开云体育

Any of you know anything about barbecues? I think it's time to buy one?

Are you talking about a actual smoker-BBQ type of set-up to do real BBQ, or are you taking about a regular outdoor grill? Looked into grill options and bought one 4 years ago, mid-level gas grill, it's pretty good. Chang can tell you about a smoker if you're actually talking about real BBQ.?

On Sat, Sep 3, 2022, 9:00 AM Dan Buck <vertpurple@...> wrote:

Any of you know anything about barbecues? I think it's time to buy one?

Are you talking about a actual smoker-BBQ type of set-up to do real BBQ, or are you taking about a regular outdoor grill? Looked into grill options and bought one 4 years ago, mid-level gas grill, it's pretty good. Chang can tell you about a smoker if you're actually talking about real BBQ.?

On Sat, Sep 3, 2022, 9:00 AM Dan Buck <vertpurple@...> wrote:

Any of you know anything about barbecues? I think it's time to buy one?

Which one did you buy Todd?

On Sat, Sep 3, 2022 at 9:11 AM Todd Rhoads <todd@...> wrote:

Are you talking about a actual smoker-BBQ type of set-up to do real BBQ, or are you taking about a regular outdoor grill? Looked into grill options and bought one 4 years ago, mid-level gas grill, it's pretty good. Chang can tell you about a smoker if you're actually talking about real BBQ.?

On Sat, Sep 3, 2022, 9:00 AM Dan Buck <vertpurple@...> wrote:

Any of you know anything about barbecues? I think it's time to buy one?

with limited space got compact/simple one recommended by Wirecutter -?

? ? -?
Weber Spirit II E-310

Account

• Popular
• More categories...

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.?

The Best Gas Grills

By?,??and?

Updated May 18, 2022

Save

Photo: Michael Hession

UpdatedMay 2022

Updates

The??is our new upgrade pick. It generates more heat and has roomier built-in side tables than our former pick, the Genesis II E-310.

When fresh air and the sear on a juicy grilled burger combine, it’s pure warm-weather delight. But a subpar grill can kill that buzz real fast. To help you keep the good vibes (and food) going, we’ve hunted for gas grills that are durable, easy to clean, and simple to control. After cooking burgers, barbecue, and chicken on seven top-rated grills—and researching dozens more—we recommend the?. No grill matches its combination of exceptional performance, usability, durability, and value.

Our pick

This three-burner grill offers an unrivaled combination of performance, usability, versatility, durability, and value.

*At the time of publishing, the price was?$639.

The??excelled at every test we put it through, producing the best hamburgers—deeply seared, evenly cooked—of any grill we tested, and outdoing or equaling the others on barbecue chicken and whole roasted chickens. This grill’s overall compact size suits almost any patio or deck. Yet its three-burner grilling surface is big enough to cook a complete meal (meat or fish and a couple of veggies) for a family or a dozen burgers for a party. With its thick, rust-proof cast-aluminum firebox, this grill will last for years. (Weber??for a full decade.) And Weber has incorporated some nice features on its pricier Genesis E-325s (our upgrade pick) into this model, including an under-grill storage shelf and an external mount (which makes it easy to change out the propane tank). The Spirit II is also a particularly simple grill to assemble, maintain, and use. Finally, at under $700, it’s a terrific value.

Upgrade pick

With more heat per square inch and a larger grilling area than the Spirit E-310, the Genesis E-325s is our top choice for dedicated grillers.

The??puts out more heat per square inch than our pick, and the main grate has a 20% larger cooking area. The Genesis E-325s has an extra burner—placed between the middle and right-hand burners—that makes that end of the grill hotter, creating what Weber dubs the “Sear Zone.” The Genesis has roomier side tables than the Spirit models—one of them is big enough to fit a?. Weber also redesigned its expandable upper warming rack, with bars that run front to back (rather than side to side), so it’s easier to slide a spatula under the food. Instead of porcelainized cast-iron cooking grates, the Genesis E-325s has a grilling surface made of thick stainless steel rods (these won’t make a huge difference in your grilling results). Like our top pick, the Genesis E-325s has a cast-aluminum firebox and an enameled steel lid and frame. But unlike the Spirit II E-310, the Genesis sits on a closed cart (equipped with double doors) that glides on four casters for easier mobility.

Budget pick

This two-burner grill is great for grilling novices or folks with limited space. However, it lacks some of the versatility—and heat output—of our other picks.

*At the time of publishing, the price was?$459.

The??is a smaller, two-burner version of our pick, the Spirit II E-310. The materials and build are identical: cast-aluminum firebox, enameled steel throughout, porcelainized cast-iron grates, and an open-cart design with a side mount for the propane tank. The E-210 is overall 4 inches smaller widthwise, and its cooking area is 15% smaller than that of the E-310 (360 square inches versus 424, respectively). This is enough space to snugly fit a whole cut-up chicken or six to eight burger patties. The Spirit II E-210 is good for grilling foods that are best suited to intense direct heat, such as steaks, chops, hot dogs, burgers, and veggie skewers. We don’t recommend this grill if you want to cook with indirect heat—a three-burner grill is better for that method, since it cooks the food from two sides instead of one. But we still think the E-210 makes a great first gas grill purchase, and it’s a good option for folks with limited outdoor space.

Our criteria for gas grills

• Three Burners

  Three is the sweet spot—not too crowded inside, not too big outside. And you can cut the middle burner but still get even, radiant heat from the sides, for indirect cooking.

• Propane

  This is still the best fuel for firing up the grill quickly and easily, without needing special hookups or having to tend coals.

• Cast-aluminum firebox

  This material is durable, rust-proof, and fantastic at holding in heat, so it’s ideal for the body of the grill.

• Price: $400 to $900

  Experts and our testing confirm this range is where you’ll find the best value, with grills that perform great and can last a decade or more.

The research

Why you should trust us

When we first started working on this guide, back in 2017, we spoke with more than a dozen experts before opening the valve on a single propane tank.

Among those experts, Joe Salvaggio of??spent two hours explaining the fundamentals of gas grill design, function, materials, and maintenance. Joe and his brother Tony have run Big Apple BBQ, one of the New York region’s leading grill shops, for over 30 years. Because Salvaggio is an independent retailer who carries grills from many manufacturers, he was able to speak freely about what he saw as the relative strengths and weaknesses of various designs.

At the?, we interviewed senior product managers from almost every major grill-maker in attendance, including several brands that wound up being featured in our test: Weber, Broil King, and Napoleon. We also spoke with multiple makers of high-end grills. Though we wouldn’t be testing their grills, we found that understanding what goes into making a $4,000 grill helped us evaluate the less expensive grills in our test.

We backed this reporting with comprehensive research—the in-depth, professional reviews at??being a standout source—and with hands-on time with grills at the big hardware chains.

