Having the right kind of grill for you is essential in being the best grillmaster you can be. Some prefer a classic charcoal grill for the cookout, while others go for the fancy infra-red grill. One of the most efficient and convenient grills that's also great for the environment is a natural gas grill.
What is a Natural Gas Grill?
Upgrading your outdoor cooking set-up to a natural gas (NG) grill is one of the best things you can do for your grilling game, wallet and the environment. Natural gas grills use hydrocarbon-based fuels for their heat source rather than relying on charcoal or a propane tank. To use this, you need a natural gas installation in your home. They work by running off of a main gas supply, similar to how your oven runs in your home.
Although this is pricy to start, it becomes cost-effective when you start using your grill, since you don't need to continue to buy gas like you would for a propane gas grill. Many natural gas grills come with a kit that show how to set up a gas line reaching your deck or yard, making the process easier.
How to Use a Natural Gas Grill
Using a natural gas grill is surprisingly simple. Start by opening the lid to make sure there's no gas buildup. Then, find the gas hose and inspect if for any cracks or wear.
If your gas hose looks good, turn the gas shut-off valve from closed to open. At this point, natural gas is flowing to your grill.
Turn one burner up to high. Depending on your grill, it'll self-ignite or you'll need to press the ignition button. If it still doesn't spark, you can typically manually light the grill with a long match or lighter.
Once the burner is lit turn the other burners to high. Then, close the lid and allow the temperature to increase until it reaches 500 degrees, which should take about fifteen minutes.
Adjust the temperature controls to reach the temperature you need for your recipe. Grill away!
When you're done, turn the burners off and turn the valve back to the closed position. Leave the grill to cool off completely before cleaning it. Here's a video tutorial for those who prefer watching!
Best natural Gas Grills
If learning about this convenient, energy-efficient type of grill has inspired you to get your own, here's our list of the best ones to buy:
1. Weber Spirit II 3-Burner Natural Gas Grill
The Weber Spirit II E-310 gas grill is a great option for a dependable, user-friendly natural gas grill. It has a 10-year warranty and is built for durability. The Gs4 grilling system featured has porcelain-enameled Flavorizer Bars, a grease management system, cast-iron cooking grates, and infinity ignition. There are 529 square inches of cooking space, giving you enough room to grill for everyone at the BBQ. The built-in thermometer and open cart design make this grill easy to use.
2. Weber Genesis II 4-Burner Natural Gas Grill
Another Weber option, the Weber Genesis II S-435 provides even more cooking area than the Weber Spirit II, making it ideal for big cookouts and get-togethers. This natural gas grill has high-quality stainless steel burners, a grease management system, and flavorizer bars. The cooking surface includes 4 burners, 1 side burner and 1 sear station burner, with a combined 69,000 BTUs of output. There's also a tuck-away warming rack to expand your options while cooking. Along with this, the cooking grates are made for heat retention and even heat distribution.
3. Monument Grills 4-Burner Cabinet Style Natural Gas Grill
This Monument Grill also features 4 stainless steel burners with 1 side burner, delivering 60,000 BTU total. With 723 square inches of grilling area, you'll never run out of cooking space, from the primary cooking area to the warming rack area. The porcelain-coated cast iron cooking grates are designed for even grilling to ensure that your dishes are cooked evenly throughout. This heavy duty grill also has a clear lid to allow you to check on your food and keep it from burning. Make sure to buy the Monument Grills Conversion Kit to use this as a NG grill.
4. Napoleon Natural Gas Grill With Infrared Side and Rear Burner
The Napolean Natural Gas Grill has an Infrared rear burner and side and a rotisserie burner, making this grill even more versatile and efficient. There are 4 stainless steel main burners that produce 48,000 BTU input, along with the sear plates that are made for even distribution. You can cook 31 burgers on this grill simultaneously! The quick-start function allows the Napoleon prestige 500 to light up quickly, and the infrared side burner heats up to 1800 degrees F in 30 seconds. This NG Grill is made for safety as well, with knobs that glow red when the burner is on so that you don't accidentally leave it going. Plus, the seven stainless steel sear plates will catch any drippings, preventing flare-ups. This grill is perfect for the tailgate, BBQ or family reunion.
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