Whether you live in a climate where you see a lot of sunlight and need shade or you deal with rain or snow, a grill gazebo is an excellent way to protect your grills and yourself so you can enjoy grilling or making barbecue no matter the weather. There are few things worse than planning to fire up the grill or smoker for a wonderful meal only to discover that a rain or snowstorm has popped up or the sun is especially hot and beating down on your cooking area.

We here at Angry BBQ looked at a large selection of grill gazebos in our quest to find the best grill gazebos for your needs. Whether you’re looking to cover a single grill on a budget or want a hardtop grill gazebo big enough to cover your entire cooking area and have room to sit around the table, we’ve got you covered. We will also go over the different types of grill gazebos and what materials you want to look for depending on your typical weather patterns.

Our favorite grill gazebo overall is the Sojag Messina. Its steel frame provides stability and even shelving and tool hooks while the two-tiered canopy allows for airflow so smoke doesn’t get trapped at the top of the gazebo. Mike has been using it for over two years and it’s still in perfect condition.

If you are looking for a grill gazebo that’s large enough to cover your entire cooking area and even have room for a table, we love the DOMI 12’ x 18’ Hardtop Pavilion Patio Gazebo. It has the same two-tiered canopy with a hardtop made from galvanized steel and even has curtains and netting to help protect everyone while eating.

So let’s get into what makes the best grill gazebos for your needs!

Quick Glance at our Top Pick Gazebos……..

What Is A Grill Gazebo?

Simply put, a grill gazebo is a freestanding structure designed to protect your grill or smoker from rain, snow, and sun so you can use it regardless of the weather. How it goes about that can differ greatly. You’ll find different sizes from ones that are designed for protecting a single grill or an entire seating area. They come in different construction materials as well as different canopy materials. There’s something for you no matter your needs.

How To Choose The Best Grill Gazebo For You

So how do you know what kind of grill gazebo you want? You’ve got to know the answers to some questions. How much area do you want to cover? Do you experience a lot of bad weather and need something with a hardtop or will a fabric canopy be enough? Do you like the look of metal or wood? Let’s break those questions down and give you some insights on the options that meet the criteria set forth by your answers.

How Large Of An Area Do You Need To Cover With Your BBQ Grill Gazebo?

This question seems simple, but there are few things for you to consider before you come up with your final answer. How many grills/smokers do you have? If you’re only looking to cover one, then something like a 5×8 bbq gazebo might work for you. If you’ve developed a collection and want to keep them all covered at the same time, you’ll want a gazebo with larger dimensions. 

Also, do you and your family or any guests like to eat on the outdoor patio, but want to have some protection? A gazebo with a larger footprint can help with that as long as no one minds being near a grill or smoker.

What Kind Of Weather Do You Experience Throughout The Year?

This is almost as important as how much coverage you need. If you deal with heavy snow in the winter (hello, my hometown two hours east of Buffalo, NY on the shores of Lake Ontario) or high winds throughout the year, you’re going to need a structure built to withstand those elements. You’ll need to consider the materials of the frame as well as the top. You may want a frame with thicker, more sturdy legs.

If you deal more with rain and lots of sun, you might not need as heavy-duty a structure as above. A fabric canopy atop a lighter frame could be the way to go.

UV Protection

Whether you live in an area that sees a ton of sunny weather or not, you’ll want to be aware of how well a potential gazebo protects from harmful UV rays. That can be done in a number of ways, from UV-resistant fabrics like a polyester canopy to a steel roof or even a polycarbonate roof.

What Are The Different Kinds Of Grill Canopies?

You can break down the offerings for a grill or BBQ gazebo into three main categories: fabric canopy, hardtop, and wood pergola-style. 

Soft Top Canopy Gazebo

These types of gazebos are covered with a fabric-based soft top canopy. Usually, the fabric is polyester for its UV-resistant properties. Our favorite grill gazebo for one grill by FAB BASED has a durable polyester two-tiered canopy. Typically fabric canopy grill gazebos aren’t going to survive as long in harsher conditions, so keep that in mind when you’re thinking about your weather.

Hard Top Grill Gazebo

DOMI’s 12 x 10, our favorite large gazebo, is a hardtop grill gazebo that still uses that same two-tiered idea. If a grill gazebo has a hardtop, it’s usually substantial enough to hold up to snow accumulation over a long winter. 

