Natural Gas Grills Worth the Upgrade: 6 Standout Picks for Plumbed-In Cooking

A natural gas grill can make backyard cooking more convenient when your outdoor space already has a properly installed gas line. Instead of replacing propane tanks, a natural gas model connects to a permanent fuel supply and is ready whenever you want to cook.

The best choice depends on more than fuel type. Cooking area, burner configuration, installation style, searing capability, rotisserie features, materials and overall footprint can vary significantly between models.

This guide compares six current natural gas grills across different priorities, from versatile freestanding models to premium smart grills and built-in outdoor-kitchen options. BestGearNest uses manufacturer specifications and product documentation for research; we do not claim hands-on testing.

Important: Natural gas grills require a compatible household or outdoor natural gas supply. Gas-line installation, modification or connection should follow local codes and the grill manufacturer’s requirements. Do not assume a propane grill can simply be connected to natural gas without an approved configuration or conversion procedure.

Natural Gas Grills at a Glance

Grill Best For Configuration Key Strength
Napoleon Prestige PRO 500 Best Overall Freestanding Smart controls and versatile high-heat cooking
Weber Summit FS38 S Premium Traditional Grill Freestanding Five burners plus infrared broiler and rotisserie
Broil King Baron S 490 Pro Infrared Performance Value Freestanding Strong burner package with sear and rotisserie capability
Blaze 32-Inch Premium LTE+ Installation Flexibility Built-In or Freestanding Premium stainless construction with multiple configurations
DCS 36″ Series 7 RI Premium Built-In Built-In High-output U-burners and infrared searing
Bull Diablo 46″ Premium Complete Cart Large Gatherings Freestanding Huge multi-burner cooking platform
Best Overall

1. Napoleon Prestige PRO 500 Natural Gas

Natural Gas Fuel Type
4 Main Burners
82,000 BTU Total Heat Output
900 sq. in. Total Cooking Area

The Napoleon Prestige PRO 500 is the most broadly capable option in this group. The natural gas version combines four main burners with an infrared SIZZLE ZONE side burner, rear rotisserie capability and a large overall cooking platform.

Napoleon also adds smart cooking functions to this generation. The grill can operate conventionally, but its connected features and integrated display give buyers another way to monitor and manage cooking.

This makes it a particularly strong fit for someone who wants a permanent natural gas installation without giving up high-heat searing, rotisserie cooking and modern convenience features.

Pros
  • Large and versatile cooking system
  • Infrared side searing capability
  • Rear rotisserie system
  • Smart cooking features
Cons
  • More complex than a basic gas grill
  • Large footprint
  • Premium positioning may be unnecessary for simple grilling
Check Product Details →
Best Premium Traditional Grill

2. Weber Summit FS38 S Natural Gas

Natural Gas Fuel Type
5 Main Burners
FS38 S Summit Series
Stainless Steel Exterior Finish

Weber’s Summit FS38 S is a factory-built natural gas grill aimed at buyers who want a large premium Weber without making smart connectivity the center of the experience.

Five main burners provide a broad cooking platform, while Weber adds a top-down infrared broiler, integrated rotisserie, smoker box and side burner. Those features make the Summit much more than a basic direct-grilling appliance.

The natural gas model is specifically configured for a plumbed household gas supply, making it a better choice than trying to adapt a propane unit after purchase.

Pros
  • Factory-built natural gas configuration
  • Five-burner cooking platform
  • Top-down infrared broiler
  • Integrated rotisserie and smoker box
Cons
  • Very large grill for modest patios
  • Extensive feature set can be excessive for occasional cooks
  • Premium class rather than entry-level positioning
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Best Performance Value

3. Broil King Baron S 490 Pro Infrared Natural Gas

Natural Gas Fuel Option
40,000 BTU Main Burner Output
460 sq. in. Primary Cook Space
4 Dual-Tube Burners

The Baron S 490 Pro Infrared takes a different approach from the technology-heavy Napoleon. Its appeal is a strong conventional grilling system with useful upgrades rather than a large collection of connected features.

Four Dual-Tube burners provide the main heat, while a dedicated infrared side burner adds high-heat searing and a rear burner expands the grill into rotisserie cooking. Stainless steel cooking grids and drop-down shelves round out the package.

For buyers who want a natural gas grill with serious cooking flexibility without moving immediately into the largest flagship platforms, the Baron deserves a close look.

Pros
  • Four-burner layout
  • Infrared side burner
  • Rear rotisserie burner
  • Drop-down shelves improve footprint flexibility
Cons
  • Less total cooking space than the largest grills here
  • Not aimed at buyers seeking extensive smart features
  • Still a substantial full-size grill
Check Product Details →
Best for Installation Flexibility

4. Blaze 32-Inch 4-Burner Premium LTE+ Natural Gas

Natural Gas Available Fuel Type
4 Main Burners
32½ in. Overall Width
Built-In / Cart Configuration

Blaze’s 32-inch Premium LTE+ stands out because the same grill platform can fit a built-in outdoor kitchen or a freestanding cart configuration. That flexibility is valuable when a natural gas line is part of a larger patio renovation.

The grill uses 304 stainless steel construction and incorporates interior lighting, illuminated controls, a rear burner and a hood-assist system. Separate heat zones also make it easier to run different cooking temperatures across the grate.

