The 6 Best Stainless Steel Grills for 2024

Stainless steel is an excellent grill material. Durable, rust, and corrosion resistant, stainless steel grills are an investment in quality.

Not all stainless steel grills are created equal, though. Cheap stainless steel can give you worse performance than other materials.

For your money, the Victory 3-burner propane grill from BBQ Guys is the best-value stainless steel grill thanks to its even heat output and solid construction. Stepping up in the budget, you have the Grilla Grills Primate, which gives you better build quality and the option to swap the grill grates out and convert to a full-sized griddle.

There are lots of other good options, so keep reading to find the best buys at every price point.

The best stainless steel grills

As with our other grills, we’ve chosen a ‘best overall’ and then chosen the other for their standout features. We’ll also go through the pros and cons of stainless steel for grills as well as some tips on how to properly maintain your stainless steel grill. 

1. Best Overall – Victory 3-Burner Propane Gas Grill With Infrared Side Burner

Read our full Victory Propane Grill review.

The Victory 3-Burner Propane Gas Grill takes our top spot in this review because of its combination of affordability, best-in-class grilling area, and fantastic build quality.

There is a large cooking surface with 464 square inches of space on the main grill itself plus an additonal 162 from the top rack. You also get an infrared side burner which can be used for searing or to quickly warm a sauce.

Everything about this grill feels high end from its neat fit and finish right down to the heavy-duty removable catch pan that slides out easily after you’ve finished cooking.

It’s one of those features that go overlooked but makes a huge difference when trying to clear out what could have been hours’ worth of messy cleaning.

The combination of excellent quality, solid functionality, and nice ease-of-use touches is why we think that this stainless steel grill is one to consider for those who want an affordable but high-end option!

What we like:

• Excellent heat output – The grill heats up quickly and dispenses heat evenly with minimal hot and cold zones.
• Porcelain-coated grease pan and grates – The Victory 3-Burner has s porcelain-coated grease pan and grill grates, which is great for overall maintenance.
• 10,000 BTU side burner – The infrared side burner is always a welcome addition, particularly when it’s one that offers the heat output of this grill.

What we don’t like:

• Large footprint – With the two side shelves this grill requires a fair bit of space on your patio.

Overall, the Victory 3 is a great option if you want a solidly built, stainless steel grill with some high-end features like the infrared side burner without spending as much as you would on a comparable Weber.

2. Best Mid-Range – Grilla Grills Primate Gas Grill & Griddle

If the Primate were just a regular gas grill, we would have still included it because of its premium double-insulated stainless steel construction.

The option to swap out the grill grates and convert it into a full-sized griddle sets the grill apart.

During my tests, I was impressed with the build quality and overall design of the grill. Having the option to swap between grill and griddle makes this super versatile.

What I liked:

• Converts from traditional grill to griddle – No expensive accessories are required to the griddle comes as standard.
• Premium build quality – Heavy-duty stainless-steel construction with double-wall insulation
• Storage and prep areas – You get plenty of side shelves with hanging hooks for tools and a closed cabinet with room for some tools or grill grates.

What I didn’t like:

• Some light hot spots – Especially in the center of the grilling area.

I love the design of this grill. You get a quality stainless steel grill that doubles as a full-sized griddle without sacrificing any of the quality and features of either style.

3. Best budget – Char-Broil Performance 4-Burner Cart Style Liquid Propane Gas Grill

While the Char-Broil Performance 4-Burner is our budget choice, it certainly isn’t cheap and nasty.

This best-selling BBQ is quite feature-packed. It has four stainless steel burners with 20,000 BTU output each, which can grill around 16 burgers at once. And it even comes with an electronic ignition system for easy starting every time.

This model also comes equipped with a 10,000 BTU side burner, as well as a warming rack and an easy-to-read temperature gauge.

The Char-Broil Performance is made with heavy-duty steel, so it’s built to last. It also has a powder-coated finish that helps keep it looking good for years to come.

What we like:

• Price – If you’re looking to spend as little money as possible but still want a decent quality grill then this Char-Broil model makes sense.
• Easy to assemble – Assembling the Performance Series takes around 15 minutes and no tools are required (although some customers would like better-written instructions).
• Side burner – The added 10,000 BTU side burner is a nice touch.