Wood Top Pergola

While most of the hard top canopies will be found on a metal frame, there are wood-frame gazebos based on a traditional wood pergola. A traditional wood pergola doesn’t actually offer full protection from the weather as the roof is open. However, our favorite wood grill gazebo, the Backyard Discovery Saxony Wooden Grill Gazebo, keeps the aesthetic of a wood pergola but adds a steel roof over the wood to protect you and your grill from bad weather.

Now that you’ve got an idea of what the different options are and how to evaluate what you need, let’s get to the list of our favorite grill gazebos!

Our Top Rated Grill Gazebos

1. Best Grill Gazebo – Sojag Messina 6 Ft. By 8 Ft. Grill Gazebo Review

Sojag’s BBQ Messina Grill Gazebo is one of our favorite hardtop gazebos because it was built with longevity in mind.  From the three-inch wide aluminum legs to the powder-coated galvanized steel two-tiered roof, Sojag designed a hard-top grill gazebo that can withstand significant bad weather no matter where you live. 

It has all the hallmarks of a quality gazebo for putting a grill or smoker under it. It has a two-tiered roof for proper smoke ventilation. As stated above, the roof is made from galvanized steel that is powder-coated. That helps this gazebo stand up to rainy and even snowy weather without you worrying that the metal will rust through quickly.

The aluminum frame is powder-coated as well and will stand up to precipitation. However, Sojag does recommend that you do not allow heavy snow to accumulate and stay on top of the roof to extend its longevity. So if you live in Canada like the Haas’ or grew up in Western NY like me, just make sure to knock snow off it throughout the winter.

As part of giving the gazebo plenty of stability, the aluminum frame’s legs are three inches wide for strength. The legs end in feet that are pre-drilled so you can anchor the gazebo to keep it in place even in strong winds. Mike installed his on a concrete patio which allowed him to use concrete bolts to fasten the gazebo to the pad. High winds will not move this gazebo when anchored down properly.

There are also two large shelves to give you plenty of prep space or even serving places. You could even pull up one of our favorite fire pit chairs to relax and eat.

The 6’ x 8’ construction is plenty of room to fit most grills or smokers without leaving you feeling cramped and worried that you’ll get rained on while manning the grill. Even the Traeger Timberline XL, which checks in at 71 inches wide, would be able to fit inside this gazebo unlike some of the other smaller ones on this list.

What We Like…

• The wide aluminum legs and mounting points make this a very sturdy structure
• It’s wide enough to accommodate even the Traeger Timberline XL or Yoder YS640s
• The powder-coated galvanized steel roof and powder-coated aluminum frame can handle plenty of precipitation and sun so this can be used in almost any climate

What Makes Us Angry…

• Some customers said that the instructions could be tough to follow, so just be patient. The manufacturer recommends that you have two people put this together and it can be done in three hours

2. Best Grill Gazebo Runner Up – FAB BASED 5×8 Grill Gazebo Review

If you’re looking to cover a single grill or smoker, FAB Based’s 5×8 grill gazebo is our favorite option. The overall design is simple, but it has a lot of great details that add to the overall function. It stands on four alloy steel legs that all connect via support rails at the top. Each leg has a ground plate with pre-drilled screw holes. You can pre-drill a patio and anchor the gazebo to concrete or possibly even stake it directly into the ground like a tent.

The polyester top is two-tiered so any smoke has a way to easily clear out of the top of the gazebo. It slopes on all four sides so rainwater will easily cascade down and away, keeping you and your grill dry. The sloping will even allow for easy snow removal if you have to deal with that sort of thing. The canopy comes in four different colors: gray, brown, cream, and red. Some customers experienced fading of the red canopy, especially over time.

Another nice feature is the two shelves that run along the sides of the gazebo. While they aren’t as large as a table, you can definitely set drinks and even dishes down for extra preparation space or temporary storage. Speaking of drinks, one of the legs even has a built-in bottle opener for when you want to crack open a bottle. As for the shelves, one even has six tool hooks so you can hang your tongs, spatula, grill brush, or any other grilling accessories you have close by when you aren’t using them. 

