Propane Grills: How to Choose the Right One

On this page (9 sections)

1. What should you look for in a propane grill?
2. How much grill space do you need?
3. Which propane grill format fits your cooking space?
4. What should you know about propane and natural gas?
5. Which grill features make daily use easier?
6. How do you check a grill's fit and safe location?
7. How do you compare propane grill sizes and styles?
8. How should you choose your propane grill?
9. Sources for safe setup

Choose a propane grill by matching its cooking space and burner layout to the meals you make, then check its fuel setup, footprint and cleanup features. A compact two-burner grill can suit a small patio, while a larger grill gives you more room for separate foods and bigger gatherings.

The right choice depends on how much you cook at once, where the grill will sit and how you plan to use the heat. Start with the space you have and the food you usually make, rather than choosing by burner count or a large BTU number alone.

This guide compares the main decisions and four propane grill formats, from a portable tabletop model to larger carts. For a ranked list of options, see our best propane grills.

What should you look for in a propane grill?

Start with the cooking area, burner layout and available space. Then compare how the grill lights, manages grease, stores tools and connects to its fuel source.

These features affect everyday use more directly than a long list of specifications:

A large cooking area can be useful for a gathering, but it also comes with a larger grill to place and store. Consider the usual meal first; occasional hosting can be handled with batches if a compact grill better suits your regular routine.

How many burners does a propane grill need?

Pick the burner layout that gives you enough room and heat control for your usual meals. A two-burner grill is a useful starting point for modest batches, while 3 or 4 main burners give you more options for arranging food across the grate.

Count main burners separately from side burners and sear burners. A side burner is an extra cooking surface, and a dedicated sear burner has a different role from the main cooking area.

For a closer comparison of burner counts, read 2-burner vs 3-burner gas grills, or compare best 2-burner gas grills with best 3-burner gas grills. Buyers who need more room can move on to our 4-burner gas grill guide.

Does a higher BTU number mean a better grill?

BTU is one clue about heat output, not a complete measure of grill performance. Compare it with the cooking area, number of burners and how those burners are arranged.

A single total can hide meaningful differences. One grill may divide its heat among several main burners, while another may include a separate sear burner or a side burner in its advertised total.

Use BTU to compare similar layouts, and check the usable grate area before deciding. If you cook several foods at once, burner controls and grate space may matter more than the largest total number.

How much grill space do you need?

Choose cooking area based on the largest meal you regularly make, with some room for food that needs to finish at a different pace. A warming rack can help hold food, but it is not the same as adding more primary grate space.

Think through a typical cookout: how many items go on the main grate at once, and do you need a separate area to keep finished food warm? If you often cook for a group, compare the actual primary cooking area as well as the total area that includes warming racks.

A grill's outside dimensions matter too. Measure the intended spot and route before choosing a cart with wide side shelves or a deep cabinet.

Is a portable propane grill enough?

A portable grill can be enough when you value a smaller setup and cook modest amounts at a time. Check its cooking surface, weight, legs and lid before deciding where and how you'll use it.

Portable models can suit camping, tailgating and small outdoor areas, but the word “portable” does not mean every grill is easy to carry or fits every location. Confirm that the surface you plan to use is stable and that the grill is approved for that setup.

The Cuisinart 20,000 BTU 2-Burner has 275 sq in of cooking area, weighs 22 lb and has folding legs and a carry handle.

The Cuisinart has two independently controlled burners, electronic ignition and an integrated thermometer. Those features give you separate heat controls and a way to check the grill temperature, while its compact cooking surface sets a limit on how much food can fit at once.

Choose a portable model when moving and storing the grill are part of the plan. For a permanent patio setup, compare cart dimensions, side work space and storage features as well.

Which propane grill format fits your cooking space?

Match the grill's footprint and features to the place where it will live. A portable tabletop unit, a compact cart and a larger multi-burner cart solve different space and cooking needs.

