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People grill food to get that nice, smoky, barbecue flavor you can’t get from using the stove top. The first step is finding the perfect gas grill for your specific needs.
There are many different gas grills to choose from, but which is the best? Everyone wants the best grilling experience possible, but some people may be on a budget.
There is a large selection of cheap gas grills on the market. In this article, we are going to narrow it down by looking at the best gas grills for your buck.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Budget Gas Grills
Comparison Chart of the Best Budget Gas Grills
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Can You Find a Good Gas Grill That's Cheap?
The purpose of a gas grill is to fulfill its primary duty, resulting in smooth and consistent grilling sessions.
Cheap gas grills only come with the basic features necessary to grill. Obviously, the more expensive the grill, the more features it’ll have.
These features could include larger cooking surface, stainless steel cabinets, electrical outlets, precise temperature control, side burners, a sink, and anything else to make a grill even more convenient.
For everyday grilling, these features are not necessary. By keeping these things in mind and thinking about what you need, it’s definitely possible to find a gas grill on a budget if you just want something that gives off authentic flavor without all the extra features.
Luckily, we’ve done the research for you and have found the best gas grills for your budget.
What Makes a Top of the Line Gas Grill?
Let's take a look:
Price
The price is a big factor when determining which grill to buy. You get what you pay for. With more expensive grills, you get more features, but it is necessary to keep in mind the features you actually want and plan to use, otherwise, paying a higher price isn’t ideal.
Size
The size of the grill is important. Choosing the right size depends on how many people you plan to normally cook for, the type of things you want to cook, and how much space you have to store it.
You obviously don’t want a large grill if you're only cooking for two people. It’ll take up a lot of space and be completely unnecessary for your money. Get the size that is convenient for your needs.
Material
Long-term durability of the grates is an important aspect when choosing a gas grill. The most common types are porcelain, steel, and cast iron. But which material is best? The heat of grills can wear down metals if they’re low quality or thin.
The most affordable are steel grates. These work well for a long time, as long as you take the time to keep them clean.
Porcelain-coated steel can often rust due to paint chipping, but this could be avoided by keeping hard metal scrapers and other tools away from the grill. Similar to steel grates, it is necessary to take care of it.
A heavy cast iron grate is probably the best option for long-term usage. It retains a lot of heat and helps with faster cooking and higher quality in the taste of the food, but it is the more expensive option.
Overall, keep in mind what makes a great gas grill for different people. Everybody has different grilling needs, as well as budgets. In general, taking care of a cheap gas grill could add years to its durability.
Why is a Gas Grill Ideal Compared to Other Types of Fuel?
Curious? Here's what you need to know:
Gas Grill vs. Pellet Grill
Unlike gas grills, pellet grills need to be plugged in. This is unsuitable for people who go camping or do not have a convenient place to plug into. Pellet grills are also expensive.
It is necessary to drop a bit of money to get a quality pellet grill. Whereas for gas grills, there are still cheap options to get the quality and flavor your want.
Pellet grills, in general, also produce less smoke and heat, resulting in a slower cooking time.
Gas Grill vs. Electric Grill
Electric grills offer a less authentic smoky, barbecue flavor than gas grills. Similar to pellet grills, electric grills must also be plugged in, which is not as convenient as gas grills.
Even though electric grills may be used indoor, they’re a lot less common, which means they offer less variety than gas grills.
In general, gas is more readily available. You can find any gas grill that fits your budget, anywhere from $100 to $3000.
Overall, gas grills cook food quicker and are more convenient than other types of fuel.
Willy's Top Picks - Best Budget Gas Grills
Here are the top three best budget gas grills:
Review of the Best Budget Gas Grills
Let’s now move on to the review of the products and see what products made our list and why.
Best Budget Gas Grill:
Blackstone 28-inch Outdoor Flat-Top Gas Grill Griddle Station - 2-Burner
Pros
Cons
First on the list is the best budget gas grill winner, the Blackstone 28-inch Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle Station.
This Grill Griddle station comes with two burners. The two-zone heating controls allows for cooking different foods at their necessary temperatures at the same time.
It is suitable for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and cooks anything from pancakes to quesadillas to burgers. This large cook-top is ideal for events, camping, or even everyday home grilling.
For easy cleanup, this product includes a rear grease management system. It collects grease that has been drawn from your food and is easy to clean up at the end of each grill session.