As a nice accessory, you get two magnetic LED lights that can attach to the steel frame. These are perfect for when you’re smoking a brisket through the night or want to get breakfast on the flat top grill before the crack of dawn. 

What We Like…

• Two shelves add extra room for preparation or even holding drinks
• With two people, it takes about half an hour to assemble and is an easy process
• Two LED lights are included for when you want to fire up the grill even at night (or the flat-top grill for early breakfast)

What Makes Us Angry…

• The canopy is prone to fading in the sun
• Some customers were able to withstand snowfall, but it may not be the best option if you see heavy snow accumulation every winter.

3. Best Budget Grill Gazebo – COBANA Grill Gazebo 8’ By 5’ Review

Of the best parts of grilling or smoking barbecue is that you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to do it. OBANA’s 8’ by 5’ gazebo is a good value for the budget-conscious griller. 

While it is a step down in price from our top single-grill gazebo, COBANA’s offering still shares similar bones. It uses a powder-coated steel frame to help withstand the elements while also offering two side shelves. The shelves run the entire length of the side of the gazebo and are almost 10 inches wide. They have plenty of room for putting dishes on for prep or when taking food off the grill. The shelves are a mesh grid so liquids can fall through without making a huge mess on the surface.

You can also anchor the gazebo into whatever surface you’re installing it on thanks to pre-drilled feet on each leg. Each foot has two holes that you can put stakes through if you’re just putting it over grass. You can also screw or bolt the frame onto a deck or patio as well. This will add extra stability.

The canopy is made from polyester and is slanted to allow rain and snow to slide easily off. It is two-tiered so smoke can escape through the roof rather than collecting underneath and heating it up. One interesting addition to the canopy is that two corners have zippers underneath to help you put the cover on or remove it for cleaning purposes.

As the budget offering, it does lack some of the bonus accessories that come with the FAB BASED gazebo, but it has everything you need to help keep your grill or smoker out of the worst of the weather which is exactly what it is intended to do.

What We Like…

• Two corners of the canopy have zippers on the underside to help make installation and removal of the fabric easy
• Even as a budget option, it still uses powder-coated steel for the frame and offers shelving
• Each leg ends in a foot with two holes so you can bolt it into a deck or patio or use stakes in the ground for added stability

What Makes Us Angry…

• Rain that drips from the canopy can hit the outer edge of the shelves, causing splashing and anything on the shelves to get wet
• Some customers had some issues during assembly with screw holes not lining up or the screws being longer than desired, but most had no issues putting it together
• Some customers also had issues with the canopy either not being tight enough or over time collapsing in causing rain to pool on the roof. Does not seem to be a widespread issue, though.

4. Best Budget Hardtop Grill Gazebo – Sunjoy Grill Gazebo 5 ft. by 8 ft. Review

Whether the Sojag Messina gazebo is outside your price range or entirely too big for what you need, it isn’t the only hardtop grill gazebo we recommend. Sunjoy has a steel-frame hardtop option that is a smaller and more affordable option that will still meet your needs. The entire gazebo from the hardtop to the legs is made from powder-coated steel that has a wood finish to add character to the construction. 

That powder-coated steel isn’t just for show, though. It helps increase the durability of the gazebo so it can handle extended exposure to snow, rain, and sun without rusting through immediately. 

The gazebo continues the theme (and necessity) of a two-tiered roof system for airflow. The hardtop roof is slanted for rain and snow runoff as well. On the underside of the roof, Sunjoy included a large hook for hanging a light or another decoration. 

Like the other 5×8 gazebos we’ve looked at, it has two side shelves that add extra space for meal prep, drinks, or food that’s just come off the grill. The shelves themselves are also made from the same powder-coated steel so you don’t have to worry about spills causing rust problems.

You can anchor the gazebo as well. Each leg ends in an anchor plate for staking into the ground or securing to a deck or patio. Each leg also has a cover for the anchor plate to provide a finished look. The less exposed hardware the better visually, right?

Overall, this gazebo is a great combination of simple design like the earlier 5×8 gazebos combined with the durability and strength of all-powder-coated steel construction and hardtop for handling bad weather.

