Hey there fellow grill enthusiasts! If you‘re anything like me, you‘re always on the hunt for the perfect grill to up your BBQ game. Recently, I‘ve been seeing the Nexgrill brand everywhere – online, in stores, in my friends‘ backyards. It seems to be a popular choice, but I had to wonder: is Nexgrill actually a good brand? Are their grills worth the hype?
I decided to find out for myself. I bought and tested several of Nexgrill‘s bestselling models, scoured customer reviews, and compared the brand to other top names in grilling. I‘m excited to share my findings with you in this in-depth Nexgrill review! By the end, you‘ll know the pros, the cons, and whether a Nexgrill deserves a spot on your patio this season. Let‘s grill!
About Nexgrill
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of Nexgrill‘s products, let‘s start with some background on the brand itself. Founded way back in 1993 by Sherman Lin (who‘s still the CEO today), Nexgrill has been around for nearly three decades – pretty impressive in the world of grills. The company is headquartered in sunny Chino, California, but all of their products are manufactured in China.
Nexgrill‘s mission is to provide high-quality, affordable grilling equipment to pitmasters of all levels. And let me tell you, they offer an extensive lineup – gas grills, charcoal grills, smokers, flat top griddles, you name it. You can find Nexgrill products at major retailers like Home Depot, Walmart, Costco, and Amazon, or shop directly on their website.
One thing I appreciate about Nexgrill is that while they‘re not the cheapest brand out there, you get a lot of bang for your buck in terms of quality and features. They use really solid stainless steel and cast iron construction, plus they offer a lot of high-end options you don‘t usually see in this price range. But I‘m getting ahead of myself – let‘s take a closer look at some of their most popular models!
Top Nexgrill Models Reviewed
After much deliberation (and drooling over specs), I decided to test out three of Nexgrill‘s bestselling gas grills: the Deluxe 2-Burner, the 4-Burner with Side Burner, and the Evolution 5-Burner with Infrared technology. For reference, I‘ve been grilling for over a decade and have used probably a dozen different grill brands. Here are my honest thoughts:
Deluxe 2-Burner Gas Grill
Don‘t be fooled by the compact size of this 2-burner grill – it packs a serious punch for small families, couples, or those with limited patio space. It cranks out an impressive 28,000 total BTUs across 385 square inches of cooking space, which I found to be more than sufficient for whipping up burgers, dogs, and veggies for 4-6 people.
The stainless steel construction and cast iron grates feel really sturdy and well-made, especially for a grill at this price point (around $300 on the Nexgrill site). I also love the removable grease tray, which made cleanup a breeze. My only minor complaint is that the fold-down side shelves feel a little flimsy, but they get the job done.
All in all, I give the Deluxe 2-Burner a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars. It‘s a fantastic value for the size, heats evenly, and has been holding up great after several months of regular use. Perfect if you‘re tight on space but don‘t want to sacrifice performance.
4-Burner Gas Grill with Side Burner
If you entertain often or have a larger family to feed, you‘ll probably want to size up to Nexgrill‘s 4-burner model. I picked this one up on sale for $300 (score!) but it usually retails for around $400 – still a great deal for a grill of this caliber.
With a whopping 60,000 BTUs of power and 627 glorious square inches of cooking space, I was able to grill enough food for a small army. I‘m talking 30+ burgers at once, people. The side burner also came in really handy for keeping BBQ sauce warm and simmering sides.
Construction-wise, this grill is a beast. It‘s noticeably heavier and sturdier than my previous 4-burner (a Char-Broil), and I could instantly feel the upgraded quality. The only downside is that it takes a bit longer to assemble due to all the parts, but the instructions were straightforward.
Performance-wise, this grill exceeded my expectations. It heats up quickly, maintains temperature well, and gives me gorgeous sear marks every time. I did notice a few small flare-ups, but nothing out of the ordinary for a gas grill.
I rate the Nexgrill 4-Burner with Side Burner a well-deserved 5 out of 5 stars. It‘s a spacious, powerful, durable workhorse that I can tell will last for many grilling seasons to come. Whether you‘re a casual griller or a BBQ aficionado, you‘ll appreciate the quality and performance this bad boy delivers.
Evolution 5-Burner Infrared Plus
Now, I‘ll admit I was most excited to try Nexgrill‘s fanciest model: the Evolution Infrared Plus 5-Burner. The main selling point of this $500 grill is the two different grilling technologies it offers: traditional gas grilling and infrared.
If you‘re not familiar, infrared burners use radiation to directly heat the food above, allowing for higher temperatures and faster cooking times. They‘re also known for being great at searing steaks and locking in juices. I couldn‘t wait to put it to the test!