We then tested six grills ourselves in 2017. Our tests were designed and run by Wirecutter senior staff writer Lesley Stockton, who has a decade of experience in professional kitchens, much of it spent on the grill station. Senior staff writer Tim Heffernan, who wrote the original version of this guide, helped with testing, along with senior staff writer Michael Sullivan. Sam Sifton, then food editor of The New York Times, also joined in the testing and added his extensive knowledge. In 2018, we tested Weber’s new Spirit II E-310—successor to our previous pick, the first-gen Spirit E-310—against our upgrade pick for the best gas grill.

For our 2022 update, we relied mostly on research and reporting, as well as our??from years prior. We combed big-box home-improvement stores—including Home Depot and 尝辞飞别’蝉—and Big Apple BBQ in New York to view anything new. And we again chatted with Joe Salvaggio at Big Apple BBQ to get his expert opinion of the gas grills available for 2022. Overall, we found that the core function and design of grills we’ve covered in the $400 to $900 price range hasn’t changed. More-recent models have the same bones as their predecessors, with minor tweaks like redesigned cabinets, handles, and control panels.

Propane and natural-gas grills vs. charcoal grills

If you’re buying a grill, your first decision is which type of fuel works best.

On balance, propane or natural gas are probably better choices if you favor no-fuss cooking or you grill often (and especially if you grill on weeknights, when time is at a premium). If you’re an occasional griller or you enjoy getting hands-on with your cooking, charcoal is an economical choice that, with a bit of practice, produces great results.

Gas grills (both propane and natural) offer three big benefits:

• Control:?Adjusting the heat is simply a matter of turning the burner knobs. So you can easily prevent burning or undercooking, as well as create different heat zones, by shutting down one or more burners (handy for?). You can do the same with charcoal, too, but it takes work—you need to move the coals around and adjust the vents.
• Convenience:?Gas grills turn on with the press of a button and heat up fast. With charcoal grills, it takes 20 minutes or so to light the coals and another 10 minutes or so for the grates to heat up.
• Cleanliness:?Gas grills don’t generate much smoke and don’t produce ash or embers the way charcoal grills do. So cleanup is simple—you just have to brush and wipe the grates and empty the grease trap after you’re done cooking.

However, charcoal grills have several upsides of their own:

• Hot hot heat:?Charcoal burns hotter than gas, so you can get a superior sear on burgers and steaks.
• Value:?You can buy an?. Gas grills that won’t fall apart on you would start at around $400, and you can easily spend at least twice that if you upgrade to an even better one.
• Romance factor:?For some people, it’s more fun to play with fire than to twiddle a few knobs.

What about propane vs. natural gas?

All of our picks are propane-gas grills, since propane tanks are portable and can be purchased almost anywhere, and they don’t require any special hookups in your backyard.

However, our picks are also sold in natural-gas versions, which are gaining in popularity. But they require that you have a natural-gas hookup on your deck or patio. If you have natural gas in your home but don’t have an outdoor connection, you’ll need to hire a technician to install one, and this may involve cutting into walls. And if you want to easily move your natural-gas grill into and out of storage, you’ll also need to buy a quick-disconnect system, which can add another $150 or so. The benefits of natural gas include not having to wrestle propane tanks on and off your grill, always-available fuel (no more trips to the hardware store for propane refills), and lower fuel costs (weighed against the high price of installation).??a deeper rundown of the process.

Of course, you may also have concerns about how each of these fuel choices might impact the environment. There’s no easy answer, but we discuss some of the considerations in the??below.

• After weeks of research and two days of testing on burgers, barbecue, and whole chickens, the?Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill 22″?is our pick as the best charcoal grill for most people.

How we picked the best gas grill

Testing grills in 2017.?Photo: Michael Hession

There were three firm criteria that our main (but not budget) contenders had to meet:

• Three burners:?Three-burner grills are compact, yet they’re big enough to accommodate cooking a complete family dinner (say, chicken breasts on one burner, corn on the cob on another, and another vegetable on the third) or a bunch of burgers or brats for a party. And three burners provide a lot of versatility in your cooking technique: You can sear, slow-cook, do indirect cooking, and even smoke large cuts of meat. Two-burner grills offer less versatility, but they save you a little space and a little money. And they can be a good?—as long as you’re prepared to cook your food in smaller batches. Grills with four burners (or more) are generally more than most people need. We think having a grill with three burners is ideal. But if you know you need either fewer or more than that, most manufacturers’ lines—including??and?—come in two-, three-, four-, and six-burner versions (and are priced lower or higher accordingly).
• Cast-aluminum firebox:?Based on advice from Big Apple BBQ’s Joe Salvaggio and multiple grill-makers, we insisted that our main contenders had a cast-aluminum firebox (the lower half of the grill body, where the burners and grates are mounted). Cast aluminum is rust-proof and highly durable (offering a decade or more of service), and it holds and reflects heat well. Even many high-end grills use it. By contrast, budget-priced grills usually have fireboxes made of thin, porcelain-coated or painted carbon steel. These models are notoriously rust-prone, don’t last long, and don’t hold or reflect heat efficiently.
• A price of $400 to $900:?As Salvaggio explained—and as our hands-on time confirmed—this price range is something of a sweet spot. For this amount, you can get a great grill that meets our other criteria, without overpaying for seldom-used add-ons (such as rotisseries, side burners, and infrared burners), unneeded capacity, or deluxe materials. We did test a couple of budget-priced options (around $200). They didn’t perform well. And, again, because budget models are generally made of thin steel, they don’t offer nearly as much durability as our picks. Ultimately, if you want to spend less, we recommend that you get a smaller, two-burner grill, or consider??instead.

Finally, we restricted our search to grills that burn propane from refillable tanks, the most common fuel by far. But you should note that there are versions of all of our picks that work with natural gas. Just keep in mind that if you don’t already have the proper hookups, installing a natural-gas outlet?.

We didn’t fret much over two other factors that grill-makers spend a lot of time talking about: the grates’ material and total Btu count (British thermal units, a measure of maximum heat output over the course of an hour).

First, the total Btu count on three-burner grills tends to vary between 30,000 and 40,000, and the industry is making a strong push toward “more is better.” But our research and reporting convinced us that the following was at least as important as the total output: whether those Btu were applied efficiently, steadily, and evenly across the grates.

Second, grates come in a range of materials: plain cast iron, porcelain-coated cast iron (more rust-resistant), and stainless steel rods (sometimes as thick as a stick of chalk or even a thumb). Salvaggio says porcelainized cast iron holds and delivers heat better than the even-heavier stainless rods on his top-end wares. We found that while porcelainized cast iron was predominant on grills ranging from $300 to over $1,000 in the past, stainless steel is gaining popularity. For instance, on its new Genesis models, Weber swapped the cast-iron grates for stainless steel ones.

