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Best gas grills: Add some sizzle to your summer barbecue

Ready for a backyard barbecue? Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kickoff to summer, and if your grill is struggling to provide the right sizzle, there are plenty of models that will deliver without breaking the bank.
Posted 2017-05-26T16:06:31+00:00 - Updated 2017-05-26T21:14:07+00:00
Midsized grills provide more bang for your buck

Ready for a backyard barbecue?

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kickoff to summer, and if your grill is struggling to provide the right sizzle, there are plenty of models that will deliver without breaking the bank.

Consumer Reports just completed its annual gas grill tests, checking everything from how evenly a grill cooks meat to how well it can handle indirect heating, which is the low temperature you'll need to slow cook something like ribs.

Results show you may want to think a bit about how big of a grill to buy.

The $3,200 Napolean Prestige Pro is the only large gas grill that earned a Consumer Reports recommendation.

Experts say you'll get a little more bang for your buck with a midsized grill.

"Our tests find that grills in the mid-size range can typically hold about 18 to 28 burgers at once," Consumer Reports' Sara Morrow said. "That's plenty of space to cook for a crowd."

The $1,200 Weber Genesis is another option. It offers an add-on module called the iGrill3.

The feature connects to an app that tells grillers everything from a food's temperature and when it's done to how much gas is left in the propane tank.

For a better price, testers recommend the Nex-Grill from Home Depot for about $270. It's ready to grill in 10 minutes and holds an even temperature.

If you're short on space, consider the smaller Char-Broil grill for about $300. It heats evenly and offers a wide temperature range for cooking a variety of foods.

For charcoal lovers, Consumer Reports recommends the $80, 18-inch Weber Kettle Grill. It's a good choice for cookout basics such as burgers and hot dogs.

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