Adrian Dimakis
Barbecue lovers, we know that next to your car and watch, the grill is the most important item in your home. Those of us that don’t believe in the “grilling season” thing, and rather do it any time of the month, there’s one thing we have to get right — invest in the best grill!
But you see, we have so many types of grills out there. While we may not pick sides, considering that each one of them has its own advantages and disadvantages, there’s one that appears to work fantastically during all seasons – be it summer, spring, fall, or winter. We are talking about a GAS GRILL! This is the most common type of grill because it offers you excellent control over your cooking temperature, assuring you that you won’t end up with an ugly, burn brisket. Better yet, compared to other types such as charcoal grills, this one lights up quicker and remains clean throughout the grilling process. You only need a propane tank in your backyard and you are good to go!
Wondering how to pick the best gas grill? Well, read on. We have reviewed some great options out there, and even gone the extra mile to prove you with some useful tips to help you shop.
Top 9 Gas Grills of 2020 Reviewed
1. Weber 62006001 Genesis II S-435
[wt_products id=”3519″ template=”5″]2. Napoleon P500RSIBPSS-3
[wt_products id=”3521″ template=”5″]3. Blackstone 1554 Station-4-burner
[wt_products id=”3525″ template=”5″]4. Broil King 922554 Baron S420 Liquid Propane Gas Grill
[wt_products id=”3527″ template=”5″]5. Fuego F24C Professional Propane Gas Grill
[wt_products id=”3529″ template=”5″]6. Bull Outdoor Products 26038 Liquid Propane Outlaw Drop-In Grill Head
[wt_products id=”3531″ template=”5″]7. MASTER COOK Classic Liquid Propane Gas Grill
[wt_products id=”3533″ template=”5″]8. Cuisinart CGG-306 Professional Tabletop Gas Grill
[wt_products id=”3535″ template=”5″]9. Char-Grills E3001 Grillin’ Pro 40,800-BTU Gas Grill, Black
[wt_products id=”3537″ template=”5″]How to Choose the Best Gas Grill – The Ultimate Buying Guide
When it comes to grilling, gas grills always win in so many aspects compared to its counterparts: electric and charcoal grills. If you’ve had the tip of the iceberg on the best gas grills out there, and you are very convinced that you need one now if not tomorrow, you don’t need to get your head around the overwhelming wealth of information on the features that come richly packed with these gas grills. Some friendly advice would go a long way in helping you land just what you need for the grilling season. Let’s get right to it.
Look at Its Construction
Is your gas grill built to last? One of the best constructions which most gas grills adopt is the stainless steel or even metal, which is porcelain enamel coated. This combination brings forth a very durable appliance that is rust free and also very easy to clean. The best way to analyze whether the build is made to last is to check on the lid. The heavier the lid, the better the quality of the build. Don’t forget to include your DIY skills, which will come in handy.
Grills that come welded and also prebuild usually seem a little sturdier, but we are not dismissing the ones that required assembly. If you like your hands-on work and prefer assembling the appliance yourself for additional features like side-mounted shelves and warming grill, then you may be able to save a few dimes. Remember, a few extra touches on your grill will come with added little costs here and there.
How Many Burners Does It Come With? What is The Heat Distribution?
Gas grills usually come with the gas burners that are covered by warmth retention and distribution materials. These materials burn off drippings smoking the grilling food. Cheaper models use cheap materials like lava rock or even ceramic coals, which do quite an okay job. However, the downside of this cheap build is that the grease may accumulate, causing some flash fires, one of those eventualities we all dread when we are grilling.
The most effective grills come with long bars (favourers), which are meant to vaporize every little bit of dripping to avoid flash fires while at the same time getting that smoky flavor. However, the flavor is nowhere close to the charcoal flavor. When it comes to the number of gas burners, your pocket commands the quality you get.
The one burner versions only allow you to control the flame over the whole cooking surface, leaving cold spots here and there. You know what this means — uneven heat distribution hence poor-quality grilled food, especially the steaks. However, two to three burners are more efficient, offering different temperature regions from which you can prepare various food types. If you are up for it, you can settle for a bit more advanced grills that come with more than three burners, rotisserie burners usually situated at the back, and also infrared heat ones which are way above the to.
You May Need To Consider Energy Use.
The quantity of gas you will require to run the gas grill will entirely be dependent on the number of burners your grill houses. You may purchase a grill and end up having to increase the quantity of the gas. Energy efficiency is also another thing to consider. This can be measured by checking the BTUs (British Thermal Unit) for your grill and act accordingly. There’s, however, nothing much to worry about unless you land a supersized grill with a low BTU compared to comparable sizes.
A low BTU rating can substantially mean very low energy outputs as opposed to high energy efficiency. It’s worth noting that the gas that is used in most designs comes cheaper than charcoal and can last in several cookouts depending on the intensity of the barbeque.
Will The Grill Fit In Your Storage Space?
