We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Food and Recipes BBQ The 8 Best Propane Grills Of 2024 Chefs and grilling experts weigh in with expert recommendations for the best propane grills. By Carrie Honaker Carrie Honaker Carrie Honaker is a freelance writer and pastry chef specializing in food, wine, and travel. Using her background working in and owning restaurants, she provides insight into products and practices for the home cook. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on March 19, 2024 In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews The Bottom Line Tips for Choosing Questions and Answers Why Trust Southern Living Southern Living / Brian Kopinski The scent of grilling burgers filling the neighborhood air is a sure sign summer has arrived. And satisfying that craving for heat-kissed food couldn’t be easier—just gather your butter-laden corn-on-the-cob and juicy steaks, start the grill, and sear away. While there is lots of debate about gas vs. charcoal grills, gas grills certainly win when it comes to convenience. “With a propane grill, you don’t have to worry about lighting the charcoal and maintaining a fire,” says Brian Mooney, executive chef at Tre Luna Bar and Kitchen in Hoover, Alabama. “Propane grills make it easy; you push the button to light the grill, close the lid to get it hot, and you are ready to cook.” The field is wide when it comes to choosing the best propane grill—some have smart technology, others offer additional smoking capabilities, there are large and small models, and even options that fold up to make perfect tailgating or beach-going additions. Whether you are grilling on the go or throwing Sunday dinner for the family in your backyard, there is sure to be one that lights your fire. To come up with our list of the best propane grills, we spent hours researching products and considered factors like cooking area, features, care required, and more. In addition to Mooney, we received expert insight on what to look for in a propane grill from Adam Stephens, executive chef of The Hope Farm in Fairhope, Alabama, as well as Mark Dayanandan, executive chef at The Driskill Grill in Austin, Texas. Our Top Picks Best Overall Propane Grill: Weber Genesis E-325 Gas Grill at Amazon ($849) Jump to Review Best Budget Propane Grill: Char-Broil Cart Style Gas Grill at Amazon ($370) Jump to Review Best Portable Propane Grill: Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill at Amazon ($399) Jump to Review Best Large Format Propane Grill: Monument Grills Propane Gas Grill at Amazon ($517) Jump to Review Best Small Propane Grill: Weber Spirit II E-210 Grill at Amazon ($499) Jump to Review Best Smart Propane Grill: Weber Liquid Propane Gas Grill at Amazon ($882) Jump to Review Best Dual-Fuel Propane Grill: Char-Griller 5050 Duo Gas-and-Charcoal Grill at Amazon (See Price) Jump to Review Best Propane Grill With Smoker: PIT BOSS Wood Pellet and Gas Combo Grill at Amazon ($1,187) Jump to Review Best Overall Propane Grill Weber Genesis E-325 Gas Grill Amazon View On Amazon $849 View On Walmart View On Weber.com What’s Great About It Expansive cooking area Side tables for platters and tools Extra burner for searing Four casters for easy maneuverability What Could Be Better Propane hookup and gauge are difficult to access There’s a lot to love about this spacious, powerful propane grill from Weber. The Genesis E-325 easily accommodates 20+ burgers simultaneously or two whole chickens with room to spare. The reliable push-to-start electric ignition sits flush with the control panel, making it easy to operate. The burners offer plenty of cooking real estate, and the side tables have space for all your platters and implements. Beware though, those tables don’t fold down, so measure your available space before purchase. This model also includes an extra burner for searing. It’s located between the middle and right-side burners and generates 13,000 BTU (aka British Thermal Units, a measure of heat output). The grates covering those burners are crafted from sturdy porcelain-enameled, cast iron cooking grates resistant to rust and corrosion. And the cart is made of durable steel with four casters, making it portable around your patio or pool area. The one ding against this superstar is the placement of the propane hookup and gauge—it’s under the firebox inside the cart, making hooking up a full tank of propane a bit of an adventure in contortionism. This did not diminish the love Mooney has for his Weber Genius at home. He especially appreciates the expansive cooking area, “It allows me to cook entire meals without needing additional ovens. There’s a shelf to roast my corn and potatoes and the space to grill all my steaks.” The Genesis line comes with an enviable warranty. The firebox and lid assembly are covered for 12 years and the stainless steel burner tubes, cooking grates, and Flavorizer bars (burner hoods) have a 10-year warranty. To get even more functionality from your grill, pop in a pizza stone, griddle, Dutch oven, grilling basket, and more from the Weber Crafted Outdoor Kitchen Collection (sold separately). Size: 48.1 x 57.7 x 27 inches | Weight: 162 pounds | Burners: 3 | BTU: 39,000 (main burners); 13,000 (Sear Zone) | Cooking Area: 641 square inches Best Budget Propane Grill Char-Broil Cart Style Gas Grill Amazon View On Amazon $370 View On Aliexpress.us What’s Great About It High BTU output for the price Warming rack Lidded side burner and stainless steel side shelves Removable grease trap What Could Be Better Only two wheels, so portability is restricted This four-burner, cart-style model provides a lot of bang for your buck. 425 square inches of cooking space allows enough room for a mess of burgers, and the porcelain-coated cast iron grates retain heat well, are rust-resistant, and easy to clean. And with BTU output just 3,000 lower than our top choice, this is a bargain. As far as features, this Char-Broil propane grill delivers. The warming rack toasts buns while your chicken breasts are grilling. The lidded side burner provides extra space for sauteing vegetables, and the lid folds down when not in use. Stainless steel side shelves offer space for prep and storage, and the removable grease trap aids in quick clean-up. Size: 45 x 50.4 x 24.5 inches | Weight: 85 pounds | Burners: 4 | BTU: 36,000 | Cooking Area: 425 square inches Best Portable Propane Grill Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill Amazon View On Amazon $399 View On Target $400 View On Home Depot $399 What’s Great About It Compact design rolls and folds up for storage Enough cooking area for 15 burgers Side tables for platters and implements Multiple color options What Could Be Better Screwing in the propane canister can be challenging Whether you’re loading up the car for a weekend camping trip, an afternoon picnic, or a tailgate, the Weber Traveler portable gas grill makes the perfect companion for every adventure. The sturdy, compact design folds up easily for storage, and the grill is attached to the folding cart so assembly is easy. And you won’t be skimping on cooking space with this portable option—the 320 square inches of cooking area is enough for 15 burgers, and the grill can accommodate a full-size, 20-pound fuel tank when using an adapter hose. And bonus, the side table provides extra room for keeping a platter or implements at the ready. The porcelain-coated cast iron grates offer a nonstick surface that cleans up easily. This model also comes in four fun colors: red, blue, black, and stealth. Just note that screwing in the one-pound canister (not included) can be a challenge, but you can also use an adapter hose to connect it to a larger tank. Size: 37.2 x 43.6 x 23 inches | Weight: 49 pounds | Burners: 1 | BTU: 13,000 | Cooking Area: 320 square inches Best Large Format Propane Grill Monument Grills Propane Gas Grill Amazon View On Amazon $517 View On Wayfair $439 View On Lowe's $477 What’s Great About It Expansive cooking area LED control knobs give increased visibility at night Four main burners plus a lidded side burner Four wheels for easy maneuverability What Could Be Better Cold spots may cause uneven cooking If you host family cookouts, community get-togethers, or any large outdoor gatherings, you need a propane grill that can handle your menu. This beast boasts nearly 700 square inches of cooking area, four main burners plus a lidded side burner, and an easy-to-maneuver four-wheel cart. Plus it clocks in at a budget price compared to other models of this size. Mooney appreciates the ease of a gas grill when grilling hamburgers or hotdogs for the kids, but likes to kick it up a notch when preparing something like ribs. And with a large-scale grill like the Monument, there’s plenty of room to employ his trick without an additional smokebox. “I grab some wood chips and throw them in an aluminum pan with only one side of my grill lit. The key is to soak your wood chips beforehand so they don't catch fire. I get the chips barely smoking, close the lid, and lower the flame to maintain a low temperature of around 275-300 degrees,” Mooney says. He cautions to keep the ribs away from the direct flame to avoid burning them while smoking for two to three hours. “Next, wrap them in aluminum foil, and cook for another two hours. Brush them with barbecue sauce and turn the grill back up to high. I get a nice char from the hot flames and baste them regularly to get the barbecue flavor cooked in and coated to the ribs.” This model checks a lot of boxes: It’s easy to assemble, easy to ignite, and the LED control knobs give increased visibility when you’re out cooking at night. Our one complaint is that there are some cold spots towards the front of the grill that makes for uneven cooking. Despite this flaw, the Monument offers great value with its porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grid, accessory hooks, removable grease drip pan, and expansive storage cabinet that will cover all your grilling bases. Size: 45.7 x 54.1 x 19 inches | Weight: 89.3 pounds | Burners: 4 plus 1 side burner | BTU: 60,000 | Cooking Area: 683 square inches Best Small Propane Grill Weber Spirit II E-210 Grill Amazon View On Amazon $499 View