2024 Update! 8 BEST Gas Grills Under $1000: LP & NG

Now we’re cookin’! For a grand, you’ll transform your backyard (or any other place) into a luxury 5-star steakhouse.

In this list, I have included a grill for every occasion, need, and preference. Here are some of them:

• Propane
• Natural gas
• Built-in
• Portable
• Compact
• Infrared

All of these models include a large cooking area, high heat output, durable construction, and many bells and whistles.

What Is the Best Gas Grill Under $1000?

• Best Natural Gas: Weber Genesis II S-335
• Best Built In: Bronco Bullet Liquid Propane Gas Grill
• Best Propane: Weber Spirit E330
• Best Compact: Napoleon Rogue XT 425 SIB Propane Gas Grill
• Best Portable: Blaze Professional LUX Portable Propane Gas Grill
• Best Infrared: Char-Broil 463342620 Signature TRU Infrared
• Best for Small Patio: Broil King 921554 Baron S320
• Best Napoleon: Napoleon R525PK-1 Rogue 525

Top 6 Best Gas Grills Under 1000 Dollars

Weber Spirit E330 LP Black Grill

The Weber Spirit E330 is the creme de la creme of gas grills – propane, that is. A luxury restaurant on wheels.

Feeds up to 10 People

Its 529 square inches large total cooking area (424 primary + 105 warming rack) is big enough to cook up to 15 burgers and toast up to 3 hamburger buns or 5 slices of bread.

Durable and Nonstick Grates

The grates are cast-iron. This material is perfect for holding and spreading heat.

They are also coated in porcelain which makes them nonstick and easy to clean.

Powerful Burners That Provide Beautiful Sear Marks

With 3 stainless steel burners that output 32,000 BTU together, a 7,500 sear station burner, and a 12,000 BTU side burner, you’ll be able to cook virtually anything your heart desires on this grill including soups and sauces.

The sear station burner is ideal for searing steaks and burgers. The sear marks look like they were made in an actual steakhouse.

Heat-Insulated Lid

The lid is porcelain-enameled (just like the grates).

This greatly increases heat retention and protection from the elements.

Never Run Out of Propane in the Middle of a Cookout

With an integrated easy-to-read fuel gauge, you’ll know exactly how much propane you still have in the tank.

Other Really Great Stuff

With the lid closed, the side burner doubles as a side shelf. It also features 3 hooks for hanging utensils and even a towel.

The lid thermometer is quite accurate and durable. It will last you for years to come.

The handle of the lid is cool to the touch.

The propane tank is safely hidden in an enclosed cabinet.

Its Downsides

There are a few hot and cold sports.

Inspect the grill fully before assembling it. Pieces may be damaged and/or even missing.

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Weber 66016001 Genesis II E-335 3-Burner Natural Gas Grill

The Weber 66006001 Genesis II S-335 is similar to the E330 in performance and look, except it runs on natural gas right from the box.

Generous Cooking Area

The primary cooking surface is 513 square inches large and the warming rack is 156 square inches large.

In total, this grill has a combined cooking area of 669 square inches.

In plain English: it has enough space for 20 burgers.

The grates are porcelain-enameled cast iron that are built to last. It’s a Weber, of course.

Burner Specs

It has 3 independently controlled stainless steel burners that output 13,000 BTU each or 39,000 BTU combined.

Above the burners are flavorizer bars, also made from stainless steel. These not only prevent flare-ups but also vaporize any grease that falls on them, giving your food that smokey flavor you know and love.

There’s another, side burner built into the right side table that outputs 12,000 BTU and is perfect for making soups, sauces, and side dishes.

Made for Searing

When grilling steaks, turn on the 9,000 BTU sear station burner to get that famous steakhouse sear mark.

The burner achieves this by creating an intense heat zone.

Other Features That Make This Weber a Weber

The lid is porcelain-enameled which provides better heat retention and protection from the elements.

The 6 tool hooks are more than enough for you to hang utensils, a towel, or anything else you might need.

Because it uses natural gas instead of a propane tank, you have more space in the 2-story cabinet below.

