Best Gas Grills Under $1,000 for 2011

Weber’s 22nd Annual Weber GrillWatch Survey reports Americans are grilling and smoking their food outdoors now more than ever. In fact, 49% of respondents stated they grilled or smoked year-round, with 37% of them at or below freezing temps! The love and zest of cooking outdoors is only continuing to grow…and the market is following!

Searching for a quality gas grill under $1,000 isn’t tough, there are plenty of fantastic and powerful grills in this price range. However, what you’re really getting for the higher price is typically more stainless steel, a larger cooking area, and bells and whistles, like rotisseries and smokers, not necessarily better grilling performance.

So if the best gas grill under $1,000 is what you’re after, check out our picks from Weber, Vermont Castings, and Jenn-Air. They have grills rated highly by Consumer Reports you might want to consider.

Jenn-Air Outdoor Gas Grill – 720-0709 (at Sam’s Club): ~ $800
The Jenn-Air Outdoor Gas Grill (720-0709) has commercial-grade stainless steel, a cooking area of 828 sq. in., and five main burners, a searing burner, and a Rotisserie burner for a total of 78,000 BTUs. It also has a commercial-quality electric warming drawer, an electronic ignition, a tank pull out tray, and a dual-energy valve that easily converts the grill from propane to natural gas.

Vermont Castings Signature Series – VCS300SSP: ~ $950
The Vermont Castings Signature Series (VCS300SSP) has a mixed stainless steel and enameled-coated cast iron body, a total cooking area of 830 sq. in., and five 12,500 BTU stainless steel burners, a 15,000 BTU side burner, and a 20,000 BTU rear infrared rotisserie burner with full rotisserie kit for a total of 97,500 BTUs.

Weber Genesis S-330: ~ $950
The Weber Genesis S-330 has stainless steel rod cooking grates, electronic ignition, a cooking area of 637 sq. in., and three stainless steel burners, a 12,000 BTU side burner, and a 10,000 BTU sear station for a total of 60,000 BTUs.