When comparing the two materials—without taking anything else into consideration—cast iron holds more heat, so it will leave darker sear marks on your food than stainless steel. But the difference is minimal, especially if you’re not doing a side-by-side comparison of the two. Some folks think cast-iron grates distribute heat better across the grilling surface than stainless steel. But in our research we found that the design and the materials that make up the grilling system (firebox, burners, burner hoods) are what determine heat distribution.

Most gas grills have a thermometer built into the lid. No matter the brand of grill, we don’t like to fully rely on built-in thermometers. They’re fine for getting a rough idea of how hot your grill is. But thermometers in the lid are several inches above the cooking grate and don’t accurately report the temperature on the surface where you’re actually cooking your food. Consider getting an??to gauge the temperature of the cooking grates. Or you can rely on the?.

In our original tests, we also paid attention to how the setup process works for each of the brands, noting details like how well the grills were packed, whether the instructions were clear, and if assembly was reasonably straightforward.

How we tested gas grills

In spring 2017, we kicked off this grill guide by putting six gas grills through a battery of tests. We cooked a full grate of burgers on high heat and chicken pieces at a low temperature. We also roasted whole chickens indirectly on both low and high heat to see whether the grills could create browned skin and perfectly cooked meat without charring. In 2018 we repeated these tests, with the then-new Weber Spirit II E-310 and our upgrade pick at the time, the??(predecessor to our?).

Signs of a quality gas grill: a good sear and no flare-ups.?Photo: Michael Hession

For the high-heat, whole-grate burger test—an indicator of the grills’ ability to pump out uniform, high heat without creating an inferno—we heated the grills on high with their lids down for 15 minutes, and we distributed 12 to 15 6-ounce patties across the whole cooking surface. While the burgers cooked, we kept an eye out for flare-ups—which can char the meat and create acrid smoke—and looked at the evenness of cooking across the grates. After about 10 minutes of cooking, we compared how well each grill had seared the burgers, and we looked for excessive charring or patties that were still unacceptably raw.

For the low-and-slow, whole-grate test—an indicator of the grills’ ability to maintain a uniform, moderate heat for foods that need a long, gentle cook—we cooked all of the pieces from a whole chicken over medium heat (around 375 degrees Fahrenheit). We grilled the chicken with the lid down for 45 minutes, occasionally checking for charring, and redistributing the pieces as necessary. After 45 minutes, we flipped the chicken parts, slathered on a coating of barbecue sauce, and closed the lid for another 15 minutes. Throughout, we monitored the grills’ temperatures according to their built-in thermometers; the goal was a steady hold at 375 °F with little or no burner adjustment.

For the indirect-cooking tests, we cooked whole chickens at two temperatures: the first chicken at 375 °F and the second one at as close to 500 °F as we could get. (The indirect-cooking tests are an indicator of the grills’ ability to act like an oven, which is a nice feature in hot summer months, when you don’t want to warm up your kitchen.) We brought the grills to temperature with their two outer burners lit and the middle burner unlit. Then we placed a 3- to 4-pound chicken in the dead center of the grate surface and closed the lid. We monitored the grills for temperature for the hour-long cook, but we kept any adjustment of the burners to a minimum. At the end, we noted the depth and evenness of browning.

• After testing more than 90 tools from spatulas to tongs to grill gloves and more, we have recommendations for everything you need to have an amazing barbecue.

We assembled the six grills alone and in teams of two. We did this to see if the former scenario was even possible (the answer: yes, when the instructions were clear and the assembly was well-thought-out) and whether the latter made much of a difference (the answer: yes, in every case). We noted poor instructions, needlessly complicated screw or bolt sizes, or safety hazards like sharp edges.

When it comes to assembling gas grills, it’s better to have two people.?Photo: Michael Hession

Finally, after all the tests were done, we performed routine maintenance by removing and replacing the propane tanks, emptying the grease traps, washing the grates, and scrubbing out the fireboxes. If you own a grill, you’ll have to perform these tasks at least a few times a year, so a grill that makes them a little easier is a welcome thing.

For our 2022 update, we relied mainly on market research and meta-analysis. Most new grills worth considering are still produced by the same companies whose products we’ve tested in previous years. And with each new version of the models we’re familiar with, the most important characteristics—such as quality of materials and construction—are the same. We spoke again with Joe Salvaggio of Big Apple BBQ about the newest models, and we examined our main contenders in person at Home Depot, 尝辞飞别’蝉, and??in Houston.

Our pick: Weber Spirit II E-310

Photo: Michael Hession

Our pick

This three-burner grill offers an unrivaled combination of performance, usability, versatility, durability, and value.

*At the time of publishing, the price was?$639.

The??provides the unrivaled combination of top-notch grilling performance, a versatile three-burner design, durability, and a relatively affordable price. It excelled at every test, producing the best sear on our burgers of any grill, and equaling or outdoing the others in our tests involving barbecue chicken and whole roasted chickens. The Spirit II E-310’s overall compact size (helped by a fold-down side table) suits almost any patio or deck. And yet its grilling surface is big enough to cook a complete meal for a family or a dozen burgers for a party. With a thick cast-aluminum firebox, this model will last for years. (?for a full decade—among the best coverage in the industry.) For decades, the company has refined the Spirit’s design, too. This version includes an easily accessible externally mounted propane tank and an under-grill shelf. On top of all that, this grill is particularly easy to assemble, maintain, and use, and its finish comes in four colors (black, white, red, and blue).

The Spirit II E-310 also comes with white, red, and blue finishes.?Photo: Michael Hession

With 424 square inches of primary grilling space, the three-burner Spirit II E-310 can easily accommodate 12 large hamburgers, two whole or cut-up chickens, or a large cut for smoking, like brisket. Or it can cook a complete meal for five or six people. For instance, you can sear steak or fish on one side of the grill and cook vegetables on lower heat on the other. And you can cook them really well.

The Spirit II E-310 exhibited the most consistent heat across the entire cooking surface.

In our 2018 test, going up against the Weber Genesis II E-310 (predecessor to our?, with very similar specs), the Spirit II E-310 produced a better deep-and-crusty sear on hamburgers. This led us to surmise that the smaller Spirit model concentrates the burners’ heat better. We had no issues with the meat sticking to the flat, porcelain-coated iron grates. And we had no problems with flare-ups, the grease fires that produce charring and acrid smoke. (All grills produce brief bursts of flame when grease drips onto the burner hoods; the problem is persistent fires.) In our 2017 test, both Webers outperformed all of the other grills we tested, including?.

