Best Gas grills under $500 – Reviews and Buyer’s Guide
You recently saw a beautiful gas grill at your friend’s evening garden party and ate the beautiful grilled chicken served there. The grilled food was delicious, all the flavors seemed to incorporate into the food beautifully, and now you have decided you want the best propane grill as well. Except that when you sit down to research on the best gas grills, you find that the best grills on the market have skyrocketing prices. Well, good gas grills are truly hard to find, but not impossible!
You need to find a very affordable option that does the job beautifully, just like its expensive counterparts, without compromising on the most important specifications. So, the best gas grills under $500 can be hard to find, so these gas grill reviews will help you find the perfect fit for your household. There is also a buying guide at the end, so you can also understand the factors you need to check for before investing.
10 Best Gas Grills Reviews under $500
1. Weber Q3200 Liquid Propane Grill
Weber is quite a well-known company and is very popular for manufacturing the best gas grills, and the Weber 57060001 Q3200 lives up to its extremely good reputation by being one of the best grills on the market. It is designed very ergonomically and has a very compact design, which can be stored easily and transported easily to your outdoor space.
The cooking area is 393 square inches and is fit for small families; and also features two burners which produce an output of 21,700 BTU per hour and is quite fast in cooking food. The lid and body are made of cast aluminum, and the lid also has a built-in thermometer, which helps in checking and maintaining the proper temperature inside the grill. The porcelain-enameled grilling grates are very useful for an even distribution of heat and are also very easy to clean and maintain. If you want to know in-depth information about this product, you can review our article on Weber Q 3200.
PROS —
- Compact design
- Lid with a built-in thermometer
- Porcelain-enameled grilling grates
- Good BTU output
CONS —
- Very small in size, not fit for middle or large-sized families
- 2 burners
Recommended: Best Weber Grills 2021
2. Weber Spirit II E-310 3-Burner Natural Gas Grill
While the previous Weber grill was a propane gas grill, the Weber 49010001 Spirit II E-310 is from the famous Spirit series and a natural gas grill. Any grill with a natural gas pipeline is automatically much cheaper than a propane gas grill. To fit your natural gas connection in your home with this grill, this gas grill comes with a 10-foot flexible hose, which does not restrict your mobility as in other natural gas grills.
The 529 square inches of cooking area in the gas grill are housed with the extremely powerful GS4 grilling system and an improved infinity ignition, much more dependable than manual ignition. It also has porcelain-enameled flavorizer bars, which help in imparting the best flavors into your grilled food. It also has porcelain-enameled cooking grates, which are great as it distributes the heat better across the grill and is also easier to clean with the grease management system.
If you want to know in-depth information about this product, you can review our article on Weber Spirit E-330.
PROS —
- 10-foot flexible hose
- Porcelain-enameled grates
- Grease management system
CONS —
- Mobility is much less as compared to other grills
- Wheels are not stable
3. Megamaster 6 Burner Propane Gas Grill
If you are looking for the best affordable gas grill, which offers both a large cooking space and a powerful performance under a budget, then the Megamaster 6 Burner 720-0983 will be an excellent fit for you. It has a cooking area of 753 square inches, which makes it a perfect fit for medium-sized families, and speeds up cooking time, and makes it very easy for you to maneuver on the grills when you are working.
The cooking happens on porcelain enameled cast iron grill grates that do not rust at all. This is a very spacious gas grill with spacious side tables fitted which you can serve food on and keep your tools to make them easily accessible while prepping. It also has an electric ignition which is very reliable and lights up faster, making manual lighting an archaic thing of the past. This gas grill is very easily portable by virtue of its heavy-duty wheels.
PROS —
- Has an ample cooking space
- 6 burners
- Electric ignition
- Easily portable
CONS —
- The metal frame is very weak
- Heats up very slowly
4. Char-Broil Classic 360 3-Burner Liquid Propane Gas Grill
Char-Broil is a very renowned brand that boasts superior performance, and truly, the Char-Broil Classic 360 is no less beautiful than the others produced by Char-Broil. This is again a very tiny and compact gas grill which, by virtue of its size, can be easily stored in a nook in your house, and combined with its heavy-duty wheels, can be wheeled in and makes for easy transportation and adds a portability factor to the grill.