It’s iGrill 3 compatible, meaning you can add meat probes to the grill and monitor them with your phone. Too bad it’s not included in the package and you need to buy it separately.

Its Ugly Little Secrets

I was pretty surprised when I saw this with my own eyes but this grill, that’s both a Weber and costs almost a grand, has issues igniting the burners. Although it features the same Infinity ignition system as the above one, it doesn’t seem like it.

Some other customers reported that customer support didn’t respond to any of their calls or emails. I got everything I needed so I can’t vouch for that.

The thing is massive and bulky. Adding 4 casters to a behemoth like this should be a no-brainer but Weber had other things in mind. Have a friend help you move the thing or assemble it near the place you’re planning on cooking.

I assume this one comes from the same assembly line as the E330 above because it’s plagued with the same quality control issues: missing parts, dents, and scratches.

The Best Natural Gas Grill Under $1000

Even though it has a few flaws and the ignition system doesn’t work as supposed to, it’s still a pretty awesome grill that cooks on natural gas. It’s not easy to find one that is both a Weber and in this price range – most of them either cost much more or have other more serious issues.

So, if you love Weber and have a natural gas line, then this grill just might be your catch of the day.

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Char-Broil 463342620 Signature TRU Infrared 3-Burner Cabinet Style Gas Grill

If you want to put some serious heat to the meat, go for the Char-Broil 463342620 with its new and improved cooking technology.

A Gas Grill on Steroids

This one is not a regular propane gas grill but an improved version called the infrared grill.

The 463342620 features Char-Broil’s very own version of infrared cooking technology called the TRU Infrared.

I won’t go into detail explaining this technology as it deserves an article of its own (which I already did here) but these are a few features that make it better than a regular gas grill:

• No flare-ups
• Even heating
• Faster cooking times
• Higher temperatures
• Juicier food

Handles a BBQ for the Whole Family

Its ample cooking area of 420 square inches has the capacity to hold:

• 24 burgers
• 20 chicken breasts
• 12 steaks

Which is more than enough for a group of up to 10 – 15 people.

What’s more, the grill also features a 13,000 BTU side burner for making things like soups, sauces, and side dishes.

Don’t Let Its Small BTU Rating Fool You

Despite its small rating of 25,000 BTUs, this baby packs a greater punch than other gas grills. This is because of how infrared grills are designed.

The grill is able to reach temperatures higher and faster than “normal” gas grills would, creating more beautiful and tastier sear marks in the process.

Durable, Sturdy, and Eye-Catching

The cast-iron grates are coated in porcelain. This makes them non-stick and super easy to clean. They are also much more resistant to rust.

Other parts including the body, burners, and the lid are made from thick and heavy-duty stainless steel.

Char-Broil did a very good choice with the color scheme. The combination of black and silver makes this grill very eye-catching.

The Cabinet Isn’t Just for the Tank

What you can’t place on the side shelves, you can put in the cabinet under the grill.

Seriously. It features several hooks, a spice rack, and a paper towel holder.

Other Notable Mentions

The lid is higher than usual. You can make bigger stuff like a beer can chicken in it.

You don’t have to wear gloves as the lid handle is cool to the touch, even when searing steaks at max temperature.

You’ll know exactly how much propane you have left in the tanks as the grill features a fuel gauge.

The keyhole slot design makes assembly a bit more fun and straightforward.

What Needs to Be Improved

Smoking or low and slow cooking is more or less out of the question here. Even on the lowest temperature setting, the thing is quite hot.

Despite its keyhole design, it took me a bit longer than usual to fully assemble it.

Spare parts are really expensive, especially the grates and burners. This is another reason why you should take really good care of it.

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Napoleon RXT425SIBPSS-1 Rogue XT 425 SIB Gas Grill + Infrared Side Burner

Conquer the grilling lands with the Napoleon.

Perfect for Tight Places

This compact grill with folding side shelves is ideal for places where space is at a premium like small decks, patios, and balconies.

No One’s Going to Get Hungry Here

It boasts a decently sized cooking area of 665 square inches despite its compact size.

The primary cooking area (stainless steel wavy grates) is 425 square inches and the chrome-plated warming rack is 240 square inches large.

