What’s the best 2-burner gas grill to buy? Well, most grill masters in the industry believe the Char-Broil Performance 300 is the best 2-burner gas grill around and I totally agree. Porcelain-coated cast iron grates, a conventional cooking system, and a total cooking space of 400 square inches all for an under $300 price is definitely a steal.
A 2-burner gas grill offers all the prerequisites for perfectly prepared grilled food. But wait, asides from the Char-Broil model, you’re going to find out four more outstanding gas grills that have just two but efficient burners. Having worked with grills all through cooking school and my career working as a professional chef. Today, I’ll review the best 2-burner gas grills on the market. I’ll also walk you through a guide to purchasing a new gas grill.
The sizzling of a juicy piece of meat on the grill is music to my ears. With these two-burner gas grill products, you’re halfway to a perfect grilling experience every weekend…or whenever you want.
Overall Best
I mentioned earlier that the Char-Broil Performance is the best 2-burner gas grill. It’s not just first because of the price. The cooking performance of this grill is top-notch, just as the name of this series suggests.
The Char-Broil Performance series gas grills feature two stainless steel gas burners. At the push of a button, the burners ignite and heat up the grill surface in just a few minutes.
There’s a thermometer in the hood used to monitor the grilling process. The two side shelves can be used to temporarily store grilled food or cutlery. If desired, they can be folded down.
Most people who are looking for a barbecue do not have a lot of outdoor space and therefore need a compact but still powerful model. The Char-Broil Performance is a small grill capable of cooking dishes such as meat or vegetables to perfection.
The lid and cabinet doors are made of coated steel. Moreover, there’s a lid-mounted temperature gauge. The grill also has porcelain coated burner plates and grill grates. The integrated warming rack, on the other hand, is made of stainless steel. For easy cleaning, the Char-Broil has a fat drip tray.
It’s ideal for those who do not have a big budget or a lot of cooking space in the kitchen or outside the home but still want a good grill.
From the product reviews, you can see that the level of customer satisfaction with this grill is very high despite the low price.
I particularly appreciate the grill’s ability to cook succulent and juicy meats. But don’t get your hopes too high, since it remains a 2-burner and 24K BTU grill.
Runner-up
I hesitated for a long time between the Weber Spirit II E-210 and the Char-Broil Signature Tru-Infrared when it came time to decide on the runner-up for this list. What attracted me to the Spirit II from the camping and grill items manufacturer is the larger cooking area which totals 450 square inches.
The Weber doesn’t give you any heat flares. It cooks evenly and quickly. True to its reputation, Weber offers with the Spirit II E-210, a high-quality barbecue, whose 10-year warranty will appeal to grilling enthusiasts.
For a low price, the Weber Spirit has high-quality stainless steel burners. However, these only produce 26,500 BTUs. This, in my opinion, makes the grill a little under-powered.
The whole Spirit II E-210 has a serious build quality. Its bowl and enameled lid are sturdy and durable. I would have appreciated a double-walled lid which would have allowed better heat retention.
It looks neat, elegant, and very charming. It should blend in perfectly with your outdoor kitchen. It’s quite portable and looks like the popular Giantex portable gas grill.
The burners are ignited by an electrode which emits a spark. The spark is generated manually or mechanically by a push button known as the electric piezo ignition. You can hear the well-known “click” when pressing the button.
The grill has good construction, decent power, and an attractive design for under $400. It will also be perfect for tight spaces. Although it could have been more powerful, I believe most buyers will be satisfied.
Best High-End 2-Burner Gas BBQ
The Char-Broil Signature Tru-Infrared is a true luxury grill that impressed me. Of the features on the Char-Broil, the porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grates are high-quality, easy to maintain, and efficient. The Signature Tru-Infrared’s lid is double-walled, allowing the unit to retain heat more efficiently.
Other elements make this propane and natural gas grill unique, such as its folding side shelves. Its integrated LED lights would make the grill ideal for those who like to cook at night.
The entire Signature line of the Char-Broil brand comes close to the quality of their commercial line. They are high-quality cooking appliances that often come with unique features, such as infrared technology. This actually eliminates what we call flashbacks during grilling, making the pieces of meat juicier since they retain more moisture.
Along those ines, the overall build quality of the grill is excellent. Its stainless steel structure is durable and gives it a clean, but very elegant and timeless look.
However, I feel the warranty offered by the manufacturer (10 years on the burners, 5 years on the tank, and 1 year on the other parts) is somewhat limited, considering the price and range of the product. However, the grill is built like a tank.
I might have appreciated the addition of a side burner for even more possibilities when cooking.
However, you’ll feel like you’ve got a real commercial, high-end barbecue in your hands. Its performance, durability, and unique features, such as infrared technology and integrated LED lights, make it simply unique.
