Grilling is an excellent pass time that produces delicious results if done correctly, and for doing that you will need one of the best gas grills that are available on the market for your budget, and for that reasons we made a top with the best gas grills for budgets that start around $200 and end at $500. It is hard to say no to a well-grilled piece of meat or vegetable. There are many types of grills that a person can use to create a scrumptious meal. One of them is the gas grill that uses propane gas or natural gas to heat up its body.
Table of Contents
- Types of gas grills
- Why a gas grill?
- Gas grill buyer’s guide
- List of The Best Gas Grills Under $500
- List of The Best Gas Grills Under $400
- The best grills on gas under $300 are:
- The Best Gas Grills Under $200
- Gas Grills Frequently Asked Questions
- How durable are gas grills?
- Are gas grills beginner-friendly?
- Can we use natural gas on propane grills?
- Do we have to clean a gas grill?
- How does a gas grill work?
- Are gas grills better than charcoal grills?
- Related posts:
If you have difficulty in cutting your food at a specific size before putting it to the grill, a home meat slicer might help you.
Types of gas grills
Even within gas grills, there are three more sub-types which are:
- Propane gas grill
With this type of a gas grill, the device makes use of propane gas to create a flame. Empty propane gas tanks are readily available for exchange at convenience stores and gas stations. Therefore, one need not worry when they run out of liquid propane.
The way these grills work is by connecting it to a gas tank using a short gas line. All a person needs is a tank of standard size and replace it once it is empty.
- Natural gas grill
Natural gas grills work almost the same way as propane gas grills. The only difference is that this variant uses natural gas in place of liquid propane. Natural gas does not come in tanks like propane. So there is no trouble or work to replace an empty tank.
However, these grills will need professional installation because it is more challenging to set up. There are gas grills that can use both propane gas and natural gas as their source of fuel.
- Gas and Charcoal grills
There is another hybrid version of the gas grill that can use both gas as well as charcoal as fuel. These grills have the added benefit of the authentic taste of charcoal-grilled meat while also providing the option for a quick grill using propane gas.
These combination grills usually have two racks on the device, one for charcoal grilling and one for propane gas grilling. In other cases, it comes with only one tray, but the user can interchange it depending on what they want.
Why a gas grill?
Using a gas grill provides many advantages to its users. The main reason why people believe gas grills to be one of the best, if not the best, grill option is that it is very easy to use. Readers can consider these benefits as a cause as to why they should buy a gas grill.
The pros of using gas grills are as follows:
- Ease of use
As mentioned earlier, gas grills are incredibly effortless to use. All one has to do it turn the heat up, and the hard part is over. It works the exact way as a gas stove. Just turn the dial to use it, and turn it off when done. Turning the dial will increase or decrease the heat without needing to add more or less fuel.
There is no worry regarding the need to put out a fire after the grilling session. It is one of the ideal grill options for beginners who have no prior grilling experience. It is perfect for tossing in the food and letting it grill without any disturbance.
- Quick heat
Another excellent reason to buy a gas grill is that they do not take much time to heat up. Once a person turns on the burner, it will take just a few minutes for the grill to reach the ideal temperature for cooking. This feature is not possible on the charcoal grill.
Gas grills are the best option for a quick grilling session. Sometimes a person has other work to tend to after grilling, and there may be not much time left. Using a gas grill will prepare the food as quickly as possible and be ready for the table in a short period.
- Gas is cheaper than charcoal
Both gas and charcoal are depletable sources of energy. They require replacement or refueling after it finishes. When it comes to the price of fuel, propane, or natural gas is much more affordable than charcoal. Users of gas grills will be able to save some money on buying gas instead of charcoal.
- Easy to clean and maintain
It is true that all grills need a good cleaning after use. The good thing about gas grills is that there is no residue from the fuel, unlike charcoal. All one has to do with a propane grill is clean the racks and wipe the drips from the food. On the other hand, for charcoal grills, one will need to clean the trays, mop the meat juices, and also clean the residue from the fuel.
- Adds moisture
Gas grills have a design that allows moisture to stay in the food. They can produce juicy pieces of meat instead of unappetizing dry slabs of meat.
Gas grill buyer’s guide
There are a few things one has to keep in mind while making a purchase decision regarding gas grills. The perfect gas grill fit for someone might not be the best choice for another person. The best alternative for a person will depend on their specific needs and preferences.
Here are some points every gas grill buyer needs to consider before settling on a product:
- Budget
There are many gas grill brands that offer their products in a range of prices. The first thing to do is to set a budget and find products within that price range. Gas grills are usually affordable compared to other variants. However, gas and charcoal combination grills may be on the more expensive side.