This gas grill also includes a bottom shelf and a cantilevered shelf for hassle-free food prep and storage convenience. The grill itself is portable and easy to move and store by removing the grill top and collapsing the legs to fit into smaller storage spaces.
With a powder-coated black steel frame, it is built to last and be durable for a longer period of time.
Bottom Line
Overall, this gas grill definitely has the best features and quality for its low price. It’s great for events, parties, camping, and general everyday grilling for a large number of people. Built to be easily transportable, it’ll take no time to set up and clean up for an enjoyable experience anywhere.
Best Budget Gas Grill Runner-up:
Weber Spirit II E-210 LP Outdoor Gas Grill
Pros
Cons
Next, we have the runner-up, which is this Weber outdoor gas grill. This grill is designed for everyday backyard grilling and keeps food cooking consistently and evenly.
The open-cart design and a collapsible side table allow it to fit in smaller spaces. The side tables are integrated with hooks to hang crucial grilling tools for fast access and organization.
It has porcelain-enameled, cast iron cooking grates. This is ideal for retaining the heat and cooking the food quicker, as well as giving food the best flavor possible.
This gas grill also includes a grease management system that can simply be removed and replaced as needed after each use.
With the Infinity Ignition Integrated in the design, it is easy to start up the grill. It is designed to ignite every time, but in case it doesn’t, it comes with a ten-year warranty.
Bottom Line
This inexpensive, two-burner gas grill is perfect for the everyday grilling experience and for those with smaller spaces. The extra features, such as the hooks, are great for organization, convenience, and adds to the overall basic grilling needs.
Best Gas Grill Under $100:
Char-Broil Classic 280 2-Burner Liquid Propane Gas Grill
Pros
Cons
For those who have a budget of under $100, this Char-Broil Classic 280 2-Burner Gas Grill is the best choice for you. It comes with all the basic features for the best grilling experience for a family.
Being on the cheaper side, it has porcelain-coated grates. Although this may the most inexpensive material, it still prevents food from sticking to the surface and allows for easy clean-up. This grill also offers two metal side shelves for necessary food prep.
To increase durability and protect against tougher weather conditions, this grill includes a porcelain-coated steel lid and firebox. The design also includes two wheels to increase mobility when necessary.
Bottom Line
Overall, this gas grill comes with all the features necessary for basic grilling needs. What more do you need for $100?
Editor’s Pick:
Cuisinart CGG-7400
Pros
Cons
Why it Stands Out to Us
The foremost thing that catches the attention of pro grillers and pitmasters is the heating power of the grill. This grill will have your heart with its exceptional heating capability. It boasts not two or three, but four burners along with the respective control knobs.
Each burner releases 11000 BTUs of heat. This feature gives you the opportunity to achieve a collective 44000 BTUs heat, conducive to cooking food smartly and quickly.
The next important feature is the cooking capacity. This grill has an enormous cooking area of about 610 square inches. The most engaging part is that the total area is comprised of two racks. The main and major rack is 443 square inches.
The other rack, situated above the main grate, is 167 square inches. It is suitable for heating or sizzling side dishes, veggies, corn, etc.
The construction of this grill is also unique and super-strong. The whole grill, including the lid, control knob, and the burner are engineered with pro-grade stainless steel, which offers amazing resistance to denting and rusting. The grates are made of heavy-duty cast iron and can be removed for hassle-free cleanup.
Not only that, but you can also control the heat with the knobs, but you are also given the added benefit of a functional, built-in thermometer. This thermometer allows you to monitor the internal temperature without opening the lid.
The bonus features include an aluminum drip pan and an built-in bottle opener.
Bottom Line
Having a 610-square-inch cooking area, you can count on this grill for preparing finger-licking meals for your loved ones. While the food cooks, you can garnish your platters on the side tables.
When the cooking session ends, you can comfortably move the grill back to the storeroom, thanks to the wheels. And of course, the stainless steel construction promises to serve you season after season.
Best Gas Grill Under $300:
Dyna-Glo DGB390SNP-D
Pros
Cons
This three-burner grill is durable and designed for a high-performance cooking experience for just under $300.
It is perfect for gatherings of friends and family. With this grill’s compact design, it is the perfect fit for smaller spaces. The collapsible side tables allow for it to fit on smaller patios and decks or can be used for extra food prep space.
