More people are grilling with gas these days. Consumer Reports tested more than 100 gas grills costing from less than $200 to more than $2,000. Some grills do more than the basics, including one with a rotisserie that also has a side burner, perfect for keeping a pot boiling.
And you’ll find an oven in one Kenmore grill! Consumer Reports was able to bake a pretty good cake in the oven, though the bottom was darker than one baked in a regular oven.
Things can heat up in Consumer Reports labs. Testers apply thermocouples to the grates to measure how evenly a grill distributes heat. Pre-heating is important, too.
A recent Consumer Reports reader survey found that most gas grillers preheat their grill for 5 to 10 minutes before cooking. So testers preheat the grills for 10 minutes to see whether that’s enough, measuring the temperature and evenness across the grates. Some grills do better than others.
Consumer Reports top-rated two Weber grills. The midsized Weber Spirit model SP-320 46700401 sells for around $600 and preheats quickly and evenly. So does the smaller Weber Spirit model E-220 46310001 for $450. Both do an excellent job at high and low temperatures, perfect for grilling a summertime feast!
You can find those Weber grills at Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Walmart, and at independent retailers. They come with a long, 10-year warranty on the burners, which is the most frequently replaced part.
Complete Ratings and recommendations on all kinds of products, including appliances, cars & trucks, and electronic gear, are available on Consumer Reports’ website.
