• The barbecue cookout is a favorite American pastime.Barbecue image by Paty Cullen Wingrove from Fotolia.com
  
  Barbecuing has long been an American tradition, and gas barbecue grills are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, varying from small affordable portable grills perfect for that tail-gating party, to top-of-the-line stainless steel outdoor behemoths with impressive cooking areas and numerous side burner options. According to Consumer Guide Products' website, the following grills scored four out of five or better in their 2010 latest review.
  
  

Coleman RoadTrip Pro SS Grill 9928-A60

• Scoring five out of five in the portable grill category, the Coleman RoadTrip Pro SS Grill 9928-A60 is an extremely sturdy grill that boasts 24,000-BTU and 345-square-inches of cooking space. The portable grill offers two independently controlled 12,000-BTU stainless steel side burners, is powered by either a 16.4-ounce LP cylinder or 20-pound tank with optional hose, features a temperature gauge stainless steel hood, quick heating capability and an easy folding mechanism.
  
  

Outdoorchef City Grill 420

• An excellent choice for all you city grillers is the Outdoorchef City Grill 420. The compact size of the grill makes it a great option for tight city balconies, beach picnics or tailgating parties. The virtually smokeless grill features a kettle-style design, provides 195-square-inches of grill area, measures 16.5-inches in diameter and weighs just 26-pounds. The grill scored an overall rating of four out of five in Consumer Guide's review.
  
  

Weber Q 200 Gas Grill 396002

• Among the Weber series of portable gas grills, the highest rated by Consumer Guide is the Weber Q 200 Gas Grill 396002. The small stature of this clamshell-design unit, just 23-inches-wide by 14-inches-high makes portability a cinch. The grill has a 12,000-BTU stainless steel burner, a porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grate, and folding nylon side shelving.
  
  

Weber Spirit E-310 Gas Grill 3721001

• One of the smallest and most affordable options in Weber's standard gas grill line is the Weber Spirit E-310 Gas Grill 3721001. A great choice for a family barbecue, this model has three burners and 424-square-inches of cooking space. The grill boasts 36,000-BTU of cooking power, and features an enclosed cabinet with stainless steel doors, cast-aluminum end caps on the hood, front condiment bins, and a hood thermometer.
  
  

Kenmore Red Porcelain-Enamel Three-burner Gas Grill 16301

• With a stainless steel body and striking red enamel finish appearance, the Kenmore Red Porcelain-Enamel Three-burner Gas Grill 16301 features user-friendly controls with quick heat-time, a 36,000-BTU large grilling area and stainless steel side burners providing a combined extra 12,000-BTU of cooking power. The product is rated four out of five by Consumer Guide Products.
  
  

Fiesta Blue Ember Outdoor Gas Barbeque Grill FG50069

• Constructed from durable stainless steel, cast aluminum, painted steel, cast iron and heavy-duty plastic components, the Fiesta Blue Ember Outdoor Gas Barbeque Grill FG50069 provides grillers with a total of 675-square-inches of grilling space, a three-burner grill with an additional rear-mounted infrared ceramic rotisserie burner and cast-brass side burner, and a handy internal hood light. The grill scored full marks from Consumer Guide Products.
  
  

Ducane Affinity Series 3400 Gas Grill 30731301

• The affordable Ducane Affinity Series 3400 Gas Grill 30731301 is designed for the everyday griller. The unit features three main burners that generate 36,000-BTU, as well as a 12,000-BTU side burner with a flush-mounted cover. The grill provides a rotisserie burner with accessories, and is complete with a "Smoke-It-Tray" for giving fish and meat that added smoky flavor. Both the value and features of this grill rated a five out of five in Consumer Guide Reports.
  
  

Char-Broil Commercial Series Quantum Infrared Grill 463248208

• From Char-Broil's Commercial Series, the entirely stainless steel model Quantum Infrared Grill 463248208 offers four-burners, and has a 40,000-BTU output with 580-square-inches of primary cooking space, and 230-square-inches of secondary warming rack space. Scoring five out of five in performance by Consumer Guide Reports, this infrared outdoor kitchen also comes complete with a handy 13,000-BTU side burner with flat griddle attachment.
  
  

Vermont Castings Signature Series 4-Burner Grill VCS4007

• Built for lasting performance from heavy-duty brushed stainless-steel and cast-iron parts, and with a top review from Consumer Guide Reports, the Vermont Castings Signature Series 4-Burner Grill VCS4007 heats up quickly and features a 450-square-inch main grilling area with a combined BTU rating of 50,000. Other features include a 15,000-BTU side burner, an enclosed console cabinet, a rotisserie accessory, front condiment trays, and convenient utensil hooks.
  
  

Weber Genesis E-320 Gas Grill

• The state-of-the-art Weber Genesis E-320 gas grill has a riveted stainless-steel hood trim, an enclosed cart, and is a three-burner model providing 42,000-BTU of cooking power with the addition of a 12,000-BTU side burner. The model attained five out of five in both performance and value from Consumer Guide Reports, and its stainless steel and painted-steel components make this grill a durable choice.