For easy use, this gas grill includes chrome-plated control values and an Electro-Pulse ignition for a fast startup. In addition to these features is the thermometer control. This helps you attain the perfect temperature for any food, leaving you with a safe food experience.
This design includes porcelain-enameled cast iron grates which are best for retaining heat. This material is the most ideal for achieving the perfect sear. The porcelain coating is also supposed to help keep the grates from rusting.
Bottom Line
For just under $300, the porcelain-enameled cast iron grates make it worth the price, as long as they are cleaned properly. With slightly better material overall, this gas grill is worth your money and will definitely suit all your grilling needs while staying within your budget.
Best Gas Grill Under $200:
Char-Broil Performance 300 2-Burner Cabinet Liquid Propane Gas Grill
Pros
Cons
The Char-Broil Performance 200 2-Burner Cabinet Gas Grill is ideal for grilling food for family and guests.
The metal side shelves allow for food prep and extra space and can be easily collapsed when necessary. This grill includes porcelain-coated, cast iron grates, which are less prone to rusting.
The grill has a sleek cabinet-style base that sits on four casters. This allows it to be easily maneuverable and also be secure with the two lockable casters. The cabinet can be used for the propane tank, accessories and other tools necessary for grilling.
To start up the grill, the design offers an electronic ignition system. It starts up with a push of a button and is quick and consistent. This feature is great for those with less grilling experience.
Bottom Line
With slightly better features than the previous gas grill, the Char-Broil Performance 300 adds a little more value and quality, which is definitely worth the higher price.
How to Start a Gas Grill
Gas grills are far easier to operate. Unlike charcoal grills, they don’t need you to remove and replace the fuel each time you grill. But this doesn’t mean you get a license to operate the gas grill relentlessly. There are some rules you must abide by in order to use the equipment efficiently and safely. Keep reading below to learn how to handle these.
- First, open the hood.
- Then, turn on the valves of the propane tank.
- Next, turn the knobs to the maximum. If your grill doesn’t use knobs, then utilize a lighter for ignition.
- Close the hood and wait till the chamber reaches 550 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The gauge will show the temperature. Otherwise, you can wait for roughly 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, you can brush off the grates and scrape off any dirt, if necessary.
- As soon as the thermometer needle strikes the desired temperature, place the food on the grates. That’s it.
During the usage of gas grills, you may incur some problems like the slow rise of temperature. At this point, you need to open the hood and close the knobs. Disconnect the regulator hose from the propane tank. After a few minutes, re-attach the hose firmly.
In this way, you can overcome the temperature issues. For further help, be sure to refer to the video below for a full overview of what was just described.
Conclusion
Whether you have a budget of $100 or $500, any of the gas grills above would be sufficient enough for basic, everyday grilling.
For the best-quality budget gas grill, we highly recommend the Blackstone 28-inch Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle Station, but its ultimately up to you to choose which gas grill best satisfies your budget and needs.
People Also Ask
Grillers operate their grills under all circumstances. For this reason, they research them a lot. Below are some questions commonly asked by grilling enthusiasts.
What is a Gas Grill?
Gas grills perform the same job that other grills do. The difference lies in the configuration and fuel type. Gas grills run on natural or propane gas. Burners are present, through which ignition takes place. Above the burners, are grates that offer space for your food.
What To Do With an Old Gas Grill?
Never think of dumping your gas grill in the trash. First, disconnect the propane tank after closing the valves and knobs. Then disassemble each and every component of the unit, including burners, side shelves, grates, drip pans, and wheels.
Hand over the steel body and other steel parts to metal dealers. Throw the plastic objects like knobs, wheels, and hose in the recycling trash. Offer the propane tank to propane gas dealers, as it can be useful to them.
This procedure can be tiring, but it’s important to do so for the safety of you and the environment.
How Long Should a Gas Grill Last?
Well, it completely depends on the frequency of use and maintenance. If the unit is used more often, then only cleaning it occasionally will be insufficient and may shorten its lifespan. Owing to various reasons, we can conclude that a gas grill should last for five to fifteen years, presuming the construction and components are of superior quality.
How Hot Does a Gas Grill Get?
The highest attainable temperature in a gas grill happens to be 650 degrees Fahrenheit, in most cases. The best part is that gas grills reach their hottest temperatures in less time as compared to other grills. If you face any delay in obtaining the required temperature, then reset the gas grill regulator immediately.
