Propane Grills
Best Propane Grills for Backyard Cooking
7 picks compared
10 min read
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The short answerFor most backyard cooks the Weber Genesis E-325 is the propane grill to beat, with three burners, even heat and a build meant to last. If you feed a crowd, the five-burner Bestfire gives you room to cook several dishes at once, while the Weber Traveler is the pick when you need grilling power that folds up and travels.
?How we pickedWe compare published specifications, safety certifications and thousands of verified owner reviews, and we do not physically test every unit. Read the full process in our review methodology.
Weber Genesis E-325 Gas Grill
★★★★★ 4.7 / 5 Best overall
The Genesis E-325 pairs three high-output burners with the kind of even heat spread that makes searing steaks and slow-roasting a whole chicken feel effortless. It is a full-size cart grill built to live on a patio for years, so it earns its place as the pick most backyard cooks will be happiest with long term.
Burners 3Fuel PropaneBuild Cart with side tablesStyle Full-size backyard
- Even, reliable heat across the whole grate
- Roomy cooking area for family cookouts
- Sturdy build meant for long-term outdoor use
- Heavy and not meant to be moved often
- Takes up real patio footprint
Best for: the household that grills often and wants one grill to keep
Bestfire 5 Burner Propane Gas Grill
★★★★★ 4.5 / 5 Best for big cookouts
Five main burners plus a side burner give you the room to run burgers, veg and a simmering pot of sauce all at once. It is the grill to look at when you regularly feed a crowd and want independent heat zones rather than one big shared fire.
Burners 5 plus sideCooking space 647 sq inGrates Porcelain cast ironStyle Full-size cart
- Huge grate handles a full party spread
- Side burner frees up the main surface
- Cast iron grates hold heat well for searing
- Large footprint needs dedicated space
- More burners means more to clean
Best for: hosting large groups and cooking several dishes together
Weber Spirit E-325 Gas Grill
★★★★★ 4.6 / 5 Best for small patios
The Spirit E-325 keeps Weber build quality in a more compact three-burner cart that fits a tighter patio or balcony. It cooks evenly enough for weeknight dinners without demanding the space a larger grill needs.
Burners 3Fuel PropaneBuild Compact cartStyle Small backyard
- Compact frame suits smaller outdoor spaces
- Even heat you expect from Weber
- Simple to light and run day to day
- Cooking area is modest for big groups
- Still a fixed cart, not portable
Best for: apartments, balconies and compact patios
Weber Traveler Compact Portable Gas Grill
★★★★★ 4.6 / 5 Best portable
The Traveler folds down onto its own cart so you can wheel it out, pop it up and cook, then fold it flat for the trunk. It is the pick when you want real grilling power that travels rather than a tabletop compromise.
Fuel PropaneDesign Folding cartUse Portable and patioSetup One-motion fold
- Folds flat and rolls for easy transport
- Full-height cooking without a table
- Sturdier than most travel grills
- Single burner limits heat zoning
- Bulkier to store than a tabletop unit
Best for: tailgates, camping and cooking away from home
Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Stand-Up Propane Grill
★★★★★ 4.5 / 5 Best for camping
Three adjustable burners and push-button ignition make the RoadTrip 285 easy to run at a campsite or in a driveway. It stands on collapsible legs and folds down small, so it is a practical choice for people who cook on the move.
Burners 3 adjustableOutput 20,000 BTUIgnition InstastartDesign Collapsible stand
- Three burners give real heat control for a portable
- Push-button start with no matches
- Legs fold and it wheels away compactly
- Cooking area is small for a group
- Lighter build than a backyard cart
Best for: campers and tailgaters who want burner control on the go
Kenmore 3-Burner Propane BBQ Grill
★★★★★ 4.3 / 5 Best starter cart
The Kenmore three-burner is a straightforward full-size cart with cast iron grates, folding side tables and wheels. It covers the everyday grilling most families do without asking you to learn anything complicated.
Burners 3Output 30,000 BTUGrates Cast ironExtras Folding tables, wheels
- Easy entry into full-size gas grilling
- Cast iron grates for good sear marks
- Side tables and wheels add everyday convenience
- Finish is lighter duty than premium carts
- Three burners cap how much you can cook at once
Best for: first-time buyers who want a simple backyard cart
GRILL DEPOTS 4 Burner Portable Propane Grill
★★★★★ 4.2 / 5 Best versatile pick
This four-burner unit ships with a cast iron grate and a griddle pan, plus a folding side table, so you can switch between grilling and flat-top cooking. It leans portable, which makes it handy for camping trips as well as the backyard.