Even as you focus on getting a grill with sufficient cooking surface area, it is also wise to consider the footprint of the grill should you be running short of storage space. Many grills feature collapsible side shelves, which allow for ease of storage of the appliance. If you are going to be using it on the deck or patio, you should consider having sufficient space for the grill before you bring it home.
Anticipate Your Fuel Needs Beforehand
As mentioned earlier, most designs adopt propane gas as the main source of fuel. However, you are open to natural gas, as well. For natural gas, grills will require a gas line where you locate your grill. Manufacturers make this production with both options available, so you don’t have to worry about not having a natural gas line next to you. It is, however, worth noting that you cannot run a propane grill on natural gas and vice versa too. It is, therefore, worth considering which fuel is more readily available to you before you go ahead and make the purchase.
Pay keen attention to the natural gas conversion kits, which do come at a cost ranging $50 – $100 even though the natural gas option will cost way less compared to propane gas.
Grill’s Grates
When considering which grates are the best for the job, you should think about Cast iron grates. These types of grates have a maximized heat transfer level. Stainless steel grates are equally good, and the advantage they have over cast iron is, they are easy to clean. However, when it comes to enamel grates, they serve pretty much as a platform for grilling the meat. Nothing very special. If you have to choose one, we would highly recommend the cast iron or the stainless-steel ones.
What Size and Level Will Work for You?
Affordable level: If you want a straightforward gas grill that will do a pretty decent job, a one or two-burner design will come in handy. Here, you will be best suited looking for a medium-sized grill with either ceramic coals or lava rocks. Of course, the cost of the grill will vary across brands, but be sure to settle for the one with even cooking. Remember that side burners and also storage compartments and other accessories are more likely to push the cost of the grill up by a pretty decent margin. Your primary concern should the primary burner. Again, here, durability is more important than those posh looks.
Midrange category: If you are more inclined to a midrange type of gas grill, then a three burner will do. The main points of concern in this category are the construction and also the surface area open to you. You want to go for stainless steel and also focus on as much grilling area as your pocket can allow for this category. However, you need to make sure that you are not lured into looking for too many accessories or features, as you may probably need. You should opt for flavourer bars as opposed to lava rocks or even the ceramic coals. This way, you have a better flavor.
High-end category: This category is for luxurious barbeque gas grills where things get a little serious as the prices skyrocket. At this point, we recommend the four-burner types from some of the best brands in the market with something impressive to offer. At this point, you should anticipate a sleek and posh design coupled with solid, durable metal crowned with an undeniable warranty policy. Expect advanced features such as infrared rotisseries, sufficient grilling surface for the entire clique of friends, and also a little pride.
Look for Dripping Drainage to Avoid Flare-ups.
Some models feature the dripping drainage either at the front or the rear side for disposing of excess grease, fat, and other types of dripping that are likely to cause a flare-up. This drain also prevents the drippings from damaging the grill.
How Comprehensive Is The Warranty?
Even though you are going to be out looking for the best grill possible, a good warranty policy is a guarantee to a great quality grill. You need to check whether the warranty is long-term or short term. By the short term, we mean 1-2 years and five years plus for the long term. Again, you need to assess customer support. Will your calls and emails were responded to and assisted in case of any eventuality that may come with the new grill you just bought.
Alternatives to The Product
While gas grills are ideal and command a huge fanbase, there are several other alternatives that you could opt for when in need. These include Electric barbeque grills, infrared barbeque grills, and also charcoal barbeque grills. The electric grills usually come with a heating element on the cooking surface or right below it. It also features a drip pan, which is used to collect the fat that is burned off the meat. Most of these grills are portable and can fit just about anywhere, especially on the countertops.
Of them all, the Infrared Barbecue Grills are the most effective reaching temperatures of 899-degree Celsius, which no other grill has ever recorded. It is also said that these grills do not dry out the meat leaving the steak soft and juicy.
Things To Avoid Or Pay Special Attention To
While making this investment, there are a few considerations that need special attention. This cut across all the brands.
- While buying a gas grill, pay attention to the type of fuel it uses. You don’t want to purchase a natural gas grill and end up having to return it to the store.
- While purchasing this appliance, look for the residue collector for drippings. If not, look for gas grills that come with stainless steel or cast-iron grill grates to avoid flush fires
- These outdoor appliances are to be kept at least 5 meters away from any source of heat or fire of explosives.
Conclusion
At this point, we believe you are well equipped with all the necessary information on gas grills. Buying such appliances is a huge investment, and does not come cheap. That’s why we have taken special consideration in guiding scoring for information we believe would be crucial in informing your ultimate decision.
Right from the various brands available in the market, to the special features each of the appliance’s harbors, be sure to consider all the major points you think would be of necessity to you. Remember, this investment is going to be with you for a couple of years to come, so make the wisest decision and get an appliance that will be worth your time and money.