Weber Spirit E-210: compact cart with two burners

The Weber Spirit E-210 is a two-burner propane grill with 360 sq in of cooking surface. Its dimensions are 26.6 in deep, 48.3 in wide and 46.2 in high, so measure the intended spot with its full width in mind.

Each burner has its own Snap-Jet ignition control, and the grill has porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates. A warming rack provides another place to keep food warm while the main grate stays in use.

A pull-out grease tray and drip pan support cleanup. The grill also has four tool hooks, a cabinet with a door and side tables; its Weber Works side rails fit compatible snap-on accessories sold separately.

Choose this format if you want a two-burner cart with side tables and enclosed storage. Check its width against your available space, and remember that the propane tank is sold separately.

For alternatives to compare, see our best Weber gas grills and our guide to whether Weber gas grills are worth the money.

Monument Grills 4-Burner: more main grate space

The Monument Grills 4-Burner has 525 sq in of total grilling area, foldable side shelves and a warming rack. Its dimensions are 21.4 in deep, 50.6 in wide and 41.9 in high.

The grill includes a broil zone, which is a high-heat area for direct cooking and searing. Adjustable burners offer heat control for different foods, while the warming rack adds a separate area above the primary grate.

Its side shelves fold, and the grease system uses a funnel-style design with a removable drip pan. Monument says assembly may take as little as 30 minutes, so plan for assembly rather than assuming the grill arrives ready to cook.

Choose a four-burner format when you need more room to arrange food across the grate. Check the grill's assembled width and confirm that the broil zone and storage setup suit your cooking style.

Compare more options in our best 4-burner gas grills guide, or explore Monument Grills vs Weber if you're weighing those brands.

Royal Gourmet GA5401T 5-Burner: main burners plus extras

The Royal Gourmet GA5401T combines four main burners with a sear burner and a side burner. It has 602 sq in of total cooking area, including a 476 sq in primary grilling surface and a 126 sq in warming rack.

The side burner can be used for sides or sauces, and its lid doubles as prep space when the burner is not in use. A side shelf provides additional room for platters, seasonings and tools.

The grill has a stainless steel lid and ignition that starts by turning the main ignition burner knob to “HI” and pressing the ignitor button. Because the total includes multiple areas, compare the primary surface with your expected meal rather than relying only on the 602 sq in total.

Choose this layout if you want an extra burner for sides as well as a larger main grate. Measure its 52.95 in deep and 25.2 in wide dimensions against your setup and access route.

For another brand option, read our Royal Gourmet gas grill brand guide or compare it with Nexgrill.

What should you know about propane and natural gas?

Buy a grill made for the fuel you plan to use. Propane and natural gas grills are not automatically interchangeable, so check the model's fuel instructions before you connect or convert anything.

Propane grills use a propane supply, often a separate tank, and the tank size affects how long you can cook before a refill or replacement is needed. Our guide to how long a propane tank lasts on a grill explains what can change that estimate.

If your home has a natural gas connection outdoors, compare the setup and fuel requirements before choosing. See propane vs natural gas grills for the main trade-offs.

Never assume a conversion kit makes a grill compatible. Follow the grill maker's instructions and use only parts approved for the specific model.

Which grill features make daily use easier?

Focus on the features that solve a task you actually have. Ignition, grease handling, storage and grate material can change how much setup and cleanup your grill needs.

Which ignition and burner controls are useful?

Independent burner controls let you manage separate areas of heat. They are useful when one food needs a different cooking pace from another, but you still need enough grate space to arrange those foods.

Ignition styles vary between models. Compare the starting steps and make sure you can reach the controls comfortably from the grill's usual position.

What makes a propane grill easier to clean?

Look for removable grease parts and a grate material you are comfortable maintaining. A pull-out tray or removable drip pan can make it easier to collect grease, while the grate material affects routine care.

The Weber Spirit E-210 has a pull-out tray and large drip pan. The Monument Grills 4-Burner has a funnel-style grease system and removable stainless steel drip pan; consider which arrangement seems easier for your cleanup routine.

Grate materials have different care needs. See our comparison of cast iron and stainless steel grill grates before you decide.