What we don’t like:

• Noisy – The noise level of the gas burners was a concern for some customers.
• Poor casters – The wheels on the Char-Broil aren’t as solid as the rest of the build.

Our best budget stainless steel grill is the Char-Broil Performance Series Gas Grill, which offers a low price and all of the features you need to get grilling in no time at all.

4. Best built-in – Blaze Premium LTE 32-Inch 4-Burner Built-In Propane Gas Grill

The Blaze Premium LTE 32-Inch 4-Burner comes with a sleek design, stainless steel construction, and all of the features you need to have a perfect grilling experience.

What we liked best about this grill is that it offers an excellent set of features at a very reasonable price point. You get four burners – each with 14,500 BTU power output for fast cooking times – plus enough space on the primary work area for six large hamburgers or other meats/vegetables if you’re feeding a crowd.

The Blaze also comes standard with several extras as well, such as a side burner, warming rack, and more storage options than most comparable grills in its class.

What we like:

• Good value – excellent set of features at a very reasonable price point.
• Nice accessories – side burner, warming rack, and more storage options than most comparable grills in its class.
• Powerful burners – 14,500 BTU per burner is enough power for fast cooking times.

What we don’t like:

• The lid does not stay open – this is a nuisance when trying to access the grill’s contents.
• Small primary cooking area – offers just enough space on the primary work area for six large hamburgers or other meats/vegetables, which isn’t much if you’re feeding a crowd.

Overall, the Blaze Premium LTE 32-Inch 4-Burner Gas Grill is an excellent choice for a stainless steel grill. It has a lot of features, it’s well-made, and it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

5. Best high-end – Weber Summit S-670 Propane Gas Grill

At the top end of the stainless steel grill spectrum is the Weber Summit S-670 Propane Gas Grill. This is a high-end grill that will set you back a few thousand dollars, but it’s worth every penny.

This model is packed with features including:

• a searing station with an infrared burner and a side burner
• an automatic ignition system
• a built-in thermometer
• an enclosed cabinet for storage.

It also has a tuck-way rotisserie with an infrared burner

The Summit S-670 also comes with Weber‘s iGrill technology, which lets you monitor your food’s temperature from your phone or tablet. 

By comparison to the Weber Genesis S-335, the Summit S-670 has double the number of burners, upgraded Infinite Control burner valves, a larger cooking area of 1852 square inches, and the Gourmet BBQ grill grate system and smoking box. 

If you’re serious about grilling, then the Weber Summit S-670 is the best option available.

What we like:

• The searing station – We were blown away by the searing station. It is an infrared burner that quickly gets your food to temperature without overcooking it.
• The iGrill technology – The best part about the Summit S-670 is that you can monitor your food from a distance. You don’t have to hover over your grill.
• The enclosed cabinet for storage – The best feature of the Summit S-670 is its large storage space. It has two drawers and one cabinet for all your grilling tools.

What we don’t like:

• The price – The best part about the Summit S-670 is also its biggest drawback. This grill costs a premium because of all the high-end features it has but it comes with an equally premium price tag.
• Heavy – The solid stainless steel build means this can be a bit of a pig to maneuver.

If you’re looking for the best of the best, then the Weber Summit S-670 is the grill for you. It offers incredible performance and plenty of features, all in a sleek stainless steel package.

6. Weber Genesis S-335 Propane Grill with Sear Burner & Side Burner

If you don’t want to stretch for the Weber Summit, the recently updated Weber Genesis stainless steel series is another great mid-range option. The S-335 was updated in 2022 and comes with a range of enhancements.

While most Weber grills include some stainless steel in the construction, this grill includes stainless steel cooking grates and a majority stainless steel construction for the grill top and stainless steel doors. 

In addition to those grates, the Weber Genesis S-335 has the option to add the Weber CRAFTED system, which includes a side burner, an additional storage locker, and the option to swap out various grill accessories, including sear grate and pizza stone.

Solidly made, as most Weber grills are, this one comes with a 10-year warranty on all parts of the grill. You can also upgrade to the new CONNECT system which adds WiFi app compatibility so you can connect your phone and get grilling notifications.

