The 5 Best Gas Grills Between $1,000 and $2,000 in 2023

What to Look for in a High-End Gas Grill

Number of Burners/Size

One of the most important things to consider when purchasing a new grill is its size and how many different burners it offers. The more burners that you have access to will not only increase your grilling surface area, but you’ll have the ability to create a variety of heat zones. Having the ability to create low, medium, and high heat zones is ideal if you’re going to be cooking a variety of foods at one time, like burgers, hot dogs, and veggies, and keeping things warm as they’re done cooking.

Two burners still allow you to create two different heat zones, but it is more limiting than having three or more. You can buy a grill with upwards of six or eight burners, but just keep in mind that these grills start to become extremely large, so make sure that you have the outdoor space. Having this many burners would be great for outdoor entertaining and large parties, but could be excessive if you don’t cook for that many people.

Material

Not all grills are made of the same materials, and the material that a grill is made of will indicate not only its durability but how well it is able to maintain heat evenly. Cast aluminum fireboxes are ideal because they aren’t going to rust (which is especially common if you live in an area with lots of precipitation and the grill sits uncovered) and they’re extremely durable, lasting anywhere from 5-10 years. On the other hand, carbon steel grills can be prone to rust, thus making them far less durable than cast aluminum. On top of its durability issues, it is not as efficient in maintaining high heats.

Special Features

All grills come equipped with a different set of tools, designs, and features. You should make note of any wheels or cart options on the bottom of the grill, which is great if you plan to move the grill around. Also, look to see if there are any sliding tables or prep areas and storage cabinets or shelves under the grill. Always understand what the cleaning system entails. Is there a drainage system and grease tray that pulls out for easy cleanup? Keep an eye out for other features like an internal thermometer gauge and any other cooking accessories, like brushes, griddles, alternate grates, or pizza stones.

FAQS

How do you clean a gas grill?

Like most cleaning chores, it’s easier to keep up with this task and clean it after every use rather than waiting until stuff is caked on. Follow your manufacturer’s recommendations for best results (search online for your owner’s manual), but generally, you can clean the exterior with warm, soapy water for porcelain lids or stainless steel cleaner on stainless lids. Next, fire your grill up to full temperature for about 30 minutes to help any grease or sauces burn off. Then, use a stainless steel wire brush to scrape off residue. If it’s still icky, use a bit of degreasing soap, such as Dawn, in a bucket of warm water and dip the brush into the soapy water before scrubbing the grates. You also can use a wet/dry vac to clean out any big chunks—but only when the grill is cold.

Can you use your gas grill as a smoker?

Although the gaps around the lid and burners of a gas grill allow smoke to seep out, you can imbue food with a very mild smoky flavor on a gas grill, though it definitely won’t be as intense as what you can achieve with a dedicated smoker. Preheat your grill for about 10 minutes, and fill a smoker box or aluminum pan covered with foil (with holes poked in the foil) with wood chips that have been soaked in water for about 30 minutes; you want smoke, not flames, when you put the chips in your smoker box. Place the box in the grill, close the grill lid, and wait until smoke comes out of the grill. Now put your food in the grill, turn the burner under the smoker box on, and keep the lid closed as your food cooks. The closer the food is to the box, the smokier it will taste.

How do you light a gas grill?

Most gas grills come with a push-button ignitor. First, always keep the lid open when lighting a grill—this is the most important step so gas doesn’t build up. Turn all the burner knobs off. Now open the valve from your gas source (propane or natural gas), turn on one burner, wait 5 seconds for gas to get to the ignitor, and then press the ignitor button. You should hear a slight “whoosh” as the burner ignites. Turn on the remaining burner knobs. If the grill doesn’t light, wait 5 to 10 minutes before trying again so the gas does not build up. You also can check to see if the battery needs to be replaced behind the ignitor button.

What can you cook on a gas grill?

Actually, the question should be what can’t you cook on a gas grill? Basically, you can cook almost everything—don’t be afraid to experiment. Beyond steaks, hamburgers, and hotdogs, try grilling homemade pizzas directly on the grates, vegetables, such as broccoli, sweet potatoes, or endive, fruits, such as peaches or apples, and seafood, such as mussels and salmon. You can even lightly toast sturdy desserts, such as pound cake topped with grilled plums.  

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Sara Tane is a private chef and food writer and has written nearly a dozen buying guides for The Spruce Eats, understanding what consumers and cooks need to consider before making a new purchase for their culinary adventures. After researching gas grills, charcoal grills, budget grills, and portable grills, she can help you find the best outdoor cooking setup for your home.

This roundup was updated by Arricca SanSone, who has been grilling since she owned her first tiny hibachi in college. She’ll grill anything, but her favorite food to grill is homemade pizza with veggies and herbs from her own garden. She is a health and lifestyle writer for Prevention, Country Living, Veranda, House Beautiful, PureWow, and many others.