Best Natural Gas Grills

A natural gas grill is an excellent idea if you have natural gas plumbing. All you have to do is connect your grill to the installation, and voilà, you can start grilling in a much more convenient way. The next time you want to barbecue your favorite foods, you won't need to prepare the grill, wait for the charcoal to ignite, or clean it up afterward - simply turn the grill on, and you're good to go!

Contrary to what many people think, it doesn't spoil the grilling experience. You will still be able to enjoy delicious meals, and if you love that charcoal flavor with your steak or sausage, you can achieve it with a special smoker box.

Below you will find all the essential information about the best natural gas grills so that you can be sure you will make the most suitable choice for both your needs and budget.

Best Natural Gas Grills of 2022

We have prepared the list of the top-rated gas grills of 2020 available on the market right now. However, the list is not, by any means, conclusive. You can quite easily find another device that you will be perfectly satisfied with. So, while we highly recommend the below-mentioned grills, you may use this ranking simply to understand what makes a good grill and what you should pay attention to.

1. Primo Oval G420 Natural Gas Grill Head

Primo Oval G420 Natural Gas Grill Head is one of our favorite models of all time. The big reason for that is its ceramic shell, which quality allows it to insulate heat. Thanks to that, foods can retain the natural oils and moisture, making your meals deliciously juicy. It comes pre-assembled, saving you time, effort, and possibly nerves usually lost while trying to put it together on your own.

Designed for the greatest comfort and made of high-quality materials only (premium grade ceramics for quick and easy clean-up, 304 stainless steel cooking grates, flavor grids, tube burners, parts, and stainless steel exterior), this is one of the best choices when it comes to natural gas grills. Plus, for the connoisseurs of the charcoal taste, the set includes a smoker box.

2. American Outdoor Grill 24NBL Built-in 24" 2 Burner Gas Grill

This new series of natural gas grills include stainless steel burners and an electronic push-button ignition system to make the whole grilling experience even easier - it doesn't require batteries, and it includes halogen lights inside for ease of use after dark.

304 stainless steel ensures durability and resistance while also making the whole design pleasing to the eye. Its special stainless steel vaporizer panels allow even heat distribution, lower risk of flare-ups, and better food quality.

3. MHP WNK4 Gas Grill with Stainless Side Shelves on Deck or Patio Base

Being one of the best natural gas grills, MHP WNK4 has an exterior made of thick, heavy-duty cast aluminum, which assures heat retention and excellent rust resistance. Its FlavorMaster Porcelain briquettes are durable and long-lasting while also providing precise heat distribution for the genuine delicious flavor of grilled foods.

The cooking process and its excellent effects are possible due to the unique dual stainless steel burners, which provide even flames. This model also has a Sta-Kool handle to allow safe and easy opening of the hood, additional folding stainless steel shelves, and inside, it includes two stainless steel cooking grids of the total size of 433 1/2 square inches.

4. RCS Grill Premier RJC26A 26" Stainless Steel Series Drop-In Gas Grill

The Premier Series Grills produced by RCS are what many people have been waiting for - the reputed company finally offers a budget model - a device of their usual high quality but this time, you can get it with an affordable price tag.

This premium grade stainless steel grill features, also made of stainless steel, tube burners, backup manual flash tubes available for the sure strike ignition, solid cooking grids, warming rack, and briquette flavor grids to provide you with comfortable cooking and delicious foods.

5. Blaze 40" Stainless Steel 5 Burner Built-In Gas Grill W/ Rear Burner BLZ-5

Last but not least, this 40" Blaze commercial style grill is the best choice if you look for a more traditional natural gas grill, durability, and reliability (impressive heavy 8mm stainless steel cooking grids).

It ensures a fast start with a push and turn ignition system, provides 915 square inches of cooking space, and allows heat zones separation for cooking at different temperatures. Its special double-lined grill hood helps to maintain the heat while also protecting the outer layer from it, and flame stabilization grids minimize flare-ups for better and juicier food.

Best Natural Gas Grill Buyers Guide

Now that you know our specific choices of best natural gas grills, it is time for some broader knowledge. Read on to learn all the essential information on natural gas grills and their features - what to look for and what to avoid to make the best possible decision.

Natural Gas (NG) or Propane (LP)

So, NG or LP grills? As is usually the case, it is impossible to be definite about the answer, which should be: it depends.