What We Like…

• Affordable powder-coated steel construction to help with harsher weather while the wood-styled finish is attractive
• Stakes are included for anchoring the gazebo to the ground, but you can anchor it to a deck or patio as well
• Assembly is fairly easy

What Makes Us Angry…

• If you don’t like brown, you won’t like the look of the structure
• It lacks some of the extra accessories of some of the other gazebos we’ve profiled, but it’s a well-built sturdy gazebo

5. Best Wood Grill Gazebo – Backyard Discovery Saxony Wooden Grill Gazebo Review

While a steel-and-fabric construction (or especially all-steel) makes a lot of sense for durability and ease of use for a grill gazebo, there’s something about wood. It fits especially with smokers and it looks nice and rustic. So if you’re a fan of wood construction like a pergola, we here at Angry BBQ wanted to find the best option for you. That’s Backyard Discovery’s Saxony Wooden Grill Gazebo. 

The stained cedar looks nice while also being both durable in terms of moisture and having the strength to hold up in snowy climates. It also has a steel roof made with 29 gauge steel, a common metal roofing material designed to hold up to corrosion, is fire resistant (perfect for over grills and smokers!), and doesn’t require a lot of work to maintain. Between the cedar and the steel roof, it can hold up to 30 inches of snow at once (2,284 pounds worth) while standing tall in up to 100 mph winds. This structure will hold up in whatever weather conditions you want to grill in.

Its functionality doesn’t end there, either. It has two built-in powder-coated steel side shelves to give you extra space. It also has an included Power Port that you can plug into an outside outlet. This port has three standard outlets and three USB ports to handle all your electric needs. This can be perfect for a pellet grill that you want a little further from the house than the standard cord while also keeping your phone charged so you can capture those Instagram-worthy pictures.

When it comes to installation, Backyard Discovery partnered with the BILT app. It gives you a full 3D instruction guide that you can turn and zoom in to see all the details while providing a full list of needed hardware for each step. You can even reach out to customer service through the app itself as well and see the warranty information. The app is completely free and available for both Apple and Android phones as well as tablets.

The structure can accommodate a single grill that’s up to 70 inches wide. So if you’ve got a new Traeger Timberline, the standard model will fit but the XL model is just a bit too big at 71 inches. However, there is an aptly-named XL model of the Saxony gazebo on the same page as the regular gazebo that would fit the Timberline XL or two more regular-sized grills if you’re interested.

What We Like…

• Rustic construction harkens to wood pergolas while the steel roof protects from the elements
• Has an included electrical port that can plug into your house; the port has three USB ports and three outlets, perfect for charging phones and for hooking up a pellet grill or electric smoker
• Certified to be able to handle up to 30 inches of snow across the entire roof and stand up to 100 mph winds

What Makes Us Angry…

• A number of customers dealt with some surface-level damage to the wood, from the stain being worn away to actual warping or even gouges
• The instructions are detailed but in small print, so it can be easy to miss important details
• Some customers had issues with holes not being drilled properly

6. Best Large Grill Gazebo – DOMI 12’ x 18’ Hardtop Pavilion Review

DOMI has a large offering of gazebos and we had to include them in this review. Their Pavilion offers a high-quality hardtop with massive space, going from 10’ x 12’ to 12’ x 18’. You can fit an entire outdoor kitchen under this one or have part of it set up for your grill and smoker while putting a full table and chairs under the same coverage.

The gazebo sits on six triangular aluminum leg poles that are almost five inches wide on the outside sides. The aluminum holds up well to all sorts of weather including rain and snow. The base of each leg is pre-drilled so you can securely anchor the gazebo to a patio for added stability.

The galvanized steel roof is two-tiered so you can rest easy in rising smoke being able to escape safely. One feature that is really nice is the entire roof is ringed by a gutter system to help collect rainwater and melting snow to certain points for drainage rather than just cascading off in all directions. 

The gazebo comes with six nets and six curtains that tie to the legs with large Velcro straps when not in use. The nets and curtains slide along a double track so you can choose which kind of cover you want based off your needs. That means during mosquito season, you can slide the netting out to prevent bites while still enjoying the sunshine and airflow. On rainy days, you can even close the curtains in the direction that the rain is falling from for additional protection.

