Nexgrill 5-Burner Gas Grill Review: Worth It? (November 2026)
The Nexgrill 5-burner gas grill suits cooks who prepare several foods at once and will use a side burner. Choose it for a broad cooking area and five main burners; consider a smaller grill if patio space or everyday meals are limited.
On this page (11 sections)
- Is the Nexgrill 5-burner gas grill right for your meals?
- What do the Nexgrill burners add?
- Is 618 sq in enough cooking space?
- What should you know about the grates and firebox?
- How does the Nexgrill compare with alternatives?
- What should you measure before setting up the Nexgrill?
- How should you set up and use a propane grill?
- What common mistakes should you avoid?
- Does the Nexgrill 5-burner use propane?
- Who should choose another grill?
- Which Nexgrill 5-burner gas grill option should you choose?
The Nexgrill 5-burner gas grill suits cooks who want room for several foods and a separate burner for sides. It has five main burners, a side burner and 618 sq in of cooking area, making it a better match for larger meals than for a tight patio or a few items at a time.
Choose it if you’ll use the extra space and burner. The Royal Gourmet GA5401T gives searing its own burner, while the Char-Broil Performance 4-Burner offers a smaller primary cooking surface.
Is the Nexgrill 5-burner gas grill right for your meals?
The Nexgrill makes sense when you want to manage multiple dishes at once. Separate main-burner controls let you create different heat zones, while the side burner gives you a spot for a pan of sauce or a side dish.
Nexgrill 5-Burner Gas Grill: Best for backyard meal prep
- 618 sq in cooking area
- Five main burners
- Side burner
- Porcelain cast iron grates
A five-main-burner grill with a side burner for sauces or sides. Its cooking area and freestanding cart suit meals with several items cooking at once.
Pros
- Five stainless steel main burners
- Side burner adds a separate cooking spot
- Porcelain cast iron grates
- Built-in thermometer and electronic ignition
Cons
- Large cooking area may be more than a small household needs
- Freestanding dimensions need a measured placement area
That flexibility is useful for family meals and cookouts where meat, vegetables and other items finish at different times. You can move food between hotter and cooler areas as it cooks, instead of trying to fit every item over one heat level.
Skip this size if most meals involve only a few items or if your outdoor space is limited. A smaller grill can be easier to place and still cover routine cooking; compare 4-burner gas grills if you want fewer main burners.
Who should buy a Nexgrill 5-burner grill?
Buy it if you regularly cook a main dish and sides together, want separate heat controls across the grates, and have room for a freestanding grill. The side burner is especially useful if you expect to use a pot or pan outdoors while the main grate stays available.
Skip it if you won’t use the side burner, rarely fill a large cooking surface, or can’t leave safe clearance around the grill. Extra burners only help when your meals and outdoor setup make use of them.
What do the Nexgrill burners add?
The five main burners provide separate heat controls, and the side burner creates another cooking spot outside the main grate. Nexgrill identifies each main burner as 11,000 BTU and describes the side burner at 12,000 BTU.
Use the main burners to organize food by cooking time and heat needs. For example, keep foods that need stronger heat over a hotter zone and shift items that are close to done away from it.
A burner count by itself does not guarantee better cooking. If you usually grill one type of food at a time, a simpler layout may be easier to manage.
Is 618 sq in enough cooking space?
The Nexgrill’s 618 sq in cooking area suits meals with several items on the grill together. It gives you room to arrange proteins and vegetables in separate zones, provided your usual meal size justifies the larger footprint.
Leave working space between foods so you can turn or move them without crowding the grate. Keep raw and cooked food separate, and have a tray ready for food that finishes before the rest.
If you mainly cook a few burgers or vegetables, the Char-Broil’s smaller primary area may be a closer match. Its 435 sq in primary surface is paired with a 130 sq in warming rack.
What should you know about the grates and firebox?
The porcelain cast iron grates and porcelain-coated steel firebox give the Nexgrill a coated cooking and firebox surface. Nexgrill describes the grates as designed to retain heat and resist rust and cracking, and the firebox as designed for heat retention and rust protection.
Follow the manual’s care directions for cleaning and storage. Avoid tools or cleaners that could damage a porcelain coating, and let the cooking surface cool as the manual directs before cleaning it.
Grate materials can change the care routine you prefer. Read our guide to cast iron and stainless steel grill grates to compare their differences before choosing a grill.
How does the Nexgrill compare with alternatives?
