A natural gas grill is a great addition to any outdoor kitchen. Not only does it provide a consistent heat source, but it also offers the convenience of not having to worry about running out of propane. They are becoming increasingly popular due to their many benefits.
For one, natural gas is a cleaner-burning fuel than either charcoal or propane, so it produces less pollution. Additionally, natural gas grills are usually cheaper to operate than other types of grills, since natural gas is usually less expensive than either charcoal or propane.
Finally, natural gas grills tend to be more convenient to use than other types of grills, since they can be connected directly to a home’s natural gas line. This means that there is no need to worry about refilling propane tanks or dealing with smoky charcoal briquettes. If you are looking for a new grill, a natural gas grill is a great option to consider.
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What To Look For In A Natural Gas Grill?
Let us take a look at things that we need to ponder upon before you go out and buy a gas grill:
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BTUs
British Thermal Units (BTUs) is a commonly used measurement to assess grill power and identify which ones are best for generating perfectly cooked meats, proteins, and vegetables. The usual units for gauging the thermal capacity of a gas grill are BTUs, or “British Thermal Units. “One BTU should be sufficient to raise the temperature of a pound of water by around one degree Fahrenheit, it should be emphasized.
Most consumers believe that a grill’s power increases with its BTU rating. The figures can be misleading, though, as some manufacturers only count the BTUs generated by the grill’s primary burners and ignore its side burners and accessories. Thus, there is no accepted method for utilizing these instruments to ascertain the real power capabilities of the gadget.
Therefore, BTUs are a useful overall tool for comparing natural gas grills, but a savvy buyer should not rely solely on them to make their decision.
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A Number Of Burners
Grills that have more burners make it simple for you to roast a chicken when you do not want to use the burner in the center and leave the other burners on. The ability to cook at various temperatures is another benefit of having several burners. For example, you could start cooking your steaks on high heat, then move them to a cold spot on the grill to complete. Simply put, more burners equal greater adaptability.
When comparing gas grills, also take a look at if the grill you are considering has a rear infrared burner. Having this feature allows you to roast rotisserie-style on your lawn. This feature is extremely popular with people who entertain often because it looks awesome while your food cooks on the grill and the constant turning of the rotisserie makes for stress-free cook.
When it comes to gas grill burners, the heavier the construction & the more durable the material, the happier you will be with its lasting performance for many years to come.
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Maintenance
Generally, natural gas grills are significantly simpler to maintain than charcoal barbecues. You should always have a dishcloth, a grippy brush, vegetable oil, and mild dishwashing liquid ready to wash your grill grates. Grill grates should be cleaned with a brush to eliminate any residue, and then they should be rubbed with vegetable oil with a rag to keep them polished.
Wash the inside of the grill cover with water, dishwashing liquid, and a wire brush or scrub, then dry the grill using a different dishcloth.
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Hose Length
Grills powered by natural gas need to be connected to a gas connection, which is normally found on the outer wall of your house. Make sure the grill has a hose that is long enough to connect the coupling to the site where you want to position it after measuring the distance. You might need to buy a longer hose if it is not.
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Special Features
Numerous extra elements that enhance the cooking experience are frequently included with natural gas barbecues. For instance, flank burners, under-grill racks, prep tables, hooks for grilling tools, rotisserie units, smoke cabinets, and more. Consider your options carefully and pick grills with the qualities that make perfect sense for your specific cooking requirements. These additions can increase the cost of the grills.
When it comes to selecting the extra features, there is no wrong or right option; instead, pick the ones that would be most helpful to you. One such feature that every user likes is an integrated light system. It is much simpler to see what you are cooking at night thanks to the inside lighting that certain barbecues include. Many grills even feature spotlight LEDs for the control panel, which makes it easier to use the grill at night by illuminating the control dials.
