the biggest, baddest grill on the block, with the price tag to match, then you’ve found your perfect partner with the Prestige PRO 665 from Napoleon.
The main reason this beast doesn’t rank higher is that crazy price tag; most of us just can’t dish out that much to live our best backyard-grilling dream every weekend.
So what can you get for that hefty price? The 665 includes 8 stainless steel burners, 99,000 BTUs of power, 1140 square inches of primary cooking space, Napoleon’s stainless steel wave cooking grids, and is equipped to run on natural gas instead of propane. It also comes with a ceramic infrared side burner for your favorite side or sauce prep.
I also appreciate that Napoleon added a special wood chip shoot you can load up to infuse your meat with that classic smoky flavor usually reserved for charcoal grills or smoker-specific grills. This is such a great way to enjoy some added versatility and really make the most out of your backyard grilling set-up.
This grill is going to meet every grill need you could dream up, and then some, but you’ll definitely end up with a hefty payment to match.
The Lion is a true beast when it comes to outdoor kitchen grills.
It provides you with a massive 830 square inches of cooking surface with four stainless steel burners to give you a variety of cooking options, coupled with a solid lifetime warranty on the burners, so you can depend on some serious longevity.
Temperature and overall heat control is key when grilling. This means you need two key things: 1) great power and 2) a nuanced temp regulator. The Lion Premium Grill’s XL temperature gauge will help you reach desired temperatures and fine-tune your grilling experience.
On the power issue, the Lion brings 75,000 BTUs to the table. If you aren’t well-versed in grills, let me tell you, that’s A LOT. So what does that mean for you?
That much power means a quick heat-up, consistent heating and controlled extended heat that doesn’t drop in cooler temps or during extended use.
This grill also comes in a natural gas version which can be found here. I also really like some of the bonus features on this machine.The adjustable warming rack is well placed and nicely constructed and is a great way to cook different types of meat simultaneously, or warm buns for burgers or hot dogs. It really keeps rarer meat heated but without drying it out, while you cook a more well-done piece of steak or platter of chicken breasts.
Most grills these days also provide more than one option for cooking. Versatility for the win! The Lion Premium Grill is no different.
Along with the burners, there is also an infrared rotisserie back burner. The design of this burner allows the meat to be evenly roasted and cooked internally, while simultaneously searing the outside to prevent the loss of juices or drying of the meat.
The interior features two LED lights for grilling later in the evening so you can keep a close eye on whatever you’re grilling. This is really helpful, especially if you’re grilling in warmer climates during the winter when days are short. I live in California and regularly grill into October and start up again late January.
You’ll also enjoy a built in smoker box and even a bottle opener, because Lion understands it’s about the experience, not just the end product.
Check out the sizing guide HERE to make sure it fits with your setup
The Napoleon is a solid outdoor built-in pick and nearly snagged a top 3 spot. The brand has an excellent reputation and their grills are made for durability and high-performance.
Notable features of the LEX 605 include a stainless steel build with chrome accents, heavy stainless “wave” grill grates, three 16,000 BTU stainless burners, an extra 12,500 BTU infrared grill burner and additional 13,500 BTU rear infrared burner.
The total cooking space is roomy at 850 square inches of cooking space. It does include an additional chrome warming rack for 745 inches of extra cook space. The rotisserie kit is not included and must be purchased separately, which is disappointing at this price point.
It is also important to keep in mind that this is a propane grill, it does not require natural gas like most built-ins.
Overall, this is a beautiful high-performance grill that comes close to nailing one of out top spots. If you’re not a fan of the Lion or the Bull options, this is a great alternative.
Bull is one of our favorite grill brands of all time. They make lots of different sized grill heads and the durability is unmatched. You won’t find a bad review of it rusting through after a few seasons.
From the 3 burner “little” steer all the way to the massive 1026 sq. in. Brahma (name comes from a type of cattle known for their extreme tolerance to heat and are widespread in tropical regions), Bull has a grill for your planned outdoor kitchen.
I love that they use creative names. It shows they care about the details and not just naming it after the size such as “LEX 605” or something boring.
The Lonestar sits right in the middle equipped with 60,000 BTUs of overall power, a dual lighting system for getting up to temp quickly and easily, 4 stainless steel bar burners, and ReliaBULL technology designed by the geniuses at CalPoly to improve heat distribution and eliminate hot and cold pockets for ultimate grilling consistency.