- Size of the grill
Similar to the range in prices, gas grills also come in different sizes. If a person is planning to hold many barbeque parties with their family and friends, it is better to go for a large grill. On the other hand, it will not be the best idea to buy a massive barbecue for a small family. Buy a gas grill according to the size it is going to serve.
- Number of burners
Most gas grills come with at least two burners. The tip here is, the more burners a grill has, the better. The reason why one should go for grills with more burners is that the ability to control them individually helps in better management of the food inside. With more burners, it will be easier to adjust the temperature too.
- Features of the grill
Everyone likes a grill that provides more features. Some gas grills come with infrared heat, the motorized spinning to perfectly cook chicken, side burners to keep cooked meals warm, and even convection features. Naturally, the more features a grill has, the pricier it will be. However, it is safe to say that these grills will be worth the price.
- Accessories
A grill is not complete without the required accessories. Make sure the package comes with all the necessary pieces of equipment. It does not need to have all the accessories but should have at least two. Some of the essential accessories are the lid, the brass brush, the digital meat probe, the ceramic place setter, and the racks.
Everyone will have different preferences when it comes to buying a gas grill. There are many types and models in the market. This article has divided the best gas grills based on their prices to make any potential buyer’s work easier. Here are the products which have struck a magical chord with many people:
List of The Best Gas Grills Under $500
The best gas grills under $500 available on the market at this point are:
1. Weber Spirit II E-310 Propane Grill
The Weber Spirit E-310 Propane Grill combines ease of use and ease of cleaning into one unit. It has infinity ignition that ensures the lighting of the grill every time a person turns it on. Cooking food evenly is what people look for in a grill, and this product will deliver where it matters most.
There are many exciting features that this grill provides. The first distinctive feature is the infinity ignition. This characteristic is sure to put the device up and running from the first light. It comes with burner tubes that will help in evenly cooking the meat inside.
The designers have placed the flavorizer bars in such a way that it can collect the juice that drips from the meat and give it an added smoker flavor. At the bottom is the grease management system that collects all the grease and allows for easy cleaning after the smoking session.
This grill also comes with a side table with inbuilt hooks to hold grilling tools like tongs and the like. There is a folding side table on the left that a person can open or fold according to the space available and required.
2. Weber Spirit E310 Liquid Propane Grill
Another Weber hit is the Spirit E310 that is ideal for grilling enough food for a small crowd. It has an aesthetically pleasing design and comes with rolling wheels to make the transportation effortless. If a potential buyer is thinking of using a grill every day, this model is the ideal product of choice.
The Weber Spirit E310 Liquid Propane Grill is not too big and not too small. It has a design that can survive heavy-duty usage. Evenly searing and cooking meat is of the utmost importance when it comes to grilling. And this grill can help in achieving perfectly cooked meals thanks to its porcelain-enameled cooking grates made of cast iron.
The grill comes with a lid that a person can close to retain heat inside the grilling area. It also has a built-in lid thermometer to help you know the temperature inside the grill. This grill is easy to clean and manage after use, thanks to the grease management system. It comes with a side table on both sides of the grill.
3. Dyna-Glo Premier
Dyna-Glo is a trustworthy grill brand, and they manufacture value for the money products of high quality. The DGP397SNP-D Premier is one of the most price-worthy grills that are sure to do an excellent job at nailing a grilled slab of meat.
This gas grill fashions a large area of cooking space up to 550 square inches. So there is no need to worry about having less space to prepare for a small party or gathering. If a person wants more space on the grill to place anything, they can simply unfold the side tables, which are on both sides on the grill.
The cast-iron high-glossed cooking grates are very durable and will not need replacement anytime soon so long as the person cleans it well after use. The designers have made sure that the heat will travel evenly all over the grill so that the food turns out well-cooked without any spots of raw or overcooked meat.
The transportability of this gas grill will not be a challenge because it has four wheels, which can go in all directions. A person can always stop them from moving by locking them in place. It delivers 36,000 BTU of cooking power in total.
List of The Best Gas Grills Under $400
After many tests the best gas grills under $400 that we could found are:
1. Weber Spirit E-210
The Weber Spirit E-210 and Weber Spirit II E-310 are very similar in features. The only difference between the two is their cooking area and the BTU-per-hour input. The E-210 is also more pocket-friendly as compared to the II E-310.
This gas grill boasts the GS4 system. In the GS4 system, as the name suggests, there are four key features or components that distinguish it from other products. The four elements are infinity ignition, flavorizer bars, the acclaimed grease management system, and the powerful burner tubes.
The infinity ignition makes sure that the grill ignites on the first try. It comes with a 10-year warranty period. Thus, one can trust the manufacturers with this technology. The Flavorizer bars exist to sizzle the meat drips and give the food an added smokey flavor.