On Walmart $499 View On Perigold.com What’s Great About It Compact, but still enough cooking surface for up to six burgers Reversible, porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grates Open-cart design makes hooking up propane tank easy Two folding side tables and integrated hooks What Could Be Better Only two burners, so cooking with indirect heat is challenging Just starting out grilling or maybe you have a cozy apartment balcony as your only outdoor space? If so, the Weber Spirit II E-210 fits the bill. The compact two-burner provides enough cooking surface for six burgers without hogging your limited outdoor space. The open-cart design makes hooking up your propane tank easy, and the two folding side tables offer extra prep area without taking up extra space. The integrated hooks add another layer of space-saving utility. Reversible, porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grates offer a thin side for delicate food such as fish and shrimp, while the wider side imparts a thick grill mark for those steaks and burgers. The challenge for this grill comes in indirect cooking applications—with only two burners it shines when searing and grilling with direct, high heat, but falls short if you need to cook low or slow. This small-but-mighty model is optimal for two-person households or even beginner grillers as the assembly instructions and operation are straightforward. The finish on the grates also cleans up easily. And it comes with Weber’s 10-year warranty. Size: 44.5 x 48 x 27 inches | Weight: 103 pounds | Burners: 2 | BTU: 26,500 | Cooking Area: 450 square inches Best Smart Propane Grill Weber Liquid Propane Gas Grill Amazon View On Amazon $882 View On Walmart $869 View On Weber.com What’s Great About It The Weber Connect app walks you through every step Bonus warming rack Three stainless steel burners What Could Be Better Only 424 square inches of active grilling area If you love the flavor of grilled food, but would love a more fix-it-and-forget-it approach, the Weber Spirit SX-315 Smart Grill is the answer. No matter if you are wrangling kids or caught up in conversation with friends, the integrated Weber Connect technology takes the guesswork out of grilling with real-time food temperature monitoring, Wi-Fi connection for remote grill access, low fuel alerts on your phone, an ambient thermometer to measure the temperature of the grill, and step-by-step grilling assistance, including alerts once you’ve reached the optimal temperature to flip and serve. The three stainless steel burners deliver 32,000 BTUs for powerful cooking, and the porcelain-enameled, cast-iron cooking grates offer good heat retention for even cooking and easy cleanup. The bonus warming rack allows you a surface to toast hamburger and hotdog buns, or keep already cooked food warm while you finish grilling. The main challenge with this grill is the smaller cooking area—it has 424 square inches of grilling area with an additional 105 square inches of warming rack that is useful, but can be deceptive when looking at total cooking area. Size: 45.5 x 49.5 x 24 inches | Weight: 123 pounds | Burners: 3 | BTU: 32,000 | Cooking Area: 529 square inches Best Dual-Fuel Propane Grill Char-Griller 5050 Duo Gas-and-Charcoal Grill Lowe's View On Amazon View On Home Depot $449 View On Lowe's $360 What’s Great About It One side for gas grilling and the other for charcoal Enough cooking surface for up to 56 burgers Adjustable porcelain-coated cast iron grate High BTU output for pronounced sear marks What Could Be Better Steel exterior is susceptible to rust and corrosion Versatility is the best quality of the Char-Griller Duo 5050 Grill, which has one side for gas grilling and the other for charcoal grilling. Three burners on the gas side, plus the additional side burner offer up plenty of grilling space. Still, when you add the charcoal side there’s enough room—1,260 square inches—to cook up to 56 burgers to satisfy even the largest backyard barbecue. Unlike some of our other picks, the exterior of this grill is constructed of steel which is susceptible to rust and corrosion. But, the porcelain-coated cast iron grate is adjustable, allowing for temperature control while grilling, and the easy dump ash pan makes cleanup simple. Plus the 52,800 BTUs provide powerful heat for pronounced sear marks. Convenient features like accessory hooks and a warming rack make this a bargain. Size: 49 x 65 x 28 inches | Weight: 168 pounds | Burners: 3, plus 1 side burner | BTU: 52,800 | Cooking Area: 1,260 square inches Best Propane Grill With Smoker PIT BOSS Wood Pellet and Gas Combo Grill Amazon View On Amazon $1,187 View On Wayfair $1,090 View On Walmart What’s Great About It Can smoke, bake, braise, roast, grill, barbecue, char-grill, and sear Four wheels for easy maneuverability Dial-in digital control board with LED read-out Includes tube that allows wood smoke to pass from the firepot to the gas side What Could Be Better Ash bucket is small compared to the size of the grill In the same lane as our dual-fuel propane grill, the Pit Boss Wood Pellet and Gas Combo