Stainless steel grills often come at a higher price than lower price generic charcoal smokers. The last thing you want is to spend money on something that will break down a year after you buy it.
That’s why we’ve tested and reviewed the best stainless steel grill models to help you avoid the duds.
The Best Stainless Steel Grills
- Best Overall Stainless Steel Grill: Pit Boss Stainless Steel Grill
- Cheapest Stainless Steel Grill: Hamilton Beach Electric Searing Grill
- Best High-Capacity Smart Pellet Grill: Traeger Timberline Wood Pellet Grill
- Ideal Mid-Range Stainless Steel Grill: Weber Genesis II
- Premium Quality Stainless Steel Grill: Weber Summit Stainless Gas Grill
- Best Value Stainless Steel Grill: Char-Broil 6-Burner Cabinet Grill
- Top-Performing Smokeless Indoor Stainless Steel Grill: Breville Smokeless Steel
- Leading Portable Stainless Steel Grill: Cuisinart Propane Tabletop Grill
- Best High-Performance Stainless Steel Grill: Napoleon Prestige Stainless Steel
- Best Heavy-Duty Stainless Steel Grill: Broil King Signet 320 Natural Gas Grill
- Best Small Electric Stainless Steel Grill: T-fal OptiGrill
11 Best Stainless Steel Grills Of 2024:
1 - Pit Boss Stainless Steel Gas Grill (Best Overall)
The new Pit Boss 2-burner stainless steel gas grill is a portable grill that you can bring during your weekly camping trips or regular tailgating parties.
With a 275 square inches cooking space, it's large enough to grill food for all your guests.
We particularly like its seamless and lightweight design. The latching hood and the folding legs make it flexible to carry around. You'll also find two 10,000-BTU burners that can be controlled independently for a more versatile grilling experience.
With these features, you can either go slow or do a quick sear. It's up to you. The Pit Boss portable stainless steel grill will make your next tailgate party easy and stress-free.
- Portable stainless steel gas grill
- 20,000 BTU heat output
- Folding legs and latching hood
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Includes a dome thermometer
- No locks on the folding legs
Quick Facts:
- Total Grill Cooking Area : 275 square inches
- Total BTUs : 20000
- Primary Grid Burner Number : 2
- Dimension : 23 x 19.5 x 16 inches
- Material : Stainless Steel
- Power Source : Propane
2 - Traeger Timberline 1300 Wood Pellet Grill (Best High-Capacity Smart Grill)
The Traeger Timberline 1300 is a pellet grill designed for serious pitmasters. This grill has a pellet hopper that can hold up to 24 lbs of pellets, letting you cook for hours on end without needing to refill.
It also features a pellet level sensor that will alert you if your fuel starts to get low.
The included meat probe keeps you from ever having to raise the grill's lid to check on your food, and the digital controller with WiFi technology lets you can control how your food is cooked from your smartphone.
The Timberline also features a bamboo cutting board and front shelf for added convenience.
I appreciate that this grill is designed for flavor. The downdraft exhaust system keeps smoke constantly flowing over my meat. Another great feature is the Timberline 1300's Super Smoke Mode which lets me push a button and get a boost of smoke for added flavor.
- Excellent smoke flavor
- Locking all-terrain wheels
- Dual-position grate
- Higher price tag
Quick Facts:
- Total Grill Cooking Area : 1300 square inches
- Total BTUs : N/A
- Primary Grid Burner Number : N/A
- Dimension : 58 x 28 x 51 inches
- Material : Powder Coated Steel
- Power Source : Wood Pellets
3 - Weber Genesis II (Ideal Mid-Range)
Weber is among the most well-known manufacturers of BBQ grills in the United States and one of the oldest with over 120 years in business.
Their Genesis II Stainless Steel Grill strikes a good balance between quality and pricing and maybe a good choice if you want a durable grill without a bank-busting price.
Genesis II has 513 square inches of primary heat zone and a warming area of 156 square inches. The cooking grates are stainless steel and capable of solid heat retention to aid in cooking.
