Are you in the market for a quality propane gas grill that doesn't break the bank? Look no further!
If you're like most people, then you probably don't want to spend a fortune on a grill, but you still want something decent. That's why we've gathered some of the best gas grills available for under $500.
We'll take a look at some of the best bang-for-buck grills on the market and see how they compare, to help you make an informed decision about which grill is right for you. Don't wait any longer – check out our top picks below!
How We Choose Our Selections
Knowing which gas grill to buy can be confusing because there are so many different options available. With all of the different brands, sizes, and features it can be hard to know which grill is right for you, and some just aren't worth the effort or money.
While I initially wanted to provide 5 top gas grill picks, from my research of around 30 grills I only found four that I am happy to recommend at this price point.
As part of my research, I considered the criteria of:
- Price (under $500)
- Size
- Features
- Purpose
- Quality (including feedback from hundreds of Amazon customers) as we all want a grill that's going to last!
Read on to learn more about which propane gas grill under $500 is best for you!
Best Quality Propane Grill for Smaller Spaces
Weber Spirit II E-210 2-Burner Liquid Propane Grill
Why We Love It
The Weber Spirit II E-210 2-Burner Propane Grill is the perfect choice for those who want a high quality grill and performance in a compact package, for under $500. It's so good it even comes with a 10-year warranty and is an Amazon's Choice product!
Perhaps space is tight (e.g., a small patio, balcony, or courtyard) or you typically only cook for your family and a small number of visiting friends.
This unit gets up to heat quickly and maintains it well, thanks to its two powerful burners.
This Weber unit comes with a range of great features that are referenced in the next section of this review, however, two of my favorites include a weight scale indicating how full your propane tank is so you know when it's time to fill up; and, the tents that cover the burners to reduce flare-ups are designed to sear juices that drop onto them, creating smoke that goes back up into the food to enhance its flavor.
What You Should Know
Weber is one of the biggest sellers in the US, and for good reason. The Spirit series is Weber’s bread and butter and this model is the smaller cousin of the Spirit II E 310.
The Spirit II 2-burner has an excellent non-stick grilling surface for its size (357 square inches of cooking space), cast iron cooking grates with very good heat distribution, and a porcelain-enameled lid.
It has a warming rack that sits above the cooking surface and of course a decent, easy-to-read built-in lid temperature gauge.
While the left-hand side table folds down which saves even more space, the right-hand side table has 6 integrated tool hooks, and there is an underneath shelf which is a good storage space.
This unit has Weber’s innovative GS4 Grilling System, which includes: the Infinity electronic ignition system; powerful burners; flavorizer bars; and, a grease management system.
The electronic ignition is a battery-operated system and is guaranteed to ignite every time.
The burners are powerful and bring the unit up to temperature quickly and provide a consistent gas flow ensuring food is cooked evenly (they produce 18,000 BTUs per hour, which is a measurement for heat output, and is excellent for a 2-burner gas grill of this size).
The flavorizer bars are designed to catch drippings that smoke to add flavor back to the food. Any drippings that aren’t vaporized are caught in the easy-to-clean grease management system.
This gas grill's wheels make it easy to shift around if need be. There are 4 lid color options, from classic back to sapphire, which don’t show corrosion and rust like some inferior gas grills. Whichever color you choose, it's a smart-looking unit that will be complimented for its good looks and high performance.
The Weber Spirit II 2-burner is iGrill 3 compatible (accessory sold separately), and I will be talking about this in an upcoming post.
This gas grill comes with a 10-year warranty, making it the perfect choice for those who want peace of mind by buying a high-quality gas grill!
Note that due to safety considerations, Weber does not allow conversions or provide conversion kits from this propane tank gas grill to natural gas, and this would void the warranty on the unit.
Grill dimensions: lid open - 26" deep x 48" wide x 57" height; lid closed - 27" deep x 48" wide x 44.5" height.
Best Mid-Sized Quality Grill with Bundle
Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 3-Burner Cabinet Style Gas Grill
Why We Love It
The Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 3-Burner Grill Bundle with a side burner is a simple yet quality family-sized gas grill from a well-known and trusted brand.
Char-Broil has consistently produced excellent gas grills under 500 for years, and this three burners unit from their Performance series is a winner! One favorite feature of this grill is the TRU-Infrared cooking technology which prevents flare-ups and delivers even heat and cooks up to 50% juicier food.
Another is that you can take advantage of their bundle deal and receive a nylon grill brush replacement head and rip-stop grill cover all for well less than $500.
What You Should Know
This Char-Broil unit is another excellent medium-sized grill that can serve up a storm when entertaining a number of guests.
Once you reach 3 burners you are able to use indirect cooking methods as you have space between the burner that is on and the food you are cooking.
This gas grill comes with rust-resistant porcelain-coated cast iron grates which are durable and easy-to-clean.