It also includes a smoker box, which is a really nice and welcome addition. Total cookspace is 810 square inches.
The Bull is available in both propane and natural gas, depending on your needs and preferences.
The Lonestar comes with welded stainless steel bar burners which is much more durable than the porcelain coated. I feel it is worth the extra few bucks and your grill will last longer and perform better. If you are building out a serious outdoor kitchen I would go for the Lonestar. If you are on a tighter budget the Outlaw is a good second choice.
Check Page 8 of the instruction manual HERE to get specific dimensions for your setup
Weber’s reputation as a premier company for excellent grills is legendary.
So is anyone really surprised that the Weber Summit S-460 built-in is at the top of its game in its category? I know I’m not.
The Summit is well-constructed and thoughtfully engineered. It boasts four stainless steel burners, each with a different cooking feature and different BTU value.
The burners offer a range of precision-tuned functionality. It includes a sear burner, smoker burner, and steel smoker box, and an infrared rear-mounted rotisserie burner. Check the feature list below for exact BTUs on each.
The S-460 also has flavouriser bars which are popular for giving your food that smoky flavor we love, in addition to redirecting the grease to the grease management system that Weber grills are known for.
A warranty comes with this grill, so should anything go wrong there is no need to be anxious because it is covered by the weber guarantee.
Even though this grill is made for natural gas, the option is available to obtain this grill for liquid propane purposes. Contact your retailer to ensure that you are receiving the correct model for the gas type you prefer. The complexity of the model does not allow for easy consumer conversion so ensure that you specify that natural gas or liquid propane to avoid confusions or mishaps.
The Summit S-460 cooking system is built with the user and grill master in mind, and its versatility and ease of use is perfect for anyone looking to purchase a built in grill.
Prepare yourself for a summer of backyard dinners and grilling parties as your guests will be anxious to come over, even if it is just to drool over this masterpiece.
Pricewise, this grill is ideal for the budget anxious AND the performance savvy griller.
Over twenty years ago Bull products were introduced to the market and the company has been growing and dominating their corner of the marker.
Bull grills are manufactured with the customer in mind to the highest degree of integrity and this is evident in their 26039 Natural Gas Outlaw Drop-In Grill Head.
This grill has more than 60,000 BTU of cooking power and features that will give any other built in a run for its money. With four porcelain coated bar burners, cleaning this grill is quick and easy.
The solid stainless steel grates and smoker box are ideal for this kind of grill and the unique piezo ignition on each valve set it apart from other brands.
The warming rack and cooking surface offer 210 sq. in and 810 sq. in of cook space respectively.
It is also easy on the eyes and offers a solid, durable grilling experience.
The Summerset is a beautiful performance grill that is one of the most feature-rich options on our list. It doesn’t pop up higher simply because the price point is beyond the budget of most home grillers. If you’re lucky and have more to invest in your grilling experience, this should definitely be a contender.
The TRL32-NG boasts stainless steel construction throughout, three 18,000 BTU U-tube burners, a 15,000 BTU infrared rear burner, a ceramic briquette system for even heat distribution across all 855 square inches of cooking space.
I am also really impressed by the flamethrower ignition system and interior halogen lights. It also comes equipped with a rotisserie kit, which you should really expect at this price level.
This is also a really good-looking grill that is definitely a top pick if you want to impress with your grill game.
This is another exceptional product from Lion that hits all the marks for quality and performance, but falls lower on our list simply due to the price tag.
Lion makes our favorite built-in grills and the 90823 really ranks up there with the very best. Notable features of this model include 5 cast stainless steel burners, 90,000 BTUs of total cook power, a massive 1,030 square inches of cooking space, commercial grade stainless steel construction, an adjustable warming rack for added cooking space, and a smoker box.
This model also includes an infrared rotisserie back burner.
I also have to note, this grill is perfect for the craft beer lover, it has a built in bottle opener that just takes it to a whole other level for me. Genius.
Napoleon is dominating this list. The Prestige PRO 665 is just what it sounds like: a grill for a professional chef/grillmaster OR the everyday grillman with a nice chunk of change to blow.
The Pro is a top of the line grill that only falls so low on the list because the overall cost is just beyond most home budgets. It isn’t in this spot because it lacks any of the amenities or frills that a high-end grill typically offers.