The Evolution 5-Burner boasts 57,000 BTUs across a spacious 674 sq. in cooking surface, plus a handy 12,000 BTU side burner. The stainless steel construction is top-notch (as I‘d expect for the price) and I love the sleek LED-illuminated control knobs. Very modern.
So, how did the infrared perform? In a word: incredible. Searing steaks on the infrared side burner is a game-changer. I was able to achieve restaurant-quality crust and perfectly pink centers in a fraction of the time. Switching between the gas and infrared grilling was seamless, and I loved having the flexibility of two fuel types.
My only nitpick is that the infrared side can be a little tricky to clean if you‘re used to standard grates. You have to be careful not to damage the ceramic plate. But the extra maintenance is well worth the results, in my opinion.
Final rating for the Evolution Infrared Plus 5-Burner: a hearty 5 stars. If you appreciate high-end technology, pro-level versatility, and the best infrared searing in the game, you‘ll fall in love with this grill. It‘s pricey, but I think it‘s actually an amazing value for everything you get.
Nexgrill vs. Weber: How They Stack Up
Since I‘ve used plenty of Weber grills over the years, I thought it would be helpful to compare Nexgrill to the biggest name in the business. Here‘s my honest take:
Similarities:
- Both brands offer great build quality and durability
- Reliable ignition systems and even heating
- Wide variety of sizes and fuel types available
- Easy to find online and in stores
- Great warranties and customer service
Differences:
- Nexgrill grills are generally much cheaper (around 1/3 the price for comparable models)
- Weber has a slightly wider accessory selection
- Weber is made in USA, Nexgrill in China
- Nexgrill often includes higher-end features Weber charges extra for
To really illustrate the differences, check out this quick comparison table I put together:
| Feature | Nexgrill 4-Burner | Weber Spirit II E-310 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $300 | $600 |
| Cooking Area (sq. in.) | 627 | 529 |
| No. of Burners | 4 (+ 1 side) | 3 |
| BTUs | 60,000 | 30,000 |
| Fuel | Gas (propane) | Gas (propane/natural) |
| Side Burner | Yes | No |
| Thermometer | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 8 yr burner / 1 yr other | 10 yr all |
As you can see, the Nexgrill 4-Burner offers significantly more cooking space, an extra burner, double the BTUs, a bonus side burner, and comparable features for literally half the price of Weber‘s entry-level Spirit model. That‘s some serious value.
Now, Weber still takes the edge in warranty and that made-in-USA quality. Their customer service is also legendary. But in my experience, Nexgrill is nearly neck-and-neck with Weber in overall performance while being drastically more affordable.
If you‘re on a tight budget, I really don‘t think you can go wrong with Nexgrill. The quality and features are outstanding for the price across the entire lineup – from portable to cart-style to combo grills.
The Final Verdict
Alright, I think I‘ve officially crossed over into Nexgrill super-fan territory. After testing several models, pouring over specs, and gathering insights from other grillers, I can confidently say that Nexgrill is absolutely a terrific brand – one I‘m proud to have on my patio!
Here are the top reasons I recommend Nexgrill:
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Unbeatable value: You get premium-grade construction, high BTUs, tons of space, and fancy features for literally hundreds less than competitors.
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Solid performance: Fast heating, excellent searing, even temperature control – everything I want in a grill. No major issues with any model I tried.
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Versatile options: Whether you need a compact 2-burner, spacious 6-burner, infrared searing station, charcoal/gas combo, or more, Nexgrill has you covered at every size and price point.
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Great quality: From the stainless steel to the cast iron grates to the burners, everything feels really well-made and built to last. I can tell these are grills I‘ll have for the long haul.
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Strong warranty: 1 year comprehensive, 8 years on burners, and a lifetime on major stainless steel components proves Nexgrill stands behind their products.
Of course, no grill is perfect. A few minor complaints I had across the board:
- Some models can be time-consuming to assemble
- Odd/frustrating packaging
- Infrared burners require special cleaning
- Wheels are on the small/flimsy side
- Customer service can be hit or miss (but this is a common gripe for most grill brands)
At the end of the day, the pros FAR outweigh the cons when it comes to Nexgrill. These are reliable, affordable, high-performing machines that I‘m confident will help you grill up many delicious memories with family and friends. I‘ve loved using mine and have been recommending them left and right!
Whether you‘re a beginner griller or a seasoned pitmaster, I hope this Nexgrill review has given you the info you need to make an informed decision. I truly believe Nexgrill is one of the best buys on the market, and I‘m excited for you to experience their quality for yourself.
Now if you‘ll excuse me, I‘ve got some ribeyes to sear on my Evolution 5-Burner. Until next time, happy grilling!
The Bottom Line: 4.8/5 stars – An excellent value brand offering premium performance at entry-level prices. Highly recommended!