- Heavy-duty 7mm stainless steel grates
- Primary cooking area over 500 square inches
- Gs4 high-performance cooking system
- Side shelves with burner for simmering
- Needs natural gas plumbing to use
- Grill cover price separate
Quick Facts:
- Total Grill Cooking Area : 669 square inches
- Total BTUs : N/A
- Primary Grid Burner Number : 3
- Dimension : 59 x 29 x 47 inches
- Material : Stainless Steel
- Power Source : Propane
4 - Hamilton Beach Electric Searing Grill (Cheapest Option)
Hamilton Beach is a staple in kitchens around the United States and a well-known manufacturer of quality appliances.
Their stainless steel electric searing grill continues in this tradition providing those with limited space the ability to cook meats in their kitchen.
The unit runs at 1,200 watts and is capable of searing at temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees celsius) or grilling at lower temperatures.
According to Hamilton Beach, the grill is capable of cooking up to six servings at a time. However, we found during testing that this was highly dependent on what you are cooking.
- Easily portable and usable indoors
- Viewing window in the lid
- Easy to clean dishwasher-safe build
- Cooks both meat and vegetables
- Limited cooking space
- Cannot be used for smoking
Quick Facts:
- Total Grill Cooking Area : 118 square inches
- Total BTUs : N/A
- Primary Grid Burner Number : 1
- Dimension : 12.4 x 16.73 x 6.81 inches
- Material : Stainless Steel
- Power Source : Electric
5 - Weber Summit Stainless Gas Grill (Premium Quality)
The Weber Summit is a step above the Genesis II in construction quality which is why this Weber grill is so expensive.
This is a highly durable and quality built stainless steel grill with options to purchase it as either a liquid propane gas grill or a natural gas grill.
This stainless steel gas grill comes with a solid 760 square inches of cooking space with stainless steel cooking grids and flavorizer bars. The has ample shelving with a side burner and 6-burners in the main cooking chamber.
The unit also has a 10 000 BTU side sear station and rear-mounted infrared rotisserie burner.
- Snap-jet individual burner ignition system
- 760 square inches of primary cooking space
- Uses a standard 20 lb propane tank
- Multiple side shelves for storage
- Less affordable than the Genesis II
- Grill cover not included in price
Quick Facts:
- Total Grill Cooking Area : 760 square inches
- Total BTUs : 60800
- Primary Grid Burner Number : 6
- Dimension : 47 x 30.5 x 52 inches
- Material : Stainless Steel
- Power Source : Propane
6 - Char-Broil 6-Burner Cabinet Grill (Best Value)
If you’re looking for a lower cost stainless steel propane grill, the Char-Broil 6-burner propane gas grill provides a good entry-level option.
This isn’t as feature-rich as some of the other stainless steel grill units on this list.
It has everything you will need, including an ample 650 square inches of cooking surface and porcelain-coated cast-iron grates.
The Char-Broil comes with side table shelves and storage space underneath, along with a removable grease pan for easy cleaning.
This Char-Broil grill can be a good choice for a backyard barbecue and preferable to simpler brands such as Monument Grills Stainless Steel.
- More affordable than similar gas grills
- 6 burners plus one side burner
- Removable, grease management system
- 650 square inches of primary cooking surface
- Cover not included in price
- No viewing window
Quick Facts:
- Total Grill Cooking Area : 650 square inches
- Total BTUs : 60000
- Primary Grid Burner Number : 6
- Dimension : 24.5 x 62.4 x 45 inches
- Material : Stainless Steel
- Power Source : Propane
7 - Breville Smokeless Steel (Top-Performing Smokeless Indoor Grill)
Breville is another home appliance manufacturer with a solid reputation for quality and durable products.
Their Smokeless Stainless Steel grills best for those who have limited space and need to cook inside but still want grilled meat.
The grill is capable of cooking at temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius) with six adjustable height settings for different meats.