It houses a moderate cooking space of 360 square inches which is adequate space for small families. It also comes with porcelain-coated grates, which provide an even heating factor and therefore does not take much time to cook, and incorporates all the beautiful flavors without letting the food stick on the grill. There are three stainless steel burners on this grill (check best 3 burner gas grills to buy in 2021). The piezo ignition is quite powerful and therefore accelerates the cooking process.
PROS —
- Porcelain-coated lid and grates
- Stainless steel burners
- Heavy-duty wheels
- Piezoelectric ignition system
CONS —
- Cooking space is very less
- The burners rust quite easily
Also Read: Char Broil Performance 650 Review
5. Royal Gourmet GB4001 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill Griddle
When grilling food is your passion, and you take out your propane gas grill now and then to cook for your friends and family, having a large gas grill is not just for show; it’s a necessity. The Royal Gourmet GB4001 will have your back with its 792 square inches of cooking space; it is spacious and extremely easy to use. Despite being a bit bulky, you can remove the pre-seasoned surface easily for cleaning by using the side handles.
The grill houses 4 stainless steel tube burners that can be individually controlled, and the control panel at the front makes it easier to make use of the grill. It has an electric ignition system that lights the burner up in just a few seconds and makes the entire unit faster than the ignition manual. The gas grill has a grease cup where the grease accumulates, and it is detachable, so you can simply detach it for easy maintenance.
PROS —
- Spacious with 792 square inches of cooking space
- 4 stainless steel tube burners
- Easy to use control panel
- Easy maintenance with the detachable grease cup
CONS —
- Takes time to heat up
- No place for extra storage
- Build is flimsy
6. Dyna-Glo D Smart Space Living 3 Burner LP Gas Grill
If you have a quaint outdoor cooking space and prefer a gas grill with a rustic antique look, then this model of the Dyna-Glo DGB390SNP-D will be an excellent fit for you. The beautiful, intelligent space grill is very compact and is easily transportable, and makes for easier portability. The gas grill has 3 burners, which deliver an extremely powerful and steady heat of 36,000 BTUs, and is also quite fast when it comes to grilling.
This model is top-notch and has ample prepping and workspace, is made of powder-coated steel, and serves as great serving tables where you can sit and have your food. These side tables also have integrated hooks that you can use to hang up your tools and accessories, making them very accessible while you cook. The grates are made with cast iron and enameled with porcelain so that they stay long-lasting and durable.
PROS —
- Good looks
- Powerful burners with 36,000 BTU heat output
- Powder-coated steel workspace
- Spacious for storing tools and accessories
CONS —
- Takes some time to heat up
- The build is not very durable
7. Char-Griller 5050 Duo Gas and Charcoal Grill
The beast of them all, the Char-Griller 5050, features a duo gas and charcoal grill, which means it gives you the best of both worlds. If you are someone who loves to grill using propane but simply cannot let go of the flavourful food made in a charcoal grill, then this is a must-buy product for you. This charcoal and gas grill combo has a whopping 1260 square inches of space in the cooking area, making it an excellent fit for anyone who wants to get this to a garden party.
You can even use it professionally. The gas grill has 3 burners and heat output of 40,800 BTUs, making it one of the most powerful grills on these gas grill reviews, and it also features a side burner with a 12,000 BTU output. You can put this side burner to cook some sides or other dips to have with the main grilled food.
You can adjust the grate height easily for controlling the temperature, and it also has a heat gauge. If you’re worried about the charcoal grill, the easy dump ash pan makes it very easy to clean.
PROS —
- Dual grill – charcoal and gas grill combo
- 1260 square inches of cooking space
- Best for professional use
- 3 burners and 1 side burner with a good heat output
- Easy dump ash pan for the charcoal grill
CONS —
- The build is a bit wobbly
- The assembly of this grill is a bit time consuming and difficult
- Not easily portable because of the weight
8. Royal Gourmet GB8000 8-Burner Liquid Propane Gas Grill
If you are cooking for an event and need a spacious gas grill with more burners and more space, then the Royal Gourmet GB8000 is the perfect fit for you. It is housed with 8 stainless steel burners, which is an upgrade of the previous Royal Gourmet grill, as it comes with regulators which ensure a stable, even flame. There is a 950 square inches cooking area on this gas grill and has porcelain wire cooking grates resistant to rust and practically anti-corrosive in nature.
