We Review the Best Gas BBQs
When the weather is hot, there is nothing quite like al fresco dining to bring a smile to your face. Lazy days in the garden with blue skies, good company, and the smell of BBQ ribs on the grill reaffirm the all is well with the world and all the stresses of the working week have slipped away.
With a multitude of gas and propane BBQs available, however, navigating through the many different models can be a challenging task. To make your search easier, we’ve used this article as an opportunity to look at five gas BBQs to see which is the best at delivering that flame-grilled taste.
- 630 square inches of cooking space
- Side burner
- Electric ignition
- Porcelain-coated cast-iron grates
- 5-year warranty
- Two burners
- 300 square inches of primary cooking surface
- Lid-mounted temperature gauge
- Porcelain coated cast-iron grates
- 5-year burner, 2-year lid, and 1-year all other parts warranty
- QuickSear station
- Side burner for boiling
- App-connected thermometer
- Porcelain enamel lid for heat retention
- 10-year warranty
- 205 square inches of grilling space
- Foldable legs
- Temperature gauge
- Compact and portable
- 1-year limited warranty
- Compact and portable
- 285 square inches of grilling space
- Removable grease catcher
- Two side table and InstaStart ignition
- 3-year limited warranty
This Char-Griller E3001 Pro has two propane burners and a side burner for frying, boiling,and other functions. It means that all your food preparation and cooking needs are catered for in the open air. There is also a handy side table that is ideal for stacking uncooked food waiting for its turn on the grill.
There is a large storage area beneath the BBQ for additional items like condiments and plates, and the side features three hooks that comfortably accommodate cooking utensils. The grilling area is porcelain coated to protect the cast-iron grate and make it easier to clean. This grill has some power too, offering 40,800 BTU (British Thermal Units) for the gas grill and a further 12,000 for the side burner.
This BBQ offers plenty of grilling space, with 438 square inches on the primary grill, and a further 192 square inches on the warming rack. That’s 630 square inches of cooking space. The powder coated heavy steel construction means that it should withstand the weather conditions, although it is recommended that you invest in a robust BBQ cover to keep it looking its best for longer.
On the downside, even though the frame and body are powder coated, many have reported rust spots after a couple of months of use, and the plastic wheels feel insubstantial and may buckle over time. Plus, putting this thing together requires a high degree of patience and skill; make a mistake, and you might have to dismantle the entire BBQ to rectify the error.
Pros
- Two burners
- Sturdy grill
- Powder coated hard steel
- Two chimneys
- Large storage area
Cons
- Rust sets in too easily
- Difficult to construct
- Wheels feel cheaply made
Like the Char-Griller E3001 Grillin’ Pro, this BBQ has two burners, but it lacks a side burner for additional cooking space. On the styling, this model is streets ahead in terms of looks and desirability, compared to the Char-Griller, especially given that the two are almost identically priced.
Where this differs is in the power of the burners; this delivers 24,000 BTU compared to Char-Grillers 48,000, and the overall cooking surface, including the 100-square inch warming rack, is just over half the size at 300 square inches. To put it in the easiest terms, that equates to roughly 16 standard size burger patties. Rather than an open shelf, this BBQ has a closed cabinet to store additional items, and because it lacks a side burner, the upside is that you get two side tables for increased preparation space.
This grill also benefits from an electric super-fast ignition, so fumbling for matches will become a thing of the past, and with a sturdy frame and stainless steel lid and control fascia, it should withstand the elements. On the downside, some have reported that the porcelain coating on the cast-iron grates rubs off over time and the burners deliver an uneven cook. Also, there seems to be an issue with the items arriving either in one complete set (many report missing parts) or with damage to components in transportation. Regardless, Charbroil is an American institution when it comes to cookouts, and even though it lacks the power of other models featured it feels better built and looks stylish.
Pros
- Thermometer in the lid
- Stainless steel lid and fascia
- Two foldable side tables
- Holds up to 16 standard burgers
- Closed storage cabinet
Cons
- Porcelain coating rubs off over time
- Burners deliver an uneven cook
- Problems with transportation from the factory
Weber has long been one of the BBQ brands to beat. They are seen as the ultimate gas BBQs for cookout fans, and their pricing reflects that fact. So when you are spending so much money, what do you get that differentiates this model from the competition?
First, there is the warranty: at ten years, it is by far the best of all the makes on the list. Second, this grill is substantial, both in the grilling area and in physical size. If you want to impress the guy next door, invite him around and show him your Weber Genesis BBQ. It has 48,000 BTU in the main grilling area, a further 12,000 for the side burner, and it even boasts a 9,000 BTU QuickSear facility that cooks perfect seared meats with the trademark stripes.
You needn’t worry about the gas running out either, as this model is equipped with a fuel gauge. It even comes with an app-controlled thermometer that gives you real-time readouts via your smart device, so you can be in the house preparing drinks and still keep a check on how well the food is cooking. Given that it has four gas burners and a massive 646 square inches of grilling space, this BBQ is the ideal candidate to cater for larger gatherings.