The Spirit II E-310 also exhibited the most consistent heat across the entire cooking surface in the 2018 test, just as the original Spirit had done in 2017. Among the competition in our 2017 test,??in particular had noticeable cool spots toward the front of its grates. To a degree, all grills suffer from this problem, because the burners don’t extend all the way to the front of the firebox. But the Spirit II E-310 offered the most consistent heating across the entire grate surface. After 10 minutes, the burgers at the rear (the hottest part of the grill) were medium-well, and those at the front were medium-rare to medium (if your diners have various preferences, this difference might even be handy). On the Napoleon grill, meanwhile, some of the front burgers were nearly raw in the center, while the rear burgers were well-done.

The Weber Spirit grills (both the previous and current versions) produced beautiful barbecue chicken, with crisped skin and caramelized sauce.?Photo: Michael Hession

During the low-and-slow grilling of the cut-up chicken, the Spirit II E-310 held almost perfectly steady at 375 °F, requiring almost no fiddling with the burner knobs—a quality it shared with the Genesis II. Both produced perfect barbecue chicken. By contrast, the Napoleon grill struggled to produce chicken with crisp, browned skin, and we soon discovered why: Its built-in thermometer was registering 50 degrees hotter than the actual temperature inside the grill. The result was flabby barbecue. The??had the opposite problem, running way too hot—as high as 450 °F, even with the burners on low. The result was charred chicken and burnt sauce.

The Spirit II E-310 performed beautifully during our 2018 indirect-cooking test, producing a pair of perfectly cooked chickens (and holding a steady 440 °F). They were the Platonic ideal: deeply browned chickens with skin so crisp it puffed up like a balloon. In our 2017 test, the Broil King and Napoleon models performed just fine, but not spectacularly. (We had to adjust the heat frequently to keep the temperature consistent. And the Napoleon ran about 20 degrees cooler, according to our probe thermometer, so we had to compensate for that.)

The Weber Spirit grills (previous and current versions) produced perfectly roasted chicken.?Photo: Michael Hession

The Spirit II E-310 was the simplest to assemble and had the most well-thought-out instructions; even if you lack much experience with this sort of work, you likely could assemble it easily. (However, actually moving the Spirit, still packed in its box, to your patio will require two people or a hand truck, since its shipping weight is 114 pounds.) One thing Weber does exceptionally well: It clearly labels the little bags of bolts and other fasteners (A, B, C, and so on) and cues them to the stages of assembly. So you rarely have more than one or two bags open, and finding the right component is always easy.

The gas tank mounts externally (see the top photo in this section), instead of in a cabinet underneath the grill, as is typical (such as on the?). That makes it much easier to install a new tank and unhook an old one, because you’re not scrabbling around a small, dark enclosure to find the hoses and brackets. This design also allowed Weber to put a sturdy shelf under the grill—a handy place to store pans, bags of wood chips, a small cooler, and other stuff you may need while grilling. Plus, one of the side tables folds down, making the grill more compact for storage when it’s not in use (it’s 43 inches wide with the table down).

As for maintenance, the Spirit E-310’s flat grates were easy to keep clean with a?, and its grease trap was easy to access for dumping and washing. The other grills also have easy-access grease traps—not much to ask for, really. But we found the Napoleon model’s wavy grates hard to clean because we couldn’t run the grill brush in long strokes. In our tests, the Spirit E-310’s firebox cleaned up fine, with some Simple Green and hot water, and because it’s aluminum, there’s no concern about rust.

This grill is sturdily built from the ground up: Lots of metal, very little plastic, and tight tolerances add up to a stiff chassis.

The entire Spirit II line interfaces with Weber’s??(a separate purchase); this can alert you, through an app downloaded to your phone, when your food has reached certain temperatures. For now, we think a?, like the?, could alert you in a similar way for less cost. (As long as you’re standing by the grill, your eyes, ears, and/or nose, and??can work just as well.) However, some people like the smart functionality, and we’re continuing to learn and evaluate how these developing technologies can make grilling easier or more foolproof for home cooks.

Several members of our staff have been using the Spirit II E-310 at home for the past three to four years, and they have reported that their grills have stayed in great shape and are still working well (you can read their notes just below). As a company, Weber constantly refines its designs, even on its classic charcoal kettle grill, which has been around for well over 60 years. And, again, Weber’s warranty covers all parts of the Spirit II E-310 for a full 10 years. So the company has a financial incentive to build it to last for years.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

We wish the bars of the Spirit II E-310’s warming racks ran front to back, parallel to the main grates, like they do on our upgrade pick, the Genesis E-325s. That way, you could easily slide a spatula under stuff that’s warming. As it is, the warming-rack bars run edge to edge, and you have to awkwardly jimmy a spatula in there sideways.

The Spirit II E-310 (and every grill) should come with a grill cover. This one doesn’t, nor did any grill in our test group, so you’ll need to buy one separately. Weber’s??costs about $80, and a well-regarded??costs about $30 (both at the time of writing).

How the Spirit II E-310 has held up

First, a fiery tale that demonstrates the reliability of Weber’s customer service. Wirecutter senior editor Mark Smirniotis scored the Weber Spirit II E-310 at an end-of-season sale in 2019. He found it reliable, easy to clean, and more stable than cheaper grills he’s owned. In the summer of 2021, he left his grill on high for about 10 minutes and walked away, intending to heat it up for a clean before a family cookout the next day. However, he didn’t empty the grease tray (which was respectably full for a grill that’s used only for vegetarian cooking), and it ignited a small grease fire at the bottom of the grill. After the fire died down, he tried to remove the grease tray, but it was stuck. “I realized the metal of the grill actually bowed a little. It even looked melty. Like an idiot, I poked it with the end of my grill brush, which went right through.”

That horizontal line is where the grill brush poked through the molten metal.?Photo: Mark Smirniotis

Somewhat sheepishly, Mark called Weber and talked to a helpful representative who took down details for the company’s “incident team.” (Weber reps engage this team whenever there’s damage, to a grill or a property.) The rep then sent Mark an email with instructions for a handful of pictures the team needed. “I emailed the photos on Thursday, and on Saturday an incident rep called me. I got a gentle lecture on cleaning and safety, but then he said they’d be sending me a whole-new cookbox (the main bottom half of the grill)—no charge, no shipping fees. Given the situation and the cost, I felt like this was one of the easiest product issues I’ve dealt with, and I’m thrilled I neither had to make a janky repair nor spend money on a new grill!” We are definitely not saying that you should leave your grease trap full. But we are saying that if you do, the warranty and customer service are absolutely worth the small premium you pay for Weber grills over cheaper brands.