The primary cooking surface area is 450 square inches of cooking space which is ample for cooking around 24 burgers; and a convenient 150 square inch warming rack above the cooking surface provides a secondary cooking area. This is ideal for sides or toasting buns and is sufficient for about 11 ears of corn.
This unit's lidded side burner pushes out 10,000 BTUs, and when not in use provides additional prep space.
The Char-Broil TRU-Infrared technology prevents flare-ups, and the emitter plate helps to spread heat output evenly across the grill top. The result is juicier and more flavorful food every time.
There is a lid-mounted temperature gauge to easily monitor the inside temperature of your grill, and the electronic ignition offers fast and reliable burner lighting with the push of a button.
This unit looks good in its stainless-steel finish for increased style and durability, but you will need to keep it clean and dry when not in use for it to last for many years.
Take advantage of the bundle option on offer which includes the nylon brush and cover for great grilling for years to come, and you'll still have change from your $500!
Product dimensions are: 45.5" length x 23.4" wide x 45.5" height.
Best Mid-Size Luxury Gas Grill with Multiple Cooking Options
Monument Grills 4-Burner Stainless Steel Gas Grill with Clear View Lid, & Cover Bundle
Why We Love It
Introducing the Monument Grills Four Stainless Steel Burners Grill with Clear View Lid.
This quality grill is built to last and is perfect for your outdoor cooking needs.
With four burners in the main grilling space, one side burner, and one sear burner, you'll have plenty of options for cooking your favorite dishes. The clear view lid is great for monitoring your food and you won't lose heat by needing to open the lid to check how your bbq is going.
What You Should Know
This Monument Grills gas grill unit comes with four burners in the main grilling space made out of 304 grade stainless steel (great for direct and indirect cooking), one side burner (great for cooking sides and sauces), and one sear burner (the perfect steak!). All the grills combined from this quality gas grill produce a total of 72,000 BTUs of powerful heat output and performance (12,000 BTUs per burner).
This gas grill boasts a large cooking area and offers plenty of grilling space; 513 square inches of cooking space in the primary area and 210 square inches of warming rack area that sits above the cooking surface. This size unit is perfect as a family grill and can also grill for medium-sized parties too.
The porcelain-coated, cast iron cooking grates are designed for even heat distribution, and the stainless flame tamers ensure an even heat delivering great flavors. The built-in Clear View Lid allows for easy viewing but remember not to leave the grill at very high temperatures without food on it as I have seen the lid window on other, even more expensive brands crack.
The electronic ignition system means easy starting, and there is a built-in center-mounted temperature gauge. The smart LED control knobs provide increased visibility at night, and of course look great too.
One thing to note with this (and most gas grills made from stainless steel) is that the burners are made of the superior 304 grade as it lasts longer and holds up to heat and corrosion very well, and the body is made from 430 grade stainless steel, which is still corrosion resistant, but less than 304 grade. As with most grills, if you want it to remain rust-free then I strongly recommend using a cover, even if stored under a patio, and you can currently buy a bundle deal that includes the grill and cover for under $500. The gas grill cover is made of Nylon and PVC back coating which is water-resistant, offers UV protection, and is wind and dust proof to protect your grill in all types of weather.
If you want the best mid-size luxury gas grill with multiple cooking options for under $500, then consider the Monument Grills 4-Burner Stainless Steel Gas Grill with Clear View Lid (and remember to go with the cover bundle)!
Product dimensions are: 19" deep x 54" wide x 46" height.
Best No Frills, Big Grilling at a Very Affordable Price
Dyna-Glo 5-Burner Open Cart Propane Gas Grill
Why We Love It
At its low price, it's not the high end of the market, yet you can feed your large family and a lot of friends with the Dyna-Glo 5 Burner Open Cart Grill, which is an Amazon's Choice product.
A close friend of mine has one of these units and frequently has around 20 people over and is easily able to feed us all with no problems at all.
With 60,000 BTUs of power under the hood (12,000 BTU per burner which is plenty of cooking power) and 483 square inches of cooking space in the primary area, this grill has everything you need to cook up a delicious meal for lots of people. The side burner has another 12,000 BTUs and is great for cooking sides or heating up sauces, and there is also a warming rack. I also personally love the built-in bottle opener as I can never seem to find one when I need it, and the open cart design makes it easy to move around your backyard or patio.
What You Should Know
When it comes to grilling, performance and durability are important factors to consider. The commercial-grade stainless burners on the grill are durable and resilient, and the easy-to-maintain porcelain coated cast iron cooking grates retain heat for proper searing and locking in food’s natural juices. This unit has a removable grease tray that's easy to clean up.
