Best Natural Gas Grills of 2022

What is a natural gas grill?

A natural gas grill is a type of grill that runs on natural gas rather than liquid propane, charcoal, wood, or pellets. The only thing that makes it different from the other kinds of grills is the fuel used to cook food.

Natural gas grills are very similar to the propane ones in terms of cooking performance, and they come with a few benefits over all other types. They are cheaper to run, better for the environment, and often allowed to use in condos.

The only thing to keep in mind is that all natural gas grills require to be hooked up to your home natural gas line, or you won’t be able to use them.

Types of natural gas grills

Like all grills, natural gas grills come in various sizes suitable for smaller or bigger yards, as well as for residential or commercial use.

• Natural gas pedestal grills: Are characterized by a large cooking surface and side tables. A central pedestal makes it easy to fit a stool under the grill if needed, but they come with no bottom storage space.
• Natural gas open cart grills: The best natural grills are the open cart style ones. These grills are similar to the pedestal ones in terms of cooking space, but boast bottom storage. Some grills have foldable side tables too, for convenient storage when not in use.
• Tabletop gas grills: The best natural gas grills for apartments and small homes. As their name suggests, they fit on a tabletop or kitchen counter and can be used indoors. Despite their reduced dimensions, they work just like the full-size models.
• Portable gas grills: This category includes all natural gas grills fitted with wheels or that are lightweight enough to carry. Despite their name, remember that you’ll still have to hook them up to a natural gas line to use them, so they are not made for camping.

What is the difference between propane vs. natural gas grills?

Since both propane and natural gas grills run on gas, you might wonder what’s the difference between them. It all comes down to the type of gas used, as well as a few other differences.

• Propane grills: Run on liquid propane and usually use standard LP tanks that are readily available at most hardware or specialty stores. The use of a tank makes propane grills portable, but when the tank runs out of fuel, your grill runs out of heat too.
• Natural gas grills: Run on methane, sourced from a municipal natural gas line. You’ll never have to worry about running out of fuel, nor buy and carry heavy propane tanks, but your mobility range is limited by the position of the gas pipe and length of the connection gas hose.

Can you convert a propane grill to natural gas?

Yes, you can technically convert a propane grill to natural gas. However, due to the complex technologies used when building a grill and other safety considerations, most manufacturers recommend against it. Converting your propane grill to natural gas may void your warranty, and it can be unsafe. If you want to switch freely between the fuels, a much wiser idea is to get a propane and natural gas grill combo that runs on both propane and natural gas.

What is a gas charcoal grill?

A gas charcoal grill is, in essence, a gas grill with an additional smoke box designed to burn charcoal. Thanks to this design, you can get that tasty, charcoal flavor similar to that of the best smokers while enjoying the convenience of a natural gas grill. Some manufacturers also make gas and charcoal grill combos that allow you to switch freely between the fuels. However, these models are often expensive.

What is the best choice: gas vs. charcoal grills?

A common question that doesn’t have a straightforward answer. It all comes down to preference.

• Gas grills: Are cheaper and easier to run than charcoal ones. They also need less maintenance, and – like a stove – they can add moisture to the food being cooked. While looking like a traditional grill, natural gas grills are as easy to use as a kitchen stove and are perfect for most people.
• Charcoal grills: Are generally more portable than gas grills, and they burn hotter too. They also add that flavorful smoky taste to the food. However, heat control is tricky, while charcoal is messy and requires a lot of cleaning after cooking.

How to clean a gas grill?

Thanks to the cleanliness of the fuel, natural gas grills are very easy to clean – perhaps the easiest to clean from all types. Here’s how to do it in a few easy steps:

1. Gather all needed tools and equipment, including a sturdy wire brush, grate cleaner, stainless steel cleaner, cloths, and protective gloves.
2. Turn the natural gas grill on and let it come to full temperature. Soak the wire brush in soapy water, scrub all carbon from the grates, then turn off the heat.
3. Let the grill cool down, then remove the grates and let them soak in soapy water for about 15-20 minutes. In the meantime, take off any other removable parts, such as flavor bars, knobs, and the burner tubes if they are removable. Soak them in soapy water too.
4. With a vacuum cleaner, remove any loose bits of food. Then, use a brush and stainless steel cleaner to remove any stuck-on grit.
5. Remove all parts from the soapy water and scrub them well with the wire brush until clean. Then, use a household sponge to wash and clean the entire grill. Dry it out with a microfiber cloth and put all components back into their places. That’s it! Your natural gas grill is now clean.

Features to look for in a natural gas grill

The market offers a bountiful range of natural gas bbq grills. If you want to make sure the one you get is the best for your needs, check out the following essential features.

• Size: The best natural gas grill for you is undoubtedly the one that allows you to cook enough food at once for the whole family. A small grill with under 300 square inches of cooking space is typically ideal for small families with up to 3-4 members. The largest models usually offer about 700 square inches of cooking space or more, and anything in-between is ideal for mid-sized families or gatherings.
• Materials: An essential feature of all grills is heat retention, that’s why cast iron grills are probably your best bet. Stainless steel ones are also great, and undoubtedly lighter. You should steer clear from cast aluminum grills, though, as the material dissipates heat quickly.
• Lid: Natural gas grill lids should be made from the same material the grill is made of, so they can retain the heat inside the grill.
• Gas grill cover: Some manufacturers sell their products with complimentary gas grill covers designed to protect the equipment when not in use. In this way, you can leave your grill outdoors all year round, without worrying about it getting damaged due to bad weather.
• Built-in thermometer: The easiest way to check your food’s status is by measuring the temperature inside the grill. You can use a chef’s thermometer for the purpose or – for fuss-free cooking – you could get a grill that has a built-in thermometer.
• Remote temperature control: Some of the best natural gas grills come with built-in thermometers with app connectivity. They allow you to set, change, and monitor the cooking temperature from a distance, so you won’t have to stop the Netflix show to go out and check on your steak.
• Portability: Natural gas grills are not designed to be portable, but some models come with wheels or carrying handles that make it easier to move them if you want or have to.
• Storage: Also, check the storage space the grill comes with. The best gas grills have at least a folding table. A bottom rack and utensil hooks bring further value, and we truly recommend investing in a grill that has them.

Best Natural Gas Grill for the Money

Best value

Weber Spirit II E-310 49010001 3-Burner Natural Gas Grill

Best for most homes

Generous cooking area, promising burners, and flavored bars make it perfect for grill lovers with larger yards.

Check price on Amazon