Best gas barbecue

With a gas barbecue, you can skip the messy charcoal setup and get cooking, fast.

Best gas barbecue
(Image credit: @Evan Wise on Unsplash)

A gas barbecue offers a great grilling experience without the hassle. Instead of loading up a basin with charcoal, you can simply flip a switch and your gas barbecue will heat up. Many of the options we saw have multiple burners for hot spot control, unlike open-flame options. They also eliminate the need for storing bags of charcoal. Read on to find out which gas barbecue is best for you. 

Staff pick

gas barbecue

(Image credit: Weber)

Weber Q1200 liquid propane grill

Light enough to take with you

This grill includes a grease management system to prevent messes on your patio.

Pros:

  • Aluminum and cast iron build
  • Nonstick grates
  • Built-in thermometer

Cons:

  • Difficult to clean
  • Shallow lid

The perfect spot for your barbecue might be in someone else's backyard. Now let us explain. Perhaps someone you know has a pool or an amazing alfresco dining setup. You can pack up this barbecue and take it with you to their home. What nicer way to say thanks for the visit than to do all the cooking on the grill? You also won't leave a mess because it has a grease management system to catch the drips and drops. 

Steel-clad

Char-Broil performance 4-burner gas grill

(Image credit: Amazon)

Char-Broil performance 4-burner gas grill

Starts at the push of a button

Four heating zones to provide even cooking for all elements of larger meals.

Pros:

  • Side burner for side dishes
  • Quick ignition
  • Stainless steel side shelves
  • Easy to clean

Cons:

  • Difficult assembly
  • Check for missing parts

Not all sides you enjoy are best cooked on the grill. For instance, maybe you want collard greens or some beans. This Char-Broil grill has a side burner where you can place a pot to cook or warm up your side dish. When the side burner isn't in use, you can close the cover to use the area as counter space. This setup provides more room on the main grilling surfaces for extra proteins. So, maybe there will be some meal prep in your future or just some serious leftovers for lunch. 

The professional

gas barbecue

(Image credit: Amazon)

Master Cook 3-burner gas grill

Twin side panels for extra space

Durable stainless steel controls along the front for convenient temperature adjustments.

Pros:

  • Easy to move on wheels
  • Warming grate
  • Generous cooking area

Cons:

  • May have trouble putting together
  • Paint coat is not consistent

Are you lacking space near your barbecue to set food or sauces? This Master Cook barbecue has shelves on the right and left that flip up when you need them and fold down when you don't. You could also use them as a place to set utensils, extra plates, and more. There are three large and easy-to-read dials along the front, providing temperature control for each of the three burners. When the food is finished, you'll appreciate that the grates have a nonstick coating, making cleanup a snap. 

Serious grillers

Cuisinart five-burner gas grill

(Image credit: Cuisinart)

Cuisinart five-burner gas grill

Massive cooking surface

Be the envy of your neighborhood and friends as you cook for them on this beauty.

Pros:

  • Extra-deep hood
  • Cast iron cooking grates
  • Built-in thermometer

Cons:

  • Hard to clean
  • User manual could use improvements

If you're cooking for a large family or party, this is the gas barbecue for you. It has a generous cooking area, spanning 460 square inches. There are five burners in total, giving you the control you need to perfectly cook different food. We think this model's shiny stainless steel finish looks great, and the wheels make transport easy. However, our favorite feature is the slide-out prep table. 

Our favorite gas barbecue

When reviewing your options for a gas barbecue, there's a lot to consider. However, if we had to pick just one, we'd go with the Weber Q1200 liquid propane grill. How cool is it that you can take it with you to grill at a friend's house, a tailgating party, or the community pool? It's also well-made and prevents messes with the built-in grease drain system.

But if you're cooking really big meals, a modest portable barbecue isn't going to get the job done. Instead, check out the Cuisinart CGG-8500 side five-burner gas grill. This option has large cooking surfaces, four burners, a built-in thermometer, and even a side burner. Basically, your cookouts will be the talk of the neighborhood.

Why trust us?

At GardeningEtc, we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously — testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible.

Nicole Cozma is a freelance writer for Future. She's known for being inquisitive and finding the tiny details that may otherwise go unnoticed. When she's not writing about products, she can be found playing Blizzard game titles, doing copy editing work, cooking, or expanding her photography skills.