Natural gas grills don’t require the constant purchase and replacement of propane tanks, making them more cost-effective to operate than propane barbecues.
If your house already has a gas connection, you might want to think about buying a high-quality natural gas barbecue. Long-term, this will save you a ton of time and money.
The best and most well regarded natural gas grills on the market in 2022 have been chosen by us.
We provide barbecues in many shapes, sizes, and pricing points.
Best overall
Weber Genesis II E-435 Natural Gas Grill
The Genesis II E-435 tops our list of the best natural gas grills for 2022. It is a high-quality outdoor cooking appliance that has 4 main burners, an added searing station, and a side burner which combined have a total output of 69,000 BTUs. You can buy a smaller and cheaper version (the E-335) which features 3 burners.
The Weber natural gas grill has an 884 square inch cooking surface and durable porcelain enameled cast iron grates that provide even heating and are easy to clean.
Thanks to the innovative grease management system, the cleanup after use is easy and quick.
With useful 3D assembly instructions provided by Weber, this premium natural gas grill is easy to put together, and it is backed by a 10-year warranty by the famous grill maker.
Pros
- Four main stainless steel burners (12,000 BTUs each) plus a 12,000 BTU side burner and a 9,000 BTU searing station for cooking food on different heat zones
- A combined output of 69,000 BTUs
- A total cooking space of 844 square inches, with the main cooking area of 646 square inches sufficient for 28 burgers
- A nifty tuck-away warming rack of 198 square inches
- The grates are made of porcelain-enameled cast iron
- It features the Weber GS4 high-performance grilling system, including stainless steel Flavorizers, premium stainless steel burners, Infinity ignition, and an easy to clean grease management system
- The grill is compatible with Weber’s smart iGrill 3 wireless thermometers
- It comes with a 100 foot flexible and durable
- A closed cart design with a storage cabinet and two side tables
- There are 6 built-in BBQ tool hooks
- The grills stand on two large wheels and two locking casters
- Useful and easy to follow 3D instructions for assembly
- 10-year warranty by Weber
Cons
- It is on the pricy side but is also available in options with fewer burners or with open-cart designs, which are considerably cheaper
The runner-up
Napoleon Prestige 500 Natural Gas Grill
The Prestige 500 is an eye-catching premium grill that runs on natural gas but is also available in a propane gas option.
It is a beautiful and very well-built grill with four main burners, a rear infrared burner with a rotisserie, and a Sizzle zone side infrared burner.
The main cooking area is 500 square inches, and the warming rack adds another 260 square inches to it when needed.
Thanks to the stainless steel Wave cooking grids, your food will taste well and will have amazing grill marks.
One of the most impressive and useful features of this excellent natural gas grill is the LED lit burner knobs and controls, which will light up in red when a burner is in use or remain blue when the burner is off.
Pros
- Four stainless steel tube burners with a total output of 48,000 BTUs
- A 14,000 BTU infrared Sizzle Zone side burner for searing
- An 18,000 BTU rear infrared burner that can be used with the rotisserie kit included with the grill
- The main cooking area is 500 square inches, and there is an added warming rack of 260 square inches
- Features the proprietary Napoleon Wave cooking grids, which leave superb grill marks and ensure that the heat is evenly distributed
- There are stainless steel sear plates under the grids, which help prevent flare-ups and help flavor and moisturize the food from the drippings
- A built-in AccuProbe thermometer on the hood
- A safe and reliable JetFire ignition system
- There is an easy-to-remove full-length grease pan
- LED-lit control knobs so you can easily see which burner is on and which is off
- The grill is made in Canada and backed by a lifetime warranty for the main components and a 15-year warranty for the stainless steel burners and the porcelain enameled cast iron grids
Cons
- This grill is not entirely made of stainless steel and has some porcelain enameled steel and cast aluminum parts
The budget option
Weber Spirit E310 Natural Gas Grill
If you are on a tight budget but still want a reliable and well-built natural gas grill, you should definitely check the Weber Spirit E310 out.
This compact gas grill is much less expensive than the other natural gas grills on this list.
It is suitable for people with limited outdoor spaces and those who do not wish to break the bank for a new natural gas grill.
It has a total cooking space of 529 square inches and 3 stainless steel BTUs with an output of 32,000 BTUs.
With a size of just 32 x 52 x 63 inches, this gas grill is perfect for small patios, balconies, and other outdoor areas where the space is tight.
Pros
- Unlike many of the other natural gas grills, this one is quite affordable
- It is a compact grill with a small footprint and a foldable side table perfect for very small outdoor areas
- It still provides a general total cooking space of 529 square inches, despite its compact size
- There are three stainless steel burners with a total output of 32,000 BTUs
- The cooking grates are made of porcelain-enameled cast iron
- An easy-to-clean grease management system
- The grill’s cook box and lid are also enameled with porcelain for added durability and weather resistance
- The cabinet and side tables are excellent for storing condiments, prepping food, and more
- There are 6 BBQ tool hooks on the side
Cons
- It lacks the bells and whistles of the bigger and more expensive grills on this list
- It is not entirely constructed of stainless steel
The greatest high-end pick
Blaze Professional 34-Inch Natural Gas Grill
If, on the other hand, you are willing to splurge out for a high-end natural gas grill, then we recommend this luxury grill by Blaze.