Best Portable Gas Grill
This propane grill is designed for placement on terraces, even of relatively modest size. I like its two large durable wheels. It helps you move the grill easily when the need arises.
It is a portable grill that you would have first mistaken for a one-burner gas grill. This implies a slightly less cooking surface. But you still have the main grid of 393 square inches. In addition, Weber managed to integrate a warming rack that has a surface of 75 square inches.
With the outdoor grill, you will be able to plan a meal for 5 to 6 people.
There is a one control valve for each of the two burners. With the 21,700 total BTU per hour, the heat is stable, even if you open the lid from time to time.
Indirect cooking is very simple on this model. All you have to do is turn off one of the two burners. This will make it easy to make your roasts and fish tender and juicy and to practice slow cooking.
There aren’t many concessions to be made on comfort. You get two shelves, which can be removed or folded down. If they are useful for storing sauces and spices, you can keep them. If they create clutter, you remove them.
Weber has used its know-how to choose materials suitable for the use of this product. The tank and the lid are for example made of cast aluminum. The grill is in enameled cast iron and the burners are in stainless steel, to make cleaning faster.
Best Powerful 2-Burner Gas Grill
Affordable, high-quality and very efficient, the Napoleon Rogue 365 is a barbecue that has everything to please grill lovers. It has the highest burning power of my selections here. The cooking space is also one of the largest. Napoleon has the grates made in enameled cast iron.
The Napoleon Rogue may look at first sight like a 3-burner gas grill. However, it’s got just two! It definitely stands out from the competition, thanks to its quality parts and its burning power.
In my opinion, the Napoleon Rogue 365 is the most attractive 2-burner gas grill for several reasons. It is the most balanced in terms of power, quality of construction materials, sturdiness, and durability.
The Rogue 365 also comes with an impressive 15-year warranty, which is a signature of the Canadian manufacturer.
Its enameled cast iron grids are of high quality and absorb heat well.
Combined with the heating power of 37,000 BTUs (British Thermal Units). These can easily sear and mark pieces of meat or cook them slowly for hours. This incredible BBQ ensures even heat distribution.
In the same vein, its sturdy structure and quality parts shouldn’t rust anytime soon. Its aluminum tank is particularly resistant to shocks and incidents.
Its “look” is simple, but extremely attractive, thanks in particular to the matte black finish of the lid.
In addition, its impressive cooking surface of 460 square inches is enough to cook several foods at the same time.
Finally, its attractive price makes it rather affordable for such a high-quality BBQ. The Napoleon Rogue 365 proves that a freestanding 2-burner gas grill can be just as efficient as a 3- or 4-burner grill. Plus it saves cooking space and, of course, money. The average grill lover will love it, as well as the experienced cook.
They say a grill master is only as good as his grill. While a one-burner grill will lack that charm to deliver good results or up your grilling game, a 3 or 4-burner gas grill is not needed if you’re not hosting a crowd.
However, when you’re buying a 2-burner gas grill, what are the main things to watch out for? Well, first, I suggest you should check the BTU rating and the ability to grill directly or indirectly. The burning power and the grill surface are based on the average number of people you want to grill for.
The construction material of the grill and the grate will also provide information about how durable the grill is and how the grilling result turns out.
In the rest of this section, you’ll find out what to watch out for to choose the best 2-burner gas grill for you.
As the name suggests, two-burner grills always have two burners installed. This compares favorably to 1-burner models as the latter have lower grilling power and uneven heat distribution on the inside of the grill.
With a 2-burner model, you can precisely control and regulate the temperature. Grills with three or four burners are more effective though. Except that they are also a lot more expensive.
The power of a gas grill is measured in British thermal units (BTU) in the US or kilowatts in Europe, Africa, and Asia, according to the metric system of measurement.
The higher the BTU rating, the more gas your selected grill will burn in an hour. In addition, a larger grilling area requires more power. However, the gas grill should be able to produce a sufficient temperature even with low consumption.
Only a few models have an output of less than 20,000 BTU. Most 2-burner gas grills have between seven and ten kilowatts (23,000 to 34,000 BTUs). Any grill within this range is considered powerful.
Still talking about performance and taking this comparison out of the scope to the line of charcoal grill models for example, these grills burn a lot cleaner. It burns about 2 times less carbon monoxide than a charcoal grill for example.
Would you like to grill items such as steaks, fish, or skewers and add some side dishes too? A grilling surface area of around 200 square inches is enough for a two-person household.
For a small family of three to four people, 300 to 450 square inches is sufficient. However, a barbecue is usually a community event to which guests are invited. Your 2-burner gas grill should have a grilling surface of at least 400 square inches.
There are three typical materials used in the construction of gas grills. You always have the choice between stainless steel and cast iron grills as well as models finished with an enameled surface. In the table below, I’ll show you some of the advantages and disadvantages of different materials for grills.