DOMI states they have a five-year guarantee on the roof and one-year guarantees on both the aluminum frame and the curtains so you can rest easy that if anything goes wrong, you’re protected.

What We Like…

• Rain gutters to help redirect rainfall
• Sturdy aluminum frame and galvanized steel roof rated to hold up to 2,500 pounds of snow
• Comes with netting and curtains that slide on double tracks for extra protection from weather and bugs

What Makes Us Angry…

• A number of customers complained about the instructions
• Even the manufacturer recommends using power tools and your own Allen wrench set, so it does not come with all the necessary tools to put it together
• Some customers had struggles with getting the roofing panels together which is not uncommon with the bigger metal roofs

7. Best Budget Large Grill Gazebo – Oneinmil 10x13FT Outdoor Hardtop Gazebo Review

If you’re in the market for covering a large area but don’t want to break the bank, Oneinmil has a large gazebo that might be a great fit. One of the ways that the company was able to build a large gazebo that is 10’ by 13’ is by swapping out the galvanized steel roof with a 6mm-thick polycarbonate roof. 

Polycarbonate roofing is still strong like galvanized steel while being low maintenance, and it has a few other advantages over a metal roof as well. If you live in an area that gets hammered with rain, you might get sick of the sound of raindrops pounding on metal. Rain on a polycarbonate roof is quieter so you won’t be deafened in a rainstorm. Roofs made from that material also allow for a lot of natural light while still filtering UV radiation so you can enjoy sunlight, unlike a metal roof. The gazebo’s roof is two-tiered as well, so you still get that needed ventilation for your grill or smoker. 

Oneinmil uses a powder-coated aluminum frame for the base of the gazebo for stability and durability. Like the other larger gazebos on the list, the base of each leg has pre-drilled holes for anchoring to a patio.

The gazebo includes four mesh netting panels and four polyester outer privacy curtains for whether you need protection from bugs or from harsher weather. The nets and curtains can be strapped to the legs to keep them out of the way when not in use as well. 

Oneinmil does offer a similar-sized gazebo (10x12FT) with a galvanized steel roof if you’re concerned about the durability in an area that gets a lot of snow accumulation. However, if you’re in an area that doesn’t see much snow at all and instead deals with sun and rain, this gazebo is a great fit to cover a larger area.

What We Like…

• A more affordable large gazebo that still offers a hard top
• Polycarbonate roof helps filter out UV rays while still allowing plenty of natural light through
• The powder-coated aluminum frame is both durable and strong

What Makes Us Angry…

• Some customers complained about the quality of the instructions
• If you live in an area that sees heavy snowfall, it may not be the best option for you
• The manufacturer even recommends having a small group of people for assembly purposes

Wrapping It Up

There are plenty of options when it comes to a grill gazebo which is why we tried to break down our list by categories that you might need. If you’re looking for an all around quality Grill Gazebo that will last years and give you some counter space, go with the Sojag Messina. If you need something a bit bigger and can hold up to harsh winters, you’ll definitely want to look at the DOMI 12×18 Hardtop Grill Gazebo that can hold up to whatever is thrown at it thanks to its aluminum frame and galvanized steel roof.

You also want to make sure that whichever grill gazebo you choose, you’re happy with what you’re putting under it as well. If you want to enjoy some low-and-slow smoked barbecue without having to tend that firebox for hours, check out our list of the best pellet grills under $1000.

What are you looking for in a grill gazebo? Let us know in the comments!

FAQs:

Q: Can you grill under a gazebo?

A: Yes, provided you are using a gazebo designed for that. The soft top canopies on the list are all made with polyester which is considered to be fire-resistant or non-flammable. These gazebos also have a two-tier canopy to allow for proper ventilation. The main risks of grilling or cooking barbecue under any sort of structure are proper ventilation and catching the structure on fire. Flare-ups from a grill present the biggest problem to fire safety, but a polyester canopy that’s close to 10 feet up will not be endangered.

Q: Can you grill under a hardtop gazebo?

A: Gazebos with a two-tiered metal roof are even less likely to suffer any sort of damage from a flare-up. As long as the roof is two-tiered for ventilation, there should be no issues with firing up the grill under it. Just don’t close all the curtains while the grill is lit. That can cause ventilation problems as well.