The 8 Best Grill Gazebos for Backyard Barbecues

Take shelter from the sun and rain by adding one of these handy grill mates to your yard.

Best Overall

The Best Grill Gazebos Option: Sunjoy Henley 8-Foot by 5-Foot Grill Gazebo

Sunjoy Henley 8-Foot by 5-Foot Grill Gazebo

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Best Bang for the Buck

The Best Grill Gazebos Option: Cobana Grill Gazebo

Cobana Grill Gazebo

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Upgrade Pick

The Best Grill Gazebos Option: Backyard Discovery Granada Grill Gazebo With Bar

Backyard Discovery Granada Grill Gazebo With Bar

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A grill gazebo, sometimes referred to as a grill pergola, protects you from the elements when Mother Nature doesn’t want to cooperate with your backyard barbecuing plans. These small buildings consist of a framed structure with a canopy roof that shelter you and your grill.

With a footprint that typically measures about 8 feet wide and 5 feet deep, they’re large enough to cover the grill while still compact enough to fit on a deck or patio. These structures come in a variety of types, including affordable models made with fabric and steel as well as beautiful and sturdy cedarwood structures. Read on to find out which features to look for in the best grill gazebos.

  1. BEST OVERALL: Sunjoy Henley 8-Foot by 5-Foot Grill Gazebo
  2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Cobana Grill Gazebo
  3. UPGRADE PICK: Backyard Discovery Granada Grill Gazebo With Bar
  4. BEST WITH LIGHT: ABCCanopy 8-Foot by 5-Foot Grill Gazebo for BBQ
  5. BEST DOUBLE-TIERED: Charmeleon Double-Tiered Grill Gazebo
  6. BEST WOOD: Backyard Discovery Saxony Grill Gazebo
  7. BEST METAL: Hampton Bay Hollybrook Steel Hard Top Grill Gazebo
  8. BEST PORTABLE: Crown Shades 8-Foot by 5-Foot Grill Gazebo
A man and woman outside with one sitting comfortably at a table and the other grilling in the shade under the best grill gazebo option
Photo: amazon.com

How We Chose the Best Grill Gazebos

We used several criteria to select the top grill gazebos. First, we chose gazebos designed specifically for grilling, selecting only options tall enough to create a safe buffer between the canopy and the hot grill. Our top picks also incorporate fire-resistant roof materials. Since budgets for grill gazebos vary, we included affordable steel-frame and fabric canopy models, pricier cedarwood structures, and all-steel models. We also considered aesthetics, choosing gazebos with designs and color options that mesh well with a variety of outdoor styles and furniture. Keeping ease of installation in mind, we chose only products that the average DIYer could assemble themselves.

Our Top Picks

The products below include a mix of different types of grill gazebos. All can be assembled by the average DIYer and are safe to use as a grill area cover.

Best Overall

Sunjoy Henley 8-Foot by 5-Foot Grill Gazebo

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This simple but strong grilling gazebo offers plenty of coverage for grilling. This small grill gazebo measures 8 feet wide by 5 feet deep, providing enough protection from the sun or light rain while remaining compact enough for it to fit on a deck or patio. A roof over 8 feet high and a double-vented design allow the grill’s smoke and heat to escape.

The Sunjoy structure is built to endure foul weather with its powder-coated steel construction and weather-resistant canopy. Metal arches add visual interest while providing structural support. Built-in shelves offer guests a place to set cold drinks, a bottle of barbecue sauce, salt, pepper, and other necessary condiments. There’s also a hook on the tent ceiling for lighting.

Product Specs 

  • Dimensions: 102 inches high by 96 inches wide by 60 inches deep
  • Material: Polyester fabric top with powder-coated steel frame
  • Additional features: 2 shelves, hook for overhead lighting, double-tiered vent

Pros

  • Sturdy powder-coated steel frame with weather-resistant fabric top
  • Includes built-in side shelves for drinks, condiments, and grill tools
  • Double-tiered top provides ample ventilation for heat and smoke

Cons

  • Light overall weight of under 42 pounds makes it susceptible to wind damage unless the feet are anchored down

Get the Sunjoy grill gazebo at Wayfair.

Best Bang for the Buck

Cobana Grill Gazebo

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This BBQ gazebo provides shelter from the elements while leaving enough money for other grilling supplies. It measures 97.2 inches high by 83.7 inches wide by 51.5 inches deep and is similar in size to higher-end grill gazebos. It features a powder-coated steel frame, a fabric top, and a double-tiered roof design that allows for ample grill ventilation.