model offers versatility in the grilling arena, but unlike the Char-Griller Duo, this grill has four wheels instead of two for easy maneuverability. The 1,000 square inches of cooking area is slightly less than the above grill, but with eight-in-one cooking versatility that allows you to smoke, bake, braise, roast, grill, barbecue, char-grill, and sear, you won’t miss the space. Mooney adds, “With all the new technological advances in backyard grills, it can make any weekend warrior chef seem like he has been classically trained. One of the best is the digital control on the pellet smoker which assists in cooking your meat to the correct temperature. You can smoke a brisket or pork without ever having to control the fire. You set the temperature, season your meat, place a thermometer in the meat, and the app alerts you when it is cooked to your preference. It is honestly mind-blowing.” An adjustable flame broiler lever on the pellet side aids with instant direct and indirect heat capabilities ranging from 180 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. But the ash bucket is pretty small for so much cooking area. Over on the gas side, three burners put out 30,000 BTUs for powerful searing. The genius part of this setup though is the tube that allows wood smoke to pass from the firepot to the gas side. Cold smoked salmon anyone? In addition to all these features, the Pit Boss has porcelain-coated cast iron grates for easy clean up, a dial-in digital control board with LED read-out that allows you to track temperatures effortlessly, folding front shelf, built-in accessory hooks, two included meat probes, and more. Plus it comes with the ultra-important grill cover to protect your investment from the elements. Size: 47 x 69.3 x 34 inches | Weight: 203 pounds | Burners: 3 | BTU: 30,000 | Cooking Area: 1,084 square inches The Bottom Line If you are looking for an expansive propane grill that offers reliable power with lots of prep space, we recommend the Weber Genesis E-325 Gas Grill because it has two side shelves to store platters, implements, and food awaiting fire; 39,000 BTUs; and an enviable 641 square inches of cooking area. If you want a more budget-friendly option that doesn’t skimp on versatility and design, choose the Char-Broil Performance Series 4-Burner Gas Grill. Its lidded side burner and warming rack deliver on performance, and the BTU output is just 3,000 shy of our top pick. Tips for Choosing the Right Propane Grill Cooking Area Dayanandan prefers a spacious grill so he can have flexibility on levels of heat. “You want power on the grill so you can use it when needed, however, you also want the option to have several different temperatures for various products. Some items require a quick sear then a slow cook,” he says. The common wisdom is to allot 70 to 100 square inches of cooking area per person. The overall dimension of a grill’s cooking area is important, but another factor to consider is the number of burners. If you have multiple burners, you can create different temperature zones which allows for indirect heat cooking, as well as preparing other foods simultaneously. Heat Output Regarding power, heat output is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs). Generally smaller grills have a lower BTU rating because they have less burners. According to Mooney, “You want enough BTUs to get the proper sear on your protein and generate enough heat to cook everything on your backyard menu. This helps whether you are keeping the grill at a low temp to cook slow and low or hard searing a steak to give those restaurant-style grill marks.” But don’t focus solely on finding a high BTU rating. Look also at the overall temperature range and heat-retention capability. And remember, a higher BTU rating means more propane and thus more fuel cost. Features A myriad of features exist for gas grills to facilitate things like moving your grill around easier, ensuring you’re grilling at the optimal temperature, and even creating different heat zones for different foods. Side burners like the ones found on the Monument Grills Stainless 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill or sear zones like on our top pick the Weber Genesis E-325 Gas Grill lend flexibility to what you can cook simultaneously. Integrated grilling technology—like on the Weber Spirit SX-315 Smart Grill—that does the work for you and alerts you when food is ready alleviates stress, as it makes grilling a fix-it-and-forget-it proposition. Don’t rely on those dial thermometers on the body of your grill though, as they can be off by anywhere from 50 and 100 degrees. If your choice does not include a probe system, invest in a reliable thermometer to ensure your proteins are done to perfection. Stephens loves the flavor smoke imparts. For him, a hopper for chips or pass-through for smoke like the Pit Boss Navigator Pellet/Gas Combo Grill provides, is a must. With that capability, the possibilities are limitless: “Whole cluster mushrooms and heads of cauliflower to accompany dry-aged meats, potatoes and corn to create a smoky salty chowder laced