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Royal Gourmet 8-Burner Gas Grill

Gas Grills

Royal Gourmet 8-Burner Grill Review 2026: Built for Big Crowds

Eight burners and 104,000 BTUs across an open-top, flat-grill layout split into two independent four-burner zones. A party-sized propane grill for block parties, church events and big family cookouts.

By Tom BrickerLast updated:6 min read

Our verdict

An 8-burner, 104,000 BTU event grill with two independent zones that can run on separate propane tanks.

Gas Grill · Propane

Brand
Royal Gourmet
Cooking area
Two independent 4-burner cooking zones
Fuel
Propane

What we liked

  • Eight burners and 104,000 BTUs total cook for a large crowd in one round.
  • Two independent four-burner systems: run one half for small meals, both for events.
  • Each side can run on its own propane tank, so one empty tank doesn't stop the cook.

What could be better

  • Very wide
  • No lid: it's an open-top grill, so no roasting, smoking or lid-down cooking.
  • Painted steel body won't last like stainless or cast aluminum.

Buy it if

Block parties, fundraisers and big family cookouts feeding a crowd

Skip it if

You cook for four on a small patio or want premium stainless build

The Royal Gourmet 8-Burner Gas Grill is built for one job: feeding a crowd. It scored 4 out of 5 as a large-event propane grill, with 104,000 BTUs across an open-top cooking surface split into two independent four-burner zones that can each run on their own tank.

Royal Gourmet eight-burner open-top gas grill with burgers across the full grate at a backyard partyEight burners, two zones: run both halves for a crowd, or just one for a weeknight.

The trade-off: there's no lid, so it grills and nothing else. It's also very wide, and the painted steel body won't age like a premium grill. Our gas grill reviews compare it with every gas grill we cover.

How We Reviewed

Royal Gourmet's published figures for the 8-burner event grill (GB8000), checked against its product page and retailer listings.

Tom Bricker reviewed the Royal Gourmet 8-Burner against Royal Gourmet's own specifications, and Marcus Reilly checked the facts.

  • Burners: 8, split into two independently controlled four-burner systems.
  • Output: 104,000 BTU total, about 13,000 BTU per burner (52,000 BTU per side).
  • Burners: stainless steel tube burners over porcelain-enameled flame tamers.
  • Ignition: two separate electronic ignition systems, each taking 2 AA batteries (not included).
  • Cooking area: 993 sq in total.
  • Fuel: liquid propane; two regulators let each side run on its own 20 lb tank.
  • Estimated burn time: about 8 hours per 20 lb tank for one side on high, or about 4 hours on one tank with both sides fed from it (our calculation from 430,000 BTU per tank).
  • Size and weight: 90.5 x 27.6 x 40.4 in assembled, 119 lb net.
  • Grates and body: porcelain-enameled grates on a painted steel body.
  • Warranty: 1-year limited on all parts (per retailer listing).

Key Specs

SpecRoyal Gourmet 8-Burner
Burners8 (two independent 4-burner systems)
Total output104,000 BTUs
FuelLiquid propane, one or two 20 lb tanks
GratesPorcelain-enameled
LidNone: open top with wind guards on back and sides
IgnitionTwo push-button igniters, one per zone
Side tablesTwo, folding
PriceAbout $489–$559

Stainless control panel of the Royal Gourmet eight-burner grill with eight knobs and two igniter buttonsTwo igniters, one per four-burner zone, so each side lights on its own.

How Many People Can It Feed?

A big crowd. Two full-width cooking zones let you grill burgers, dogs and chicken for a large party in one round.

  • Two zones: cook burgers on one half and chicken on the other, each at its own heat.
  • Batch speed: fewer rounds means everyone eats at the same time.
  • Small meals: light just one half for a family dinner and save propane.

Burgers and hot dogs filling the left zone and chicken thighs on the right zone of an eight-burner grillBurgers on one side, chicken on the other: each zone runs at its own heat.

Does It Heat Evenly Across Eight Burners?

Mostly, with some edge drop-off. Like most budget wide grills, the outer edges run cooler than the center of each zone.

  • Hot spots: the middle of each zone gets hottest; use the edges to hold finished food.
  • No lid: it cooks direct only. Thick cuts and whole chickens need a disposable foil pan or a basting cover over them. Our direct vs indirect grilling guide explains why.
  • Wind: the back and side guards help, but set it up out of strong wind; an open top loses heat fast.

Tip: Rotate food from edge to center halfway through a big batch so everything finishes together.

