Gas Grill Under $500

I f you love barbecues but you don’t like the charcoal mess, looking for a gas grill will definitely be the best option. Juicy meat and vegetables and many other dishes can be easily prepared on the handy grill in the backward of your yard, together with your beloved ones. Enjoy delicious steak, with no mess around, as the gas-fueled grills will create the desired flavorful smoke.

Another benefit they come with is that they are really affordable for everyone and they are extremely convenient and easy to use. There are lots of options available to choose from, and we have reviewed the best ones so to help you out. So, if you have not reached a final decision, there’s still time to consider our top picks, so check them out and learn more about gas grills.

Top 5 Gas Grills Compared

Photo	Product Name	BTU	Burners	Primary Cooking Area (Sq. In.)	Warming Rack Cooking Area (Sq. In.)	Warranty	Price
Best Overall	1. Weber 45010001	30,000	3	424	105	10-year	Check Price
Our Choice	2. Char-Broil Performance 300	24,000	2	300	100	N/A	Check Price
	3. Dyna-Glo DGB390SNP-D	36,000	3	390	117	1-year	Check Price
	4. Cuisinart CGG-240	15,000	1	240	N/A	1-year	Check Price
	5. Char-Broil Classic 280	20,000	2	280	N/A	1-year	Check Price

1. Weber 45010001

Check the Price

Cooking Performance

With three burners and 529 square inches of cooking space, Weber has the perfect size for most families. With 30,000 BTU power, you will be able to sear stakes and cook all your favorite dishes. Bring your family together with this amazing grill that lets you prepare the craving barbecues, easily and practically. You can now enjoy delightful plates as it is a high-performance appliance, ready to help you out in all your cooking projects. The main features that make it the top choice are:

 

• Infinity Ignition – This feature guarantees constant ignition, so you can always enjoy great grilling experiences, even after many years of usage.
• Burner Tubes – Burners are meant to provide constant gas flow so that you can cook food evenly all over the cooking grate. Now you don’t have to worry anymore about uncooked spots in your steak.
• Flavorizer Bars – The flavorized bars are perfectly positioned to catch drippings that smoke and broil, therefore adding the delicious smoke taste that everyone loves in their food.
• Grease Management – This system helps the grease removal while diminishing the risk of flare-ups. For instance, drippings which are not vaporized by the bars are filtered into the disposable drip tray. Just remove it and replace it when needed.

Design & Sturdiness

Related to design details, know that it features reversible cooking grates of porcelain-enameled cast iron that allow for more creativity while cooking. This is because the thin side is ideal for fish and seafood, while the thick side lets you prepare sizable dishes. Furthermore, the open-cart construction offers extra room and accessibility for all your tools. In addition to this, there’s the folding side table which is great for storage, or when you just want to save space when working. It will flip down with just the click of a button. For added convenience, it comes with built-in hooks where you can store your essential tools, therefore you can easily access them when needed.

PROS	CONS
Easy to put together It heats up quickly It has a great ignition It’s easy to clean Lengthy warranty period	The lack of side burners A wider storage area would be great
VERDICT
The ignition system and ease of use are just two of the reasons why people choose this product. In addition to this, it runs extremely smoothly and it’s the best pick for an average-sized family.

2. Char-Broil Performance 300

Check the Price

Coming with 24,000 BTU heating power, Performance 300 is another reliable pick you can always count on. This is because it offers 300 square inches of primary cooking on porcelain-coated cast iron, together with 100 square inches of secondary cooking rack area. With 2 burners you will be able to prepare all your favorite dishes, while the electronic ignition system offers fast and reliable startups with just the press of a button.

Furthermore, you’ll be thoroughly pleased by a large cooking area that can hold up to 16 burgers. The two stainless-steel burners allow for wide temperature range and precise control so that you can enjoy evenly cooked dishes. The removable grease pan is another convenience it comes with, as it makes cleaning a breeze.

Regarding the design, its cabinet-style construction offers easy access to the storage area and keeps the propane tank away from visibility. As it has 4 caster wheels, it is easy to maneuver and move around. Additionally, you’ll find two side shelves for even more cooking space. When not in use, you can simply fold them down.

PROS	CONS
Easy to put together Quick heating time High-quality construction Easy to clean	The cooking area might be too small for some As it has only 2 burners it might be tricky to establish heat zones
VERDICT
This little grill is a saleable product thanks to the heating power it brings in just a short time. Ideal for couples, it will suit all your needs, particularly it has a portable design, so you can transport it around easily.

3. Dyna-Glo DGB390SNP-D

Check the Price

Dyna Glo takes grilling to the next level, coming with a 36,000 BTU heating capacity. Able to provide you with 390 square inches primary cooking space, and 117 square inches secondary cooking space, it will distribute heat evenly so to help you prepare your favorite grilled veggies and stakes. The three powerful burners will vaporize foods’ natural juices and deliver a real taste. The cast iron grates retain heat while the porcelain-enameled finish transfers the heat directly into the food, keeping its natural flavor. More to be mentioned, it has a built-in stainless-steel thermometer for precise temperature control and a helpful gauge that helps you obtain perfectly cooked dishes.