The unit has easy to use control knobs with a digital control panel and thermometer reading to make cooking easier. It comes equipped with an integrated removable grease pan and dishwasher safe cooking plates.
- Easy to clean removable drip tray
- Non-stick burner plates
- 1-year warranty
- 1-800 watt cooking system
- Not for large cooking
- Can’t be used for smoking meats
Quick Facts:
- Total Grill Cooking Area : N/A
- Total BTUs : N/A
- Primary Grid Burner Number : 1
- Dimension : 16 x 14 x 5 inches
- Material : Stainless Steel
- Power Source : Electric
8 - Cuisinart Propane Tabletop Grill (Leading Portable Grill)
Cuisinart is another well-known kitchen appliance manufacturer popular for its quality stainless steel gas grill units.
Their propane tabletop grill has a fast and easy setup and can grill both large and small food with the two-burner propane gas grill system.
This propane grill's total weight is only 22 lbs (9.07 kilograms), making it both compact and easily portable.
Each of the burners is a 10 000 BTU unit with dedicated knobs for each burner. The removable drip tray also makes this convenient to clean up after use.
- No assembly required
- Works with a standard propane tank
- Integrated thermometer and adjustable burner knobs
- Easily removable drip tray
- Limited cooking area
- Tote cover not included in price
Quick Facts:
- Total Grill Cooking Area : 276.75 square inches
- Total BTUs : 20000
- Primary Grid Burner Number : 2
- Dimension : 21.5 x 19 x 15 inches
- Material : Stainless Steel
- Power Source : Propane
9 - Napoleon Prestige 500 Stainless Steel 4-Burner Gas Grill (Best High-Performance)
The Napoleon Prestige 500 is one of the more interesting stainless steel grills with sophisticated looking LED knobs.
The Napoleon grill has 500 square inches of main cooking space along with an infrared side burner and burner plus warming rack.
The unit is a 4-burner propane gas system operating at 48,000 BTUs per-hour. The side infrared sear station burner can heat up to 1,800 degrees in 30 seconds for quick searing.
You can also use the rear infrared smoker burner with rotisserie cooking rods for chickens and other meats.
- Infrared side burner searing system
- 500 square inch cooking surface
- Stainless steel 4-burner system
- Easy use JETFIRE ignition system
- Waterproof cover not included in price
- Rotisserie basket not included in price
Quick Facts:
- Total Grill Cooking Area : 500 square inches
- Total BTUs : 48000
- Primary Grid Burner Number : 4
- Dimension : 26.5 x 66.25 x 50.25 inches
- Material : Stainless Steel
- Power Source : Propane
10 - Broil King Imperial Signet 320 Natural Gas Grill (Best Heavy-Duty)
The Broil King Signet 320 is designed for heavy-duty grilling. This gas grill weighs in at over 137 lbs (62 kilograms) and over 56 inches (143 centimeters) in length.
This model can be purchased as either liquid propane or natural gas fuel source.
The patented dual-tube burners can make grilling food easier by providing more even temperatures across the cooking surface. The cast stainless steel construction cooking grates also help to provide better heat retention.
Broil King also has the best warranty we’ve seen with 10-year protection for the main burners and side burner.
- Ample storage space for food
- Infinity ignition system
- 6-burner gas grill
- 60,000 BTU main burner output
- Purchase price reflective of quality
- Bulky and less easy to move
Quick Facts:
- Total Grill Cooking Area : N/A
- Total BTUs : 60000
- Primary Grid Burner Number : 6
- Dimension : 76 x 24.8 x 49.2 inches
- Material : Stainless Steel
- Power Source : Propane
11 - T-fal OptiGrill (Best Small Electric Grill)
T-fal is well known for its non-stick frying pans and other kitchen appliances. However, they also have a solid lineup of small kitchen grills.
Their OptiGrill stainless Steel grill may be a good option if you can’t use a larger grill or a stainless steel propane gas grill such as those listed above.