Natural gas grills advantages:

• Convenience.  Contrary to having a propane gas tank, with a natural gas grill, you won't ever have to worry about running out of gas.
• Cost-efficiency (in the long term).  Natural gas is simply cheaper than propane.
• Eco-friendliness.  Natural gas burns a lot cleaner.

Natural gas grills disadvantages:

• Lack of portability.  A natural gas grill is connected to the gas installation, so it can't be moved.

• Initial costs.  Natural gas grills are generally more expensive than propane grills; plus, you will most probably need a professional to install the grill in the first place.

Propane grills advantages:

• Mobility.  When you have a propane gas tank, you can move it along with the grill wherever you want.
• Higher temperatures.  Since a propane grill burns hotter, it may be a better option if you are a grilling purist who pays attention to high temperatures.
• Eco-friendliness.  Propane gas tanks contain no lead, produce less carbon dioxide and water vapor, and have low GHG emissions.

Propane grills disadvantages:

• Filling it up and returning.  You will have to think about how much gas you have left and when to fill or return and replace your gas tank.
• Wet heat.  It is not always the case, but many propane grill owners claim that it affects food texture.
• More dangerous.  Propane is heavier than air, contrary to natural gas, so it is more concentrated and stays lower to the ground (and for longer), making it more dangerous in case of fires or sparks.

Best Materials

As you have probably already noticed while reading our reviews above, the best materials to look for in a natural gas grill are stainless steel and cast aluminum - very often, they are combined. It is mostly because they are much more durable and resistant to damages, including rust (especially in the case of cast aluminum), which is highly useful when it comes to cooking outdoors. Plus, cast aluminum devices are praised for their ability to retain heat and distribute it evenly.

Beware, though, as some producers may advertise their devices as being made of stainless steel when, in fact, only some parts are made of that material.

There are several models of stainless steel cooking material in the best natural gas grills - 304, 316, and 430 - the smaller the number, the better the quality.

Grates

Cast iron cooking grates are the best choice for even heat distribution

However, stainless steel or porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates are not that much worse in this regard. The former are much easier to clean while the latter may rust more quickly, though porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates are still less prone to rusting than regular cast iron ones.

Whatever you choose, bear in mind that the bigger, heavier the grate, the better its quality and benefits.

Built-in, Freestanding, Portable

• Built-In Natural Gas Grill

This type works best for natural gas grills, as it allows the device to stay connected to the installation. You can build it into a countertop or any other surface. It is also the best choice if you have the whole outdoor cooking space designed. These grill types are of the best quality, durable, and resilient; plus, they can boost the value of your entire property.

• Freestanding Natural Gas Grill

A freestanding natural gas grill can be moved around the cooking area, though not as freely as a portable one. It offers more flexibility and makes it easier to replace some parts. Moreover, it is possible to take it with you wherever you go, as long as you have some space.

• Portable Natural Gas Grill

As we have already mentioned, even the best natural gas grills don't offer great portability because they need a gas connection. You can install a pipe to move the grill around your cooking space, but it still won't be the same as having a portable grill of another type.

Cooking Space & Burners

The most important thing is for you to feel comfortable with your total cooking space.

You will usually need around 400 square inches of cooking space if you don't throw big BBQs. However, if you regularly have guests and grill for more than 5-6 people, you will need around 500-600 square inches of cooking surface.

Main burners are the heart of all grills and are absolutely necessary for barbecuing. The best are stainless steel burners, as they are highly durable and reliable. Cast iron is also not bad, but it rusts significantly quicker, though still not as fast as tin burners.

As to the number of main burners, if you have a family of 4 and you rarely grill with other people, two burners will be enough. Three burners should be enough to feed 6-8 people, or more if you're not in a hurry. With fewer main burners, it is more difficult for a grill to distribute the heat evenly.

Whatever you decide, make sure burners are far enough from both grates and food (the distance of 3-5 inches is recommended).

For more cooking space, you can invest in a multiple-level cooking surface.