Enjoy sleek and practical design, as you own total control. This is because of the infinite setting control valves and electronic ignition for a fast and effective start-up. You will be pleased by the large cooking space it offers, due to the wide side tables, perfect for placing your essential tool while you are still working. It’s relevant to know that each table supports up to 25 pounds.

For added convenience, there are built-in hooks and towel bars, too. Even more, the side tables are collapsible, so you can easily fold them down when not used.

PROS	CONS
It quickly heats up Heavy-duty construction Ease of assembly Easy to clean	Some have reported the parts are easily prone to rust Some manufacturing details could be improved
VERDICT
All in all, this is an effective, yet affordable pick that does a good job, as it produces a great amount of heat and distributes it evenly so that you can obtain exceptional cooking results. People love its materials, too, so it’s surely a fair option for the price.

4. Cuisinart CGG-240

Check the Price

If portability is the main aspect you are looking for, search no more, as the Cuisinart barbecue is for sure the best option to consider. Great for camping, beach, and picnics, its 15,000 BTU heating power will provide you with evenly cooked food. More than this, it offers 240 square inches cooking space, enough for searing your burgers, steak, and veggies. Furthermore, the ignition system makes it easy to start-up thanks to the twist-to-start button. The built-in thermometer gives accurate readings so that you can easily control the temperature range, thus avoiding potential burns.

The porcelain-enameled cast iron grate will offer impressive grill marks on your steaks, burgers, and chops, enjoying a professional grilling experience. After thoroughly testing it, we have confidently noticed that even if it’s a smaller appliance, you can rely on its cooking performance.

Even though it has a small and compact design, it’s a reliable and sturdy grill, with stainless-steel side shelves that offer added convenience as they provide ample space for tools, plates, spices, and other barbecue essentials. When not in use, you can just fold them back. Additionally, the collapsible stand will help you carry it effortlessly but it also allows for easy maneuverability. This is because the collapsible basethat opens and locks in a few seconds.

PROS	CONS
Easy to assemble Portable and versatile Distributes heat evenly Lightweight and good looking	The lack of a warming rack Not the easiest to clean
VERDICT
Overall, this is a very common purchase among the customers, especially for those who are looking for portability and versatility when coming to a grill. You can conveniently travel with it, as it folds quickly and easily.

5. Char-Broil Classic 280

Check the Price

Reliable and affordable, the Char-Broil 280 will offer you everything needed so that you can enjoy professional barbecue experiences. This budget-friendly grill will give you 280 square inches of cooking space, therefore providing you with ample space for about 12 burgers. The two stainless-steel burners will provide you with 20,000 BTU cooking power and they will also offer proper heat control. What’s great about it is that it has a built-in side burner with 8,000 BTU power, ideal for warming sauces and side dishes to accompany the grilled items.

The Piezo ignition system will bring fast and reliable start-ups with just the press of a button. Entertain your family and friends with evenly cooked provisions when using the professional Char-Broil barbecue grill.

As concerning the design, the body of the grill is made out of porcelain-coated steel able to withstand even the toughest weather conditions. At the same time, the porcelain grates will help prevent food from sticking while still offering the good looking grill marks you crave for. Moreover, there are two side shelves where you can store the helpful tools and other essential stuff and two side hooks, ideal for hanging the grilling tools. That’s not all, it has two 6” wheels for added mobility and maneuverability, therefore making its usage a breeze.

PROS	CONS
Lightweight and durable Low heating time Versatile and practical design Clean up is a breeze	Complex assembly process Some pieces manufacturing could be improved
VERDICT
The Classic 280 is a great value for the money as it offers a real barbecue experience while coming in a compact size. The reason why it sells so well is the high heating power which is able to produce evenly cooked provisions. At the same time, the lid ensures heat retaining, so to speed up the cooking time.

Troubleshooting

Problem	Solution
Uneven heating	Usually, uneven heating is caused by a blocked burner. Burners have many holes along the sides that gas flows through to enable the flame. Sometimes, drippings run over the burners and clog them. In this case, just use a wire brush to get rid of the deposits and to bring back normal gas flow. It’s important to remove all the debris inside the burner for best results. Therefore, you will eliminate the unpleasant issue of uneven heating.
The flame is low	This is maybe one of the most common problems when coming to gas grills. In this case, the fault comes from the fuel line regulator. This is because they tend to be sticky and when they become sticky, they restrict the gas amount and don’t generate proper grilling temperature. To solve this, release the pressure on the regulator to bring back normal fuel flow.
It produces a lot of smoke	Smoke is caused by a large amount of grease on your grill. Make sure you clean it properly and preheat it for about fifteen minutes to burn any unwanted debris that could bring potential issues.
It does not light	Some of the grills work with piezo-electric igniters, while others are battery-powered. If you own the battery type, it’s easier, as you just have to replace the batteries. Concerning the independent ignition, there must be a faulty button or bad wiring, so these parts must be replaced. When the igniter gets clogged, it’s recommended to properly clean it and test it again. If there’s no clogging, wires must be inspected and changed if they don’t work accordingly.
There’s yellow or orange flame	In this case, check the control valves and venturi tubes for adjustments. It’s important to make sure the fuel flow is a proper and continuous one. Sometimes, the venturi tubes may not be perfectly aligned and the tubes might need certain adjustments for appropriate performance.