The OptiGrill comes with six pre-programmed push-button cook settings for various types of meats and vegetables. It has two removable ceramic grill plates for easy cleanup and maintenance and operates at 1,800 watts.
- Manual and pre-programmed food settings
- Compact size for a smaller place
- Removable easy-clean cooking grates
- Made from performance stainless steel
- Smaller cooking area
- No cover included in the price
Quick Facts:
- Total Grill Cooking Area : N/A
- Total BTUs : N/A
- Primary Grid Burner Number : 1
- Dimension : 18.9 x 9 x 14.8 inches
- Material : Stainless Steel
- Power Source : Electric
How To Pick The Best Stainless Steel Grill:
1. Number of Burners
When it comes to the best gas grills, more burners are always better. The reason for this is that individual burners allow you more control over temperature. For example, if you are only smoking a few steaks on a four-burner grill, you can turn on just the burners you need for precise heat control.
On the other hand, if you are trying to cook a brisket, you can turn on all four burners to make sure the temperature is optimal. If you only had one or two burners in the case of the brisket, it may be more difficult to reach the needed temperature.
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2. Total Cooking Surface
Cooking surface is one of the most important aspects of selecting the right steel charcoal grills or gas grills. If you are planning on regularly cooking for large groups, the last thing you want to find is you can’t make enough food for everyone.
Total cooking surface is typically measured by the square inch. For the average grill user, we recommend around 500 square inches or more of the cooking area.
However, if you know that you are going to cook large amounts of food, it may be a good idea to look for 1,000 square inches of cooking space or more.
3. BTU Output
BTU stands for the British Thermal Unit and is a measurement of energy. This measurement refers to how much energy is required to increase one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit (1). Concerning gas grills, this tells you how much fuel a grill will use.
Higher BTU output doesn’t necessarily mean that a grill is better. Gas grills are required to have a vent for safety purposes (2). With some grills brands, extra heat generated from high BTU output may just escape out the vent. The point here is that it isn’t always best to just buy the highest BTU grill, such as Monument Grills.
When it comes to the amount of power in a natural gas grill, an output of 75 to 100 BTU per square inch is considered optimal.
- Bob Beacham, Chicago Tribune Consumer Reviews (3)
4. Temperature Control
Temperature control can play a huge role in how easy gas grills are to operate. There is a wide range of options when it comes to temperature control in stainless steel grills, with much of it depending on the type of grill you have.
A coated cast iron charcoal grill, for example, will require you to manually control temperatures through a damper. Electric grills, on the other hand, can have digital control panels allowing you to set the temperature with ease.
Grills best for beginners in terms of temperature control will be those that allow you to easily set the temperature either through a top-notch digital control panel or with a well-labeled knob.
5. Power Source
For charcoal grills, your power source will come in the form of charcoal and wood fuel. If your grill uses electricity or gas, though, you need to think about the logistics.
Many of the best stainless steel grills are quite large and bulky and will require lots of space. In the case of gas grills, these may require that you have natural gas piping installed in the area you plan on grilling.
Before deciding on which grill you will use, it’s important that you take into consideration what power course or fuel type you will need to operate it. Then, decide if you have the proper configuration in the area you plan on using your grill.
6. Stainless Steel Grade
Depending on the climate where you live, the grade of the steel will be an important factor. You ideally want material that is going to be resistant to corrosion and rust. This holds especially true if you are in an area near the ocean.
Many of the top steel grills will use 304 stainless steel, also known as A2 grade steel. This is usually steel that has a higher chromium and nickel content, which helps prevent corrosion (4).
Stainless Steel is widely used in food- and beverage-relevant applications because of its high corrosion resistance in combination with good mechanical properties.
- Neda Mazinanian
KTH Royal Institute of Technology (5)
7. Grate Material
The cooking grates are one of the most used and abused parts of your grill and need to be made from top materials if they are going to last. From our experience, the best grill grates are usually made from cast-iron.