These are durable and also very easy to clean. It comes with the same electric ignition system, which faithfully lights up your burners in a record amount of time. Since your grill is quite spacious, it also has two grease cups and a draw-out catch pan, detachable for easier maintenance and cleaning. Two folding side tables offer extra workspace for the user.
PROS —
- 8 stainless steel burners
- Large cooking area of 950 square inches
- Easy to clean unit
- Rust resistant
CONS —
- The build is not that great
- The wheels are flimsy
Recommended: Best 6 Burner Gas Grills to Buy in 2021
9. Monument Grills Stainless Steel 4 Burner Propane Gas Grill
If you are looking for a nonsense gas grill that gets the job done without focusing a lot on the other unnecessary aspects, then the Monument Grills 17842 is waiting for your eye on it. The entire gas grill is constructed out of stainless steel and designed to make it highly durable without any speck of rust or corrosion, as it is very resistant to any sort of exterior damage.
This is a very ergonomically designed propane grill with a user-friendly control panel, which can cook the food faster and in a more even way than any traditional model. This has an adequate space of 513.3 square inches of cooking area powered by 4 stainless steel main burners. You also get a side burner in this grill which you can use to prepare sauces and sides and other dips to go along with the grilled food.
PROS —
- Stainless steel ergonomic design
- Adequate cooking space
- 4 stainless steel burners and 1 side burner
CONS —
- The body is not very durable and rusts if not maintained properly
- Takes some time to heat up
10. Nexgrill 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill
Many users prefer a propane gas grill with an extra storage cabinet because it is easier to store the liquid propane tanks there and because it acts as an additional space for storing accessories they would need for the grilling. The Nexgrill Propane Gas Grill is perfect for them; it houses a large storage cabinet. The cooking area of this propane gas grill is 462 square inches and is adequately prepared to grill for a small family.
It has 4 main burners and has a side burner that gives a total output of 60,000 BTUs and therefore is moderately powerful to cook your food properly. The Nexgrill Propane Gas Grill is equipped with stainless steel cooking grates with 7 mm crossbars; it distributes the heat evenly and imparts an exquisite flavor to your food. It also has casters which make it very easy to move and adds to the portability factor.
PROS —
- Stainless steel cooking grates
- Easily portable
- Has an extra storage cabinet
CONS —
- Takes some time to heat up
How To Choose A Gas Grill Under $500
1. Cooking Area
Before investing in the best budget grill which you have chosen for yourself, make sure that you check out the cooking area the grill is housed with. You must always get a gas grill with ample cooking space to cook more food in just one go, making cooking faster. Having a large cooking area also makes it very easy for you to maneuver the entire cooking process properly and is much more user-friendly.
2. BTU
A BTU or a British Thermal Unit is a unit measuring the amount of heat and measures the amount of heat produced from the burners. The burners provided emanate an amount of BTU, and the higher the BTU rating, the faster your food will cook on that grill because of a higher heat radiating from the stove. The BTU rating is a very important feature you must check before investing in a gas grill.
3. Side Burners and Table Shelves
All the best propane gas grills come with extra working spaces, making cooking very easy and accelerating the cooking time considerably. Some grills come with side burners, which you can use for whipping up sauces and side dips, and other small dishes, and they speed up the cooking process. There are also side table shelves that are useful if you want to serve the dishes simply beside the grill or simply want to place your tools and accessories to have easy accessibility.
Conclusion
Gas grills are very useful and offer a plethora of facilities when appropriately used. However, make sure that you read the reviews and the buying guide properly to find out what suits you best and do not go after just the popularity of a gas grill. What works for someone else may not work well for you, and so you need to research correctly. Now that you know what to look for, here’s wishing you a very happy grilling experience in your new grill.
