Fast, even preheating and impressive high and low heat cooking helped put three more gas grills on Consumer Reports recommended list—and one is from Costco. Here’s a glimpse at each, along with common grilling goofs and ways to avoid them.
Large grills
A big grill usually has a large main cooking area, but not always. So we measure the area and then group grills based on our measurements. Grills in our large category have room for 28 burgers or more. Our latest tests found that the Napoleon Prestige Pro 665RSIB has the biggest cooking area of the recommended grills, and tops our gas grill tests. But at $2,600 it’s also the most expensive. Preheating was fast and even and high heat was impressive. The temperature range was superb, and so was low heat and indirect cooking. This grill has five main burners and is loaded with features.
You’ll find many of those features and five main burners on the Kenmore Elite 3358. This top pick performed similarly overall to the Napoleon but is $1,600.
Tip: If food sticks to the grill grates or won’t sear properly be sure to fully preheat the grill next time you use it.
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Midsized grills
These can fit about 18 to 28 burgers. Excellent high and low heat, impressive indirect cooking, and fast, even preheating put Costco’s Landmann 42172 on the recommended list. It’s $460 and comes with a grill cover. But the temperature range is so-so on this three-burner grill and there’s no side burner or long-burner warranty. Too bad, since burners are the most replaced part.
Tip: Grills can flare up when cooking fatty foods such as salmon or rib-eye steaks, some grills more than others. So don’t overcrowd the cooking surface. Keep about 40 percent of the grates empty so that when flare-ups do occur, you can move the fatty foods to a cooler or nonflaming section.
Top grills from our tests
For more winners, see our full gas grill Ratings and recommendations. Grills often go on sale around the Fourth of July so look online for deals and use the results of our tests of dozens of gas grills, including small and portable models, to help you find one that fits your cooking style and your budget.
—Kimberly Janeway (@CRJaneway on Twitter)
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