When buying a gas griller, you want something that lasts a lifetime. The first question you should ask is this: is it made of stainless steel? If it is, you’re off to a good start. We’ve compiled the best stainless gas grills below to give you our greatest picks.
Great design, well-thought-out features, and solid construction. This product from the Summerset Alturi line is definitely the best we’ve tested.
It has 304 stainless steel construction, cast red brass burners, thick 9mm cooking grates, and a heavy-duty double-lined, spring-assisted hood. These things alone make this stainless steel gas grill an extremely durable piece of cooking equipment.
But it’s not all looks and make. Each of the three burners generates 26,000 BTUs of cooking power. There’s also an 18,000 BTU rear infrared sear station for rotisserie cooking and a 7,000 BTU smoker burner for smoking meats. Whatever the cooking technique, this grill can handle it.
A number of other features we like are the easy-glide drip tray, built-in temperature gauge, ceramic briquette trays, and the reliable flame-thrower ignition. The heat zone separators are a special one too, allowing you to cook different types of meat at the same time.
All the essentials are right here, making it the best stainless steel grill in our books.
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If you need an extremely heavy-duty grill that can handle huge parties or a massive number of customers, this American Muscle grill is just what you need.
With eight burners, this grill gives you a whopping 1,687 square inches of grilling surface. Each burner generates 22,000 BTU of heat and is constructed of 14 gauge 304 stainless steel, giving you the toughest performance when you need it.
The thing we loved the most when we tested this product out is the burn-it-all feature. It has a unique Multi-Fuel Tray that allows grilling with any combination of solid fuels.
Whether you want to cook with charcoal, wood chunks, pellets, natural gas, or propane, this grill has no problem with using it all. And with the reversible 9 Gauge V-shaped grates, it’s one of the most versatile grills you can get.
This grill also has a bunch of other features, including a rotisserie kit, interior, and exterior lighting, and a reliable flame thrower valve ignition.
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While backyards are the popular spot for cookouts, portable stainless steel grills give you the option to have your BBQ night anywhere you want. So whether you’re camping, off-roading, or boating somewhere, you can happily enjoy delicious steaks and burgers.
The Solaire Anywhere 21” is as portable as it gets. It weighs just 20 lbs. and its dimensions are just 21 x 13 x 12. You won’t have a hard time carrying this anywhere, especially with the carrying bag already included in the package.
You’ll even find three pockets in the bag for three propane bottles, which you do have to buy separately.
Despite the portable size of this grill, it’s still made from durable 20-gauge 304 commercial-grade stainless steel. Wherever you bring this grill, it can handle the elements outdoors.
You also get 14,000 BTUs of infrared cooking power, which helps trap the juices inside the meat and prevents it from drying out.
This grill also happens to be our favorite portable grill among Solaire models.
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If you want a small stainless steel grill but not necessarily a portable one, the Blaze Professional 24” is a popular choice among people who have limited space.
Although it’s smaller in size compared to some other grills on this list, that doesn’t mean its features are compromised. It’s still made from the extremely durable 304 cast stainless steel, so it will definitely last for a long time.
Each of the main burners generates 18,000 BTU of cooking power, with an additional 10,000 BTU for the rear rotisserie burner. We were impressed that Blaze still managed to include a rotisserie burner and kit on this grill despite its compact size.
With 816 square inches of total cooking surface, you won’t have to worry about serving a large number of people. There’s also a removable warming rack that will help keep things warm and toasty.
This grill comes with a bunch of features including a flame-thrower ignition, distinctive temperature zones, flame stabilizing grids, illuminated control knobs, and interior lights for easy night cooking.
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For those who love a side burner, the Fire Magic Echelon Diamond E790s is a great option that’s packed with functions and convenient features.
Its cast stainless steel E burners are tough, delivering a total of 96,000 BTUs of cooking power. There’s also a rear sear station with 13,000 BTUs, and a double side burner with 15,000 BTUs. The cooking surface is ample at 792 square inches, plus a warming rack of 288 square inches.
Fire Magic’s exclusive touch lies with the Diamond Sear Cooking Grids, which have a flat top for providing a more even heat. The Flavour Grids are a staple too, which are similar to the flavorizer bars of Weber.
Storage space and convenience are some of the advantages of this grill compared to others. It has two storage drawers, fold-down side shelves, stainless steel cabinets, and towel and tool holders. As such, you can keep all your grilling tools and paraphernalia close at hand.
All factors considered, this product is one of the best stainless steel grills we’ve used.
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Infrared technology has been an essential part of the grills industry since the 1960s, and it has proven to be a great alternative to traditional grilling methods. It heats up fast, cooks fast, keeps moisture in, and it reaches soaring temperatures of 900°F, sometimes more.
If you think that’s what you need, the TEC Patio FR stainless steel infrared grill matches your needs. It has two fuel-efficient burners that use less fuel yet cooks as high as 900 degrees. You also don’t have to wait too long to grill, as it can reach its highest temperature in 10 minutes.
This grill comes with 592 square inches of cooking surface, allowing you to cook about 32 burgers at the same time. This surface can also be used as a conventional stove, eliminating the need for a side burner.
