Gas barbecues have come a long way and many are loaded with extra features that do more than just the basics. Consumer Reports tested more than 100 gas grills costing less than $200 to more than $2,000 and the results found you don’t have to spend top dollar to get a grill that sizzles.
Barbecue testers applied thermocouples to the grates to measure how evenly a grill distributes heat. Pre-heating is something they pay close attention to as well.
A recent Consumer Reports reader survey found that most gas grillers preheat their grill for five to 10 minutes before cooking. So testers preheated the grills for 10 minutes to see whether that was enough, measuring the temperature and evenness across the grates.
Some grills did better than others.
Consumer Reports awarded two Weber grills with top ratings. The midsized Weber Spirit model SP-320 46700401 sells for about $700 and preheats quickly and evenly. So does the smaller Weber Spirit model E210 46110001 for about $500. Both did an excellent job at high and low temperatures, perfect for grilling a summertime feast.
You can find those Weber grills at Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart, and at independent retailers. They come with a 10-year warranty on the burners, which is the most frequently replaced part.
Some grills had extra features, including rotisseries and side burners. A Kenmore grill that was tested even has an oven. Testers were able to bake a pretty good cake in it, though the bottom was darker than one baked in a regular oven.