What’s more, the cookbox is higher. This is ideal for cooking whole turkeys and beer can chickens.

Powerful and Durable Burners That Automatically Reignite

All 3 premium-quality stainless steel burners output a total of 51,000 BTUs.

Additionally, if one of them goes out during a cookout for whatever reason, it’s ignited automatically provided at least one of the other burners is operating at the time.

Char-Broil’s Opposite

The Char-Broil reviewed above is an infrared grill with a “regular” side burner while this one is a regular gas grill with an infrared side burner.

While you can’t sear as much at once on this grill, you can, however, cook low and slow.

Reliable and Durable Igniter

Powered by the famous Jetfire ignition system, the grill lights up each and every time with a single push of a button.

I’ve been using this one for almost a year now and it’s working just as well as it did in the beginning.

Durable and Long Lasting

It won’t rust out within a year or two thanks to its thick and durable stainless steel construction.

Charcoal Compatible

If you purchase a separate charcoal tray (cca. 50$), you can turn this grill into a charcoal grill/smoker.

What I Don’t Like About It

This grill needs to be handled much more gently at the assembly line and/or during delivery because I got several damaged parts (cabinet door, lid, and thermometer) in the box. I’m not the only one as several other grillers experienced the same.

What really stood out here was the thermometer. The dial was snapped. I ordered a replacement and got the same. The third time was the charm, however, because this one was perfectly fine.

The assembly is simple and straightforward but it’s time-consuming.

Final Word

The Napoleon is an impressive compact gas grill that will stand the test of time and make short work of anything you’ll place on it. A prime example of “money well spent”.

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Blaze Professional LUX Marine Grade Portable Propane Gas Grill

The Blaze Marine Grade 316L Professional LUX is a portable gas grill that’s so tough that even the salty climate of the sea can’t harm it.

A True Fisherman’s Friend

This baby is made from marine-grade 316L stainless steel.

This type of steel is specially made for marine and chloride environments like coastal areas, making it ideal for BBQ-ing at the beach or on a boat.

Most grills are made from a less-resistant type of stainless steel that will rot sooner than later in such environments.

Cooking Capacity

The Blaze comes equipped with a single H-shaped burner that outputs 12,000 BTUs and a 12-gauge 12 mm (1/2 inch) thick stainless steel grates that are 201 square inches large.

The burner is powerful enough for searing steaks at high heat.

Other Notable Mentions

It comes with carrying handles on each side and 2 lid latches for safe and convenient transportation.

The lid has a thermometer.

The igniter isn’t a standard Piezo but a highly improved Flame Thrower Igniter that’s much more reliable and durable.

With a separately purchased adapter, you can easily connect a 20 lb propane tank to it.

What Needs Improvement

All this durability has one major advantage: increased weight. The grill weighs 51 lbs / 23 kg which is almost as heavy as some freestanding models.

Only the outside components are made from marine-grade steel. The internal components are made from “regular” 304 type which doesn’t mix well with salt.

The price tag is steep, as far as portable grills go. I suggest you only get this one only if you have more than enough money lying around, have a saltwater pool, go boating regularly, or hit the beach often.

Conclusion

The sea can be a harsh mistress but when your boat has the Blaze, it won’t even scratch the surface. This little beauty is the best-performing and most durable portable gas grill you can get for this kind of money.

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Broil King 921554 Baron S320 Liquid Propane Grill

Broil King’s Baron S320 is a compact grill that packs quite a punch.

Great for Tight Places

The S320 measures only 24 x 50 x 45.5 inches (61 x 127 x 115.6 cm), making it one of the most compact freestanding grills not only on this list but on the market (as far as 3 burners go).

Folding side shelves make it even more compact and even more perfect for storing in places where every inch counts.

Feeds up to 8 People at Once

Despite its compact size, the S320 features a generous total cooking area of 440 square inches:

• The primary cooking area is 330 square inches
• The warming rack is 110 square inches

The primary cooking area holds up to:

• 12 burgers
• 9 steaks

while the warming rack has the capacity to hold up to 6 slices of bread.

I told you it packs quite a punch.

