Gas Grills Buying Guide
Most gas grills should perform at least adequately at your next alfresco feast. But as with indoor ranges, some models do
so with more style. Our battery of tests shows that a bigger price tag doesn't guarantee better grilling. Many lower-priced
models now have at least some stainless trim, along with side burners and other perks.
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Sort our Ratings based on features, brands and other factors.
Brands
Char-Broil, Kenmore (Sears), and Weber account for more than 50 percent of gas-grill sales overall. At Consumer Reports, we test those and other less familiar brands. This information will help you compare gas grills by brand.
Char-Broil
In 2008, Char-Broil brand placed a lot of emphasis on infrared technology, with both the new Quantum and Red lines boasting different versions of the technology. Char-Broil positions itself as an affordable brand that offers innovative features across its wide product lines. The grills, which cost $100 to $750, are sold at retailers nationwide. Note that some lines are sold only at specific big-box retailers. For example, the Quantum and Commercial series are sold at Lowe's, the Red line at Home Depot, and Thermos at Target stores.
Fiesta
This brand sells a few models at Home Depot and regional retailers, and markets the Blue Ember brand at Home Depot stores nationwide. The company introduced a new Blue Ember electronic grill recently at Home Depot, Lowe's, and Sears. Fiesta grills are known for featuring such add-ons as a condiment tray and a smoker box. The grills range in price from $200 to $900.Jenn-Air
This brand is licensed to Lowe's. Jenn-Air grills cost $800 to $1,100. All models include infrared cooking with stainless-steel burners and grates. A natural-gas version is also available for all models.Kenmore
Kenmore offers a wide range of gas grills from the low-end to the premium category. The brand aims to be recognized as the maker of dependable, full-featured grills. It also offers coated cast-iron grates on models as low as $250. Kenmore sells models with an infrared searing area and offers a natural-gas version of most mid- to high-priced grills. The grills, sold at Sears stores nationwide, range in price from $140 to $1,800.Napoleon
Like Vermont Castings grills, Napoleon outdoor cookers are made in Canada. The "heart" of Napoleon grills is the 304 stainless-steel, reversible cooking rods, called WAVE cooking grids. The grills also have a charcoal tray and range in price from $380 to $2,500. Almost all have a natural-gas version. Napoleon also markets the Ultra Chef line of grills.Vermont Castings
This Canadian-made brand has been producing models that have rated well in our Ratings over the years. The company's grills are known for their cast-iron grates, cast-iron end caps on the grill hood, and a large number of features, including towel hooks, LED lights, marinating trays, a tank pull-out tray, and utensil hooks. Vermont Castings added porcelain-enamel colors to their grills in 2008. The company sells grills priced from $450 to $1,600, and natural-gas versions are available in almost all models.Weber/Ducane
This brand, known for its durability and dependability, went through an entire line and design change in 2007. Weber is known for its quality products in the midpriced to high-priced categories, and grills that feature coated cast-iron and stainless-steel-rod cooking grates and long-warranty stainless-steel burners. (The company offers a natural-gas version for most of its grills.) Weber recently introduced an infrared-searing station on some of its grills, updated its Q line of portable grills, and added colors to its entire lineup. Weber grills are available at many retailers nationwide. Grills range in price from $130 to $3,000. Note that Weber acquired Ducane about four years ago.
