Monument vs Nexgrill: Which Gas Grill Is Better? (November 2026)

On this page (8 sections)

1. Monument vs Nexgrill: which grill fits your cooking?
2. How much cooking space do Monument and Nexgrill offer?
3. What does the Monument broil zone add?
4. Which Nexgrill should you compare with Monument?
5. How do the grates and cleanup features compare?
6. Will these grills fit your patio and fuel setup?
7. What setup and care steps help avoid mistakes?
8. Which grill should you choose?

Monument vs Nexgrill comes down to searing versus extra cooking space and a separate side burner. The Monument's dedicated broil zone suits cooks who want a high-heat area, while either Nexgrill gives you a side burner for sauces or sides.

These three propane grills have different strengths, even though two have four main burners. The Monument has 525 square inches of total grilling area, the Nexgrill 4-Burner has 562, and the Nexgrill 5-Burner has 619.

Monument vs Nexgrill: which grill fits your cooking?

Choose Monument for its broil zone; choose Nexgrill when a side burner or more cooking area matters more. Start with the way you cook most often, then check whether the grill and its open lid fit the space you have.

The Monument is the only option here with a dedicated broil zone for high-heat direct cooking. It also has foldable side shelves, which give you prep space while cooking and fold down when you need a narrower stored footprint.

The Nexgrill 4-Burner combines four main burners with a side burner. The 5-Burner adds a fifth main burner and the largest cooking area in this group, so it suits bigger meals and cooks who want more room to separate foods.

If you are comparing brands beyond these models, read our Monument Grills vs Weber comparison. Our guide to Monument Grills covers the brand more broadly.

How much cooking space do Monument and Nexgrill offer?

The Nexgrill 5-Burner offers the most cooking area here, at 619 square inches. The Nexgrill 4-Burner has 562 square inches, and the Monument has 525 square inches of total grilling area.

More room helps when you want to cook several foods at once, but it only helps if the grill fits your patio and regular meals. Think about the number of people you usually feed and whether you need space to keep finished food warm while other items cook.

Measure the grill's footprint, the path you will use to move it into place, and the room needed to open the lid. Leave the clearances required by the manual around the grill, especially near walls, railings, overhead covers and other heat-sensitive materials.

Is the Nexgrill 5-Burner right for larger cookouts?

Choose the Nexgrill 5-Burner if you regularly need the most grate space in this comparison. Its five main burners and side burner create separate cooking zones for a larger meal.

Each main burner is rated at 11,000 BTU. The side burner provides another spot for a sauce or side dish, so you can keep that pan off the main grates.

This model suits households that often grill several foods together or host larger groups. Skip it if the extra surface and fifth burner would sit unused, or if its footprint would crowd the patio.

Is Monument's cooking area enough for your meals?

The Monument fits cooks who value its searing feature more than maximizing grate area. Its 525 square inches include the primary grilling area and a flip-up warming rack.

Four main burners provide separate heat controls, and the broil zone adds a dedicated high-heat area. This layout can work well if your regular meals fit comfortably on the main cooking area and searing is a frequent part of your routine.

Its foldable shelves are useful when you need prep space during a cook, then want to reduce the grill's width for storage. Skip it if you need the widest cooking surface among these choices or expect to cook large batches every time.

What does the Monument broil zone add?

The Monument is the only grill here with a dedicated broil zone for rapid searing and browning. It is designed for high-heat direct cooking, with adjustable burners to help control heat for other foods.

Monument says the Mesa II 410FBZ can reach 500°F in 5 minutes on full blast. Treat that as a brand claim, since preheat time can vary with weather, fuel level and how the grill is set up.

A broil zone is useful when you want a strong sear and the rest of the meal can cook at a different pace or temperature. You can start with the grill preheated, sear over the high-heat area, then move food to a cooler section to finish as needed.

The Nexgrill models have multiple main burners, but neither is described as having a dedicated broil zone. If searing is occasional and you value another pan-friendly burner more, the Nexgrill side burner will likely be more useful.

Which Nexgrill should you compare with Monument?

Pick the Nexgrill 4-Burner for a side burner with four main burners, or the 5-Burner for maximum cooking area. Both add an outdoor cooking spot for preparing sides, sauces or other items while the main grill is in use.

The 4-Burner has 562 square inches of cooking area, four 10,000 BTU main burners and a 12,000 BTU side burner. Its stainless steel lid and cast iron grates distinguish it from the larger black 5-Burner model.

The 5-Burner has 619 square inches of cooking area and five 11,000 BTU main burners, plus its own side burner. Its porcelain cast iron grates offer a porcelain finish, while the 4-Burner's cast iron grates have a matte finish.