Burners 4Output 40,000 BTUIncludes Grate plus griddle panDesign Folding, portable
- Griddle pan adds flat-top cooking options
- Four burners for its size give heat flexibility
- Folding table and portable frame for camping
- Build is lighter than a fixed backyard cart
- Griddle and grate swaps mean more cleanup
Best for: cooks who want both grill and griddle in one portable unit
A propane grill should light fast, heat evenly and match the way you actually cook, whether that is weeknight dinners on a small patio or feeding a full backyard of guests. We focused on real, currently available propane grills and sorted them by who each one suits best, from full-size carts to grills that fold up and travel. Below the picks, this guide walks through how to choose so you can match a grill to your space, your crowd and how often you cook.
How to choose a propane grill
Start with two questions: how many people you usually feed, and where the grill will live. Those answers point you toward burner count and whether you need a fixed backyard cart or something portable. From there, weigh build quality and grate material over headline numbers, because a solid grill you enjoy using beats a spec sheet you never notice. Think about storage too, since a grill you have to wrestle into place gets used less often.
Burners, BTU and cooking space
Burners give you heat zones, so more of them means you can sear on one side and cook gently on the other. BTU describes fuel output rather than cooking skill, so read it alongside how well a grill holds and spreads heat rather than treating a big number as a winner. Cooking space matters most when you host: aim for enough grate to lay out a main item per guest with room to shift food around, and do not pay for surface you will rarely fill.
Portable versus full-size
Full-size carts stay put, offer the most grate and the sturdiest builds, and suit households that grill regularly at home. Portable grills fold down or stand on collapsible legs, trading some space and heft for the freedom to camp, tailgate or tuck the grill away on a balcony. A few folding carts sit in between, giving near full-height cooking that still rolls into a trunk, which is worth considering if you want one grill for both roles.
Safety and care
Good habits keep a propane grill safe and extend its life. Check the hose and fittings for leaks with soapy water at the start of the season, open the lid before lighting so gas cannot collect, and keep the grill away from walls and overhangs. After cooking, brush the grates while they are warm, burn off residue, and cover the grill once it cools. Season cast iron grates to fight rust, and shut the tank valve when you finish rather than leaving it under pressure.
Questions people ask
What size propane grill do I actually need?
Match burner count to how many people you feed. A two or three burner grill handles a family and the occasional guest, while five burners make sense only if you regularly cook for a crowd. Buying more grate than you use just means more surface to heat and clean.
Do more BTUs mean a better grill?
Not on their own. BTU measures how much fuel a grill can burn, not how evenly it cooks. A well-built grill with solid grates and good heat retention will out-cook a flimsy one with a bigger BTU number, so treat BTU as one factor rather than a score.
Is a portable propane grill powerful enough for real cooking?
Yes for most jobs. Portable units like folding carts and stand-up grills sear burgers, chicken and veg well. They trade some grate space and heavy-duty build for the ability to pack down, so they suit camping and tailgating more than feeding a large party.
Cast iron or stainless grates for propane grilling?
Cast iron holds heat and gives strong sear marks but needs seasoning and care to avoid rust. Stainless is lower maintenance and resists corrosion but can run cooler at the surface. Pick cast iron for searing, stainless for easy upkeep.
How do I keep a propane grill safe?
Check the hose and connections for leaks with soapy water before the season, open the lid before you light it so gas cannot pool, and keep the grill clear of walls and overhangs. Turn the tank off at the valve when you are done, not just the burners.
Portable versus full-size, which should I buy?
Choose full-size if the grill stays in one backyard and cooks for a household or guests. Choose portable if you camp, tailgate or have a small balcony where a folding or stand-up grill can be stored away. Some folding carts bridge both roles.
How much cooking space is enough?
As a rough guide, plan for enough grate to lay out one main item per person with a little room to move food off direct heat. Three-burner grills cover most families, and only large or frequent gatherings justify the biggest grates.
How do I make a propane grill last?
Burn off residue after cooking, brush the grates while warm, and cover the grill when it is cool to shield it from weather. Season cast iron grates, keep the burners clear of grease, and store or disconnect the tank properly between uses.
The bottom lineSo which one?
Match the grill to your space and your crowd first, then to your budget. The Weber Genesis E-325 is the safe long-term pick for a household that grills often, the Bestfire suits big gatherings, and the Weber Traveler or Coleman RoadTrip 285 cover cooking away from home without giving up much.
