Splurge vs. Steal: Which Gas Grill is Right For You?

Summer means dining outdoors, one hand wrapped around a cold drink and the other hovering over a sizzling grill. We homed in on two gas models sized just right for hosting a crowd or whipping up breakfast, lunch, and dinner during a kitchen renovation. Both performed well in a test just short of a Bobby Flay smackdown. The big-ticket grill proved more substantial and less prone to flare-ups; the lower-priced one preheated quickly and kept an even heat. -Deborah Baldwin, This Old House magazine



See all the details on these grills at THISOLDHOUSE.COM





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High-End

Weber Genesis-310 three-burner propane grill

Is it for you?
If you are willing to pay for a handsome, heavy-duty high performer with a long life expectancy.

Weight: 180 pounds
Primary cooking area: 507 square inches"
Warranty: 10 years for burners; 5 to 25 years for most other parts

About $650, Weber





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Cool Feature: Heavy-duty stainless-steel burners are protected by "flavorizer bars," which vaporize cooking juices and create smoke for extra flavor. Bars and cast-iron grate both have a porcelain-enamel finish.


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Budget

Char-Broil Commercial Series four-burner propane grill

Is it for you?
If you are okay with a lighter-weight grill that offers good value (and a bonus side burner) but isn't as likely to endure.

Weight: 165 pounds
Primary cooking area: 500 square inches"
Warranty: Lifetime for burners; 1 to 2 years for most other parts

About $300, Char-Broil





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Safety Feature: Lighter-weight stainless-steel burners are capped by tented flame-tamers to discourage flare-ups and distribute heat evenly. Cast-iron grate preheats fast and retains heat; it's porcelain coated to resist rust.

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See more details on these two grills at THISOLDHOUSE.COM