With the grease management system, cleaning up after a grilling session and adequately maintaining the grill will not be a hassle. At the same time, the burner tubes will make sure that the heat inside the grill spreads evenly over the whole area.
2. Char-Griller Dual 2 Burner Charcoal and Gas Grill
As readers may have noticed by the name, this grill by Char-Grills brings to its customers and potential buyers the best of both worlds. With the Dual 2 Burner Charcoal and Gas Grill, a person can grill using propane gas or charcoal, according to their preference.
There are many benefits that both gas grills and charcoal grills provide. For a quick and easy grilling session, a person can go for gas grills. On the other hand, if a person has the time and skills to make a delicious true-flavored piece of grilled meat, they can go for a charcoal grill. Since this product allows its users to use either the gas side or the charcoal side, the person can enjoy both sets of benefits.
In addition to this, it has a huge cooking area of 870 square inches. The primary cooking area is also 606 square inches, which is big enough to cook a meal for one family. The Dual 2 Burner Charcoal and Gas Grill has electronic ignition and easy dump ash pan.
3. Royal Gourmet 8-Burner Event Gas Grill
Sometimes, a person may need a gas grill big enough to serve big parties or events. For this specific purpose, the Royal Gourmet 8-Burner Event Gas Grill will be an excellent choice of product. It is the ideal gas grill for camping, large BBQ parties, picnics, and events.
As mentioned earlier in the buyer’s guide, the more burners a grill has, the better it is because these devices have easier temperature control features. The Royal Gourmet 8-Burner Event Gas Grill, as the name suggests, comes with eight burners over an extended cooking area. Each of these stainless steel burner tubes creates 13,000 BTU.
This product has two regulators to ensure stable temperature while cooking or grilling. The cooking area of the extra-large capacity grill is 950 square inches. It can house over 60 burgers or 120 hot dogs all at one go.
It has one foldable side tables on each end and has storage capacity underneath the grilling area. The windscreen prevents dirt from entering while cooking.
The best grills on gas under $300 are:
1. Char-Broil 4-Burner Cart Style Gas Grill
With an aim to improve their products in any way possible, Char-Broil has brought to the market the 4-Burner Cart Style Gas Grill. It is one of the bigger sized grills available in the market and will have no trouble whipping up a good meal for the whole family.
One has to make sure that the cooking grates are of stainless steel material. This point is to prevent the ingestion of rust, which will have many ill-effects on the body. The 4-Burner Cart Style Gas Grill has iron-cast grill grates coated with porcelain. They will not rust anytime soon.
This gas grill also comes with heat tents and stainless steel burners to ensure a wide range of temperatures. Different cuts and types of meat require different temperatures, and this product will offer such a range.
It has a full stainless steel body design and side shelves. There is a removable grease tray and pan to simplify the work of cleaning up after use. In addition, it has two wheels to make moving the gas grill effortless.
2. Char-Broil Performance 300 Gas grill
Another excellent gas grill from Char-Broil is Performance 300. The size of this product is more on the compact side. It does not have the biggest cooking area but is perfect for patios and small spaces. It has two burners.
If a person is not planning to use the grill for large parties or a big family, this compact cabinet gas grill will be one of the best choices in the market. The grill has porcelain-coated cast-iron grates with a primary cooking area of 300 square inches. There are another 100 square inches of a swing-away rack of the same material.
On the stainless steel lid is an inbuilt temperature gauge to make control and maintenance of a stable heat less challenging. There are two metal sheets for more space that a person can fold if not needed. The casters can lock and unlock for stability as well as easy transport. One can simply remove the grease tray from the side to clean it.
3. Char-Griller E3001 Grillin’ Pro
Durability is an important feature that all gas grills must-have. After all, it is not every day that a person gets to buy a grill. The Char-Griller E3001 Grillin’ Pro has parts made of very durable material so that it can last for a long time under proper care and maintenance.
Investing in a durable product is what everyone wants. If a person does not want to spend unnecessarily on low-quality gas grills, going for the E3001 Grillin’ Pro will not be a bad choice. It has a durable steel construction that can withstand the sun and rain day after day.
It has a comparatively large main cooking area of 438 square inches. In case a person wants to keep their prepared meal warm, there is a warming rack just above the main cooking area of 192 square inches.
It also comes with two side tables, which can fold when not in use. The total cooking power of the gas grill is 40,800 BTU. The side burner has a cooking power of 12,000, which comes in handy while cooking side dishes and grilling at the same time.