Choose the 4-Burner if the side burner is the key feature and four main burners are enough. Choose the 5-Burner if you also need the added cooking area and are comfortable managing an additional main burner.

How do the grates and cleanup features compare?

All three grills use cast iron grates, while the Monument has the most specific grease-cleanup features. The Monument has enameled cast iron grates, a funnel-style grease system and a removable 430 stainless steel drip pan.

The Nexgrill 5-Burner uses porcelain cast iron grates, and the 4-Burner uses matte finish cast iron. Follow the care instructions for the grill and grate finish, and avoid cleaning methods that could damage the surface.

After cooking, let the grill cool enough to handle safely, then remove food residue from the grates using the method in the manual. Empty and clean the Monument's drip pan regularly so grease does not build up.

The cast iron and stainless steel grill grates guide explains the tradeoffs between common grate materials. Although all three options here have cast iron grates, their surface finishes differ.

Will these grills fit your patio and fuel setup?

All three grills are propane models, and the Monument is specified for liquid propane only. Check fuel compatibility and measure the complete space before buying, including room for safe clearance and movement.

The Monument measures 21.4 inches deep, 50.6 inches wide and 41.9 inches high. The shelves fold, but you still need room to use them during cooking and to move the grill safely.

The Nexgrill 5-Burner measures 24.3 inches deep, 46.6 inches wide and 51 inches high. The Nexgrill 4-Burner measures 24.22 inches deep, 49.5 inches wide and 46.53 inches high.

Make sure you can reach the propane tank connection and move the grill to its cooking position without dragging it over steps or uneven ground. For help deciding whether propane suits your home, see our guide to propane grills and propane versus natural gas grill comparison.

What setup and care steps help avoid mistakes?

Read the assembly and safety instructions before setting up any of these grills. The Monument requires assembly, and the product description says assembly may take as little as 30 minutes.

Assemble the grill on a stable, level outdoor surface with enough room to reach both sides. Follow the manual's steps in order, check each fastener, and confirm that the burners, cooking grates, grease parts and propane connection are seated as directed.

Connect only the fuel type the grill is made for, and check the hose and connections as the manual instructs before lighting. Keep the grill away from structures and combustible materials by the distances in the manual.

A common mistake is buying by burner count alone. Burner count does not tell you whether you need a dedicated searing area, a side burner, more cooking room or a footprint that fits your patio.

Another mistake is treating the warming rack or side shelves as primary cooking space. The Monument's listed total area includes its warming rack, while its shelves are prep surfaces; plan your main meal around the primary grates.

Which grill should you choose?

Choose Monument for frequent high-heat searing and foldable shelves; choose Nexgrill for a side burner, with the 5-Burner offering the most cooking area. The best fit is the grill whose distinguishing feature solves a problem you have on most cook days.

Pick the Monument if you want a dedicated broil zone, four main burners and a grease system with a removable drip pan. Skip it if you want the largest cooking area or need to cook side dishes on a separate burner.

Pick the Nexgrill 4-Burner if you want a side burner but do not need the largest main cooking surface. Pick the Nexgrill 5-Burner if you often cook larger meals and have room for its bigger setup.

For a closer look at the Nexgrill 5-Burner, read our Nexgrill 5-Burner Gas Grill review. If your choice is between fuel types, our propane vs natural gas grill guide can help you narrow that down.

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, Monument or Nexgrill?

Monument fits if you want a four-burner grill with a dedicated broil zone for searing. Nexgrill fits if you want more cooking space or a side burner.

The Monument has 525 square inches of total grilling area, while the Nexgrill 4-Burner and 5-Burner have 562 and 619 square inches.

Does Monument or Nexgrill have more cooking space?

The Nexgrill 5-Burner has the largest cooking area here at 619 square inches. The Nexgrill 4-Burner has 562 square inches, and the Monument has 525 square inches of total grilling area.

Consider how much food you cook at once and how much patio space you have.

Does the Monument grill have a side burner?

The Monument model has foldable side shelves and a stainless steel side table, but no side burner. Both Nexgrill options include a side burner, a separate spot for preparing sauces or side dishes while grilling.

Is the Monument grill propane or natural gas?

The Monument Mesa II 410FBZ uses liquid propane only. The Nexgrill models here are propane grills too.

If you have a natural gas connection, choose a grill designed for that fuel.

Which is easier to maintain, Monument or Nexgrill?

The Monument has a funnel-style grease system and a removable 430 stainless steel drip pan, giving grease a clear collection path. Keep the pan emptied and clean the grates after cooking according to their finish and the grill manual.

The Nexgrill models use cast iron grates, so follow their care instructions to protect the grate surface.