This model from Napoleon offers seven stainless steel burners, 86,000 BTUs of power, a massive 1,000 square inches of total cook space, those signature Napoleon stainless steel wave cooking grids, and a built-in infrared rotisserie burner.
You can literally grill 42 hamburgers at once. I don’t know why you might need to grill enough for a small army at one go, but if that’s your thing, this is your grill.
While KitchenAid is not a professional grade brand in the grill world, the 740 is a good choice if you’re looking for an outdoor built-in that lands in the more affordable category.
The 740 comes equipped with full stainless steel construction, offers 775 square inches of total cooking space and 61,000 BTUs of power, which is about average, though not the max we’re seeing in this category. It includes four primary stainless steel burners, and an additional ceramic rotisserie burner. KitchenAid also has a brand specific “EvenHeat” system to maintain a consistent cook temp throughout.
In a category with some serious grill giants, the KitchenAid just falls a little behind.
In the flat top grill category, the Camp Chef gets top marks for being restaurant-grade, versatile and budget-friendly.
The FTG600 has a seriously large surface area and comes with an interchangeable steel top that can convert between grill grates and a flat top griddle for churning out breakfast favorites when not being used for cooking up enough burgers to feed your whole neighborhood.
Total cooking area is a roomy 604 square inches on the griddle and 501 square inches for the grill, powered by four adjustable stainless steel burners at 12,000 BTUs each for a total of 48,000 BTUs of overall cooking power. Camp Chef designed the burners to create heat zones so you can cook up some hash browns using a different temp than the scrambled eggs you have on at the same time.
The design is intended to distribute heat evenly so you want experience hot sports with the FTG600 and can enjoy a reliable, restaurant-grade cooking experience.
Camp Chef also offers two roomy side shelves for prep work and resting a pile of burgers while you finish off a line up of hot dogs.
If you don’t need the extra space the shelves offer, they do fold down so if saving space is a concern the Camp Chef has you covered. I also really love the lower shelf space for stashing condiments, food trays, paper towels or just some easy clean up supplies.
Like most of the grills on our list this set-up has an easy electronic push-button ignition system for really reliable and fast starts. The grease management system is also designed for ease of use and is low hassle and quick to access. This is really important to consider when you’re cooking a high volume of food in a short period of time.
Roller wheels attach to the bottom of the grill so you can keep it mobile, while adjustable leg levelers keep your grilling surface flat and sturdy, no wobble here.
Like the Camp Chef in our top spot, this Blackstone grill and griddle combo is also restaurant grade, and is priced at a slightly lower bracket so it’s a friendlier option for your wallet. Blackstone has also recently added a bunch of fun new features to their line up which packs in a good dose of extra value.
The overall cooking area measures a massive 720 square inches. This is one of the biggest grills on our flat top list. If you’re regularly feeding a pretty big crew then this should be on top of your shortlist. It offers 4 independently controlled burners at 15,000 BTUs each for a total of 60,000 BTUs overall.
The Blackstone also has a removable griddle top and all four legs of the grill are foldable so it’s a great pick if you’re looking for something that’s portable and can travel with you for tailgating or grilling up some favorites at the park. It is also a perfect take-along for group camping events!
All the important parts are stainless steel including the burners, frame and cooktop which will help maximize the durability.
So what are all the fun, new and improved features I mentioned earlier?
Blackstone added a nice little built-in, removable cutting board right in one of the side shelves for easy prep, a convenient paper towel holder for all you messy grillers and trash bag hooks, which are a really nice touch if you’re taking this big boy along on a camping trip.
The rear mounted grease management system is also a nice touch for keeping the grill easy to maintain, especially when it’s seeing a lot of use.
Blackstone is killing it in the flat top grill game and their smaller, 22’’ model takes our third spot for being a great grill that’s also highly portable. This is a table top style, so expect to have a surface for it to sit on.
This grill is light – and comes in two size choices: 17 inches or 22 inches. It offers 330 square inches of cooking space, which is just about perfect for the average family. If you’re cooking for a big group or planning on a bunch of social events, then you’ll want to look at the options in our top 2 spots instead.
This little Blackstone is a solid performer and its 2 H burners are controlled independently. You can have one burner grilling some veggies and the other cooking up a few juicy burgers.
This grill is a griddle-style, but I have found the advantages of this style of grilling mean there’s less risk of flare-ups and flavor leaks. If you’re cooking up a lot of meat, you’re less likely to overcook your meal and end up with a charred mess.
