Our tester called it “pricey, but worth it” for anyone who regularly grills on the go. Similar to the base model, the Genesis EX-325S also delivered an impressive cooking performance—our testers could barely find any faults with it! weber portable grill “The grill overall had great performance, you almost didn’t really need the app,” our tester noted. 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.
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. (Weber’s warranty covers weber gas grill all parts 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.
However, if you have a natural gas line in your home, there are some gas grills that can use this type of fuel. Some grills come with a conversion kit that lets you change them from propane to natural gas, while other grills are solely designed to use with natural gas. Many Weber grills, including our runner-up for best overall, the Weber Spirit II E Burner Gas Grill, can be purchased in both liquid propane or natural gas models. As you look at different gas grills, you’ll want to consider factors like their cooking space, number of burners, and special features like side burners or smart connectivity. To help narrow down your options, we tested 13 of today’s best large gas grills, evaluating their ease of use and cooking abilities.
Its racks are made from porcelain-coated cast iron, and it has an open-cart design with two wheels for easy portability. 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. The Spirit II is also a particularly simple grill to assemble, maintain, and use.
So the company has a financial incentive to build it to last for years. 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. Do not use an abrasive pad, instead use a cloth with a suitable metal, plastic or porcelain cleaning spray and wipe down all surfaces. Whether you’re having a few friends over, or a family celebration, we have the model for you.
Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time). 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. If you want to read more about comparing grilling fuels, we found helpful articles from The Atlantic, Slate, and NPR.
And we had no problems with flare-ups, the grease fires that produce charring and acrid smoke. 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.