Compared to traditional charcoal grills, propane grills are way less smoky, easier to use, and fuel-efficient. Nonetheless, buying a propane grill is not as simple as just picking the first one you see on display at the local hardware store; they differ considerably in quality. The best propane grills offer easier cleanups, easy turn-on switches, and are easy to control. And if you’ve used charcoal grills, you know that heat management can be a pain–making propane an attractive alternative.
The Best Propane Grills You Can Buy Today
To save you the hassle of evaluating the numerous products on the market, we have done the heavy lifting for you. The following are reviews of the best propane grills on the market today. You don’t have to be Hank Hill to appreciate the craftsmanship and superior cook offered by these high-quality units.
1. Weber Genesis II E-315
View in galleryBuy now The Weber Genesis II E-315 is one of the best propane grills on the market today. This grill features an impressive design, employs smart technology, and offers superior heat retention without costing an arm and a leg. You do not need to be an expert to get it started, thanks to Weber’s Infinity Ignition that ensures fast and sure startups. Once it comes to life, knock yourself out with meat, veggies or whatever you are in the mood for. The E-315 comes with three stainless steel burners with a total of 39,000 BTUs, which is enough to cook reasonably fast. Say no to cold spots with porcelain-enameled cooking grates and a cast iron base. These accoutrements offer even distribution of heat and thus a more consistent cook. And don’t forget, there are flavorizer bars that infuse food with an irresistible flavor. The Genesis II E-315 comes with the iGrill 3 app that’s connects to a thermometer installed on the grill. This allows you to monitor food temperatures on your mobile device. It also features a fuel gauge, storage space for your tools, and a grease management system that reduces flare-ups. Overall, it’s a fool-proof propane grill that will make you look like a culinary genius.
2. Weber Genesis II S-335 with Sear & Side Burner
View in galleryBuy now Weber was not content with having one stellar propane grill on the market; so they created the Genesis II S-335 to allow you more options. For starters, this Weber series has a side burner, letting you simmer the sauce while tending to your steak on the sear station alongside. Just like the E-315, the Genesis also comes with the iGrill 3 app linked thermometer that allows you to monitor cooking through a smartphone. However, it is worth noting that the iGrill 3 accessory is sold separately. This grill is among the most efficient units on the market. The cooking grates are made of robust stainless steel that distributes heat equally on the grill, ensuring you do not spend excess fuel. The gas tank also hangs on a rack doubling as a gas monitoring gadget, so you can always stay up to speed with your fuel usage. The side tables offer hooks for easily hanging your tools and seasonings while in the act of grilling. And, the S-335’s grill cabinets come in handy when you need to store your accessories.
3. Saber Premium 670 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill
View in galleryBuy now The Saber Premium 670‘s claim to fame is its patented SABER cooking system. It eliminates flare-ups, while ensuring an even distribution of heat across a wide temperature range. As a result, the Saber Premium uses 30% less propane than the average propane grill, making it one of the most efficient propane units on the market. Want to slow cook your food? No problem here. But if cranking up the heat is what tickles your fancy, you will be at home with the Premium 670; Saber’s infrared technology will get you ready to sear in just 12 minutes. For convenience, the Saber Premium features an adjustable warming rack that folds down to keep food warm. And when the need arises, the rack can be folded away to allow for rotisserie use. Don’t worry about the elements because this 40-inch propane grill is made of premium heavy-duty stainless steel that is rust-resistant and hard-wearing.
4. Broil King Porta-Chef 320 Portable Propane Gas Grill
View in galleryBuy now The Broil King Porta-Chef 320 is arguably the best propane grill for the money on the market today. This unit comes with three burners, producing a total of 18,000 BTUs–that’s 50% more powerful than other portable grills in its price range. You can therefore cook more in a shorter period of time. But, just because you are going small doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice the smokey flavors of barbecue. This grill incorporates a Flav-R-Wave cooking system that vaporizes food drippings, infusing delicious flavors to your meat. You also get heavy cast iron cooking grates for even heat distribution. Thanks to linear flow valves, you will have better control of the flame no matter the weather condition. The Broil King Porta-Chef 320 is easy on storage space, a breeze to clean, and most importantly is 100% made in America.