The 8 Best Natural Gas Grills In 2024
Best Overall: Weber Spirit II E-310 Natural Gas Grill
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Best Infrared Side: Napoleon P500RSIBNK Natural Gas Grill
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Best In Budget: Dyna-Glo DGP321SNN-D Natural Gas Grill
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Best Cooking Space: Monument Grills Larger Natural Gas Grill
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Best In Value: Dyna-Glo DGP397SNN-D Natural Gas Grill
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Best Compact: Bullet by Bull Outdoor Products Natural Gas Grill
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Best With Rotisserie: Weber Summit 7270001 S-470 Natural-Gas Grill
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Best For Outdoor: Weber Summit S-670 Natural Gas Grill
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Best Overall: Weber Spirit II E-310 Natural Gas Grill
It has dimensions of 44.5H x 52W x 27D inches, and it has 529 square inches of cooking space.
This grill also features an easy-to-clean porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grate, an enclosed cart with stainless steel doors, and two side shelves for extra prep space.
This natural gas grill has a three-burner system that gives you even heat distribution, while the grease management system means fewer flare-ups and easier cleanup.
Plus, the open cart design means plenty of space for your tools and accessories, and the six tool hooks and two large wheels make it easy to move around your backyard.
Best of all, the built-in lid thermometer means you can always keep an eye on your food, ensuring perfectly cooked results every time.
It comes with a 10-year warranty from Weber, so you can be confident that your investment will last for many years to come.
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Best Infrared Side: Napoleon P500RSIBNK Natural Gas Grill
The Napoleon natural gas grill comes with 500 square inches of main cooking space, it can easily accommodate large groups of people.
And if that’s not enough, the warming rack and side burner add an additional 260 and 140 square inches of cooking space, respectively.
It has 4 stainless steel main burners, each of which is equipped with JETFIRE ignition, meaning that it heats up to 1800 degrees in just 30 seconds.
In addition, it also features a side burner and a rear rotisserie burner, both of which come in handy when cooking for a crowd.
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Best In Budget: Dyna-Glo DGP321SNN-D Natural Gas Grill
This grill includes 445 square inches of total cooking space, making it large enough to accommodate multiple burgers or steaks.
The 10-foot natural gas hose means that you won’t have to worry about running out of fuel.
The durable cast iron cooking grates provide even heat distribution, and the stainless steel construction ensures that this grill will last for years to come.
The side shelves provide a convenient place to store your BBQ tools and other supplies, while the two burners deliver superior heat distribution for evenly cooked food.
With its equiheat technology, it ensures even heat distribution across the entire grilling surface.
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Best Cooking Space: Monument Grills Larger Natural Gas Grill
It has four main 304 stainless steel burners and one side burner, providing plenty of space to cook for a crowd. The side burner is ideal for simmering sauces or cooking side dishes.
With its built-in temperature gauge, you can always be sure that your food is cooked to perfection.
With 513 square inches of primary cooking area and 210 square inches of warming rack area, this grill offers a total of 723 square inches of cooking space.
This powerful grill includes porcelain-coated cast iron cooking grates for superior heat retention and evenly cooked food.
The built-in clear view lid allows for easy viewing of the cooking process, so you can be sure your food is coming along perfectly.
With 60,000 BTUs of power, this grill is sure to make short work of even the largest cookouts.
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Best In Value: Dyna-Glo DGP397SNN-D Natural Gas Grill
This grill includes 396 square inches of primary cooking space, as well as 550 square inches of total cooking space.
It uses EquiHeat technology to distribute heat evenly across its three stainless steel tube burners.
The total BTU output by the burners is 36, 000, making this a powerful grill that can handle even the heaviest cooking.
The porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grates provide even heat distribution and excellent heat retention.
The fold-down side shelves provide additional prep space. The stainless steel flavorshield™ allows you to cook your food to perfection.
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Best Compact: Bullet by Bull Outdoor Products Natural Gas Grill
This grill is made with 304 stainless steel and provides 60,000 BTUs of Heat, making it durable and efficient.
With four burners and a spacious cooking surface, this grill provides plenty of room to cook burgers, hot dogs, steaks, chicken, and more.
