The 10 Best Propane Grills for Outdoor Cooking in 2022

Just thinking of that piquant grill aroma might conjure images of backyard barbecues, camping adventures, and football tailgates. While some food trends come and go, grilling will always be one of the best ways to cook—especially when it's nice out. Caramelized, charred vegetables and savory, smoky meats alongside friends and family are very good reasons for owning a grill. 

No matter if you're a first-time grill buyer or looking for an upgrade, it's important to take price, functionality, and size into consideration when purchasing a new grill. You can find a wide variety of outdoor grills available online to fit your needs, including gas, charcoal, pellet, and electric models.

Thanks to convenient controllable heat settings, propane grills (a type of gas grill) are a popular choice for backyard grilling. Plus, they heat up quickly and are fueled by standard propane tanks that provide about 18 to 20 hours of cooking time. "What I absolutely love about cooking on propane is the speed and convenience of cooking and cleaning up," says William Turner, a private chef who grew up in Georgetown, South Carolina. "Although some models need to heat up before use, it's still way more convenient than charcoal and cleaning up is a breeze. Also being able to have control over the temperature is huge."

Whether buying a new grill for himself or helping a friend make a smart purchase, Turner says one must first consider how they are going to use the grill. If you plan to cook a variety of foods, a propane grill can be your friend. "The name of the game is more BTUs—British thermal unit, also known as a unit of heat—and consistent heat. I find grills with ceramic briquettes are hotter and distribute the heat more efficiently and evenly," he explains. "The briquettes also provide the charring effect of charcoal as the juices drop causing flame ups, and that adds flavor."

To achieve that, the first thing to inspect is the grill's quality. Does it feel like a sturdy, well-put-together propane grill? The lid should have some weight to it, he says—if it's too light and flimsy, then the rest of the grill is too. Next, Turner says to think about what grill clean-up will look like on the model you're considering. "What's almost as important as how the grill performs is how easy is cleanup? I look for grills that have a removable tray that can be covered with foil and make for easy cleaning up," he adds.

Lastly, Turner recommends looking at the grill gates. "I prefer cast iron over stainless steel," he adds. "When cleaned and seasoned properly there are several advantages, the first being the non-stick capabilities that really make a difference when grilling delicate fish and seafood." 

Wondering who makes the best propane grills? As a private chef, Turner cooks on whatever grill is present at his client's home—meaning he has, quite literally, put hundreds of propane grills to the test. He is currently partial to Weber but admits there is "some stiff competition out there."

With Turner's expertise and extensive research of our own, we found which propane grills are worth buying, where to buy them, and how much they cost. Unsurprisingly, gas grills from trusted brands like Weber and Char-Broil have received perfect ratings from thousands of shoppers because of their superior performance and long-lasting design. Cuisinart, one of the top kitchen appliance and cookware brands on the market, also makes quality grills with unique features that home chefs love. You can shop these brands online at Amazon and The Home Depot and have them delivered to your doorstep.

As far as price goes, there are propane grills in the $200 to $300 range, as well as options with all the bells and whistles for over $400. Love to camp? Consider a tabletop grill or one with wheels, like this portable gas grill from Cuisinart. Want to entertain on your patio? Try a six-burner grill or one with bonus features, like a warming rack tray or a side burner. 

Related: The 10 Best Barbecue Smokers for Pitmaster-Quality Meals at Home

• Best Overall: Weber Spirit II Propane Grill
• Best Splurge: Weber Genesis II Propane Grill
• Best on a Budget: Master Cook Propane Gas Grill
• Best Large: Blackstone Griddle Cooking Station
• Best Small: Char-Broil Performance Series 2-Burner Grill
• Best Portable: Cuisinart Roll-Away Gas Grill
• Best Tabletop: Cuisinart Chef's Style Tabletop Grill
• Best Griddle: Cuisinart Griddle Cooking Grill
• Best Quality: Char-Broil Performance 4-Burner Grill
• Best for Serious Cooks: Weber Summit 6-Burner Propane Gas Grill

From portable grills for camping and tailgating to high-end splurges for serious barbecuers, we've rounded up the best propane grills for every price point and purpose, according to customers. Keep scrolling to learn more about what makes these grills worthy of your money.