For outdoor cooking enthusiasts who don’t have a ton of space to work with, a two-burner grill can be the ideal solution. They have a small footprint, so they won’t take up much room on the deck or patio. As a bonus, cleanup should take less time as well.
As a company, Nexgrill strives to think outside of the box when it comes to gas grills. Instead of making grills designed to stick with the time-worn traditions of burgers and hot dogs, they offer units with plenty of impressive extras. The company is based in southern California, where year-round grilling is common.
Here’s a brief rundown on the Nexgrill Evolution 2 Burner grill.
Pros:
- Attractive compact design
- Can be converted to natural gas
- Reasonable price point
- Heats quickly
- Easy to assemble
Cons:
- Doesn’t do well at holding temps above 500 degrees
- Construction is on the flimsy side
Take a look at these Nexgrill Evolution 2 Burner reviews to find out if this model will suit your grilling needs.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Gas Grill
When you own a gas grill, you can decide to fire up the burners on the spur of the moment. That’s one of the perks that makes gas grills such a popular choice.
It’s estimated that 75 percent of US households own a grill or smoker. Within that framework, about 62 percent of them own gas-powered units. Even people who own charcoal-fueled models may also keep a gas grill on hand for convenience.
Speaking of which, there’s no way to replicate the flavor that charcoal provides. If you’re not willing to forgo that taste sensation, you might want to rethink your options.
If you do decide to take the plunge, here are a few things to be aware of:
- Affordability: Gas grills can range in price from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Think about how much you can afford to spend, and try not to go over budget.
- Construction: On a similar note, you tend to get what you pay for in terms of quality. The body of the grill should be made of heavy-duty steel, with grilling grates made of either stainless steel or cast iron.
- Size: Consider how often you plan to use the grill, which ingredients you prefer, and how many people you’ll be cooking for.
- Heat Retention: The grill should be able to hold its heat for long periods, with only minor fluctuations in temperature.
- Warranty: Are you entitled to free replacement parts if the grill malfunctions? If so, for how long?
Nexgrill Evolution 2 Burner Reviews: Features & Benefits
In this section, we’ll delve deeper into the Nexgrill Evolution 2 burner reviews by exploring the benefits of this model.
Burners
The twin burners on the Nexgrill Evolution are constructed of stainless steel. This allows for superb heat retention and distribution. These burners are also fairly easy to clean, particularly with the aid of a wire brush.
The combined BTU output of the two burners is 28,000. When you consider that some grills put out just 10,000 BTUs per burner, this is a generous total. The burners do their work quickly and efficiently, with good zone coverage.
That said, the grill seems to struggle to maintain temperatures above 500 degrees Fahrenheit. That won’t matter much when it comes to basic ingredients, but if you want to use the unit for pizza and flatbread, you might have a hard time.
Grilling Grates
The Nexgrill Evolution features porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grates. They offer excellent heat retention, and the porcelain coating makes them easier to clean. With the proper care, these grates can last for many years, even if they’re used regularly.
Infrared Heat Plates
In addition to the traditional cooking grates, the Nexgrill Evolution offers infrared technology.
The infrared plates are geared toward cooking applications that call for indirect heat, which boosts the versatility of the grill. Since two-burner grills tend to limit the number of available options, this is a great benefit.
Cooking Space
This model offers a grand total of 278.85 square inches of cooking space. The surface should be able to hold 12 hamburger patties at once if needed. A grill this size would be a good fit for singles or couples, but larger families might find it too limiting.
Temperature Control
The lid of the Nexgrill Evolution is made of stainless steel, just like the burners. This allows the unit to hold its heat for a long time, which is good news if you’re using the grill as a slow-cooker.
As we mentioned, though, high-temperature cooking applications aren’t the Nexgrill’s strong suit. It can maintain temperatures of 300-450 degrees Fahrenheit all afternoon long, but if you need to crank it up higher, you might be in for a long wait.
The lid is outfitted with a built-in temperature gauge to help you determine whether the interior is hot enough for cooking. Still, the dark background makes it difficult to get an accurate readout, even from a short distance away. We would recommend buying a second digital thermometer just to be on the safe side.
Storage
This model is outfitted with a set of folding side shelves. These can be used to hold barbecue utensils, platters, condiments, or side dishes. They’re on the small side, but adequate for a two-burner unit. Because they can be folded down, they don’t add to the basic footprint of the grill.
The grill also has a lower cabinet with a bar-style handle. This space is just large enough to hold the LP tank, so there’s no dry storage available. Still, at least the tank can be fully enclosed within the unit, without taking up more space.
Warranty
Like many reputable companies, Nexgrill backs up their product with a guarantee. In fact, they offer several.
The grilling grates and body of the grill are covered for one year following the original purchase date. The burners, on the other hand, are under warranty for a full 8 years. Since you probably won’t hold on to the burners if the body itself has rusted out, this speaks well of the grill’s underlying construction.
Nexgrill Evolution 2 Burner: Social Proof
Let’s see what other buyers had to say about the Nexgrill Evolution 2-Burner gas grill.
Many customers praised the versatility and affordability of the Nexgrill. They were pleased with the infrared plates and the generous heat retention. Assembly was said to go quickly, although a few people found the manual confusing.
Possible Alternatives
If you can’t find this model, consider investing in one of the following alternatives.
#1 Char-Broil Performance 2-Burner Gas Grill
This is another cabinet-style 2-burner unit with side shelving. Unlike the Nexgrill, it offers a second warming rack with 100 square inches of space. It’s also set at a slightly higher price.
How They Compare:
- Affordability—Nexgrill
- Construction—Char-Broil
- Size—Char-Broil
- Heat Retention—Nexgrill
- Warranty—Nexgrill
Take a look at the Char-Broil Performance if you need a little bit of extra grilling room.
#2 Weber Spirit II E-210
Weber is the name that many people think of when they think about grilling. This cart-style model is stylish and sturdily built, offering 450 square inches of total cooking space.
How They Compare:
- Affordability—Nexgrill
- Construction—Weber
- Size—Weber
- Heat Retention—Weber
- Warranty—Weber
Give the Weber Spirit II E-210 a try if you can afford a top-notch product with a generous warranty package.
#3 Dyna-Glo Premier 2-Burner Gas Grill
The Dyna-Glo Premier features a cabinet-style construction with 319 square inches of primary cooking space. Be forewarned that the customer service department can be slow to respond if you have an issue with the grill.
How They Compare:
- Affordability—Nexgrill
- Construction—Nexgrill
- Size—Dyna-Glo
- Heat Retention—Nexgrill
- Warranty—Nexgrill
For an affordable 2-burner unit that covers all the bases, give the Dyna-Glo Premier a try.
Final Thoughts
The Nexgrill Evolution is a nice 2-burner grill, and the infrared plates are a thoughtful touch.
However, the unit can be difficult to find, even through online retailers. For that reason, we would recommend investing in the Char-Broil Performance model instead.
Char-Broil’s grills aren’t as durable as some of the higher-priced models, but they get the job done. The Performance 2-Burner unit offers plenty of space for prep and storage, and the warming rack helps keep the buns warm while the burgers are cooking.
Click here to check out the Char-Broil Performance 2-Burner Gas Grill.