Heavy-Duty Grates With 2 Different Sides

The grates are made from thick and heavy-duty cast iron.

Each side has its own function: one side is pointy – this is for creating beautiful sear marks, and the other has grooves that capture the food’s juices which improves their flavor.

The latter really makes a difference – the food is more juicier and tasty. I made an actual comparison by cooking several steaks and burgers from the same butcher and cooking them simultaneously on two different grills (this one and another one: Weber Spirit E-210).

Warning: Hot!

Featuring 3 dual-tube heavy-duty stainless steel burners that output 30,000 BTUs, spread the heat evenly, and fire 2 rows of flames per unit, this baby will sear steaks just like a professional steakhouse does.

What’s more, there’s an additional 10,000 BTU side burner tucked away in the left side shelf. This one is ideal for making side dishes, soups, or sauces.

Rotisserie Included

To make things more interesting and really (and I do mean really) make your money’s worth, Broil King added a complete rotisserie kit to this mix which includes a 15,000 BTU burner, spit rod, and motor.

Durable Construction

Made from high-grade stainless steel that was additionally zinc-coated, the grill will last you for quite a while.

Tall Lid With Excellent Heat Retention

The lid is so big that it fits a whole beer can chicken easily.

It’s also partly made from die-cast aluminum (other parts are stainless steel) which greatly increases heat retention.

Things I Don’t Like About This One

The burners are a bit too powerful since the grill gets very hot even on the lowest temperature setting.

Have a towel ready at all times since the grip tray is a bit small and can easily overflow (I keep a towel under the tray in case this happens).

Broil Kings needs to improve quality control. I was missing a few nuts and bolts.

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Napoleon R525PK-1 Rogue 525 Gas Grill

Dominate your next BBQ gathering and be the envy of others with the Napoleon Rogue 525.

Ideal for Large Gatherings

This cooking behemoth boasts an enormous cooking area of 710 square inches which is enough for 15-ish people.

Like most gas grills, this one also has 2 cooking areas: the primary one (525 square inches) and the warming rack (185 square inches).

The primary cooking area holds up to:

• 20 burgers
• 13 steaks
• 50 hot dogs

Superior Quality Grates

The grates are made from heavy-duty porcelain-coated cast iron that’s resistant to rust, nonstick, and easy to clean.

What really surprised me the most was the warming rack: It also has a coating but unlike the grates it is chrome-plated. Most manufacturers neglect this component but Napoleon took extra steps with protecting even the smallest things.

Wavy Grates That Aren’t Just for the Looks

Instead of grates that go in a straight line (like we’re used to), these here are wave-shaped.

This feature isn’t purely aesthetic – it also has a practical function: improved heat transfer.

High-Performing Burners

The Rogue 525’s 4 burners not only produce high amounts of heat (48,000 BTUs, to be precise) but are also built to last.

If anything should happen to them, you can rest assured since they’re covered by a generous warranty of 10 years.

What’s more, they’re ignited by Napoleon’s highly reliable Jetfire ignition system which has the capacity to reignite a burner if it fails to light up.

You Can Use Charcoal, Too

Just like its smaller brother (Rogue 425), this one can also be turned into a charcoal grill by separately buying a special cast iron charcoal tray.

Other Great Stuff

Both side shelves are foldable and feature utensil hooks, 2 on each side.

The propane tank is securely positioned inside the enclosed cabinet and protected from the elements.

The Issues I’ve Encountered

I was missing a few nuts and bolts and a back panel.

It took me quite a while to put this thing together. It usually takes me about 1-2 hours to fully assemble a grill (this includes unboxing and disposing of the packaging after assembly). In this case, I needed about 3.5 hours.

One reason it took me this long was the assembly instructions. They are badly written. I gave up on them and went straight to Youtube.

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Bullet by Bull Outdoor Products 48108 Bronco Bullet 4 Burner Liquid Propane Gas Grill

The Bronco Bullet is a durable and spacious propane grill that will turn your outdoor kitchen into a luxury steakhouse.

A Cooking Gargantuan

This 4-burner grill is more than spacious enough to feed your whole family plus a few of your closest friends with its total cooking area of 810 square inches.