Like the other Blackstone, this model comes outfitted with a rear grease management system, that will actually draw the grease away from your food, leaving you with tasty – but not greasy – meals.
Consider this little powerhouse the carry-on version of the 36 incher. It doesn’t have quite the long feature list, but the price tag is super reasonable and it’s a great pick if you’re looking for something compact to take along for camping and tailgating.
I should just tell you right now, you’re going to see a lot of Blackstone on this list. They’re sort of the Weber of flat tops and have a huge range of options to suit every possible grilling style
The 28-inch option is another solid pick and boasts 470 square inches of cooking space. It offers 2 stainless steel burners with 15,000 BTUs of power each for a total of 30,000 overall BTUs. Battery-operated push-button ignition makes start ups fast and easy.
Like all of Blackstone’s grills, this model is built to last with a powder-coated black steel frame. It is also simple to clean, which makes the post-meal workload much less of a chore. There is also a bottom shelf for storage of key grilling necessities and two side shelves which are perfect for prep work.
If you are an avid camper or fisher, or even just a lover of the outdoors, the Tailgater from Blackstone is a great pick for portability and ease of use while away from home.
Designed to be versatile and make tailgating your favorite sporting events easy and fun, this model is designed so both the griddle and the grill box are removable. You can use them both at the same time, one or the other, or neither if you decided to use this grill as an open burner. The grill box is also pretty cool as it mimics the effects of a traditional gas grill.
The entire unit has a black powder coat finish, and features cast iron grill grates. It offers both an H-tube burner with 15,000 BTUs of power AND a cast-iron burner at 20,000 BTUs. The total cook space is a roomy 512 square inches, which is really impressive for such a portable option.
We also love the adjustable and retractable legs and the easy catch side-mounted grease management system.
Well, if you want to get real serious about things, this 8 burner from Royal Gourmet can totally take you there. This grill is designed to serve as a staple at large events and gatherings. The scale is totally impressive and it’s reliability earns it top marks from us.
So what can you expect from this Royal Gourmet beast? It offers eight tube burners and a crazy 950 square inches of cooking space. The electronic ignition ensures that you’ll get a perfect spark, every time. Two folding tables for prep work and two levels of heavy duty shelves make this grill more of a rolling outdoor kitchen that can serve up 60 burgers or 120 dogs at a time, if you want to get specific.
If you have a large company event, a Church cookout, or a school barbeque fundraiser coming up and need a grill that can handle volume, this one should top your list.
This grill has one of the most unique designs that I have ever seen. It looks more like a little spaceship than a backyard barbecue and it is sort of priced like one too. You’ll need a limitless budget for this one.
The EVO features a dual burner system on a 30-inch diameter cooktop. The cooking surface is already oil-seasoned and ready to rock whatever you throw on it. It is made of heavy-duty stainless-steel construction, so you can rely on it standing the test of time. It also has a one touch ignition system and a propane tank integrated into the lower cart.
The main feature that EVO offers over all others is that it gets really hot really fast. It also has two temperature controls one for the inside and another for the outer area of the circular design. It’s all the best technology of the grill world in one tiny little alien-esque package.
This is a great space-saving grill that comes in two sizes, a 2 burner and a roomier 4-burner.
The 4-burner style offers 13,000 BTUs per burner for an overall 52,000 BTUs of cook power. It has a spacious 744 square inches of total cooking area and a pre-seasoned grill top that is ready to go as soon as the box is opened. The GB4000 also features folding side tables, a built-in towel rack and lower shelf for storage of all the necessities.
A high-capacity grease collection system means you aren’t constantly emptying the drip tray and you can do some serious grilling before maintenance is required. It also features a stainless steel control panel and an electronic ignition system for easy start ups.
Week 1 - Types of Grills
Week 2 - Grilling Basics
Week 3 - Steaks
Week 4 - Chicken
Week 5 - Ribs!!!!
Join Todd(me) and learn all the basics of grilling!
I am a grill freak! It's hard to pick my favorite thing to grill, but if I had to choose... it is still a tie between pork ribs and a juicy beef burger. I am currently grilling on a Weber S210(I live in a small space) but my dream grill is definitely a summit. Those things are bad ass. Anyways I would love to hear from you, leave a comment or question below!