San Francisco Chronicle

Get fired up about these gas grills

- The following Cnet staff members contribute­d to this report: Andrew Gebhart, Molly Price, Ashlee Clark Thompson, Megan Wollerton and Laura K. Cucullu. For more reviews of personal technology products, visit www.cnet.com.

Char-Broil Commercial Double Header Gas Grill

Cnet rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

The good: The Char-Broil cooks food low and slow, which results in juicy burgers and minimal flareups. The four burners, two separate fireboxes and an additional side burner give you flexibilit­y when you cook for a crowd.

The bad: Our dishes rarely had a good char, which is half the joy of eating grilled meats. And foods that cooked over longer periods of time were borderline dry. The cost: $594

The bottom line: Consider this if you’re new to gas grills. If you don’t want to spend as much, consider another Char-Broil model: the $299 Performanc­e XL.

Broil King Baron S520

Cnet rating: 3 stars out of 5

The good: The Baron offers a hefty amount of grilling power and a spacious grill box that can fit plenty of food. Metal plates beneath the grates help distribute heat evenly and vaporize drippings.

The bad: Even on medium and low settings, the S520 runs hot, so you’ll need to be careful not to accidental­ly burn your food. It lacks extras such as temperatur­e probes and side burners. The cost: $649

The bottom line: The Baron is a good fit for veteran grillers who don’t need frills and like cooking at high heat. Look elsewhere for a more balanced grilling experience.

Char-Broil Performanc­e XL

Cnet rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

The good: The Char-Broil performed well with indirect heat and is an affordable five-burner model that includes a side burner.

The bad: This model doesn’t have a tool rack, and the knobs feel less than sturdy. The cost: $299

The bottom line: This grill is wellpriced, roomy and has a convenient side burner. It’s a great starter grill.

Weber Spirit II E-310

Cnet rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

The good: The Weber looks great in red. It has a propane tank scale so you can see roughly how much gas is left at a glance — and six hooks for easy tool organizati­on.

The bad: It’s expensive, considerin­g it only has three main burners and no side burner. The cost: $473 to $499 The bottom line: It’s a solid grill, but it costs a lot for what you get.

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