Natural Gas BBQ Grill with Side Burner: Monument 4-Burner Review
This big gas grill has four main burners. It hooks up to your home gas line. You never run out of fuel. It looks slick. It has blue lights on the knobs. I used it for two months. It cooks fast and hot. But it has a few small flaws you should know about.
Best For: Big family meals.
Not Ideal For: Small deck spaces.
Biggest Strength: Fast, even, great heat.
Biggest Weakness: Hard and slow setup.
Overall Rating: 8.2/10 for daily use.
Unboxing & First Impressions
The box was very big and heavy. Two friends must lift it. Every part had blue film on it. It took a long time to peel it off. The steel sheets feel tough. The side shelves flex just a bit if you push down hard.
The setup was a big chore. It took two hours with a hand tool. The guide has just pictures. If you mix up the doors, you must start over. Once built, it takes up a lot of room. The neat bottom doors hide all your tools well.
Real-World Performance Testing
I tried this grill with many foods to see how it works day to day.
- Scenario 1: The Fast Burger Test Turn the knobs and the heat grows fast. I put down ten burgers. They all cooked at the same time. The front edge stays a bit cool. Use that spot to toast your buns.
- Scenario 2: Slow Cooked Chicken I turned off the middle two knobs. I left the side knobs on low. The lid gauge read three hundred degrees. The meat stayed moist. A big wind can drop the heat, though.
- Scenario 3: Sauces on the Side The side plate is great to warm up sauce. You can fry onions there too. The flame can blow out if the wind is high. Keep your hand near it to block the breeze.
- Scenario 4: High Heat Steaks The thick grates hold heat well. They leave dark sear lines on big steaks. It is not as hot as a real sear zone. But it works great for a fast night meal.
Daily Use Experience
It is nice to use a natural gas bbq grill with side burner each day. You never have to go buy propane tanks. I just walk out, click the dials, and throw down food. The bright blue knobs help a lot when the sun goes down.
The wheels are a bit small. They rattle when you roll the grill on wood decks. The locks on the wheels are small, too. You must tap them hard with your shoe to make them stay. The big lid handle stays cool, so you do not burn your hands.
Design & Build Quality
The grill looks bright and clean with lots of shiny steel.
Material Feel: Nice steel panels, though some inside parts are thin. Build Quality: It feels stiff and firm once you tighten all the screws. Controls / Buttons / Interface: Big dials that turn smoothly and light up blue. Comfort & Handling: The hood bar is big and easy to grab. Storage or Space Usage: The base cabinet holds your brush and wood chips well.
The steel looks great, but shows handprints fast. You should get a good cloth cover for it. Rain and dust can bake onto the hot metal if you leave it bare.
Usability of a Natural Gas BBQ Grill with Side Burner
This layout means fewer trips back to your inside stove. A natural gas bbq grill with side burner lets you boil corn right next to your meat. It keeps all the hot smoke and grease out of the house.
The spark starts the moment you turn a dial. The gas makes a soft, low hiss while it burns. It is very quiet. You can talk to friends by the food and never have to yell.
Cleaning & Maintenance for a BBQ Grill
You must clean a big four-burner grill to stop grease fires.
Daily Cleaning: Scrape the hot grates with a wire brush after each cook.
Deep Cleaning: The grease pan slides out the back for easy trash dumping.
Maintenance Needs: Clean the steel tents over the flames to stop hot spots.
Wear & Tear: The metal tents inside change shade fast from the high flame.
Long-Term Care: Wipe the front pane so the dials do not get sticky.
The bottom corners of the firebox are hard to reach. Grease stops there before it drops into the pan. You must scrape it out with a small tool once a year.
Pros and Cons
This model cooks great, but takes time to build and is hard to move.
What I Liked:
- A continuous gas line means you never run out of fuel.
- The blue light dials look sharp and help at night.
- The side stove gets hot fast for small pans.
What I Didn’t Like:
- The build takes hours and has too many small parts.
- The gas hookup hose is not in the box.
- The small wheels make it hard to roll on grass.
Comparison With Similar Products
Here is how this unit matches up to other common options.
Weber Spirit II E-310
This is a standard three burner grill built to last a long time.
Performance: The Weber heats slow but stays very even compared to this four burner unit.
Ease of Use: It has no fancy lights but the open cart frame makes it simple to use.
Comfort or Noise: The lid feels light and moves with a smooth track.
Cleaning & Maintenance: The Weber funnel system guides grease away with less mess in the corners.
Features & Value: You get fewer burners for the cash, so you trade features for a big brand name.
Who Should Buy This Product?
This big unit fits best if you have the right yard and gas line.
Buy This If:
- You have a live natural gas pipe on your back deck.
- You regularly cook huge meals for six or more guests.
- You like to grill late at night and need bright dials.
Avoid This If:
- You want a fast build that takes less than an hour.
- You have a tiny flat porch with tight fire rules.
- You need to move your grill around the yard a lot.
Long-Term Durability
The main frame is still stiff after two months in the damp air. The pipe holes are clean and do not show rust yet.
The wires for the spark plugs sit bare under the side shelves. Bugs might chew them if you leave the grill uncovered. The door hooks still swing well, but you must tighten the small bolts so they do not sag.
Efficiency & Practicality
The thick lid keeps the heat inside well. This saves gas because the box stays hot. For homeowners who hate heavy tanks, the daily use is top-tier.
Space is the main issue. The side wings do not fold down. You need a clear five foot zone on your deck to use it safely. If you grill each week, the perks are worth the large size.
Final Verdict
This four burner unit is a great natural gas bbq grill with side burner for the price. It gives you a huge cooking zone and cool lights for less cash than luxury brands.
It takes a long time to build and you must buy your own line hose. But the steady heat makes it a great choice for yard parties. It is a solid buy if you want to skip propane tanks for good.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I use this natural gas bbq grill with side burner on a small porch?
It takes up a large five foot zone. It fits best on an open deck. Make sure you check your local fire rules for safe space first.
Q2: Does the Monument 4-Burner grill come with a natural gas hook up hose?
No, it does not. You must buy the gas line kit on your own. It is an extra step before your first cookout.
Q3: How do I clean the grease tray on this natural gas bbq grill with side burner?
The tray slides right out from the back pane. You can scrape the dirt into a trash bin in seconds. It keeps the firebox clear.
Q4: Are the blue LED control knobs on the Monument grill battery powered?
Yes, they use standard cells to light up the dials. They make it easy to see your heat levels when you grill late at night.
Q5: Can I convert this Monument 4-Burner grill back to a propane tank later?
Yes, it is a convertible unit. But you will need the right parts to swap the fuel source safely. See our full guide to learn how.
