How to Choose a Gas Grill? | Match The Grill To Your Cookout

Choosing a gas grill comes down to fuel type, size, and how you cook, not sheer heat output.

Most people pick a gas grill based on the wrong number. They look at BTU output—the total heat a grill can produce—and assume more is better. But a smart choice starts with two simpler questions: what fuel will you use, and how many people will you usually cook for? Answer those, and the rest of the decisions fall into place.

This guide walks through the fuel decision, the size math, the cooking surface you actually need, and the build-quality details that separate a grill that lasts from one that rusts out in three seasons.

Fuel First: Propane or Natural Gas

Your fuel choice depends on your setup, and it locks in many other decisions. You generally cannot convert a propane grill to natural gas safely without a manufacturer-approved kit, so decide this first.

Choose propane if you want portability or have no gas line where the grill will sit. A 20-pound tank is easy to swap at any hardware store. Choose natural gas if you have a properly installed gas line at your outdoor cooking spot—you will never run out of fuel mid-burger, but you give up mobility completely.

One caution: do not assume you can convert a grill later. Many budget and mid-range models are not convertible. If you think you might move and want natural gas later, buy a convertible model from the start.

Sizing: Match The Grill To Your Crowd

The right size depends on how many people you normally cook for—not your dream of hosting a block party once a year. Consumer Reports suggests considering your yard size and typical crowd size when choosing grill dimensions.

A practical rule from recent buying guides is to look for about 350 to 500 square inches of primary cooking space for most households. That range handles a family of four plus a few neighbors. If you regularly cook for 10 or more, step up to the next size class—larger grills hold heat better when loaded with food.

Before you buy, measure your intended spot with the lid open and any side shelves extended. A grill that fits with the lid closed may not fit with everything deployed. Also check the manual’s clearance rules; grills need breathing room from walls and overhangs.

Burners, Heat, and Build Quality

Look for a grill with three or four burners that you control independently. Separately controlled burners create direct and indirect heat zones—you can sear a steak over one and slow-roast vegetables over the other. This matters more than raw burner count.

Do not shop by BTU alone. A grill’s heat output number means less than burner placement, maximum temperature, and how evenly the heat distributes across the cooking surface. A well-designed three-burner grill often cooks better than a cheap four-burner with a higher BTU rating.

Build quality shows in the details you can check in the store: an accessible grease tray, sturdy grates, and components you can actually replace later. Parts like burners, igniters, heat tents, and grates wear out. A grill that uses proprietary parts will be expensive to fix; one that uses standard sizes is easier to maintain over the years.

Read the warranty by component, not just the headline. A grill might advertise a “10-year warranty” but cover only the steel shell for that long, with burners covered for two years and igniters for one. Know what is protected before you buy.

If you want to see tested models in this size range, our roundup of the best BBQ grills under $2,000 compares cooking area, burner layout, and warranty coverage side by side.

Gas Grill Safety Rules That Matter

Gas grills are safe when used correctly, and dangerous when they are not. These rules come straight from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Education Foundation, and they are non-negotiable.

• Outdoors only. Never operate a gas grill indoors, in a garage, breezeway, carport, or under a combustible overhang.
• Keep distance. Place the grill at least 10 feet from your house or any building.
• Lid up. Always open the lid before igniting. Never light a gas grill with the lid closed—gas can build up and flash.
• Smell gas? Turn off the gas and do not relight until you find and fix the leak.
• Inspect yearly. Check hoses and burners for cracks, brittleness, holes, blockages, and sharp bends. Test connections with soapy water—bubbles mean a leak.
• Tank storage. Store LP cylinders upright, and never keep a spare tank under or near the grill or indoors.