The Genesis S-335 is still a great value for what you get, but it certainly isn’t a budget model.

What we like:

• Excellent customization – Add on the features you want, whether that’s extra storage and a side burner, or Smart grilling technology
• Great warranty – Weber grills are incredibly solidly built, but the ten-year warranty is still a good thing to have.

What we don’t like:

• A little expensive – The S-335 is a big step in price from the Victory grill we reviewed above

If you’re looking for a single grill that can act as your outdoor kitchen, the Weber Genesis S-335 is a great choice.

Why is stainless steel a good material for grills?

There are several reasons that stainless steel is a good material to construct grills from.

First, it is durable and will last for many years with proper care. Grills with a full stainless steel construction will resist rust and corrosion, meaning that you can count on them to last for a long time.

Stainless steel is resistant to corrosion because it is an alloy, often containing chromium. The best stainless steel grill options will be at least 18/10 which means that they contain 18% chromium and 10% nickel, given the steel extra hardness and rust resistance.

Finally, stainless steel is a good conductor of heat, so your food will cook evenly on the grill.

Are stainless steel grills better?

As with all types of material, stainless steel has certain benefits and certain drawbacks.

The best stainless steel grill options will be at least 18/10 (18% chromium and 10% nickel) like our top pick the Victory gas grill and made of high-quality 304-grade stainless steel.

• 304 stainless steel is the best type of steel to use for a grill, as it has the highest chromium and nickel content. This will make it highly resistant to corrosion and rusting.

• 430 stainless steel is still considered “stainless,” but it has a lower chromium and nickel content, so it’s not quite as durable or corrosion-resistant.

• 300 series grades are made with even less chromium and nickel and are more prone to rusting.

Stainless steel can be hugely durable, corrosion-resistant, and a good conductor of heat, but that doesn’t mean that all stainless steel is.

Stainless steel vs cast iron grill grates?

We’ve talked about the benefits of going for a full stainless steel grill body, but what about the grill grates?

The other most common material used in grill grates is cast iron. Standard cast iron is porous and prone to rusting, so it’s often covered with a porcelain coating, which protects it from moisture and grease. 

Cast iron has its own list of pros and cons in comparison to stainless steel, including:

Cast Iron Pros	Stainless Steel Pros
Retains heat well Transfer heat directly Durable and long-lasting (as long as it’s looked after well	Highly corrosion resistant Heats up quickly Easy to maintain Lightweight Non-stick
Cast Iron Cons	Stainless Steel Cons
Requires extra effort to properly maintain Heats up slowly Heavy The porcelain coating is comparatively fragile	Doesn’t retain heat well Low-priced, low-quality stainless steel is less corrosion-resistant and less durable Will lose its non-stick over time as it roughs up

When it comes right down to it, stainless steel heats up faster and is much easier to maintain than cast iron, which will make it more attractive to some grillmasters, while others will prefer the heat retention and transfer of cast iron. 

How to prevent stainless steel grill from rusting

Depending on the composition of your steel, you may still need to take steps to stop it from rusting.

To prevent your stainless steel grill from corroding or rusting, you can take some simple steps:

• Keep it clean: Stainless steel is easy to clean if you keep up on maintenance. Make sure to clean your grill after each use to prevent any build-up of dirt, grease, or food particles.

• Apply a sealant: Applying a sealant to your stainless steel grill can help keep out moisture and protect it from the elements. Look for a sealant that is specifically designed for stainless steel cooking devices.

• Store it in a dry place: Make sure your grill is stored in a dry place when not in use. Excess moisture can cause rusting and corrosion.

• Don’t use harsh detergents: Use a mild detergent to clean your grill. Harsh chemicals can cause corrosion, so be careful when choosing the right cleaner for stainless steel grills.

Wrapping it up

Stainless steel grills like the Victory 3-burner are a great option for those who want a durable and easy-to-clean grill.

If you’re looking for the best stainless steel grills on the market, check out some of our top picks above. These grills are high-quality and come with an excellent range of accessories.

Once you’ve found the one that suits you, follow our tips to keep your grill in good condition and it will last for years to come!