Wirecutter editor-in-chief Ben Frumin has been long-term testing the Spirit II E-310 since summer 2019. He says: “It replaced a years-old grill (a Kenmore, I believe) that was totally serviceable but kinda old and gross. I was immediately blown away by how much better our pick is. It was so easy to use. It heated up way faster than my old grill, cooked meat faster and more evenly, was easier to clean, and was just so clearly better overall. I use it to grill up burgers, hot dogs, salmon, chicken, mushrooms, Beyond Burgers, and a bunch of other stuff.” After nearly three years of using the grill (which was first acquired and tested by our team in 2018), Ben did have to replace the Flavorizer bars, or burner hoods. Unfortunately, he didn’t realize they were under warranty, so he did not contact Weber. “I also discovered recently that one of the three burners no longer ignites easily, which might mean it’s time for a good cleaning. For now, I just use a lighter to get it to catch.” Overall, however, Ben says the grill still works great.

“I got a gentle lecture on cleaning and safety, but then he said they’d be sending me a whole-new cookbox (the main bottom half of the grill)—no charge, no shipping fees.”

Wirecutter editor Signe Brewster bought the Weber Spirit II E-310 in 2019. It’s her first grill, and she’s loved using it in the summertime. “I mostly use it for pizza (on a pizza stone) and brats, plus veggies in?. Zero complaints except for cleaning it at the end of the summer, but I’m sure that’s an issue with all grills.” Signe also reports some difficulty igniting the burners, potentially due to buildup in the tubes or ports. She’s planning to clean it soon and will report back.

Upgrade pick: Weber Genesis E-325s

Photo: Weber

Upgrade pick

With more heat per square inch and a larger grilling area than the Spirit E-310, the Genesis E-325s is our top choice for dedicated grillers.

If you’re looking for a big grill that has a larger cooking area and more fire power, consider the?. Even though it’s billed as a three-burner grill, it actually has a fourth burner located between the middle and right-hand burners, creating what Weber calls the “Sear Zone.” The grill also comes with two big, asymmetrical side tables (one is longer than the other), a closed cabinet with double doors, and four lockable swiveling casters. Compared with?, the entire Genesis E-325s is almost a foot longer, and its cooking area is about 20% larger, easily accommodating 15 burger patties at a time. Instead of having porcelainized cast-iron grates (like those on the Spirit grills and previous generations of the Genesis), the grates on the Genesis E-325s are made from thick, stainless steel rods. The stainless steel grates could create slightly lighter sear marks on your food than cast iron would deliver, but the difference should hardly be noticeable. The Genesis E-325s also has a foldable upper rack that extends the length of the main cooking grate and expands to be 11 inches deep. The E-325s looks sturdy and well built, and it has some new practical features that further justify the higher price tag.

The Genesis E-325s is the only one of our picks that we haven’t physically tested, but we did check it out in person at a few different stores. When we visited 叠别谤颈苍驳’蝉 in Houston, we took measurements and got a thorough rundown of the grill’s features from a helpful staff member with a wealth of grilling knowledge. This model’s core design components—firebox, burners, control panel—are all the same as those of the?, which we tested in 2017 and 2018. Knowing this, we’re confident that the new Genesis will perform at least as well as its predecessors.

At 513 square inches (26 by 19 inches), the cooking grate on the Genesis E-325s is big enough to grill an entire meal for a family. The E-325s can easily fit all of the parts from two whole chickens in a single layer, something that would be a tight fit on the Spirit II E-310 (and impossible on our budget pick, the?). With previous Genesis models, we found that because the burners were spaced out over a larger cooking area, they didn’t sear food as darkly as those on the Spirit II E-310. But as we mentioned, even though the E325s has the same cooking area as its predecessor, Weber has added an extra burner to the new Genesis models (between the right-hand and middle burners), creating what it calls the “Sear Zone.” (This means the three-burner E-325s actually has four burners, and the??has five.) And it’s not like this is a lesser burner (even though the knob controlling it is smaller). It puts out the same 13,000 Btu as the others, for a combined total 52,000 Btu across the four burners. By contrast, the Spirit II E-310 puts out 30,000 Btu and the E-210, 26,500 Btu.

Instead of being made from porcelainized cast iron, the grill grates on the Genesis E-325s are made from thick stainless steel rods. The advantage of stainless steel is its resistance to rust and corrosion. However, stainless steel doesn’t hold as much heat as cast iron. So it’s possible the E-325s might not deliver as dark a sear on foods as the Spirit II models. But for the average home griller, the difference in performance between the two would hardly be noticeable. The really important part is that the entire heat-delivery system—the firebox, burners, and burner hoods—has a much greater effect on the overall results of your food. And all those elements are of the same great quality we’ve consistently seen on Weber grills.

The Genesis E-325s has a bigger right-hand side table—23 inches wide by 17? inches long—than the previous version. That’s enough space to hold a?, with room to spare. The left-hand table is slightly smaller, at 23 by 14 inches. Unlike on the Spirit II E-310, on the E-325s neither side table folds down. So triple-check your space to make sure you have room for this 61-inch-long grill before you buy! Continuing with the bigger-and-more-is-better theme, the Genesis has eight tool hooks—three on each of the side tables and two on the right side of the cart. The upper rack under the lid is also enlarged and upgraded. The hinged rack measures 5? inches deep when folded and expands to 11 inches. Weber also switched the direction of the rods on the upper rack so that they now run back to front, instead of side to side. This makes slipping a spatula under the food so much easier.

We’re mixed on the new cart design for the Genesis E-325s. On the positive side, it has welded steel pieces and provides a sturdy base for the grill. The double doors feel substantial, and they swivel smoothly in their hinges. We also like that the base sits on four casters—as opposed to the combination of two casters and two fixed wheels on its predecessor, the Genesis II. And compared with the Spirit II’s two fixed wheels, the casters on the E-325s make it easier for folks with varying abilities to maneuver the cart. However, we’re bummed that Weber decided to move the propane tank hook and gauge from the side (where they sit on the Spirit II and previous Genesis models) to under the firebox inside the cart. We can only imagine the crawling and contorting one must do to hook a full tank of liquid propane in that small cabinet.

We don’t have first-hand experience with assembling the Genesis E-325s. But we can report that it has the same easy-to-follow assembly system of lettered bundles of parts as the Spirit II does. The E-325s is the most basic in Weber’s?. We recommend grills that use liquid propane, but Weber also makes versions of its grills that are natural-gas-compatible. And there are various??within the Genesis line that might include some combination of the following extra features: a side burner, stainless steel lid and doors, and built-in thermometers with Wi-Fi connectivity. These extras increase the cost by hundreds of dollars, and whether they’d be helpful for you has everything to do with your grilling style and needs.

Weber’s warranty covers the firebox and lid assembly for 12 years; it covers stainless steel burner tubes, cooking grates, and Flavorizer bars (or burner hoods) for 10 years.