Grill Material | Advantages | Disadvantages |
Stainless Steel | High-quality, durable, and easy-to-clean material | Low heat retention capacity |
Cast Iron | Heavy-duty, extremely durable, and very good heat retention | Heavier and takes longer to heat |
Enamel (Coating) | Protection against rust and easy cleaning | May crack if mishandled |
The grill grate is ultimately responsible for the grilling result. It doesn’t matter how experienced the grill master may be, an inferior quality grate may cause you to end up with undesirable grilling results.
Stainless steel grates are the best choice for lazy grill masters…or I’ll say everyone conscious of the cleanability (or ease of cleaning) of their grills. They clean well due to the non-stickiness of the material.
However, they don’t retain heat quite well. However, they’re not that bad. Their heat storage capacity is sufficient to achieve good grilling results, but the grill marks are not very pronounced if you like to sear your steaks on the grill.
Stainless steel grates have an attractive design and are of high-quality, which is why they are relatively expensive.
If you want a grill for searing meat, you should find one that includes cast iron grates. This was why most of my selections in the best 2-burner gas grill review have enameled cast iron grates.
Why are they enameled? Well, cast iron grates are known for being pretty bad at maintenance. So, the enamel gives them some shine or “stainless steel quality” at the cleaning level.
Cast iron grates are heavy but have the best heat retention properties. However, grilling at low temperatures is difficult because cast iron grill heats up very quickly.
At high temperatures, grilled food can easily burn. However, grill markings appear easily on cast iron grate gas grills. They rust too quickly, however.
Keep in mind that the rust should not be cleaned with coarse brushes as this will damage the surface and make the cast iron susceptible to more rust.
Chrome-plated grates are cool. However, if the protective chrome layer is damaged, it will quickly rust. As soon as the chrome layer becomes porous, the grate loses its non-stick properties, and the food sticks to it or burns more quickly.
A chrome-plated grate should always be cleaned and cared for more quickly. Otherwise, it is almost impossible to clean once the layer has been damaged.
Also, note that the grill grates also differ from each other in terms of shape. You have the choice between a bar, wave, and v-shaped grate.
The quality of the grilling result does not depend on the shape. It is up to you what the perfect steak looks like for you.
Another important thing to consider is the design of the gas burner. Conventional rod burners are always hotter at the back than at the front because the heat “shoots through” to the rear.
This is completely normal and cannot be completely prevented, even with high-quality burner systems.
The temperature difference on the grill surface is therefore not a problem with high-quality gas grills because the difference is only minimal. Especially since the experienced grill master knows their grill and can use this difference profitably.
For example, to give the sausages or hot dogs a little more brownness, they can simply push them further back onto the grilling surface and place perfectly browned sausages in front.
The situation is different with cheaper gas grills. Often, too little material is used for the burners and the flame protection plates/flame distributors.
So, the heat has no opportunity to spread over the entire surface. Thin spreader material simply has too little heat retention to even out the temperature across the cooking surface.
There are some ingenious solutions from the leading manufacturers to counteract this effectively and to adjust the heat difference almost perfectly:
Napoleon, for example, placed the burner covers at an angle (lower at the back than the front) over the burners so that the heat was directed straight back to the front.
The flame distributors are also made of a particularly thick material. This means that no “heat is lost” and it can be stored in the material.
In addition, in the Rogue series, additional flame distributor plates are even placed in the spaces between the burners. These bundle the heat there, store and distribute it perfectly on the grill surface.
Weber, on the other hand, uses conventional rod burners. For example in the Genesis series as well as Napoleon’s Rogue series, additional flame spreaders are used between the burners to distribute the heat so the grill cooks evenly over the grill surface.
However, there is a big difference in the design of the Weber burners. These are not made from a tube but from a rectangular-shaped rod. The outlet holes for the gas and the flames are only directed upwards and not, as is usual, in two rows on the left and right of the burner tube.
As a result, the heat is only emitted upwards and is not evenly distributed to the left and right directly from the burner itself.
Note: For perfect heat distribution, the burners must have even exit holes on the left and right of the burner tube. They must also be made of solid stainless steel.
The stronger and more massive the flame protection plates are made, the better the heat can be stored and thus distributed. If the spaces between the burners themselves are also covered with flame spreaders/flame protection plates, even better and perfect heat distribution is achieved.
Again, the better the entire surface above the burners is covered with solid flame spreaders, the more evenly the heat is distributed over the entire grilling surface.
With a 2-burner gas grill, you always have the option of grilling directly or indirectly. However, not all models offer both options.
With direct grilling, both burners are set to full power, and the grill is preheated quite quickly. Then the food comes on the grill and is prepared at approximately 450 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit according to Weber, depending on the recipe.