Do you need an infrared or sear burner?

A dedicated high-heat burner can help if searing is a regular part of your cooking. It adds a specific cooking area, so decide whether you will use it enough to justify the space and added complexity.

Some grills use a broil or sear zone; others use infrared technology. The names alone do not tell you how a particular model cooks, so compare its burner layout and instructions.

Our guide to infrared burners on gas grills covers the feature, and our gas grill and griddle combo guide compares grills built for more than one cooking style.

How do you check a grill's fit and safe location?

Measure the grill's full footprint and follow the maker's placement instructions before using it. Include side shelves, the lid's swing, nearby walls and the path people use around the grill.

Check the manual for required clearances and any limits on balconies, covered areas or other locations. Building rules, lease terms and local fire codes may also limit where a grill can be used.

The grill examples here are outdoor models. Do not use an outdoor grill indoors, in an enclosed space or in a location the maker does not approve.

Before buying, measure the route from delivery to the setup spot, including gates and narrow turns. A cart that fits on the patio can still be difficult to move through a doorway or around a tight corner.

Read how far a gas grill should be from a house for a location checklist. If you rent or live in a condo, check whether you can use a gas grill on a balcony and confirm the rules that apply to your building.

How do you compare propane grill sizes and styles?

Compare primary cooking area, footprint and burner layout side by side. This table summarizes the four examples using their product facts, without treating total cooking area as a direct measure of meal size.

The Royal Gourmet's five-burner name includes its extra sear burner; its specification identifies four main burners. This is why checking burner roles and primary surface gives a clearer comparison than counting burners in a product name.

The cooking area figures also include different arrangements. The Royal Gourmet's total includes a 476 sq in primary area and warming rack, while the Monument's total includes its primary area and warming rack.

For a focused shortlist, see best small propane grills for patios or best cheap gas grills worth buying. Those guides can help narrow by space or budget after you decide which layout fits.

How should you choose your propane grill?

Pick the smallest grill that gives you enough primary cooking area, burner control and work space for your regular meals. Then verify the fuel, dimensions, location rules and cleanup setup before you buy.

Choose a portable tabletop model if easy transport and storage matter most. Choose a two-burner cart for a compact permanent setup, or a four-main-burner cart if you want more room to separate foods.

Consider an extra side or sear burner only if you expect to use it. For more model-level comparisons, see our Char-Broil 4-burner guide, Cuisinart gas grill guide and gas grill vs pellet grill comparison.

Sources for safe setup

Check the grill's manual and the rules for your property before installation. For general outdoor fire safety guidance, review the [U.S.

Fire Administration's grilling safety advice](https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/home-fires/at-risk-audiences/grilling/).

Frequently asked questions

How many burners should a propane grill have?

Choose burner count based on how much food you cook at once and whether you want separate heat areas. Two burners suit smaller batches and compact spaces; 3 or 4 main burners give you more room to arrange food across the grate.

Count side and sear burners separately from main burners.

Is a two-burner propane grill big enough?

A two-burner grill can be enough for smaller meals, limited patio space or portable use. Compare the actual cooking area and the kinds of food you make, since burner count alone does not tell you how many portions will fit.

A warming rack may add a separate place to hold food.

What does BTU mean on a propane grill?

BTU describes heat output, but the total alone does not tell you how evenly a grill cooks or how much food its grates hold. Compare burner layout, cooking area and heat controls along with BTU.

A dedicated sear burner or independently controlled burners may serve a different role from main burners.

Can I use a propane grill with natural gas?

A propane grill is designed for its stated fuel, and you should not assume it can use natural gas. Check the grill's instructions and fuel rating before connecting it.

Some grills are made for one fuel only, while other models may have a manufacturer-approved conversion procedure.

How far should a propane grill be from a house?

Follow the grill maker's clearance instructions and local fire rules, keeping the grill well away from siding, eaves, doors, railings and other combustible materials. The needed distance depends on the model and location.

See our gas grill clearance guide before setting up.