Choose the Nexgrill for five main burners, the Royal Gourmet for a dedicated sear burner, or the Char-Broil for a smaller primary surface. Each model also has a side burner, so focus on its main cooking layout and how much grate space you’ll use.
| Grill | Cooking area | Burner layout | Standout detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nexgrill 5-Burner Gas Grill | 618 sq in | 5 main burners plus side burner | Porcelain cast iron grates |
| Royal Gourmet GA5401T 5-Burner | 602 sq in total | 4 main burners, sear burner and side burner | Dedicated sear burner |
| Char-Broil Performance 4-Burner | 435 sq in primary, plus 130 sq in warming rack | 4 main burners plus side burner | Compatible griddle and charcoal accessories |
The Royal Gourmet has four main burners, a separate sear burner and a side burner. Choose it if you want that dedicated searing option and similar total cooking area; its layout gives each burner role a clear purpose.
The Char-Broil is a better fit when you want less primary grate area. Char-Broil describes compatible griddle and charcoal accessories, sold separately, for cooks who want to change cooking styles.
For another brand comparison, see Monument vs Nexgrill. It can help narrow the choice if you’re weighing burner layouts and cooking space across those brands.
What should you measure before setting up the Nexgrill?
Measure the grill’s footprint, the route to its location and the room you need around it. The Nexgrill measures 24.3 in deep, 46.6 in wide and 51 in high.
Check gates, steps and tight turns before delivery, then plan for the grill’s open lid and space to stand beside it. A spot that fits the cart may still be awkward if you can’t reach the side burner or move safely around the grill.
Follow the owner’s manual and local fire rules for clearance from walls, railings and overhead structures. For broader fuel and setup considerations, start with our propane grill guide.
How should you set up and use a propane grill?
Assemble and connect the Nexgrill outdoors according to its manual. Use the manual for the correct parts, propane connection steps, ignition instructions and safety checks before cooking.
Place the grill on a stable outdoor surface with the required clearance. Keep the propane tank and its connections in the position specified by the manual, and don’t operate the grill indoors or in an enclosed area.
Before lighting, make sure the controls are in the right position and follow the manual’s ignition sequence. If the burner does not light as expected, use the manual’s troubleshooting steps rather than repeatedly turning controls or making assumptions about the cause.
When planning a meal, preheat as directed and use the burner controls to make heat zones. Keep frequently used tools and platters close at hand, but leave the side burner clear for a stable pan.
What common mistakes should you avoid?
The most common mistake is buying for the burner count instead of your real cooking routine. A five-burner layout takes more room, and it only earns that space if you regularly cook enough food to use separate zones.
Another mistake is measuring only the grill’s width. Include depth, height, the route into the yard, room for the lid and the clearance required by the manual and local rules.
Don’t assume that a side burner replaces countertop prep space. Set out ingredients and tools before lighting, keep the burner area clear, and avoid putting items on a burner when it is in use.
Don’t rely on BTU figures alone to choose between grills. Compare the burner arrangement, primary cooking area, side burner and available placement space with the way you actually cook.
Does the Nexgrill 5-burner use propane?
Yes, the Nexgrill is a propane grill, so plan for a compatible propane tank and an outdoor location. Follow the manual for connection, inspection and operation.
Fuel use varies with heat settings and cooking time, so the burner count alone can’t tell you how long a tank will last. Our guide to how long a propane tank lasts on a grill can help you plan around your routine.
Who should choose another grill?
Choose another model if a smaller footprint matters more than five main burners or you have little use for the side burner. The Char-Broil offers less primary cooking area, while the Royal Gourmet separates searing from its four main burners.
If you’re considering a four-burner alternative from another brand, our Monument 4-Burner review covers a different layout. Compare the cooking surface, burner roles and space requirements before deciding by burner count alone.
Which Nexgrill 5-burner gas grill option should you choose?
Pick the Nexgrill 5-burner gas grill if you’ll use five main burners, a side burner and its 618 sq in cooking area. Choose the Royal Gourmet if a dedicated sear burner is your priority, or the Char-Broil if its smaller primary surface better fits your meals and patio.
Measure the space first, then consider how often you’ll use the side burner and separate heat zones. If you need help comparing fuel and setup needs, use our propane grill guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nexgrill 5-Burner Gas Grill a good choice?
The Nexgrill 5-Burner Gas Grill is a good fit if you want five main burners, a side burner and 618 sq in of cooking area. It may be more grill than you need for small meals or a compact patio, so measure your space and consider how many foods you cook at once.
How many burners does the Nexgrill 5-Burner Gas Grill have?
It has five main burners and a separate side burner. Nexgrill identifies each main burner as 11,000 BTU and describes the side burner at 12,000 BTU; use the manual for setup and operating instructions.
How much cooking space does the Nexgrill 5-Burner have?
The grill is described as having 618 sq in of total cooking area. That gives you room to arrange several foods at once, but leave space to move them between heat zones and keep cooked food separate from raw food.
What is a good alternative to the Nexgrill 5-Burner?
The Royal Gourmet GA5401T is an alternative if you want a dedicated sear burner as well as a side burner. For a smaller primary cooking surface, consider the Char-Broil Performance 4-Burner, which has 435 sq in of primary area and a warming rack.