Infrared grills such as this are popular because they have no hot or cold spots. Even heat is provided throughout the grill, so food is cooked perfectly every time.
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Need something lightweight that you can easily move around in your backyard? This MHP grill gives you exactly this.
It has a stainless steel hood with aluminum end caps, providing greater stability. The cooking grids and the H-type burners are stainless steel as well, so you’re sure they didn’t compromise on material despite the accessible price.
The entire grill generates 40,000 BTUs per hour, giving you a decent amount of cooking power for a 2-burner model. A convenient Sta-Kool handle is also included, making it easy to open and close the hood as well.
You get 642 square inches of cooking surface on this grill. If you’re serving an average-sized party, that’s more than enough for your needs. The FlavorMaster porcelain briquettes are a great extra. Like Weber’s flavorizer bars, these offer true BBQ flavor while minimizing flare-ups
Overall, this product is one of the best stainless steel grills out there.
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A full outdoor kitchen island may be the best product for those who want a luxury outdoor grilling experience. Surprisingly, the Mont Alpi MAI-400D comes at an accessible price, but the looks don’t reflect that at all.
The island cabinetry has a standout finish and design, wrapped in weatherproof faux white marble. That makes it look lavish without the high cost.
It doesn’t hold back on functions either. There are four stainless steel main burners, a rotisserie burner, and a ceramic infrared side burner. You really have all the cooking space you need.
While a side burner is not really a necessity, it’s a nice extra on a stainless steel grill. You can use a side burner for sauces, fish, and a bunch of other food items.
We also love the variety of features this product has, including a warming rack, front panel lighting, interior lighting, 8mm cooking grates, gliding rubber castor wheels, easy-access grease trays, rotisserie kit with an electric motor, a white granite chopping board, and a weather cover.
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Before you make a final buying decision, there are a few things you should consider to make sure you’re making the best purchase. We’ve done your homework for you so you know what to look for when buying a stainless steel gas grill.
We’ve also answered some of the most common questions customers have to make sure everything is covered.
Having more burners gives you more flexibility in operating your grill. Since the temperature of each burner can be controlled independently, more burners would give you more heat zones to work with.
The number of burners on a grill can also be directly related to the cooking area or the cooking space. A three or four-burner would be larger than, say, 2 burners. Generally speaking, your cooking area would be larger if you have more burners. For instance, the Broil King Regal S590 Pro has 5 burners, giving it a cooking area of 875 square inches.
Continuing on with our previous point, the cooking space of a grill is another important thing to consider. You want to be able to cook food with ample cooking space, so it’s something you should definitely look into when buying a grill.
Think about your personal grilling needs. Do you need to cook food for a high number of guests? Or are you just serving your closest friends and family?
If you’re only grilling for a small number of people, 200 to 400 square inches of cooking space is enough. But if you’re grilling food for large parties [1], see to it that you buy a grill with a cooking space of at least 500 square inches.
See if a four or five-burner grill is better suited for your needs.
A common specification people see when they buy stainless steel gas grills is the BTU rating. This indicates the cooking power of a grill, but it doesn’t equate to how hot a grill can get.
Also, a higher BTU per hour means your grill would be consuming more fuel. But the great thing about high BTU grills is that they heat up more evenly and more efficiently when you’re grilling.
The general rule of thumb here is to get a grill that has at least 100 BTU per square inch.
The construction of the cooking grates is important when buying grills as well. Cast iron, stainless steel, and porcelain-coated cast iron or stainless steel are the most common materials used. Let’s quickly talk about the differences between each.
Want to learn how to clean grill grates?
When buying grills (gas, charcoal, or otherwise), one of the things we look at is the brand name. Of course, we want to buy a grill from a reputable company with a considerable history of making products that are of high quality.
Some notable product names in the grilling industry include Blaze, Fire Magic, Summerset, American Muscle, Char-Broil, Broil King, and Monument Grills.
These companies have a wide range of grill products and grill accessories to choose from, so every kind of griller is sure to find a model that fits their needs.
The grill you choose would always depend on your needs and preferences. So aside from the cooking power, cooking space, and construction, a grill may also have a bunch of features for convenience or to help the overall performance of the grill.
Some of the features you may want include:
You can either choose a natural gas grill or a propane gas grill. There are certain advantages and drawbacks to both, so it’s really up to you which one you’ll choose.
A natural gas grill would require a gas line installation in your home, so that poses additional costs that not everyone is willing to pay. However, a good advantage of this is you will always have fuel ready at hand.
This adds a convenience factor, unlike the propane gas grill where you have to go out and refill the tank when you run out of fuel.
On the other hand, a propane gas grill wouldn’t require a gas line installment but you do have to go to a chain store and fill up the propane tank when it’s running low.
While this is easy to do, it can be embarrassing to run out of fuel when you’re grilling in the middle of a party.
However, the advantage of a propane gas grill over a natural gas grill is the portability. The propane tank essentially travels with the grill, so you’re free to move your grill around in the backyard.
Whichever you choose, make sure it matches your needs. If you change your mind in the future, there are grill options out there that sell a separate conversion kit if you want to switch to a different type of fuel.