This is especially interesting for buyers planning an outdoor kitchen who want a grill platform that looks and functions more like a permanent appliance.

Pros
  • Natural gas configuration available
  • Built-in or freestanding installation
  • 304 stainless steel construction
  • Interior and control lighting
Cons
  • Outdoor-kitchen installation adds planning requirements
  • Not as portable as a propane grill
  • Features may be unnecessary for basic weekend cooking
Check Product Details →
Best Premium Built-In

5. DCS 36″ Series 7 RI Natural Gas

BH1-36RI-N Model
Natural Gas Fuel Type
36 in. Grill Class
Infrared Sear Burner

The DCS Series 7 RI is aimed squarely at permanent premium outdoor kitchens. It is a built-in natural gas grill rather than a conventional cart model, so it makes the most sense when the cooking area and gas line are being planned together.

DCS combines its U-burner system with an infrared sear burner and rotisserie capability. The manufacturer also emphasizes a wide heat range, allowing the grill to handle both lower-temperature cooking and aggressive high-heat searing.

Buyers considering this model should think of it as a built-in outdoor appliance rather than a grill that may later be moved around the patio.

Pros
  • Purpose-built natural gas model
  • Premium outdoor-kitchen format
  • Infrared searing capability
  • Rotisserie-oriented design
Cons
  • Requires built-in installation planning
  • Not intended for easy relocation
  • Overkill for buyers wanting a simple patio grill
Check Product Details →
Best for Large Gatherings

6. Bull Diablo 46″ Premium Complete Cart Natural Gas

62659 Natural Gas SKU
6 Main Burners
105,000 BTU Total Cooking Power
866 sq. in. Primary Cooking Space

Bull’s Diablo is the high-capacity choice in this roundup. Six cast stainless steel main burners create multiple heat zones, and the freestanding cart provides the storage and prep surfaces expected from a grill designed for larger outdoor entertaining areas.

The natural gas model carries its own NG SKU rather than simply relying on a generic fuel description. A dedicated infrared back burner extends the cooking system for rotisserie use when paired with the appropriate accessories.

This is the grill to consider when cooking capacity matters more than compact dimensions. Smaller households and patios are unlikely to need everything the Diablo provides.

Pros
  • Six main burners
  • Large primary cooking area
  • Dedicated natural gas SKU
  • Freestanding cart with storage and prep surfaces
Cons
  • Very large footprint
  • More grill than small households need
  • Requires a suitable permanent gas connection
Check Product Details →

How to Choose a Natural Gas Grill

Confirm Your Gas Supply First

Before comparing burners or cooking areas, confirm that your outdoor space has a suitable natural gas supply and that the installation meets the grill manufacturer’s requirements. A natural gas grill is not the right choice if a permanent gas connection is unavailable or impractical.

Freestanding vs. Built-In

Freestanding natural gas grills retain the familiar cart-style layout while using a fixed gas connection. Built-in grills are designed for outdoor kitchen islands and generally require more planning, cabinetry and installation work.

Do Not Shop by BTU Alone

Burner output is useful context, but it does not describe heat distribution, grate design, firebox efficiency or temperature control. Compare the whole cooking system rather than choosing whichever grill publishes the largest BTU figure.

Think About How Much Cooking Space You Actually Need

Large grills provide more heat zones and space for entertaining, but they also occupy more patio area and can take longer to clean. A four-burner grill is often more practical than a six-burner flagship for routine household cooking.

Decide Which Extra Burners Matter

Infrared side burners are useful for high-temperature searing, while rear burners are commonly paired with rotisserie systems. These features are valuable only if they match the way you cook.

Natural Gas Grill FAQ

Is a natural gas grill better than a propane grill?

It depends on the installation. Natural gas is convenient when a permanent line is already available, while propane offers more freedom to move the grill and does not require a fixed household gas connection.

Can I connect any gas grill to natural gas?

No. Use a model designed for natural gas or follow only a conversion process specifically approved by the manufacturer for that exact grill. Fuel systems, regulators and burner configurations are not automatically interchangeable.

Does a natural gas grill need professional installation?

Gas-line work should comply with local codes and manufacturer instructions. Depending on the location and jurisdiction, installation or modification of a gas supply may require a qualified professional.

Can a natural gas grill be moved?

A freestanding natural gas grill can be repositioned within the limits of its approved gas connection, but it does not have the unrestricted mobility of a propane grill. Built-in models are intended to remain permanently installed.

Should I choose a built-in or freestanding natural gas grill?

Choose built-in if the grill is part of a permanent outdoor kitchen. Choose freestanding if you want a conventional grill cart, easier access to storage and somewhat more flexibility in placement.

Final Verdict

The Napoleon Prestige PRO 500 Natural Gas is the most complete overall choice here because it combines a substantial cooking area, infrared searing, rotisserie capability and modern smart functions in a freestanding natural gas platform.

The Weber Summit FS38 S is the stronger alternative for buyers who want a premium flagship grill built around traditional cooking hardware rather than connectivity. The Broil King Baron S 490 Pro Infrared offers a more straightforward balance of main burners, infrared searing and rotisserie capability.

For a permanent outdoor kitchen, the DCS 36″ Series 7 RI and Blaze Premium LTE+ make more sense than forcing a conventional cart grill into a built-in layout. For maximum cooking capacity, the Bull Diablo 46″ is the clear large-format option in this group.

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