The Cobana grill gazebo also features a zipper that makes it easy to remove the canvas top during windy weather. Two metal shelves on either side offer a place to rest a drink or prep food while also adding stability to the legs. Since it comes in several color options, it’s easy to match the Cobana to existing outdoor furniture.

Product Specs 

  • Dimensions: 97.2 inches high by 83.7 inches wide by 51.5 inches deep
  • Material: Polyester fabric top with powder-coated steel frame
  • Additional features: 2 shelves, removable fabric top, double-tiered vent

Pros

  • More affordable than other grill gazebos that are similar in size
  • Canvas top is removable for cleaning or storage during windy weather
  • Comes equipped with 2 large shelves for drinks or grilling tools

Cons

  • Some customers complain that the canvas top doesn’t hold up

Get the Cobana grill gazebo at Amazon.

Upgrade Pick

Backyard Discovery Granada Grill Gazebo With Bar

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This hardtop grill gazebo with wood posts and a metal roof is a more permanent structure for the backyard grill. It’s made from cedarwood, which has natural weather-resistant qualities, and a black steel roof. Unlike fabric and steel-frame gazebos, this wood grill gazebo is designed to withstand high winds of up to 100 miles per hour and up to 4,780 pounds of weight on the roof. The roof also reflects heat, helping to keep the grilling area below cool.

At just over 10 feet wide by 9 feet deep (including the overhanging eaves for the two bar areas), it offers ample coverage while grilling. There’s also a built-in power strip with three USB ports and three outlets as well as two powder-coated steel shelves to use as bar tops for entertaining.

Product Specs 

  • Dimensions: 106.75 inches high by 124.5 inches wide by 108.75 inches deep
  • Material: Steel roof, cedar frame
  • Additional features: 2 shelves, power station with multiple outlets

Pros

  • Durable cedar frame and steel roof can withstand heavy weight and high winds
  • Beautiful red cedar adds to a backyard’s aesthetics
  • Ample coverage with a large 10-foot-wide by 9-foot-deep size
  • Includes 2 built-in bar tops and a power station with multiple power outlets

Cons

  • Comes with a very high price tag compared to other grill gazebo options

Get the Backyard Discovery Granada grill gazebo at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, Wayfair, Overstock, or Backyard Discovery.

Best With Light

ABCCanopy 8-Foot by 5-Foot Grill Gazebo for BBQ

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This hardtop BBQ pergola helps support nighttime grilling with LED lights mounted inside the roof canopy. This grill patio tent features steel construction with a polyester-fabric double-tiered top for ventilation. Thicker legs on the lower portion of the frame add stability.

This gazebo also comes with some nice additional features, including two shelves for beverages and food, hooks for grill tools, and a bottle opener attached to one support. It’s similar in size to other grill gazebos, covering an 8-foot by 5-foot area and standing about 8 feet tall. This gazebo also comes in quite a few colors, making it easy to match with other outdoor furniture and decor.

Product Specs 

  • Dimensions: 94 inches high by 98 inches wide by 57 inches deep
  • Material: Polyester fabric top with powder-coated steel frame
  • Additional features: 2 shelves, double-tiered vent, grill hooks, bottle opener, LED lighting

Pros

  • Includes LED lighting, grill hooks, and 2 shelves for food and beverages
  • Tiered design adds ventilation and increases stability during windy conditions
  • Heavier legs help keep the gazebo grounded

Cons

  • Some customers complain about the grilling canopy material being too thin

Get the ABCCanopy grill gazebo at Amazon.

Best Double-Tiered

Charmeleon Double-Tiered Grill Gazebo

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A stretchable side awning adds versatility to this grill gazebo. This collapsible attached awning extends from one side of the main gazebo’s almost 8-foot-wide by 5-foot-deep space to add another 3 feet of coverage. This is a great feature for increasing the awning’s usable area when grilling in the scorching summer sun or rainy weather.

There are also two handy shelves on either side of the gazebo for beverages or serving food as well as a convenient bottle opener. Hooks under one shelf add storage for grill tools, and a hook in the ceiling of the gazebo interior is useful for hanging an LED lantern. The Charmeleon comes in many colors to suit different outdoor decor.

