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Fine cooking performance, free assembly, and more features make now a good time to buy a grill. While you could easily pay more than $1,000, our tests show that spending more than $500 rarely buys better grilling.
Sales of gas grills continue to be strong as manufacturers offer more features at all prices. Side burners are standard on all but the most basic grills. All the side burners we tested ably boiled a pot of water, though some were faster than others. But no matter how low we set the flame, none of them could keep sauce at a simmer.
There are more sizes of grills available, from tiny portable grills for tailgating to behemoths big enough to feed a crowd. Though prices of the 44 models in our tests ranged from $100 to a whopping $3,200, our Best Buys cost between $200 and $500. Here's what's new:
Expect less of stainless steel. Stainless-steel grills are popular, but many consumers aren't aware of the pitfalls. Normal use and exposure will discolor and dull stainless over time. "Stainless steel requires upkeep to stay shiny," says Alex Gafford, director of research and development at Char-Broil. "Consumers who don't understand that or don't make a maintenance effort may be disappointed over time."
Grills grow in size. Additional features such as side tables, side burners, rotisseries, and smoking chambers add to the overall size and weight of some grills without a corresponding increase in cooking area. That can be a problem if your patio or grilling area is small.
Don't depend on brand. Assess features, quality, and value independent of brand, which we found an inconsistent indicator of quality or performance. Three midsized Sears Kenmore models rated near the top, middle, and bottom of the category. Likewise, two small CharBroil grills occupied spots near the top and bottom of our Ratings.
HOW TO CHOOSE
Along with your budget, the number of people at your picnic table should determine the size of the grill and its features. Will you use a side burner, or pop into the kitchen to use the range? If you are enthusiastic about grill-roasting whole birds or large roasts, a rotisserie or separate roasting element might be helpful, less so if you are all about the...