Gas BBQ Grills: Reviews

Updated May 2012

The smell of an outdoor barbeque is a staple of the spring and summer months. As for where those smells emanate from, you have a lot of options from which to choose. A good gas grill calls for a not-insignificant investment up front, but the best models provide years of reliable service and top-notch cooking.

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Sub-$400 gas grill

Kenmore 4-Burner LP Grill w/ Searing Burner PG-40402SOL

*Est. $330 Learn More

In its price range, this Kenmore gas grill gets solid performance reviews, and this model's features -- 493 square inches of cooking area; porcelain-coated, cast-iron cooking grates; four main burners; a side burner and a… expandsearing burner -- are hard to beat in the under-$400 price range. One consideration: We found some complaints about durability, so you'll want to treat this grill gently and take care to keep it clean and covered to get the longest life out of it. The four-burner Brinkmann 810-2410-SB (*Est. $200) is a possible alternative, although some owners complain about poor durability and parts that arrive damaged. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: The Kenmore 4-Burner LP Grill w/ Searing Burner, is included among the more than 100 models tested for Consumer Reports' latest update on gas grills.

About.com: Derrick Riches is not a fan of this Kenmore gas grill, saying it "isn't worth even this low price." He says the components are thin and lightweight, and that the fasteners used are prone to rust.

Sears.com: More than three dozen user reviewers give this Kenmore grill a 4.5-star (out of 5) average overall rating.

$329.99 from Sears.com

Best-value Weber grill

Weber Spirit E-310

*Est. $500 Compare Prices

If you don't need features like a side burner or searing burner, the Weber Spirit gets excellent reviews for durability, ease of use and performance in its price class. The E-310 does have three stainless-steel burners, a… expandwarming rack and 424 square inches of primary cooking area. Its main selling point, though, is its high-quality construction. Weber products and customer service consistently earn high marks from owners and reviewers, and Weber's Spirit gas grills are protected by the same limited warranties as the more expensive Genesis and Summit lines. One reviewer notes another advantage: It takes the Weber Spirit E-310 gas grill only about 10 minutes to reach cooking temperature. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: ConsumerReports.org rates more than 100 gas grills on factors like convenience and cooking performance at various temperatures.

About.com: About.com's Derrick Riches says the Spirit E-310 "is probably the best built grill for the price you will find." He notes, however, that the cooking grates are made of porcelain-coated welded steel instead of stainless steel or cast iron, and that the stainless-steel parts on the grill are not made of the highest-quality materials.

BobbysBest.com: Barbecue expert Bobby Glazier recommends the Weber Spirit E-310 as a good entry-level grill for families.

ExpoTV.com: ExpoTV.com is unusual because it offers video reviews of various products, submitted by members of the site.

HomeDepot.com: More than 120 customers rate and review the Weber Spirit E-310 on this retail site.

Viewpoints.com: Unlike most sources of online consumer reviews, Viewpoints.com isn't connected to a particular retail site.

ConsumerGuide.com: The editors of this review site note that considering the Weber Spirit E-310's low cost, they were "pleasantly surprised at all the convenient features." They focus primarily on describing the grill's features, although they also make a few comments about its performance during an unspecified type and amount of testing.

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Buy from Amazon for $499.00
Lowe's for $499.00	Amazon for $499.00	Walmart for $499.00

Full-featured gas grill

Weber Genesis E-330

*Est. $800 Compare Prices

If you want a grill that's got plenty of features and is built to last, critics say the Weber Genesis E-330 is a great choice. Owners say assembly takes a while, but once it's together, it's efficient and cooks as well as… expandgrills with higher BTU ratings. Reviewers praise components such as the porcelain-enameled, cast-iron cooking grates; a porcelain-enameled shroud; three adjustable stainless-steel burners; a 10,000 BTU sear burner; and an additional side burner. The Genesis E-330 also has a stainless-steel work surface and utility tool bar. The Weber Genesis E-330 gas grill is offered in different colors, and both liquid-propane and natural-gas versions are available; expect to pay about $20 extra for the natural gas model. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

About.com: Derrick Riches ranks the Weber Genesis E-330 as the best grill in its price range.

About.com: The author singles out solid construction, durable parts, and a capable sear burner as high points for this grill.

ConsumerReports.org: The editors of ConsumerReports.org include the Weber Genesis E-330 in their latest report on gas grills.

Good Housekeeping: The Good Housekeeping Research Institute tests a total of 14 grills, and picks the Weber Genesis E-330 as their favorite splurge buy.

Amazon.com: More than 80 customers -- a relatively small sample compared to other grills -- weigh in about the Weber Genesis E-330 on Amazon.com.

GrillsDirect.com: Nearly 30 users give the Genesis E-330 gas grill an average rating of 4.8 stars.

The Toronto Star: The author recommends several grills of various types and sizes, including the entire Weber Genesis line.

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Buy from
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for $799.00

Portable gas grill

Weber Go-Anywhere Gas Grill

*Est. $60 Compare Prices

Many of the "portable" gas grills we evaluated weigh at least 30 pounds -- not very portable at all. By contrast, the 14-pound Weber Go-Anywhere Gas Grill is compact enough to travel; it folds into a toolbox-like form… expandthat you can carry one-handed. Reviewers say the Go-Anywhere is durable and heats quickly. Simplicity and ease of use are high points, and owners like the convenience of its locking, foldable legs (it's a tabletop model). The push-button ignition is a potential weak point, but can be easily worked around by lighting the grill with a match or lighter. If you're willing to carry a heavier portable grill around, the 42-pound Weber Q-200 (*Est. $200) comes with fold-out side shelves, and also receives excellent reviews. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

About.com: Derrick Riches, the About.com guide to barbecues and grilling, gives the Go-Anywhere a 4.5-star rating in this detailed review.

Slate.com: This reviewer asks a group of friends to test several "mini grills." They evaluate both gas and charcoal models; in the end, the Weber Go-Anywhere Gas Grill is clearly the best reviewed of the gas grills.

Amazon.com: More than 240 reviewers give this grill a 4.5-star average rating.

Walmart.com: Nearly three dozen Walmart.com customers weigh in on the Weber Go-Anywhere grill, giving it a near-perfect 4.5-star rating; 94 percent say they'd recommend it to a friend.

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Buy from
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for $59.99