Product Specs 

  • Dimensions: 99.6 inches high by 95.28 inches wide by 59.4 inches deep (96.36 inches with awning out)
  • Material: Polyester fabric top with powder-coated steel frame
  • Additional features: 2 shelves, double-tiered vent, grill hooks, bottle opener

Pros

  • Comes equipped with additional shelving, bottle opener, and grill hooks
  • Retractable awning adds an additional 3 feet of weather protection
  • Available in several colors, so it’s easy to match existing outdoor furniture options

Cons

  • Some customers complain about the durability of the fabric cover

Get the Charmeleon grill gazebo at Amazon.

Best Wood

Backyard Discovery Saxony Grill Gazebo

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This beautiful wood structure adds aesthetics to an outdoor kitchen with its walnut-stained cedarwood construction. Cedarwood is naturally weather-resistant, and the heavy-gauge metal roof and wood construction can withstand high winds. The roof also reflects heat, helping to keep the cooking area below cooler.

The Saxony covers an 8-foot-wide by 5-foot-deep area, which is large enough to provide shelter for even the largest grills. It also comes with two steel countertops for drinks and food as well as a built-in covered power strip with standard plugs and USB outlets to power electric smokers and lights or charge smart devices.

Product Specs 

  • Dimensions: 88.25 inches high by 103.5 inches wide by 64.5 inches deep
  • Material: Steel roof, cedar frame
  • Additional features: 2 shelves, power station with multiple outlets

Pros

  • With its cedarwood construction, this grill gazebo naturally resists weather
  • Heavy wood frame is capable of enduring high winds
  • Includes a built-in power strip and 2 steel countertops

Cons

  • Some customers complain that the gazebo is challenging to assemble

Get the Backyard Discover Saxony grill gazebo at Lowe’s, The Home Depot, Wayfair, Overstock, or Backyard Discovery.

Best Metal

Hampton Bay Hollybrook Steel Hard Top Grill Gazebo

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With its all-steel construction, this metal grill gazebo is among the toughest on the market. It covers a nearly 8-foot-wide by 7-foot-deep area, making it one of the larger grill gazebos out there. It also features more storage space than most grill gazebos, thanks to a total of eight shelves. The sloped roof provides shelter from sun and rain and is strong enough to hold up against high winds. Detailed finish features on the roof and sides give it an attractive look.

Storage space abounds on this gazebo thanks to built-in shelving on the gazebo’s interior for holding grill tools and dishware. There are also two steel countertops and two steel shelves that provide ample space for serving food and drinks. Other notable features include hooks in the ceiling of the roof, which serve as a handy place to hang lighting.

Product Specs 

  • Dimensions: 98 inches high by 101.2 inches wide by 73.2 inches deep
  • Material: Steel
  • Additional features: 8 shelves, hook for overhead lighting

Pros

  • Strong steel construction makes this gazebo capable of enduring high winds
  • Includes ample storage with built-in shelving and multiple countertops
  • Covers a larger area than other grill gazebos with its 8-foot-wide by 7-foot-deep dimensions

Cons

  • Some customers complain that putting the gazebo roof together is difficult

Get the Hampton Bay grill gazebo at The Home Depot.

Best Portable

Crown Shades 8-Foot by 5-Foot Grill Gazebo

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With its collapsible design, this grill gazebo is a great option for camping, tailgating, or backyard use. The gazebo is compact enough to fit in a car trunk and unfolds in seconds, requiring no assembly. Its 8-foot-wide by 5-foot-deep size provides just as much coverage as permanent grill gazebos, and its fire-resistant polyester canopy is safe for use with grills. The two-tiered design allows wind to flow through the canopy while also helping with ventilation for smoke from the grill. The Crown Shades gazebo includes two small shelves, which help hold food coming off the grill. This grill gazebo is available in multiple colors to suit any decor.

Product Specs 

  • Dimensions: 98 inches high by 85 inches wide by 54 inches deep
  • Material: Polyester fabric top with steel frame
  • Additional features: 2 shelves, double-tiered vent

Pros

  • Requires no assembly and unfolds in seconds to create a large grilling shelter
  • Comes with 2 side shelves for food preparation and beverages
  • Provides the same amount of coverage as permanent grill shelters

Cons

  • Grill gazebo does not come with a storage bag for storage or transportation

Get the Crown Shades grill gazebo at Amazon.

Or, DIY Your Own Grill Gazebo

While you can purchase a grill gazebo kit to serve as shelter for your backyard barbecue, there are other options. Plans with various grill gazebo ideas abound online. Building your own grill gazebo will require significantly more time and effort than assembling any of the above grill gazebo kits, but a DIY version gives you the flexibility to customize the size and features of the gazebo to suit your demands.