Budget pick: Weber Spirit II E-210

Photo: Weber

Budget pick

This two-burner grill is great for grilling novices or folks with limited space. However, it lacks some of the versatility—and heat output—of our other picks.

*At the time of publishing, the price was?$459.

If you have limited outdoor space or don’t want to commit to a larger grill, the??is a smaller, two-burner version of?, and it’s a great choice. The Spirit II E-210’s smaller grate (measuring 360 square inches, compared with the Spirit II E-310’s 424 square inches) might make grilling for a crowd a challenging endeavor. However, this grill can still accommodate a whole cut-up chicken or six to eight burger patties at a time. And it performs on a par with the three-burner version, the Spirit II E-310. Like our top pick, the two-burner Spirit comes with a cast-aluminum firebox, an enameled steel lid and open cart, two side tables, and a 10-year warranty.

The upper warming rack adds 90 square inches of cooking surface to the E-210, making the total grate area 450 square inches. Overall, the two-burner Spirit II is the same depth and height as the three-burner model, but the E-210 is 4 inches smaller width-wise. That may not seem like much, but if you’re working with a small patio area, every inch counts. Like the E-310, the E-210 has an open-cart design and an easy-access side-mounted hook and gauge for the propane tank.

Even though we didn’t officially test the Spirit II E-210, we did test its predecessor, the??(our former top pick). And one of our guide writers, Lesley, owned the Spirit II E-210 for years before passing it off to a friend (to make room for long-term testing the Genesis II E-310). She recounts that the Spirit II E-210 held consistent temperature across the cooking grate, and flare-ups were never an issue.

The only quibble Lesley had with the E-210 was its small size. She recalls one particular instance when she grilled fajitas for 25 guests for her partner’s birthday. She grilled skirt steak for three hours straight because the small grate could accommodate only two-ish slabs at a time. However, the fajitas were beautifully seared and perfectly cooked. She was never disappointed with the Spirit E-210’s performance—it’s a top-notch small grill.

Since the Spirit II E-210 has only two burners, indirect cooking may present a bit of a challenge. It’s doable, but it requires more attention from the griller to make sure the chicken (or roast, or what have you) is evenly cooked. Cooking with indirect heat on a three-burner grill is more hands-off because the food sits over the middle burner, which you leave turned off. The right and left burners surround the food with heat—basically creating an outdoor oven. But with a two-burner grill, cooking with indirect heat means the food gets heat from only one side, while it sits over the other, inactive burner. So you have to maneuver and rotate your chicken or roast to make sure it cooks evenly throughout. This is not impossible, but it definitely takes some attention and finesse.

That said, the Weber Spirit II E-210 excels at its primary function—straight-up grilling. This little two-burner grill puts a mean sear on steaks, chops, and burgers. It has good heat control and can maintain a steady medium to medium-low for grilling chicken pieces with rendered skin and sticky glaze. Weber covers all parts on the Spirit II E-210 for 10 years, excluding normal wear and tear.

If the price of the Spirit II E-210 is still more than you’re willing to pay for a gas grill, consider other types of?, as opposed to buying a cheaper gas grill that will last you only a couple of years.

What if you don’t want to spend this much on a gas grill?

Our least expensive pick is just south of $500. If you want a quality grill that costs less but that you won’t have to throw out after a few years—and you’re willing to make some concessions—we have a couple of suggestions: Consider a??or a good?.

The??portable gas grill has a lot going for it: It’s compact yet roomy, and you can use it anywhere. Of all our?, the Q 2200 has the most grilling area and thus makes a better substitute for a full-size model. Its cooking area measures 280 square inches (21? by 15 inches), and it can fit nine burgers without crowding. Like all of our gas grill picks, it has a cast-aluminum firebox, an enameled steel lid, and two built-in side tables. Unlike our other gas grill picks, the Q series grills require the small propane canisters used for camping stoves (but if you want to use a large propane tank, you can get an adapter). By choosing the 2200 over our budget pick, the?, you’d save around $130 (at the time of writing). And if you’re willing to go even smaller, the Weber Q 1200—with a cooking area that’s 189 square inches (17 by 12? inches)—costs more than $200 less than the Spirit II E-210.

After years of testing grills, we can’t think of a better deal for a great grill than the?, which has been our??for almost 10 years. Cooking with charcoal is not as convenient as turning a dial and walking away, but we love a Weber kettle for its simplicity and durability. It’s a classic backyard staple, and it can fit up to 12 burger patties to feed a crowd—the same as the?, but for less than half the price.

What about Napoleon and Broil King?

Both of these companies make well-designed grills with cast-aluminum fireboxes and enameled steel frames. They’re not picks, however, because we found that Weber grills struck the best balance of searing power and usability of the three brands. Here are our observations on both the Napoleon and Broil King models we tested in 2017:

The??($700 at the time of writing) is the Canadian company’s flagship in the $400 to $900 range. Like the other models we tested in that category, this one has a cast-aluminum firebox, porcelain-coated cast-iron grates, and three burners. On paper, the Rogue 425 has a lot going for it, but we were disappointed in its performance. Despite showing 650 °F heat on our burger test, it failed to achieve a good sear. We suspect this is due to a combination of a couple things: the pyramidal grate bars making minimal contact with the meat, and the grill’s thermometer overstating the actual temperature by about 50 degrees (we measured it independently with an accurate probe thermometer). The grill also struggled to hold a steady temperature on the barbecue-chicken test. Napoleon’s signature is its wavy grates, and they do look cool, but they’re harder to clean than straight grates. They also leave odd, distorted sear marks if you try to make the classic crosshatch pattern. Assembly was straightforward, and the instruction manual was well-thought-out. But given the?’s higher performance and lower cost, the choice was clear.

The now-discontinued Broil King Signet 320 is similar to the other grills we tested in the $400 to $900 category, offering a cast-aluminum firebox, porcelainized iron grates, and three burners. It had the highest total Btu (40,000) of the four grills we tested in that range. But we found that this wasn’t an advantage: For the burger test, the grill topped 700 °F after 15 minutes of heating, and as a result it blackened the patties. (“Tastes like a Marlboro,” said Sam Sifton.)

“Tastes like a Marlboro.”?Photo: Michael Hession

On the barbecue-chicken test, the Broil-King ran very hot—even with the burners on their lowest setting—topping 450 °F, when the goal was a steady 375 °F. That meant we had to move the chicken around, or even to the warming rack, to try to avoid charring—whereas the key to good grilled chicken is allowing it to cook undisturbed. We had a problem with the grill grate, too: There’s a strange ridge that runs across it about half an inch from the front edge, and if you’re not careful you can catch your spatula on it and send your utensil flying. Also, during assembly we ran into an unforgivable design flaw: A key pair of bolts, which hold the firebox to the frame, are located in a tight space that’s almost impossible to get your fingers or a wrench into. And the caster wheels absolutely refused to slide into their sockets—we slightly broke one socket when trying, and the other required a coating of soap and as much pressure as we could manage. For $100 more, the Weber Spirit II E-310 offers a much better experience.