5. Camp Chef Italia Artisan Outdoor Pizza Oven
View in galleryBuy now The Camp Chef Italia Artisan is true to its Italian roots and is arguably the best propane grill for making bread and pizza. This grill is also an excellent fit for outdoorsy types. Weighing in at just 47 pounds, it is one of the lightest gas grills on the market, allowing you to tag it along for your camping or RV escapades. Nonetheless, this unit packs quite a punch despite its small size, as its burner comes with 17,000 BTUs of power. When in optimum capacity, you can get your pizza ready within three minutes. In just 15 minutes, you will be ready to start baking or roasting your meat–and boy, it does get hot. Think about what you would do with 700 degrees. To make it even better, it is double-walled to ensure that it retains heat for a thorough, even cook. The Italia Artisan is also quite easy to clean, thanks to its stainless steel construction. Overall, If you are looking for a portable and affordable pizza oven suited for the outdoors, the Camp Chef Italia is a convenient option.
6. Weber Genesis II EX-335 Smart Grill
View in galleryBuy now The Genesis II EX-335 by Weber fully embraces modern technology. For example, its Smart Grill Technology allows you to monitor your cooking time, food temperature, and even fuel level remotely on your mobile device. It even alerts you when food is ready. Versatility is what you get with this grill. For starters, the EX-335 comes with three burners with 39,000 BTUs. You also get a side grill to sauté your veggies or prepare your sauce as your main dish cooks. And then there’s the sear zone. If you love sear marks on your steak, this will be your favorite part of this grill. The EX-335 comes with Weber’s Infinity Ignition that guarantees a sure and smooth start every time you fire it up. And don’t forget the flavorizer bars which add a smokey flavor to food. Finally, there is also a shelf and side hooks, so you can store your tools and accessories without any trouble.
7. Phoenix Grill SD Propane Grill on Stainless Steel Pedestal Cart
View in galleryBuy now Unlike most propane grills that feature contemporary designs, the Phoenix Grill SD borrows heavily from classical stainless steel grill designs and has an industrial vibe to it. It’s easy to use even for beginners but, it’s still a professional griller that is capable of meeting the needs of an expert. The Phoenix Grill SD is quite powerful, too. It comes with two 25,000 BTU-rated burners that evenly distribute heat on both sides of the unit. For easier cooking, it has a stainless steel mesh cooking grid. Additionally, it has a solid brass valve and bucket for convenient draining and removal of drip-pan fluids. To eliminate guesswork, this grill has been fitted with a stainless steel heat indicator to monitor temperatures. What’s more, this grill features two side shelves for extra storage, so you’ll always be ready to go as soon as it’s time for BBQ.
8. Napoleon Prestige PRO 665 with Infrared Rear Burner and Rotisserie Kit
View in galleryBuy now For those who don’t mind a few extras on their grill, the Napoleon Prestige PRO 665 is well-worth your consideration. This is a huge grill, featuring a whopping five burners to easily accommodate an entire family’s worth of empty bellies. But beyond pure utility, the Prestige Pro lives up to its name with an attractive stainless steel build with a luxurious chrome finish. Moreover, it comes with a rear infrared burner that is as practical as they come. You can bake, sear, roast with the grill, and make finger-licking rotisserie at a moment’s notice. Not just that, the grill can turn into a smoker thanks to a smoker tube and dedicated burner. Nightfall is when the party starts because the PRO 665 comes with internal halogen lamps to illuminate your cooking. But the real spectacle is the LED spectrum lighting around the knobs. You have an assortment of LED lights and colors to choose from for the perfect cookout atmosphere.
9. PGS Legacy Pacifica Gourmet Built-In Propane Gas Grill With Rotisserie
View in galleryBuy now PGS has been in the grills business for a long time now. However, the 39-Inch Legacy Pacifica might be their best product yet. While there might be fancier propane gas grills in the same price range, its three 25,000 BTU main burners make it one of the most powerful propane gas grills out there. The manufacturer gives you the option of getting an infrared rotisserie rear burner. Additionally, the burners feature a U-shaped design that maximizes the amount of heat produced. The Legacy Pacifica is quite easy to fire up, too, thanks to its electronic ignition system.
10. Alfresco ALXE 36-Inch Propane Gas Grill with Rotisserie
View in galleryBuy now The Alfresco went hard with the ALXE‘s titanium and stainless blended burners. For some tastes, the level of luxury offers an embarrassment of riches, but for others the extra flash is a welcome attraction. But the ALXE isn’t just for show; this propane grill is a fire-breathing monster with three burners rated at 27,500 BTUs each. The rotisserie is somewhat hidden, but when the infrared rumbles in action, it releases an additional 18,500 BTUs for your cooking delight. Don’t forget; there’s a smoker system that packs 5,000 BTUs allowing it to release smoke at 200 degrees. This means that you can enjoy fall-off-the-bone smoked ribs whenever you like.