If you want an all-wood grill gazebo, building a grill gazebo on your own is likely more affordable than purchasing a cedarwood grill kit. If you decide to go the DIY route, just make sure you use plans that create a safe buffer around the grill and build with fire-resistant roof materials.

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What to Consider When Choosing a Grill Gazebo

Choosing the type of grill gazebo to suit your outdoor decor and budget is crucial when shopping for one of these structures. Ahead, learn more about grill gazebo types and other factors to consider when buying one of these grill shelters.

Type and Materials

There are a variety of materials to choose from when selecting a grill gazebo, including steel-frame models with fabric canopies, stronger cedarwood grill gazebos, and all-steel gazebos. Gazebos with powder-coated steel frames and fire-resistant polyester fabric tops that also resist ultraviolet damage are the most affordable options. However, those fabric tops are only weather-resistant, meaning they won’t resist heavy rain. They’re also susceptible to damage from high winds, though many include vented tiers to help with this.

Most wood models consist of a sturdy cedarwood frame with a steel roof. This type of gazebo is very durable, more attractive than steel-frame and fabric-canopy models, and can handle high winds. Cedar grill gazebos are much more expensive than their steel-frame and fabric-top counterparts. There are also all-steel grill gazebos that have heavy-duty steel frames and roofs. Like wood grill gazebos, all-steel grill gazebos are very durable but also come with a higher price tag.

Size 

Most grill gazebos measure about 8 feet wide by 5 feet deep, which is large enough to provide shelter for most grills. This size is still small enough to fit on many patios and decks without hogging too much of the outdoor living space. Most grill gazebos have canopies that are 8 feet or higher. This height is crucial because there must be a buffer between the roof and the hot grill to prevent the canopy from catching fire. An 8-foot-tall roof provides enough space while also allowing for the ventilation of smoke put off by the grill.

Ease of Assembly 

Grill gazebos vary in how easy (or difficult) they are to assemble. Fabric-top grill gazebos with metal frames typically only require 1 or 2 hours to assemble. Many of these gazebos’ fabric tops can also be removed during windy weather in just a few minutes. Heavier all-steel or cedarwood grill gazebos are more complicated to assemble. Expect to spend a full day putting these types of grill gazebos together. In addition to these more permanent grill gazebos, there are also portable pop-up models that fold up. These grill gazebos are designed to be easy to assemble and typically can be set up in just minutes.

Additional Features 

Along with providing protection from the elements, an outdoor grill gazebo offers other features that support outdoor cooking. Many grill gazebos have countertops on the sides that provide space for setting a cold beverage or serving food coming off the grill. Some grill gazebos also have interior-facing storage shelves for grill tools and outdoor dishware. Other features typically found on these outdoor structures include built-in power strips for electric smokers and smart device charging, bottle openers, and hooks for overhead lighting. Portable grill gazebos typically feature storage bags to make storing and transporting them easier.

FAQs

Ahead, learn why grill gazebos are safe to use and what you need to do to maintain yours.

Q. Can you put a gazebo over a grill?

Yes, you can put a gazebo over a grill—but not any old gazebo. The gazebo you choose should have a fire-resistant top, such as metal or fire-resistant polyester. The canopy should also be at least 8 feet tall, ensuring ample space between the heat from the grill and the gazebo’s roof.

Q. Do you need to clean a grill gazebo?

Grill gazebos generally require very little maintenance. That said, if you have a grill gazebo with a polyester top, you may need to remove and clean it occasionally to prevent it from becoming stained. Wood and all-metal gazebos require very little cleaning; however, you may need to periodically rinse dirt off them with a garden hose to keep them clean.

Q. Can grilling under a gazebo start a fire?

Since grills burn fuels and create an open flame, it is possible for a grill under a gazebo to start a fire. With that in mind, use only a gazebo meant for grilling with a grill. These gazebos use fire-retardant materials and have roof heights that provide a large buffer between the grill and the gazebo roof.

Q. What is the purpose of a grill gazebo?

The purpose of a grill gazebo is to provide shelter from the elements while grilling. Gazebos protect from light to moderate rainfall and from hot sun. Some gazebos also have additional features that add storage for grill cookware or tools as well as countertops for serving and preparing food.

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Tony Carrick

Contributing Writer

Tony Carrick is a freelance writer who has contributed to BobVila.com since 2020. He writes how-to articles and product reviews in the areas of lawn and garden, home maintenance, home improvement, auto maintenance, housewares, and technology.

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