Typically, professional grills are the hottest. If you are cooking a thick cut of meat, higher heat will cook and sear faster than a regular grill. Heat is measured by BTU (British Thermal Unit). We will look at the hottest grills and a few distinctive features. We also included some bonus videos just for fun(these guys are reps, not actors).
Highest BTU / Most Powerful Grills
Lynx
Lynx has cast brass burners (virtually indestructible) which retain heat and in combination with the ceramic briquettes allows more even heat distribution. Their sear burner has the most flexibility with temperatures that can be adjusted from 285 degrees up to almost 1,000 degrees.
- 25K BTU brass burners
- 30K BTU infrared sear burner
- 15K BTU rotisserie burner
Wolf
Wolf has stainless steel tubular burners with ceramic briquettes for heat distribution. Their sear burner is 25K BTU's which is one of the most powerful we carry.
- 25K BTU stainless steel burners
- 25K BTU infrared sear burner
- 14K BTU rotisserie burner
DCS
Many manufacturers use a single zone for searing, where DCS uses a full surface searing. By strategically placing the ported stainless steel burners, ceramic rods and the heavy gauge stainless steel burner box, DCS has even searing temperatures across the entire grill surface. The rods also reduce flare ups as the grease does not hit the burners directly.
Their main burners are all 304 Grade stainless steel and are rated at a high of 25,000 BTU per burner. They have direct vertical ports to deliver the heat and they have a cross fire ignition system. This consistent and direct heat allows for high heat, 900 degrees for searing of meats and a low of 200 degrees for vegetables.
- 4-25,000 BTU burners
- Rotisserie- 18,000 BTU burner
- Full Surface searing
- Smoker tray with 3500 BTU burner
- Built In or cart available for Freestanding
Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo has brass burners which retain heat and in combination with the stainless steel flavor bars gives you even heat distribution. This grill also has a unique feature called a Hybrid Fire Grilling Drawer. You can leave the drawer empty and cook with gas only or add wood logs or charcoal for added flavor. Ever have a piece of meat infused with wood or charcoal? Its incredibly tasty
The gas burners below can be used to just ignite the wood or charcoal and then shut off or can be left on to create high temperature cooking over the entire grilling surface. Having this option eliminates the need for a sear burner.
- 27,500 BTU brass burner
- 18,300-69,800 BTU rotisserie burner - depends on grill size
Alfresco
Alfresco has chromium (weather resistant steel) stainless steel burners that are 27,500 BTU’s with ceramic briquettes that gives you even heat distribution. The sear burner is also 27,500 BTU's and is capable of reaching 1,500 degrees in only 4 minutes. Both the stainless steel and sear burners are the most powerful of any grill we carry and Alfresco comes with a 2-year full warranty compared to 1 year on the other brands.
- 27,500 BTU stainless steel burners
- 27,500 BTU infrared sear burner
- 15,000 - 18,500 BTU rotisserie burner (depending on dual or single)
- 5,000 BTU Smoker
Weber
The Weber Summit series is not a professional grill, but has all the power most will need to grill. Each stainless steel burner is 10K BTU's and they have a 10,600 BTU sear station which is a stainless steel burner, not an infrared like the other brands listed. Weber does not use ceramic briquettes, instead they have stainless steel flavorizer bars for even heat distribution. It doesnt concentrate heat like the others
Read more about the Weber Summit series.
- 10K BTU stainless steel burners
- 10,600 BTU stainless sear station
- 10,600 BTU rotisserie
Summary
As you see, most of the grills have similar BTU outputs. You may also want to consider other factors. I really like the cast brass of the Lynx as a solid reliable burner, especially with New England weather. Alfresco has the best sear of up to 1,500 degrees and is also a solid grill.
From a construction standpoint, Kalamazoo is the best grill sold without question. If you love to grill, the hybrid drawer of charcoal, wood and gas (for speed) will produce the most flavorful BBQ.
Additional Resources
Get the Yale BBQ Grill Guide with BTU outputs of every major grill as well as inside buying tips. Well over 90,000 people have downloaded a Yale Guide.
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