On the downside, we have to talk about the price. Given that it is five times the cost of other models featured, many will not be able to afford this BBQ, and because it has four burners, it will burn through the gas in no time at all and raise the overall running costs significantly. In addition, this BBQ is going to be challenging if you want to bring it into the garage and may require more than one person to move it as it weighs a massive 176 lbs. That said, Weber has a reputation for making the best quality BBQs around, so expect to get a minimum of ten years use out of this. When you look at it like that, maybe the price tag is worth it.
Pros
- Great design
- Top quality construction
- Four burners and a side burner
- 10-year warranty
- Smart technology
Cons
- The price
- Uses a lot of gas
- Big and bulky to store
What makes this Smoke Hollow grill unique is the fact that it is portable and sits on a tabletop. This means that it stores away easier, and should you wish to take this on your camping travels, it takes up very little space.
Because it’s compact, you would expect it to be less powerful than the competition, but this tabletop grill has a relatively impressive 10,000 BTU delivered to a grill and warming rack space of 310 square inches. It also has a lockable lid with a built-in thermometer as well as folding legs to make it more portable. The stainless steel construction means that it should be weatherproof, and last longer than the powder-coated varieties, but because of its size, storage is less of a challenge than BBQs like the bulky Weber Genesis 67016001.
On the downside, the build quality is a little suspect, and there are hot spots where the food cooks unevenly. Moreover, many have complained that the grill is tricky to set up.
Pros
- Portable and compact
- Great for camping trips
- Ideal for smaller families
- Stores easier than larger grills
- Folding legs
Cons
- Build quality issues
- Fiddly to put together
- Uneven cooking
Coleman is a famous brand in the world of outdoor gear and camping. In fact, this Roadtrip model is purposely designed to be portable and easy to pack into the RV for trips away. What makes it unique is that thanks to clever design, it folds down into a two-wheeled trolley that is easy to transport and store.
It comes in five different primary colors, and it delivers double the BTU of the Smoke Hollow 205 Tabletop Grill. It also has three adjustable burners that create three different temperature zone to provide enhanced control as well as two side tables for a more significant food preparation area. The lid has a built-in thermometer, and if you desire, you can purchase additional hot plates and griddle options to replace the 285-square inch grates, for increased flexibility in what you can cook.
On the downside, because it has a smaller cooking surface, it is only ideal for smaller families or couples when used in the backyard, and given it retails at a price that matches some full-size BBQs, this isn’t going to be your cheapest option. THere are also question marks over the build quality, with many people suggesting that it rusts too quickly and the paint peels away over a short period of use.
Pros
- Packs down into a handy trolley design
- Compact and portable
- Three gas burners
- 20,000 BTU
- Thermometer
Cons
- Build quality issues
- Paintwork peels
- Expensive for what it is
Comparison Chart
FEATURES | Char-Griller E3001 Grillin’ Pro | Charbroil Performance 300 | Weber Genesis 67016001 | Smoke Hollow 205 Tabletop Grill | Coleman Roadtrip 285 |
Burners | 3 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 3 |
Total BTU | 60,000 | 24,000 | 69,000 | 10,000 | 20,000 |
Total sq. inches of cooking space | 630 | 400 | 646 | 310 | 285 |
Side burner | ✓ | X | ✓ | X | X |
Temperature gauge | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Drip pan | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Weight | 88 lbs | 82.5 lbs | 176 lbs | 22 lbs | 52.5 lbs |
Dimensions | 48 x 28 x 48 | 24.5 x 42.9 x 44 | 65 x 29 x 47 | 15.8 x 26.9 x 11.8 | 30.2 x 19.2 x 16.1 |
Cost | $$ | $$ | $$$$ | $ | $$ |
Warranty | 5-year | 5-year burner/ 2-year lid/ 1-year other parts | 10-year | 1-year | 3-year |
Buyer’s Guide:
Gas BBQs
Final Thoughts
Gas BBQs are fantastic for creating tasty grilled food without all the hassle of the traditional, time-consuming charcoal method. Few models perform this task better than the Char-Griller E3001 Grillin’ Pro, which is our HowToHome pick. It offers a combined 60,000 BTU, three gas burners and all for a reasonable price.
If money was no object, by far the best quality gas BBQ has to be the Weber Genesis 67016001. This is the Rolls Royce of BBQs, so dig deep into your pockets if you want one.
Our budget pick has to be the tabletop Smoke Hollow 205 Tabletop Grill because it is compact, portable, and still works well as a backyard gas BBQ. It offers the best of both worlds, offering you the option of taking it away with you in the tent or RV, and when the cooking is done, storing it away should be a breeze.
Whichever model you choose, we’re sure you’ll come to appreciate that gas BBQs bring all the fun of a traditional charcoal grill with none of the hassle and mess as a more convenient alternative to the traditional methods of cookouts in the yard.