Cast-iron retains heat easily and cools down much more slowly. This also makes it good for creating sear marks in steaks and hot dogs and burgers. After testing dozens of grills, we’ve also found cast-iron to be easy to clean.
If you opt for a Weber Grill, you can also look into the flavorizer bars that they install in their grill models. These help to drip grease away from burner tubes to prevent flare-ups.
Recommended Article: Cast Iron Vs Stainless Steel Grill Grates
8. Ease of Use and Maintenance
Typically speaking, charcoal grill models are more difficult to use than gas and electric. If you're buying your first grill or have less experience handling charcoal, you may find it easier to use gas or electric.
The best thing is that gas and electric grills are easier to clean than charcoal. You don’t have to worry about ash cleanup or excess smoke coating the inside of your cooking chamber. So, if you are looking for ease of use and low maintenance, your best bet is to go for an electric or gas grill.
Read More: Why Are Drop-In Grills So Expensive?
9. Extra Features
You can get with a steel smoker or grill numerous extra features, depending on the price you are willing to pay.
Some of the more common features that we like to look for include:
- Fuel gauge for propane grills
- Side tables for storing plates
- Hooks for holding grilling tools
- Side burner for warming plates
- Top lights for night cooking
- Shelving for
Aside from these, you can find everything from internal monitoring probes that connect to your phone via Bluetooth to LED accent lights, making night cooking easier. The best grill models will have all of these but will also come with a much higher price tag.
Maintaining Your Stainless Grill
It is always best to make sure you are staying on top of grill maintenance by cleaning everything from top to bottom.
Before you clean, make sure to disconnect the gas or unplug the electricity for safety.
The process of cleaning your stainless grill is as follows:
Step One: Clean The Grill Grates
Clean the propane grill grates by first scraping excess fat and debris with a grill brush.
Read More: How to Clean Stainless Steel Grill Grates?
The best brushes will have steel bristles that can easily scrape through thick fat and anything else stuck on them. After this, wipe each of the grills down with warm water.
Step Two: Clean The Burners
You next want to remove the burner covers and clean them the same way you cleaned the grates. Next, lightly brush the burner tubes making sure not to apply too much pressure. Once you're done, clean up your brush using these tips and tricks.
Step Three: Clean The Grease Tray
Remove the grease tray and clean it thoroughly with dish soap and water. It’s always best to dispose of grease properly. After this, put everything back together, and your grill is good to go.
FAQs
Should I oil stainless steel grill grates?
Yes. You should oil stainless steel grill grates the first time you use them to help season them properly. After the first time, it is recommended that you apply cooking oil before and after each use to keep them clean.
Do Stainless steel grill grates rust?
Yes. Despite popular belief, stainless steel grill grates can rust if they are not taken care of properly. Regular maintenance of the grates by applying oil and occasionally cleaning them can help to prevent rusting.
How long will a stainless steel grill last?
Depending on the complexity of the grill and how durably built it is, you should expect your stainless steel grill to last anywhere from 5 to 10 years or more. The best grills can last even longer than this, but only when maintained properly.
Should I season a stainless steel grill?
Yes. You should season your stainless steel grill and especially the grates if they are cast iron. After the initial seasoning process, it’s best if you re-season your grill every four to five months to keep the grates protected.
And the #1 Stainless Steel Grill is...
Out of the 10 best stainless steel grill models that we tested, the Pit Boss 2-burner portable gas grill came out as the best. With its easy to carry and lightweight design, this gas grill is perfect for travelling, camping, and tailgating. It also has an ample grilling space to prepare your favorite grilled meats.
We like how its folding legs and latching hood make it easy to set up and clean up right after the party. Make your next camping trip phenomenal with the Pit Boss portable stainless steel gas grill.
Our #1 Recommendation
Pit Boss Grill
- Ideal for tailgating and camping
- 275 square inches of cooking space
- Features a latching hood and folding legs
- Includes independently-controlled burners
- Get the BEST PRICE until the end of April
- No locks on the folding legs