Fuel Use, Setup and Portability

  • Propane: eight burners on high empty a 20 lb tank fast. Running two tanks, one per zone, keeps an event going. See how long a propane tank lasts.
  • Assembly: expect a long build with many parts. Two people make it much easier.
  • Moving it: caster wheels help on a flat patio, but its width makes gates and narrow paths a problem.

What We Didn't Like

  • No lid: you can't roast, smoke or cook lid-down.
  • Footprint: it's very wide and needs a large patio or event space.
  • Build: painted steel chips and can rust if left uncovered.
  • Propane use: full power burns fuel quickly.
  • Assembly time: a long build with a lot of hardware.

Setup and Care

  • Cleaning: brush grates hot after each cook and empty grease trays often. Our cleaning and maintenance guide covers the routine.
  • Cover: keep it covered between events to protect the painted steel.
  • Storage: fold the side tables, close both tank valves and disconnect tanks for long storage.

Two people assembling a wide eight-burner gas grill on a garage floor with parts laid outAssembly goes faster with two people and the parts sorted before you start.

Who Should Buy the Royal Gourmet 8-Burner (and Who Shouldn't)

Buy it if you

  • host block parties, fundraisers or big family cookouts

  • want two independent grills in one frame

  • need lots of grill space without a premium price

Look elsewhere if you

  • cook for four on a small patio

  • want stainless or cast aluminum build that lasts for years

  • want a lid for roasting, smoking or rotisserie

Match two or more points on either side and you have your answer.

Comparing budgets? See our best gas grills under $500.

Large group of friends around a wide eight-burner propane grill at a backyard block partyBuilt for the cookouts where the line for food never seems to end.

Royal Gourmet 8-Burner vs. Alternatives

When to pick an alternative instead

Common Problems and Fixes

  • Burner won't light: clean the igniter tip and check the wire. Our ignition troubleshooting guide walks through it.
  • Weak, low flame: the regulator may be in bypass. Close the tank valve and all knobs, disconnect, wait a minute, reconnect and open the tank slowly. See why a grill won't heat up.
  • Rust spots: sand lightly, touch up with high-heat paint, and keep it covered.

Is the Royal Gourmet 8-Burner Worth the Money?

Yes, if you host big cookouts. Few grills give you this much burner space at this price.

What you give up: a lid, premium materials, even heat at the edges and extras like a sear burner. If you mostly cook for a family, a smaller 4-burner fits better.

Frequently Asked Questions

01

How many BTUs is the Royal Gourmet 8-burner grill?

It puts out 104,000 BTUs total across its eight burners.

02

Can you run the Royal Gourmet 8-burner on one propane tank?

Yes, you can run one zone on a single tank. For both zones, use two tanks, one per side.

03

Is the Royal Gourmet 8-burner hard to assemble?

It takes a while because of its size and parts count. Two people make it much easier.

04

Can you use just half of the grill?

Yes. The two four-burner systems work independently, so you can light one side only.

05

Is the Royal Gourmet 8-burner good for catering?

It suits casual events and fundraisers well. For daily commercial use, a heavier-duty grill lasts longer.

06

Does the Royal Gourmet 8-burner rust?

The painted steel can rust where it chips. Keep it covered and touch up scratches.

07

Does the Royal Gourmet 8-burner have a lid?

No. It's an open-top grill with wind guards on the back and sides, built for direct grilling.

Final Score

SmokyHQ score

Good fit

Best at Cooking Capacity
Weakest at Heat Consistency

  • Cooking Capacity9.5/10
  • Heat Consistency7.0/10
  • Build Quality7.0/10
  • Fuel Efficiency7.0/10
  • Value for Money9.0/10
  • Ease of Setup8.5/10

The Royal Gourmet 8-Burner is a budget way to feed a crowd, with two independent zones on one open-top grill. Skip it if you cook for a small family or want a grill built to last a decade.

Next steps: if you want premium build and more features, read the Weber Genesis E-325 review.

Durability

What to watch over time

Painted steel body and wind guards
Touch up chips and keep it covered so rust doesn't start at scratches.
Burners
Brush burner ports clear each season; grease buildup causes uneven flame.
Igniters
Keep electrodes clean and dry; replacements are inexpensive.

Based on the materials, design and warranty we documented during testing. Long-term ownership results are added to reviews as our testers log them.

Written by

Tom Bricker

Consumer Research Analyst & Lead Tester

Tom Bricker has 10+ years of grilling on every fuel type and a consumer-research background. He leads SmokyHQ’s gas, portable, electric and flat-top testing, so if you’re weighing price against how long a grill will last, his reviews show which ones are worth the money.

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