Then you have to close the lid and only open it to turn the food once after four to five minutes.
The principle is comparable to searing in a pan and is suitable for meat with short cooking times, such as steaks or chops.
With indirect grilling, the 2-burner gas grill is first preheated as always. Then you have to switch off one of the two burners and place the food on it. Note that it must not come into contact with the open flame.
Due to the closed lid and uneven heat distribution, the air inside begins to circulate.
This grilling method is comparable to the convection program in an oven. The grilled food is prepared gently and does not have to be turned. This is ideal for foods that take longer than 15 minutes to cook, such as roasts.
If your 2-burner gas grill can grill both directly and indirectly, it makes sense to combine the two methods, especially for particularly juicy roasts.
The combination of the two grilling methods ensures that the meat is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
The standard two-burner grill is a stand-alone unit that has a hinged lid, a base cabinet with doors, and two shelves on the sides. The base cabinet is so spacious that there is usually space for two gas bottles.
Some models have practical wheels that allow the grill to be moved easily. Brakes ensure that the device stays in place. Castors are particularly useful since 2-burner gas grills weigh around 35 to 120 pounds.
If you own a terrace kitchen, you can also get the two-burner grill as a built-in version. As a table model, this type of grill is particularly small and can also be used in small spaces, such as a balcony.
Some models also offer cooking space for barbecue cutlery hooks on which you can hang appropriate utensils.
Anyone who needs to store their gas grill in a space-saving way or maybe only has a small niche on the balcony or in the garden for the gas grill cart should pay attention to foldable side shelves.
Side trays without side burners usually always fold down. If a side burner is installed, you should therefore ask again exactly whether it can also be folded down. This is, however, not possible with all models, such as with the Prestige Pro Series in the high-end range from Napoleon.
The features and components on each two-burner gas grills vary significantly. You should definitely take these into account when selecting your gas grill. However, the more these features are found on a grill, the more expensive they get.
So, analyze your budget before continuing. And if you don’t find these features on your grill, you can simply purchase them seperately. Just ensure your grill supports the addition of the accessory.
A side burner is a gas burner that is installed on a side shelf of the grill. It is ideal for preparing side dishes, sauces, soups, and wok dishes. The side cooker has a lid to conveniently cover it when not in use. The side shelf can be used as an additional storage area.
Another feature I like to have is the back burner. This spit roast burner sits at the back of a BBQ and emits heat vertically. If you hang the chicken on the rotisserie, it gets a perfect crust thanks to the constant rotating movement of the rotisserie.
A fat tray can be placed under the meat to catch the roast juices. Without a backburner, the chicken is cooked indirectly, which also achieves good results, but just does not come close to chicken on a rotisserie.
The backburner is good equipment if the grill master really wants to “let off steam” with culinary delights. However, a rotisserie can also be used without a backburner.
A warming rack sits at the rear of the cooking cavity above the grill surface. It is a very versatile accessory. Whether it’s just keeping ready-cooked delicacies warm, searing meat “to continue cooking” or preparing all kinds of vegetables, potatoes, or baguettes: the warming rack offers a wide range of different uses.
It is clearly a “must” if you want the best 2-burner grill. It also adds up to the cooking space because you can actually have an indirect zone here.
Two-burner grills use gas from a separate bottle located in the base cabinet of the grill. A hose directs the gas from the bottle into the grill chamber, like your kitchen oven.
The two different burners can be controlled with the knob controls on the front of the grill and the gas outlet will be regulated. You can use a pressure gauge to see how full the gas bottle is. You ignite the gas using a match or the built-in spark. I’m talking about the so-called piezo ignition.
The temperature inside the grill chamber can be adjusted using the front dial or knob. The escaping meat juices and liquids are collected on a fat drip tray, also known as a fat drawer. You can then pull it out, empty, and clean it.
Two-burner gas grills offer the perfect balance between cost (initial and operating cost) and efficiency. The dual burner design gives you versatility in cooking multiple kinds of meats and combining two different grilling temperatures at the same time.
2-burner gas grills are enough for small groups of diners (between 2 to 5). However, if you need more space, there are gas grills with two main burners and another small one like the Napoleon Rogue 365 which has up to 460 square inches of cooking space and can serve up to 11 people. It is almost the same as some 3-burner gas grills like the Master Cook. Obviously, a 2-burner grill isn’t enough when serving large crowds at an event.
I recommend a gas grill with 2 burners for beginners, but also for anyone who prefers a slightly small and portable grill.
Even if they only have 2 burners, the best 2-burner gas grills still includes the modern grilling technology and still ensure tasty results.
Just ensure you watch out for the heating power (anywhere from 23,000 to 30,000 BTU), total cooking surface (at least 400 square inches), and the materials key components such as the grates are made of.
Wishing you best of luck with your purchase!