Features

• BTU  refers to the heat produced by a grill's burners. For example, if you like to grill steaks, it would be best to get the best natural gas grill with the power of at least 100 BTU/square inches. Usually, a manufacturer will provide you with the overall power of a grill, so you will need to divide that number by the total cooking area.
• Overall size.  This is especially important if you have limited space and storage area. Many grills come with shelves that can be folded or displaced; you can easily enlarge your total cooking area when necessary. Moreover, it is recommended to place a grill at least 5-6 feet from the house and, evidently, any flammable materials or substances.
• Fat drainage system.  In regular models, it is unavoidable to have fat dripping on the burners. However, it is what causes flare-ups, which can not only affect the food quality but also pose a fire hazard. Additionally, the dripping fat makes the maintenance process more tiresome. Luckily, high-quality models have a grease management system to make the cleaning easier.
• Side burner or back burner.  It can serve to cook side dishes, improve the quality of meals, sauté different foods, or warm up bread.
• Smoker box.  It will provide this unique charcoal flavor offered by traditional grills.
• A rotisserie burner.  If this is something to your liking, you won't have a problem finding a grill with a rotisserie burner.
• Infrared searing burner/infrared side burner.  This feature is especially desired by the fans of steaks, as it sears and browns the steak (or any other food) rapidly before you put it onto the grill.
• Warranty.  The longer the warranty period, the better the grill - potentially - as it means that the producer believes in their product. So, you don't want to purchase a device with, for example, a one year warranty; the longest available right now on the market is the warranty of 25 (!) years. Moreover, make sure that the producer offers spare parts.

Reviews

Thanks to the richness of the digital world, you can easily find reviews of virtually anything that interests you and find the best possible option. Gas grills, including natural gas grills, are no different in that matter.

Our experienced team of outdoor cooking experts has also prepared several guides and reviews that you can access via the following links:

• 7 Best Built-in Gas Grills (2020 Updated)
• Best 4 Burner Gas Grills
• Best Gas Grill and Smoker Combo
• Best Gas Grill Under $1000
• Best Gas Grill with Rotisserie
• Which Best 2 Burner Gas Grill is Perfect for You?

However, if you find nothing of interest here, don't hesitate to contact us. Our grilling specialists will be more than happy to help you find the best natural gas option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Your Grill Be Converted to Run on Natural Gas?

You can quite easily convert to natural gas if you have a propane grill. You may want to do it because of the ever-rising prices of liquid propane. Most probably, you will have to change the orifices, attachment hose, and regulator. It is not as straightforward as changing the fitting, but you can still manage on your own if you follow one of the many guides available online. Moreover, many grill manufacturers offer special conversion kits.

Why Are Natural Gas Grills More Expensive?

The biggest difference between a natural gas grill and a propane grill lies in the installation process, which is reflected in the price tag.

A natural gas grill requires a whole set of special fittings and a much longer hose than a propane grill to be connected to your installation. Due to this fact, you also need a professional to install it in the first place, which also raises the costs.

However, considering the cost-efficiency of a natural gas grill, it is still more beneficial to invest in one at the beginning and enjoy lower costs later.

If you insist on a propane gas though, we also listed the best propane grills under 300.

Are Natural Gas Grills Safe?

Firstly, if you are not a natural gas plumber yourself, you should hire one to install your new natural gas grill, as gas is not something to be played with.

As a result, no gas grill will always be 100% safe and foolproof. With such devices, you will have to follow certain rules to assure your household's safety. However, as long as you keep all the safety tips in mind, you have nothing to worry about.

The rules are relatively straightforward, and you probably follow most of them already.

Make sure to always turn off the gas supply to the grill when you're not grilling. Never leave a hot grill unattended, keep children and pets away from the cooking area, and grill only outdoors. Moreover, take care of the maintenance, keep the grill clean, and get rid of the grease buildup.

Conclusion

Now that you know all about the best natural gas grills, you are ready to make a purchase and enjoy grilling. Ensure you know how much total cooking area you have so that you can choose a grill of suitable size.

We do hope that our short article has helped you gain the knowledge necessary for making the best possible choice - the one that will suit your needs, preferences, and budget. Bear in mind that while you can save on some things, others may be worth paying for in the long term. For example, stainless steel natural gas grill may not be the cheapest on the market, but you will do your wallet a favor in the longer perspective - the best grills are designed to last 20-30 years with the proper maintenance.

Consider all the additional features, too - a grease management system will make your life a lot easier while a back or side burner can broaden the menu you will be able to prepare.

In case you still have some doubts or further questions, please, don't hesitate to contact us. As outdoor cooking pros, we are eager to share our knowledge and experience with you. The satisfaction of every single customer is our number one priority.