Like many others, this one also features a 2-story cookbox.

The primary cooking area (stainless steel grates) is 600 square inches large and the warming rack is 210 square inches.

Each burner is rated at 15,000 BTU and comes with its own flame tamer (or heat tent) and Piezo igniter. In total, this grill outputs 60,000 BTUs.

Durable Construction

Made from thick 14 heavy-gauge 304 stainless steel, this baby is built to last.

Reliable Igniter That Will Never Disappoint You

The Piezo ignition system on this thing is very reliable.

Even after 2 and a half years, it still works like a charm.

The Cons

For a grill that has a $1000 price tag, I’d expect the quality to be top-notch. Unfortunately, this isn’t true for the thermometer. The darn thing stopped working after a few months: the needle broke. Fortunately, the customer service responded immediately with a new one.

Despite claiming to heat evenly, the reality is different. There are hot and cold spots. There are noticeable but not that much.

Don’t expect to cook low and slow with it as even on the lowest temperature setting, it’s still pretty hot.

Final Word

The Bronco Bullet is one of the best (if not THE best) built-in gas grills that you can get for a grand. It’s built like a tank and has the capacity to feed an entire crowd with ease.

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A Short Yet Informative Buying Guide

A Few Words on Expensive Grills

Are Expensive Gas Grills Worth It?

If you have the money, then it’s a worthwhile investment.

If we take a look at charcoal grills, you can get away with a cheaper model (or even make your own) because charcoal grilling is very simple: you have a container where you put the charcoal and the grates above where you put the food.

Of course, high-end charcoal grills are made from more durable materials, offer better heat retention and air circulation, and so forth… But the principle is the same.

Gas grills, on the other hand, are more complex. That’s why they’re more expensive than charcoal grills in general.

Expensive gas grills tend to be more durable, reliable, sturdy, bigger, and hotter.

They’re also safer as the gas hose that connects your propane tank or natural gas line to the grill is thicker and more robust, meaning there’s a lesser chance of a gas leak. Leaking gas and open flames are a recipe for disaster.

Overall, I’d say they’re worth it if you have the money. If you’re just looking for a simple gas grill that you’ll fire up a few times per year, then consider Tom Hinkle’s advice:

It’s a bit like asking if a Mercedes is worth the extra cost. Some people think so, most people don’t. You pay more, you get a nicer ride, but you can get a perfectly suitable car for a lot less money. But for people who can afford it and want the nicer car, go for it.

[…]

To be honest, I think high end grills are way more expensive than anyone really needs to spend, unless they are trying to ‘make a statement’. And that’s not always bad. If I were going to sink a lot of money into making a nice upscale backyard paradise, maybe putting a high end grill would be the right thing to do.

In this case, these budget gas grills just might be right for you.

Why Are Natural Gas Grills So Expensive?

The reason why natural gas grills are more expensive than propane grills is the higher manufacturing cost. They’re also a bit more complex.

Natural gas grills usually require longer hoses and different fittings than propane grills. Also, they have many valves and regulators – more than you’d see on a propane grill.

Turn Your Backyard Into a 5-Star Restaurant

A 1000 dollar grill should be a once-in-a-lifetime investment. That’s why you need a grill that’s both durable and reliable.

In short, if you want to get the best bang for your buck, consider getting the Weber Spirit E330.

The Weber Genesis II S-335 is a great addition to any griller that owns (or plans to install soon) a natural gas line.

Both the Char-Broil 463342620 and the Napoleon Rogue XT 425 SIB will spice up your grilling game and get you the tastiest sear marks you’ll ever see as they include infrared burners in one way or another.

Avid campers and travelers (especially those near the sea) should try the Blaze Professional LUX. It features marine-grade stainless steel that’s ideal for coastal environments.

The Broil King Baron S320 is a compact propane grill that’s ideal for small patios, decks, and balconies.

Out of all Napoleons I tried, nothing beats the Rogue 525. The quality is top-notch and is big enough to feed all my friends/family.

The last but not the last is the Bronco Bullet: a mighty and spacious built-in propane grill.

Propane or natural gas? What’s your preference?