The Best Gas Grills Under $200
If your budget is under $200 and you are interested in a good gas grill, here are the best grills on gas under $200 that we found:
1. Cuisinart CGG-306 Chef’s Style
Ease of use does not only mean easy to clean and easy to control. Ease of use must include an easy setup or installation process too. With the Cuisinart CGG-306 Chef’s Style gas grill, a person can set up the device in under 10 minutes and start cooking immediately.
This gas grill does not need any tools or extra pieces of equipment to set up. Even a beginner with no prior knowledge or experience with installing gas grills will be able to get this product up and running in no time. It comes with two electric ignition burners.
Another feature about this grill is that a person can place it on top of a table. This way, one need not worry about emptying a space to set it on. It is very light, compact, and portable. There is an integrated thermometer that helps in keeping the temperature at an ideal level. The whole body of this gas grill is of durable stainless steel.
2. Cuisinart CGG-180TS Petit Gourmet
Another excellent product from Cuisinart is the CGG-180TS. It is light, compact, and will definitely save a lot of space. Families with fewer members can go for this product. It is the perfect size for a couple. Easy to use and ready to go.
Cuisinart makes sure that the cooking grates of the CGG-180TS do not rust by coating it with porcelain. The total cooking surface of this gas grill is 145 square inches and will fit in perfectly on a table. Since this grill is rather small, there is no need for more than one burner. One is enough to spread heat evenly and control it precisely.
All a person needs to do to turn this little gas grill on is turn the burner, and the electric ignition will start the flames. It weighs only 17 pounds, making it one of the lightest and most portable grills in the market. The grill has sturdy legs so that it will not move when someone is using it. After use, one can simply fold back in the legs.
3. Char-Broil Classic 360 Grill
One of the best and most affordable gas grills an interested buyer can get right now is the Classic 360 by Char-Broil. With 360 square inches of cooking space, this compact gas grill is sure to produce a delicious and juicy piece of grilled meat without any problem.
One distinctive feature of this grill is its Piezo Ignition system. This feature ensures a fast and dependable ignition at the push of a single button. That’s right. All a person needs to do to turn this grill on is push a button. After that, the work is over, and it is ready to go.
The steel inline burners on this gas grill make sure that there is not drastic fluctuation when it comes to reducing the heat from a high to a low position. There are two metal tables on the sides that can fold up when not in use. This grill also has an added 170 square inches of warming rack.
Gas Grills Frequently Asked Questions
How durable are gas grills?
There is no specific time set for this question. The period a gas grill will last depends on factors like the quality of the materials used, the brand of the gas grill, the exposure of the device to wind, sun, and rain, the frequency of use, and the like. However, one thing is for sure, and that is proper cleaning and maintenance will extend the life of the gas grill by many years. Even though manufacturers may not mention it in the instructions, always keep the gas grill clean.
Are gas grills beginner-friendly?
Yes, gas grills are very beginner-friendly. Compared to other types of grills like those which use charcoal as fuel, gas grills are easy to use. To control the temperature, all one needs to do is turn the dial. Turning the gas grill on and off is also hassle-free. Maintenance and cleaning do not need a lot of effort. There are very pocket-friendly models of gas grills in the market that are ideal for beginners who are not ready to spend a massive sum of money on a grill.
Can we use natural gas on propane grills?
No, one should never use natural gas on propane grills. Using the wrong fuel will have fatal consequences. However, one can always get a professional to convert a propane gas grill into a natural gas grill. Use natural gas on a propane grill only after a professional installer changes the fuel type. Propane gas openings are usually smaller, and using natural gas will produce tiny flames. On the other hand, using propane gas on a natural gas grill will create gigantic fires because the openings are larger.
Do we have to clean a gas grill?
Yes, everyone should clean their gas grills after use. Cleaning the device will not only keep it spick and span but will also extend the life of the grill. One must do everything to let a grill stay in working condition for as long as possible. This way, a person will get the most out of the amount of money spent on it. After all, there is no need to buy a new grill if the old one is working just fine.
How does a gas grill work?
The working of a gas grill is not complicated at all. Gas grills get their source of heat from propane gas or natural gas. The way propane gas grills work is by attaching an LP tank to the grill with a short gas pipe. The valves control the regulator that either gives off more or less gas according to preference and need. Releasing gas into the burning area will need just a small spark to start burning. It does not take long for gas grills to heat the racks up for the grilling session to begin.
Are gas grills better than charcoal grills?
The answer to this question will depend on what the user needs and wants. Gas grills are much easier to use and are cheaper to refuel or replace. On the other hand, charcoal grills produce a much more flavorful meat product. They are usually more durable than gas grills.
With the buyer’s guide given above, as well as the suggestions for the best gas grills in the market, readers can now make a well-informed purchase decision and get the best gas grill that will suit their needs.