with duck bacon, citrus to accompany a bright watermelon mezcal cocktail or even fruits like pineapple or peach for fun and complex salsas for fish tacos.” The Char-Griller Duo 5050 Gas & Charcoal Grill not only allows separate cooking areas, but has an EasyDump Ash Pan, so you can easily dispose of your ashes without losing a beat while cooking. Open cart designs like the Weber Spirit II E-210 Gas Grill make hooking and unhooking propane tanks easy, and prep tables like those found on our top and budget picks allow more work area and lessen trips to the kitchen. Dayanandan, a self-professed gadget guy, wants all the amenities so he can concentrate his cooking at the grill. He appreciates smoke boxes, burners for pans of sauces, “...and the option of putting a French flat top on a section to avoid direct heat.” He also loves utilizing his cast iron skillet while grilling. And if your summer is filled with camping, beach outings, and picnics, portability is key. Our pick for the best portable propane grill, the Weber Traveler, folds up to the size of a small suitcase easily stowed in your trunk. Care Nothing ruins a great evening of grilling than opening the cover to messy, sticky grates. As Mooney advises, grill care is critical for maintaining your investment. “Clean your grill after every use. I always turn the grill up to a high temperature and close the lid to burn off any leftover bits of food or protein on the grilling surface. Then scrub it with a grill brush before you close it down. I also season my grill regularly. When it cools down, I will coat it with a pan spray so on my next use; it will help to keep it nonstick.” You could also try our tried and true trick of cleaning your grill with an onion, the inexpensive method that imparts sanitizing antibacterial properties in its natural juices. Stephens reminds that “...cleaning out any remaining oil, fat, or other debris will extend the life of your grill.” He keeps his grill in the garage, but if you don't have the luxury to keep it out of the weather, you will need a grill cover. Questions and Answers Are propane grills better than charcoal grills? We took a look at the differences between charcoal and propane, and found advantages and disadvantages to both. If budget is your chief concern, a charcoal grill wins every time, but if you need quick cooking and easy cleaning, gas grills are the clear choice. And according to Mooney, gas grills also provide a more consistent heat. Conversely, charcoal grills get much hotter and allow the opportunity to achieve low and slow cooking, building deeper flavor. Dayanandan counters, “Some people say that charcoal flame adds a different taste to the meat that you're cooking but I’m not sold on that. With the right marinades and glazes, you have already made a decision on the flavors you want and I would not want to change them. And as a chef who really likes to work cleanly, Propane rather than charcoal is probably a better fit for me—it's easier to clean.” Is one brand of gas grill better than all of the others? Looking at our list, Weber is the clear winner—one of our experts even owns our top pick for home use. Other trusted brands with options like smoker capability and dual cooking zones fill out our list. Our budget and large-scale picks come from reliable and respected brands, so it really comes down to the features you are looking for and your budget. What is the easiest kind of propane grill to clean? Gas grills with removable grates and no hard-to-reach nooks and crannies are the easiest to clean. Beyond construction, the material of the grates matters. Stainless steel is lightweight and cleans up with little effort. Porcelain-coated cast iron weighs more, but still cleans easily. Both materials are rust and corrosion-resistant, making them simple to maintain. How long do propane grills last? There’s no hard and fast rule to the longevity of gas grills or barbecue smokers, but with proper care like cleaning after every use and protection from the elements, a quality propane grill should last a decade or more. Weber believes this so strongly that all of their grills on this list, save for the portable Traveler, are under a 10+ year warranty outside of normal wear and tear. Why Trust Southern Living Carrie Honaker is a food and travel writer who loves good grill marks on her steak and smoky heat-kissed grilled romaine salads. As a restaurateur and avid home cook, she has seared and smoked hundreds of ingredients—she knows the importance of the proper grill to ensure peak flavor and ideal cook temperature. To compile this list, Carrie spent hours researching what to consider when shopping for propane grills, including cooking area, power output, ease of cleaning, and available features. For expert tips on what to look for in propane grills, she spoke to Brian Mooney, executive chef at Tre Luna Bar and Kitchen in Hoover, Alabama, as well as Adam Stephens, executive chef of The Hope Farm in Fairhope, Alabama, and Mark Dayanandan, executive chef at The Driskill Grill in Austin, Texas. 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