Grills come in a variety of prices, from below $1,000 to above $10,000. A lot of factors play into this, including the number of burners, grill size, construction, features, and brand name.
While more expensive grills tend to have more premium features, that doesn’t mean they’re better than cheaper grills. There are budget grilling options you can find out there that may offer the same functionality that higher-end models have.
But that’s not to say you should purchase the cheapest grill you can find. Always look at what the grill brings to the table, and price should just come after that.
One of the best things you can do to determine if a stainless steel grill is legit is to read customer reviews. There are tons of forums and sales pages online that you can check.
Reading customer reviews allows you to see what other customers have to say about a grill. Did they have a good or bad experience? Did they find the grill worth its price? Did they get the grill in good condition? Did the grill meet the performance expected of it?
These questions are usually answered by customer feedback, so that’s one thing to consider as well.
A major benefit of a stainless steel grill is the extreme durability. Not all steel grills are made of stainless steel. Some only have chrome-plated or powder-coated steel. These can deteriorate faster and show signs of rust and corrosion early on.
With stainless steel, however, a grill is more resistant to rusting and corrosion. You must remember that you’re placing your grill outdoors where it’s exposed to the sun, rain, snow, and other harmful environmental elements.
Stainless steel is a strong material that can handle the tough elements, so having a grill with stainless steel not only on the housing but the components as well ensures longevity.
Stainless steel grates have a smooth surface texture that prevents the meat from sticking to it. Lean cuts of meat can stick to grates when you try to flip them, but this doesn’t happen with stainless steel grates.
Additionally, this material heats up fast as well, allowing you to start grilling in just a few minutes.
One thing you need to remember about these grates is they can lose their non-stick capabilities over time, so make sure you’re not rubbing too aggressively whenever you clean the grates.
Yes. You won’t have any problems with using a stainless steel grill on a regular basis. If you’re running a restaurant, for example, you would need to use the grill everyday. There’s absolutely no problem with that, but you can also use it only for the occasional cookout.
Yes, it’s completely safe to use a stainless steel grill. They’re made of high-quality parts and materials that can handle heavy-duty usage and load. You can use them for long hours and you won’t have any problems at all. Just remember to let the burners cool down after use.
Yes, your grill would come with a manual that contains all the reminders and instructions to using the grill properly. The manual will have everything you need to know about the functions and features of your grill.
There are different types of stainless steel that are used in grills, most common of which are the 304 and 430 grade.
304 stainless steel, or widely known as “commercial grade” stainless steel, uses 18-percent chromium and 8-percent nickel in its formulation. It’s extremely durable and it handles heat better.
This material is a popular choice among grill manufacturers and customers, but it does tend to be more expensive compared to the 430 grade. However, their superior durability and heat retention make them worth it.
430 stainless steel is less expensive and has a different formulation. It has 17 percent chromium and 0.12 percent carbon. While it does have good resistance to rust and corrosion, a grill with 304 grade is more likely to last longer.
Stainless steel doesn’t rust with the traditional iron oxide. However, if the material is aggressively scraped with something abrasive like steel wool, the particles from the tool may become embedded on the surface of the grid.
This then might make the grill rust easily and it can be hard to remove once it has coated the grates.
Since abrasive tools contribute to rusting, the best thing you can do is avoid them altogether. Clean your grill grates gently by lightly greasing them with an oil-soaked paper towel before you go ahead with grilling.
This makes their texture better and will help you have clean flips of lean meat cuts. Doing this technique will also leave fewer food particles on the grates, so you don’t have to scrub them as much.
But of course, there will be times when you need to scrape off some debris. Use a grill brush with stiff nylon bristles because this is gentler than a wire brush than steel wool.
When your grill is exposed to the elements in your backyard, an orange or reddish patina can develop on the exterior. Acid rain, saltwater spray in the air, and debris grazing the grill surface also contribute to corrosion.
To prevent the deterioration of your grill, occasionally wipe down the exterior with a soft rag and soapy water.
Seasoning refers to the layer of hydrocarbons that penetrate the surface of the grates, giving it semi-nonstick properties. Seasoning the grates do not improve the actual flavor of the food, but it does protect from rusting and corrosion.
Technically, you don’t have to season stainless steel. The practice is more common on cast iron, but stainless steel just needs proper maintenance.
With its solid construction and wide array of features, the Summerset Alturi ALT42T is the winning grill on our list.
Its cast red brass burners are the most durable in the market, with each generating 26,000 BTU of cooking power. This grill also has a rotisserie burner and a smoker burner, giving you all the freedom with different cooking techniques.
This grill offers a generous 1,100-square inch cooking surface. If you’re going to have a lot of guests on your BBQ night, the ALT42T can handle it with ease.
All the features included on this grill are well-thought-out. You’ll have interior and exterior lights, a built-in temperature gauge, heat zone separators, ceramic briquette trays, and a reliable flame-thrower ignition.
With everything it brings to the table, it’s definitely one of the best stainless steel grills you can get.
Are you considering getting yourself a pellet grill? We compared popular brands Memphis and Traeger here—see for yourself which one emerges as the more reliable name in the industry.
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