Yes, its price is rather steep when compared to other grills, but you will be able to prepare steakhouse quality seared steaks and other foods on this 304-grade stainless steel grill.
This Professional 34-inch LUX cooking system has a primary cooking area of 615 square inches, a warming rack of 201 square inches, and three 304 stainless steel burners with a total output of 54,000 BTUs. The main grilling area is divided into separate heat zones for professional range cooking.
There is also a 10,000 BTU rear infrared burner, with an added rotisserie kit fitted with a waterproof motor for low and slow cooking.
All stainless steel parts of this top-of-the-line natural gas grill are backed by a lifetime warranty by Blaze.
Pros
- All parts of the grill and cart are made of the highest grade stainless steel
- There are three pro-range, cast stainless steel burners with 18,000 BTUs each
- The hexagon-shaped and thick cooking rods are excellent for achieving the perfect sear every time
- The primary cooking area is 615 square inches and is divided by stainless steel separators for creating several different heat zones during the cooking
- There is a removable warming rack which adds another 201 square inches to the cooking surface
- The rear infrared burner is 10,000 BTUs and can be used with the included motorized rotisserie
- When not in use, the rotisserie kit can easily and neatly be stored on the back of the grill
- It has 12-gauge heavy-duty tamers on the entire cooking surface, which help prevent flare-ups
- It has a reliable push-and-turn flame-thrower for igniting the burners, which is backed by flash tube and crossover channels
- There is a pull out full-length grease pan and heat baffles for quick and effortless cleaning of the grill
- The two side shelves can be folded to save space
- There is more storage space in the cabinet and two drawers under the grill
- All of the main components of this grill are backed by a lifetime warranty
Cons
- It is expensive
- The electrical components of the grill are covered for 1-year only by the Blaze warranty
The best built-in one
Napoleon Prestige PRO 665 Natural Gas Grill
If you prefer to add a built-in natural gas grill to your outdoor cooking area, this one is among the best you can buy in 2022.
The Prestige Pro 665 has five burners providing a total of 60,000 BTUs and an added rear infrared burner which can be used with or without the included slow cooking rotisserie kit.
This built-in grill has a total cooking area of 1,000 square inches, so you will be able to feed everyone, no matter the number of guests you have invited.
This beautiful and high-quality grill also comes with a wood chip smoker tray, so you can use it as a smoker or add additional flavor to your food during the grilling.
This grill features the unique Napoleon LED backlit control knobs which make it safer to use, especially at night. It also has two built-in bright lights for a clear view of the cooking area, even in low light conditions.
Pros
- A built-in design will save floor and ground space and make access to the grill even more comfortable
- Made of commercial-grade stainless steel, its main components are backed by a lifetime warranty
- It has 5 high-quality stainless steel burners with a total output of up to 60,000 BTUs
- The 18,000 BTU infrared burner on the back can be used with the included rotisserie kit
- It has a built-in wood chip tray that you can use for wood chips, herbs, and even liquids for adding flavor to your food
- A reliable and safe to use Jetfire ignition system
- The main cooking area is 665 square inches, and together with the warming area, it reaches a total of 1,000 square inches
- You will be able to make impressive sear marks thanks to the Wave-shaped cooking grids made of stainless steel
- A self-cleaning and moisture catching stainless steel plate under the grates will help keep the meat moist and flavorful while preventing dangerous flare-ups
- There is a built-in AccuProbe gauge on the lid
- The grill has Napoleon’s trademark LED Spectrum Night Light control knobs
- Easy cleanup thanks to the removable full-length drip pan
- A lifetime warranty for the main components
Cons
- It is not portable like the other standalone and cart-style grills on the list
Related: The 7 Best Grill Covers in 2022
How to choose between natural gas and propane
If you are still wondering whether to choose a natural gas grill or a propane grill, here are the main advantages and disadvantages of each of the types so that you can decide which one will work better for your specific needs.
Natural gas pros
Natural gas, which is a greenhouse gas called methane, is the natural alternative to liquid propane gas. The main pros of natural gas grills include:
Connecting a natural gas grill to your home’s existing gas pipeline means that you don’t need to worry about running out of gas in the tank and that you need to stop cooking and go for a replacement if you happen to run out of gas. With a natural gas grill, you will have a continuous and stable supply of the fuel you need at all times.
While it may not burn as clean as liquid propane, methane is still considered an environmentally friendly fuel with low carbon dioxide emissions, especially when compared to traditional charcoal grills.
When compared to liquid propane, natural gas is cheaper per gallon. In fact, natural gas can cost about 1/6 less than propane. In the long run, if you already have a gas line at home, you will save money for having to buy the more expensive replacement propane tanks for your gas grill if you install and use a natural gas grill.