11. Blaze Professional LUX 3-Burner Grill with Rear Infrared Burner
View in galleryBuy now If you want the best propane grill money can buy, the 34-Inch Blaze Professional LUX is a strong contender. As its name suggests, this grill is designed with the professional in mind. It comes with three burners, each producing 18,000 BTU to allow you to take on any kind of cooking project. Not only that, you can prepare different types of food at varying temperatures at the same time. This means that you can grill at high heat or tone it down for a slow roast–or both. When you want to do some slow rotisserie cooking, Blaze has got you covered with an infrared 10,000 BTU rotisserie burner. Do you want to grill at night? No problem! The blaze propane burner comes with some cool interior lights. In addition to that, the knobs light up with LED lights when you are grilling through night mode.
How to Choose the Best Propane Grill
Propane gas grills vary significantly in terms of quality, size, and cost. From the simple single burner to the high-end multiple-burner propane gas grill, there is something for everyone. However, there are a few factors to consider when looking for the ideal propane gas grill. For starters, the choice shall be determined by your outdoor plans. What type of grilling do you plan on doing? Is it simple barbecuing, or do you wish to go full gourmet? Here are the top factors to consider when choosing a propane grill.
1. Size and Number of Burners
As you would expect, the more the burners, and the larger the cooking surface, the deeper you have to dig into your pocket. But is larger always better? The answer depends on the number of people you will be cooking for on a regular basis. Sure, five burners are great, but if you will only be cooking for a family of three, you could do with less. On the other hand, if you have a crowd to feed and can only grill two burgers at a time, you will be in for trouble. Ideally, grills that measure up to 26 inches wide are okay for small families, although a medium-sized grill around 33 inches with between two to four burners could hedge against the possibility of running out of cooking space without wasting too much fuel. If you are a crowd-pleaser, feel free to splurge on 8 burners and 43 inches of grill width or more. Just be prepared to shell out.
2. Built-in or Stand Alone
We aren’t about to weigh in on what is better because both of these have their inherent advantages and shortcomings. But we will tell you right off the bat, if you are on a budget, you shouldn’t think about a built-in propane gas grill because they tend to be pricey. But built-in grills tend to be more powerful, larger, and durable to match.
3. Infrared Burners
Some marketers make infrared grills sound like a recent invention, but this technology has been around since the 1980s at least according to TEC. But it sure promises more efficiency and higher heat output than conventional gas grills. For example, infrared grills can heat up to 1,300 degrees, making them ideal for searing. The great thing is that they don’t consume much fuel. If you love sear marks, get a propane grill with an infrared burner.
4. BTUs
British thermal units are a measure of how much heat a gas grill can create. More is always better, right? Not always. Actually, you should look at BTUs in comparison to your cooking area in square inches. The industry standard is anything between 75 and 100 BTUs per square inch of cooking surface. This means that a grill with 600 sq. inches of cooking surface should have at least 45,000 BTUs. Anything below that, and you will have to contend with a slower cooking time.
5. Even Heat Distribution
If you have been unlucky enough to operate a lousy grill, you know what cold spots are and how frustrating they can be while cooking. Uneven heating will always result in underwhelming results because you will have to get used to burnt or undercooked food. To prevent this, look for grills with high-quality burners, cooking grates, and a properly insulated hood.
6. Build Quality
It goes without saying that if it’s flimsy, it won’t last. But that’s not all; grills made of heavy-duty materials are better at heat retention and will cook food faster without consuming much fuel. Again, they are more sturdy and unlikely to topple easily, reducing the chances of an accident. Again, go for a material that won’t rust, such as stainless steel, because you will have to deal with the elements.
Final Thoughts
If you want to buy a propane grill, you will be spoilt for choice. It doesn’t matter what your budget is, there’s something at every price point. However, you do actually get what you pay for. Cheaper models might not hold up for long because they are usually not made of high-quality materials. That means that you should be prepared to replace worn out parts or deal with rust. But expensive does not always mean high quality. It could be a rip-off! Many times, established brands are easier to trust than entrants. Again products made in the US are often of better quality than those manufactured overseas.
What are you grilling this Summer? Have you ever used one of our recommended grills? Post your experience in a comment below–we love to hear from you folks.