Grill maintenance basics

Maintaining a grill is not hard, and?, you can add years to the life of your grill.

First and foremost: Use a grill cover. It will keep your grill dry (which helps prevent rust) and clean (which helps prevent clogged burner ports and gritty grates). They don’t come with most grills. You can usually find a “custom-fitted” brand-specific one for about $80 to $90 (,?) or a generic version for less than half that (?will fit all of our picks). Our test grills sat through days of intense rain, and we didn’t notice a difference in performance between grills that sat under the two options. In winter (if you live where it snows), try to keep your grill in a garage or shed—grill covers don’t protect against standing water or extended periods of dampness.

Second, clean your grill before or after every use. (We like the?, and we tell you why in?.) Big Apple BBQ’s Salvaggio recommends turning the burners to high and closing the lid for 10 minutes after you’re done cooking—and then just turning them off and walking away. Next time you cook, brush the cold, soot-covered grills clean, wipe them with a wet paper towel or rag, and then proceed. That goes against the common advice to clean the grates while they’re hot. Salvaggio has found that cleaning hot grates more easily damages the porcelain coating on cast iron, allowing rust to form. And though stainless steel grates are more rust-resistant than cast-iron ones, it’s still a good idea to follow this cleaning advice to keep them in tip-top shape.

Check the grease trap after every use (or before every use), and don’t let it get too full. If it spills over, you’ll be cleaning grease out of the inside of your grill for an hour.

If a burner seems to be running cool or creates patchy flames, use a thin piece of wire (many grills come with one attached to a chain) to clean out the gas ports (the little holes in the burner). There’s nothing inside the burners to break, so don’t feel like you have to be delicate.

Take the battery out of the igniter before you store the grill long-term. Batteries can burst and corrode the igniter contacts.

About once a year (usually before winter storage), many grill enthusiasts do a deep-clean of the whole grill—soaking the grates in hot, soapy water and scrubbing them, and then scrubbing down the firebox and rinsing it with a hose. That’s probably good practice.

Finally, be aware that a few parts of a grill are consumables, so you will need to replace them occasionally. The burner hoods (metal “tents” that sit over the burners and guide grease away from the flames to prevent flare-ups) are usually the first to go. Weber’s??covers burner hoods on the 2022 Genesis models and all parts on the Spirit II models for 10 years. You can replace them in-kind. Or you could find third-party options that claim higher performance and long lifespans (though we haven’t tested these claims ourselves).

The grates also take a beating, and eventually most start to rust. That’s not necessarily a problem in itself, because you can oil iron grates and season them as you would a cast-iron skillet. But if they were originally porcelain-coated (as is the case on our??and?), you may end up with chips of porcelain in your food, and that’s not a good thing. Again, you can replace grates with factory parts or third-party alternatives.

• To keep your grill in working order, take time to do some simple cleaning tasks, as well as the occasional deep scrub-down, every time you cook.

What’s the environmental impact of gas grills?

A grill that is both durable and easy to repair creates much less waste than a cheapo grill that ends up in the garbage. We chose grills with fireboxes made of cast aluminum because the firebox is a major part of the grill, it’s difficult to replace, and aluminum is resistant to rust and corrosion. Cheaper grills have thin enameled steel fireboxes that are prone to damage and holes from rust. Once your grill has a rusty hole in the firebox, it’s destined for the scrap heap.

Also, as mentioned in the above section on?, things like burner hoods (the tented metal pieces that sit over the burners), grilling grates, and the ignition switch are consumable parts, meaning they eventually degrade or wear out over time and are meant to be replaced. Those are parts that should be easy to find and can be purchased for a reasonable price—preferably from the company that made the grill. Any solid grill maker will have those available for purchase, even if your grill is 15-plus years old.

But what about fuel? This is a tough one because, well, there’s no one clear answer. Gas grills run on either liquid propane (most common) or natural gas—both fossil fuels. Though both are relatively clean-burning fuels, propane emits fewer greenhouse pollutants than natural gas—though the difference is negligible. However, propane is more efficient because it burns hotter than natural gas. Additionally, propane tanks are inexpensive, reusable, and available at most hardware and big-box stores.

Of all the fuels mentioned here, charcoal emits the most carbon into the atmosphere. Though there’s no debating that, some experts argue that lump charcoal (not briquettes, which can have added chemicals) is potentially carbon neutral. That is, as long as the lump charcoal is naturally produced—by torching wood and nothing else—and harvested responsibly from woodlands where new trees are planted, thus absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as the trees grow. If you want to read more about comparing grilling fuels, we found helpful articles from?,?, and?.

Another good gas grill

Weber is no longer producing our former upgrade pick, the?. But this model is still available for purchase at big-box stores like??and?. We still think it’s a great grill with clever design features. For one thing, this grill has an externally mounted propane tank, which is easier to install and replace than traditional, under-grill tanks (like on?). And this type of tank also frees up the area under the grill for storage of tools and other items. With the Genesis II E-310, we didn’t notice a significant upgrade in performance over that of the?. In fact, the Genesis II E-310 didn’t sear our burgers as darkly as the Spirit II E-310 did. That’s okay, though—this grill is an exceptional performer, period.

The competition

In 2021, Weber introduced a line of smart grills that we chose not to test. The??(which is still available as of spring 2022, but is being replaced by the?) has the same dimensions, burners, and work tables as our previous upgrade pick, the?. But the Genesis Smart Grill has a bunch of other bells and whistles—like lighted knobs and lid handle, a built-in meat probe, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity—that let you monitor the doneness of your meat and fuel level from the Weber app. The app also has recipes and a step-by-step feature that sends alerts to your phone when it’s time to tend to your food. All of these extra gadgets require power, and the Genesis Smart Grill takes 10 batteries. The Wi-Fi module alone uses six D batteries, but there is an option to power that part (and only that part) with a power bank. We assume the four other batteries power the igniter, LED lights, and fuel gauge. Though the smart features might be useful in some cases, we think that for most people, the functionality isn’t quite useful enough to warrant the several-hundred-dollar price hike (and possibly the need to constantly replace batteries).

The??is the smart version?, the Weber Spirit II E-310. And just like the Genesis models, both Spirit models have the same bones—burners, side tables, and overall dimensions. The Spirit Smart Grill connects to Wi-Fi, and it lets you monitor the meat probe through the app. But unlike the Genesis Smart Grill, the Spirit Smart Grill doesn’t monitor the fuel level.