Remember that this grill isn't top of the range and will need a little love if you want it to last. Clean with a grill brush and wipe the cooking grates after use with oil, dry and cover the unit when not in use, and I suggest using aluminum foil on the grease management system tray to ease its cleaning (only needs to be changed once in a while). If this is the grill for you, then get the grill and cover bundle (plus a whole bunch of additional accessories) and you'll still have plenty of change left from one of the best gas grills under 500.
Whether you're grilling up burgers and hot dogs or hosting a full-blown barbecue, the Dyna-Glo 5 Burner Open Cart Propane Gas Grill with a side burner will help you create memories that will last a lifetime!
Product dimensions are: 55.87" length x 23.82" wide x 47.24" height.
Best Propane Grills for Under $500 FAQs
We've compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions about the best gas grills under 500. This will help you make an informed decision about which grill is right for your needs before making a purchasing decision today.
Do I need to cover my grill when not in use?
It is not required to cover your grill when not in use; however, it is a very good idea to do so (I strongly recommend it), even with expensive grills, in order to protect the grill from the elements and to help it last for a lot longer.
What is the average lifespan of a gas grill?
Between 5-15 years, depending on how frequently it's used, the climate, how well it's maintained, and the quality of the grill itself.
Even expensive grills can rust out if not looked after, particularly in coastal areas; and cheaper grills can last for many years if treated well. I personally had my first grill (bought for $430) for 16 years. I used it extensively, but I did look after it well and needed to replace some of the parts including the burners at the 10-year mark.
How many burners should a grill have?
The main factor to consider before determining how many burners your grill should have is the number of people you wish to cook for. A rule of thumb with gas grills is two burners for a small family (up to a nuclear household) or gathering, three burners for a small to medium cook-up, and four plus burners for larger groups.
What are the different grades of stainless stell typically used for grills under $500?
There are two main grades of stainless steel used for most gas grills at this price point: 304 and 430. 304 stainless steel contains a small amount of nickel (8-10%) and chromium (18-20%) and has quite good corrosion resistance.
Burners are often made out of 304 grade as they last longer and hold up to heat and corrosion particularly well. 430 stainless steel is the least expensive grade and is often used on grill bodies such as lids, doors, and side shelves.
What is a BTU?
BTU stands for British Thermal Unit. There is a more technical answer to this question, but simply put, British Thermal Units are units of measurement used to quantify how much heat or energy output an appliance such as a gas grill burner produces.
To really calculate if a Grill's BTUs is high you need to consider the grilling surface area, but generally speaking if your grill produces 12,000 BTU per burner it'll probably provide sufficient heat to produce great bbq!
Do the grills reviewed come with a propane tank?
No, you will need to purchase a propane bottle separately.
Do these best gas grills under 500 come with a natural gas grill conversion kit if I don't want to use propane?
These best gas grills under 500 are ready to go with propane (tank sold separately) and do not come with a natural gas grill conversion.
Can I use a grill on my apartment balcony?
It depends on your apartment complex's rules and regulations. You should always check with the property management to be sure that grilling is allowed on the balcony and what kinds of restrictions may be in place (for example, no grilling after a certain time of day, etc.).
How many square inches of cooking space does my gas grill need?
The number of square inches of cooking space your grill needs depend on what you are cooking and for how many people. Generally, gas grills with 420 square inches of cooking are good for a medium-sized family, and gas grills with 450 plus square inches of cooking are good for medium to larger sized families and groups.
What grates do the best gas grills have?
Cast iron grates typically retain heat better than other types, so are great for searing. If you tend to cook on low heat – as you would with sensitive foods like fish and vegetables – then porcelain-coated grates do a great job. However, stainless has been the new standard for grates for a few years now as they are reliable, offer good performance and requires very low maintenance.
Are gas grills better than charcoal grills?
There are pros and cons between the two styles of cooking. Charcoal grills burn hotter which enables that crispy, crusty out laters of meat while remaining tender inside. Gas grills do this to an extent, but also have the advantage of being quicker and easier to bring up to temperature, and temperature control is a lot easier.
Should I go with a new gas grill or a used one?
Purchasing a used grill is one way to get a higher-end grill at a lower price; however, the unit will likely already have wear and tear and potentially corrosion (even if not obvious or visable to the eye). Warranties are typically void if a unit is sold on, so unless you've managed to find a real deal then I personally would only recommend a new grill.
Why haven't you included a portable grill in this review?
I have a whole review article specifically looking at portable grill, so if that's what you're in the market for then please read it!
Best Gas Grills Under $500
So, which is the best gas grill under 500 for you? A smaller, high quality and feature-filled unit, a smart mid to large-sized family grill with multiple cooking options, or a no-frills grill that won't break the bank and can handle feeding a large family and friends?
Thanks for reading, happy shopping, and don't forget to check out the Amazon prices by clicking on the links in the product description pics!
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