Market Data
How We Test Gas Grills to Ensure Top Performance
When it comes to evaluating the best gas grills, it’s not just about how they look or the features they boast. The real test lies in how they perform under various cooking scenarios. To get a comprehensive understanding of a grill’s capabilities, we conduct three rigorous tests: cooking ribs, grilling a whole chicken, and searing burgers. These tests are designed to assess how efficiently and evenly a grill can handle different meats, heat settings, and cooking methods. By the end, we can confidently determine whether a grill is worth your hard-earned money.
Test 1: Ribs – A Low and Slow Challenge
Our first test is all about ribs, a classic barbecue favorite. While purists might argue that true rib cooking requires hours of smoking, we focus on how well a standard propane gas grill can handle low and slow cooking. Here’s how we set it up: each grill is preheated on high for 10 minutes before being turned down to low, indirect heat. Depending on the grill size, this means turning off one or two burners completely.
We then prepare a rack of pork back ribs by removing the outer membrane and seasoning them with a universal rub perfect for both ribs and chicken. The ribs are placed on the grates, and the lid stays closed for the entire cooking time. Our baseline test runs for three hours, but if time permits, we continue cooking until the ribs are fully done, noting the total cook time. This test gives us a clear picture of how well the grill can maintain consistent low heat and evenly cook the meat without burning or undercooking.
Test 2: Whole Chicken – Midrange Heat and Moisture Retention
Next up is the whole chicken test, designed to evaluate how well the grill performs with a midrange cook time and medium heat settings. Here’s the setup: the grill is preheated on high for 10 minutes before turning it down to medium heat. We then create an indirect heat environment by turning off specific burners, depending on the grill’s configuration.
We season a whole chicken, trimmed to around 5.5 pounds for consistency, and place it in a roasting pan. To ensure accuracy, we insert temperature probes into each chicken breast, even if the grill has a built-in thermometer. These probes are connected to a data logger and laptop running software that records the internal temperature every two seconds. The chicken cooks until both breasts reach a food-safe 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
The goal here is to achieve perfectly cooked chicken with crispy skin and juicy, fully cooked meat that’s not dry. We conduct this test in three rounds to get an average cooking time for each grill. This test not only assesses the grill’s ability to cook evenly but also its capacity to retain moisture and deliver that perfect balance of crispiness and tenderness.
Test 3: Burgers – High Heat and Even Cooking
Our final test is all about burgers, a staple for any backyard grilling session. This test evaluates how well the grill handles high heat and whether it can cook burgers evenly without hot spots. Here’s how we do it: we measure out 5.3 ounces of 80/20 ground beef and shape it into uniform patties. These patties are placed in a grill basket, and a temperature probe is inserted into the center of each patty at a 45-degree angle.
The grill is preheated on high for 10 minutes, and the basket is placed over direct heat. After six minutes of cooking, we flip the basket and monitor the internal temperature. The cooking process continues until the last burger in the batch reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit, the recommended doneness for safe consumption.
A good burger in this test should have a nice char on the outside and a slightly pink center. But just as important as the taste is the consistency. If one burger consistently reaches the desired temperature before the others, it indicates hot spots on the grill’s surface. While a 15- to 20-degree difference across the batch is normal, anything above 30 degrees raises red flags, suggesting uneven heating.
Why These Tests Matter
These three tests—ribs, chicken, and burgers—cover a wide range of grilling scenarios and heat settings, making them a comprehensive way to evaluate a grill’s performance. The rib test assesses low and slow cooking, the chicken test evaluates midrange heat and moisture retention, and the burger test checks high-heat searing and even cooking. Together, they paint a complete picture of how a grill will perform in real-world conditions.
By conducting these tests, we can identify grills that excel in specific areas or those that offer a well-rounded performance. Whether you’re a rib fanatic, a chicken connoisseur, or a burger aficionado, these tests ensure that we recommend grills that will meet your needs and deliver delicious results every time.
Conclusion: Finding Your Perfect Grill
Choosing the right gas grill can be overwhelming with so many options on the market. That’s why we put each grill through these rigorous tests—to cut through the noise and give you the facts. By focusing on real-world scenarios and meticulous data collection, we ensure that our recommendations are based on performance, not just marketing claims.
So, whether you’re a seasoned grilling pro or a backyard beginner, these tests help you find a grill that will make your cooking easier, more enjoyable, and most importantly, more delicious. After all, there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of a perfectly grilled meal, and the right grill can make all the difference.