Of course, your usual gas bill will increase slightly when you install your natural gas grill, but if you only use it occasionally, the increase will be less than buying a replacement propane tank.
Natural gas cons
Here are the main disadvantages to keep in mind before buying and installing a natural gas grill:
What makes natural gas grills better than propane grills, namely the continuous and reliable supply of gas at all times, also makes them harder to install. Installing a natural gas grill in your outdoor space will not be such a problem if you already have an existing natural gas line and a suitable outlet for connecting it to the grill. But you don’t have one readily available, you will need to install a dedicated one for the grill, which is a complicated process and can require getting permission and hiring a licensed plumber.
Another disadvantage of natural gas grills is that they are typically more expensive than their propane gas alternatives. Plus, if you need to have a gas line or valve installed, you will need to hire a licensed expert, which too costs money.
In some areas, you will need a special permit to install a natural gas grill from the local authorities and from your gas company.
Also, once you install the grill and connect it to the gas line, it is much harder to move the grill or change its position than when using a freestanding propane grill.
One thing that some pitmasters disliked about the first natural gas grills was that methane burns at almost half of the heat of propane. This meant that you might have problems reaching very high temperatures for quick and high grilling and searing on a natural gas grill, as compared to a propane grill. Today, with modern natural gas grills, this problem has been eradicated.
Propane gas pros
Propane gas grills are more popular than natural gas grills due to the following advantages they have:
Setting up and installing a propane gas grill is much less complicated than installing a natural gas grill.
Replaceable propane tanks are portable, so you don’t have to worry about hooking up your grill to a specific pipe outlet and fixing it in place. Instead, you can move a standalone propane gas grill, and there are many portable gas grills that you can take camping and outdoors with you. Plus, if you don’t have a gas line at home, you cannot install a natural gas grill anyway.
Propane is the cleanest burning of all fossil fuels on the planet. It is also environmentally friendly and will not pollute the soil or water if it leaks.
While propane may be the more expensive alternative to natural gas, it does produce more heat than its natural alternative. A cubic foot of propane can produce up to 2,516 BTUs, while the same quantity of natural gas will produce only up to 1,030 BTUs. So, you will be using half the amount of propane as compared to natural gas for the same cooking task.
Propane gas grills are usually less expensive than their natural gas alternatives, so your initial investment will be lower than if you invest in a natural gas grill.
Propane gas cons
What has considered the biggest downside of propane gas grills is the fact that you will need to make sure you buy and replace your propane tank to avoid being left without fuel in the middle of a cooking session or when you need to use the grill. This is not only time-consuming and can be frustrating but will cost you money for running the grill.
In the long run, it is more expensive to run a propane tank than a natural gas one, as each replacement tank can cost between $10 and $20.
Which one burns hotter – propane or natural gas?
As mentioned previously, propane gas burns almost twice as hotter than natural gas. The difference is 2,516 BTUs for a cubic foot of propane compared to 1,030 BTUs for a cubic foot of natural gas.
Some pitmasters even claim that they cannot get their natural gas grills to reach the high temperatures needed for searing and other cooking at high temperatures. But while this used to be true for the first natural gas grills, today, the good grills will automatically increase the gas released to the burner when higher temperatures are required.
Some of the top natural grills on our list also include infrared burners, which can easily achieve high temperatures much quickly and can be used as searing stations.
What makes natural gas grills more expensive?
In most cases, when the same gas grill is available in both options, the natural gas one is more expensive by $50-$100.
The reasons for this are the longer gas hose of at least 10 feet and the brass fittings and stop-valves, which come with the grill for connecting it to the gas pipe.
Can propane grills be converted to natural gas grills?
Most of the propane gas grills can be converted to natural gas with a compatible conversion kit which includes a flexible gas hose, quick connect brass fittings and valve limiter stops, and suitable gas jets.
It is recommended that you check with your local legal and planning authority requirements before connecting the grill to an existing or building a new natural gas supply. In some states and areas, a permit and a more stable connection than the flexible hose installed by a licensed expert is required.
Keep in mind that using a conversion kit on some propane grills will void their warranty.
Is it safe to use a natural gas grill?
While the use of any gas grill does hold some safety and health hazards, chances are that if you are already using gas at home, it will be safe to use a natural gas grill when it is connected and used properly.
Here are some tips for using a natural gas grill safely:
- Ensure that there are two shut-off valves – one next to the grill and the other next to your home. This will prevent the spread of an eventual fire.
- Do not close the lid when you are lighting its burners (this is true for any gas grill).
- Clean any grease and debris from the grill after use to prevent flare-ups.
- Install the gas grill away from awnings, eaves, or deck railings.
- Turn the two shut-off valves off after using the grill.
In Conclusion
Using a natural gas grill will allow you to enjoy a steady supply of fuel whenever you need to use the grill. You won’t need to worry about having to buy replacements or, even worse running out of gas in the middle of a grilling session.
Hopefully, we have helped you decide whether you should invest in a natural gas grill and which one will be the most suitable for you.
So, good luck with your purchase, and happy grilling!
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