The Piezo igniters on the grill make it easy to start the fire and the zinc knobs make it easy to control the flame.
The front-mounted built-in temperature gauge ensures that the food is cooked evenly.
This grill has cast iron heat bar burners and solid stainless steel grates, making it durable and easy to clean.
Pros
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Best With Rotisserie: Weber Summit 7270001 S-470 Natural-Gas Grill
It features a generous 580-square-inch cooking area, making it perfect for large gatherings. Plus, the sleek stainless steel design is sure to complement any outdoor space.
It features four stainless-steel burners that put out a total of 48,800 BTUs of cooking power, ensuring that your food will be cooked evenly and efficiently.
Also, Snap-Jet individual burner ignition system for quick and easy start-ups. Plus, the built-in infrared sink ensures even heat distribution across the entire grill surface.
The unit also comes equipped with a side burner, sear station burner, and rotisserie burner, giving you plenty of options for creative cooking.
Other notable features include a fuel gauge, two stainless-steel work surfaces, stainless steel cooking grates, and six integrated tool hooks.
Pros
Cons
Best For Outdoor: Weber Summit S-670 Natural Gas Grill
This unit offers a huge 693-square-inch primary cooking area and a 145-square-inch warming rack for a total of 838 square inches of cooking space.
This grill also features six stainless steel burners that produce 60,000 BTUs of heat, as well as a side burner and rear-mounted rotisserie burner for even more cooking options.
In addition, it features a built-in smoker box and external temperature gauge, making it easy to cook your food to perfection.
This grill also includes an enclosed cart with stainless-steel doors and six tool holders, making it easy to keep everything organized and within reach.
Pros
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FAQs
A propane barbecue can be transformed into a natural gas grill, but it takes some skill. To begin with, you must ascertain if the design of your propane grill can be converted. To check if the grill is a “dual fuel” variant, see your instruction booklet (or contact the manufacturer if you have lost the documentation).
If that is the case then a modification kit, which is available at hardware stores, will allow you to turn it into a natural gas barbecue. Ensure that the conversion kit you purchase is particularly designed to work with the grill manufacturer you own. If you are uncertain, contact the manufacturer because conversion errors brought on by bad kits might harm your grill and perhaps start a serious fire.
Natural gas grills have an expensive initial investment cost compared to propane or other gas grills. Building natural gas barbecues is more expensive. A natural gas barbecue comes with a large (10′) hose and a brass fast disconnect for attaching to your home’s fuel line, while a propane barbecue comes with a small (2′) hose/regulator pair. The price increases since this lengthier hose and pair of brass fittings are costly pieces of equipment.
Since they are controlled, natural gas barbecues are actually safer. That is to say, a regulator would already be in use on the main fuel line that is placed in your home otherwise it would not be safe.
Typically, this valve controls the flow of natural gas to 110 psi or 10 pounds of force per square inch. This volume must be set since, if it were not, the flow rate would be erratic and potentially harmful.
Yes, it is the answer. You might rationally believe that you would not need a regulator since the primary hose already has one installed that regulates the flow of the gas. Nevertheless, an application regulator is connected to the device you intend to use to burn natural gas.
Domestic gas lines have to be established by a qualified expert with a solid record of accomplishment with your neighborhood building inspectors. For security and reliability, a gas line must undergo the required testing.
The location of the grill is also controlled keeping in mind the attachments. Preventing dangerous situations requires careful consideration of location.
While a few natural gas grills may be modified to use propane, others cannot. To see if your natural gas grill can be changed to a propane barbecue, consult the user handbook.
Make sure your grill is cold and turned off before you start. Then take off the grilling surface and the metal stove cover plates that are positioned beneath them. Clear the burners of any debris by wiping them with a towel. Use hot water to wash them and then later dry them off.
Use a cloth and washing solution formulated for your grill’s material to wipe off the exterior of your grill.
It is thought that natural gas grills are at least as secure as propane grills and even better at safety than charcoal grills.
