This is from Consumer Reports online. I bought the $200 model from Lowes. It's great. Good grill marks with the cast iron grates. Only bad thing was on assembly I thought I was going to have to get my cousin ,who has a PHD in Engineering from MIT, to come over.
On any grill, the drippings from the seasoned meat are very corrosive so the burners and some other things will tend to go away after a few years. They can be replaced but it kinda expensive and very messy. Also the greasy smoke and vapors collect on the outside and combine with the dust to make a mess that is difficult to clean up. So I prefer to get a good but economically priced model and replace it every 2 or 3 years.
CR Quick Recommendations Gas grills
Expect to spend between $200 and $500 for a grill that can handle most of your cooking needs. Spending more may get you more stainless styling and a few additional convenience features, but not necessarily better performance.
While most grills flare up momentarily when loaded with fatty foods, the key is whether they keep burning. Tested models that flared up more than others include Napoleon Ultra Chef UP405RBPSS, Ducane Standard Series 1605SHLPE, Jenn-Air 720-0163 (Lowe's), Ducane Standard Series 1305SHLPE, George Foreman GBQ440, Kirkland Signature (Costco) [Item 963157] 720-0193, Frigidaire Gallery GL30LKEC, Kenmore (Sears) 16329, Viking T Series VGBQ300-2RTL, Coleman Back Home Select 6000 994-7A726, and BBQ Grillware 720-0001 (Lowe's).
The Ratings rank gas grills by overall score within size. See Quick Picks for grills that combine high performance and value.
Quick Picks
Best for most; high-scoring midsized grills; all are CR Best Buys:
• Char-Broil Advantage Series 463453305 (Lowe's) , $270, CR Best Buy
• Thermos Stainless 461262006 (Target) , $300, CR Best Buy
• Vermont Castings VM400XBP (Home Depot) , $400, CR Best Buy
• BBQ Grillware GSF-2616 (Lowe's) , $200, CR Best Buy
Top performance makes the Vermont Castings VM400XBP (Home Depot) a fine choice. The Char-Broil Advantage Series 463453305 (Lowe's) adds more cooking space, a griddle, and better searing, though it lacks a fully rolling cart. Consider the Thermos Stainless 461262006 (Target) for its mostly stainless construction, fourth burner, and generous cooking area and shelf space, and the BBQ Grillware GSF-2616 (Lowe's) for its fine searing, long-warranty burners, and low price.
If you often cook for a crowd; both are CR Best Buys:
• Brinkmann Pro Series 4400 810-4400-0 (Walmart) , $300, CR Best Buy
• Great Outdoors Pinnacle TG-560 , $500, CR Best Buy
Both deliver lots of cooking and shelf space for the money. The Great Outdoors Pinnacle TG-560 has mostly stainless construction, a fifth burner, and an infrared burner for better searing. The Brinkmann Pro Series 4400 810-4400-0 (Walmart) trades stainless-steel styling and some performance for much lower price that includes free assembly