Weber added two new models to its Spirit line of gas grills in 2020, but we ultimately chose not to test them. One of them, the?, is similar to the??(our pick) with regard to the specs, and with a few cosmetic differences—and higher price tag. The S-315 features a stainless steel lid, a cabinet-style grill stand with a door, metal dials, and four swivel casters, whereas the E-310 has a black enameled lid, an open cart stand, plastic dials, and two fixed wheels. The S-315 has a slightly higher Btu output than our pick (32,000 Btu versus 30,000 Btu, respectively). But other than those minor variations, it looks like the S-315 would perform about the same as our pick—and wouldn’t be worth the higher price.

Weber’s other new addition to the Spirit line, the?, is basically the S-315 with a built-in side burner and a dedicated high-heat searing area on the grill. We don’t recommend grills with side burners because we don’t think that extra feature is worth the $100-plus markup. We think you’re better off saving over $200 with the Spirit II E-310. If you want to splurge on a grill with exceptional temperature control and a dedicated searing zone, go for our upgrade pick, the?, instead.

The now-discontinued Char-Broil Advantage 3-Burner Gas Grill from 尝辞飞别’蝉 met the low expectations we set upon seeing its sub-$200 price. It cooked burgers acceptably, but to get an even cook we had to shuffle the patties around from hot spots to cool spots. Unable to keep a steady low temperature, it burned the barbecue chicken. To this grill’s credit, it made a nice indirect-roasted chicken—but then again, every tested grill did. Assembly was a pain, with unclear instructions and multiple fasteners of different sizes and types. And this model’s bizarre design, with a fixed panel running across the front of the grill, means you have to sneak around the back of the thing to replace the tank. Have fun doing that if you plan to keep the grill next to a fence.

We dismissed another popular budget-priced grill maker,?, out of hand. Nexgrill models are sold mostly at Home Depot, and the negative reviews alone put us off, complaining of sharp edges that have sliced off fingertips and leaking fuel lines that have threatened to cause fires. Hands-on time with some Nexgrill units in the store confirmed it: They’re junk.

Hands-on time, reviews, and availability concerns led us to dismiss grills from lesser-known brands like?, along with well-known names like??and?. The Huntington models are generic and shoddy. And the Cuisinart and KitchenAid grills appear to be afterthoughts next to their respective brands’ main areas of expertise, with materials and design to match.

Finally, although we looked at grills from high-end makers such as?,?, and??for comparison (and a sense of what’s possible in a grill, for a price), we did not test them. Most of them cost four or five figures, well above our established price range of $400 to $900.

This guide was edited by Marilyn Ong and Marguerite Preston.

Footnotes

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between a gas and a charcoal grill?

Gas grills cook faster and are easier to use than charcoal grills because you can turn on the flame with the press of a button and control the heat with the turn of a knob. They don’t produce much smoke, and they’re simpler to clean than charcoal grills, since you don’t have to dump any ashes.

Charcoal grills are much cheaper, however, and they can burn hotter than gas grills, for a better sear. Charcoal also imparts a pleasantly smoky flavor to your food, which is something you can’t get from a gas flame. But charcoal takes time to light, and you have to be comfortable with moving around coals and fiddling with vents to control the grill’s heat.

How long should a gas grill last?

A good gas grill should last a decade or more, provided you??and protect it from the elements. Weber, which makes all three of the grills we recommend, guarantees all parts on its Spirit II series for 10 years. So we expect??and??to hold up for at least that long. Weber also guarantees major parts on its 2022 Genesis grills—including the grates, hoods, burner tubes, lid assembly, and cookbox—for at least 10 years.

Is a gas grill worth the cost?

If you grill regularly or you enjoy grilling on weeknights, when time is at a premium, you should invest in a gas grill. A good one costs $400 to $900, but it will serve you well for years. That’s more than twice the price of a quality charcoal grill, but if you prioritize speed and convenience, the higher price is worth it.

How do I choose a gas grill?

When choosing a gas grill, first decide what size you need. We think a three-burner grill is large enough for most needs, with plenty of space to cook for a family dinner or a backyard BBQ. Grills with more burners are usually overkill, and two-burner grills can feel cramped.

Look for grills in the $400 to $900 range with a cast-aluminum firebox (which holds heat well and won’t rust). If you want your grill to last, don’t cheap out on a budget model. But also don’t overpay for extras you won’t use, such as a rotisserie or a side burner.

Get our newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get shopping advice, our favorite gifts, and the best deals on Wirecutter-approved picks sent to your inbox.

Opt out or??anytime. See our?.

About your?guides

Tim Heffernan

Tim Heffernan is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter and a former writer-editor for The Atlantic, Esquire, and others. He has anchored our unequaled coverage of air purifiers and water filters since 2015. In 2018, he established Wirecutter’s ongoing collaboration with The New York Times’s Smarter Living. When he’s not here, he’s on his bike.

Lesley Stockton

Lesley Stockton is a senior staff writer reporting on all things cooking and entertaining for Wirecutter. Her expertise builds on a lifelong career in the culinary world—from a restaurant cook and caterer to a food editor at Martha Stewart. She is perfectly happy to leave all that behind to be a full-time kitchen-gear nerd.

Michael Sullivan

Michael Sullivan has been a staff writer on the kitchen team at Wirecutter since 2016. Previously, he was an editor at the International Culinary Center in New York. He has worked in various facets of the food and restaurant industry for over a decade.

Further reading

• Here are 35 useful items to make your next barbecue even better.

• From Bluetooth speakers to patio furniture to gas and charcoal grills, here’s what we think you need for backyard entertaining and cooking.

• After grilling over 55 pounds of food, we’ve chosen the?Weber Q 1200?as our portable gas grill pick. For charcoal purists, we recommend the?Weber Jumbo Joe 18″.

• After testing more than 90 tools from spatulas to tongs to grill gloves and more, we have recommendations for everything you need to have an amazing barbecue.

Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time).??for unlimited access.

• Do Not Sell My Personal Information

??2022?Wirecutter, Inc.,?

Dismiss

On Sat, Sep 3, 2022 at 9:39 AM Joe Steinberger <joe@...> wrote:

Which one did you buy Todd?

On Sat, Sep 3, 2022 at 9:11 AM Todd Rhoads <todd@...> wrote:

Are you talking about a actual smoker-BBQ type of set-up to do real BBQ, or are you taking about a regular outdoor grill? Looked into grill options and bought one 4 years ago, mid-level gas grill, it's pretty good. Chang can tell you about a smoker if you're actually talking about real BBQ.?

On Sat, Sep 3, 2022, 9:00 AM Dan Buck <vertpurple@...> wrote:

Any of you know anything about barbecues? I think it's time to buy one?