Let’s face it; not everyone has $1,000 to spend on a fancy new gas grill. However, you can still purchase a quality grill with a budget of $500, with a durable build, various sizes, and impressive features.
That’s why we have decided to test seven popular gas grill models in hopes to find the best gas grills under $500, highlighting their features, and best bits, as well as including a guide to what to look for when purchasing new gas grills.
The Best Gas Grills Under $500
- Best Overall Gas Grill Under $500: Weber Spirit II E-310 Grill
- Cheapest Gas Grill Under $500: Weber 51060001 Q1200
- Best Gas BBQ Under $500 With Even Heating: Cuisinart CGG-8500 Gas Grill
- Best Portable Gas Grill for Less Than $500: Weber 51060001 Q1200
- Easiest-to-Maintain Gas BBQ Under $500: Weber Spirit II E-310 Grill
- Best Tabletop Propane Grill Under $500: Weber 51060001 Q1200
- Best Gas Grill Under $500 With Warranty: Cuisinart CGG-240 Gas Grill
Best Gas Grills Under $500:
1 - Weber Spirit II E-310 Grill (Best Overall & Easiest-to-Maintain)
- Primary cooking area is 529 square inches
- Includes two stainless steel side shelves, the left being foldable
- Lots of storage space and places to hang your tools
- Includes flavorizer bars, infrared technology, and a grease management system
- Doesn’t come with any extra screws or washers
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Ideal for small to medium-sized families who want a reliable, versatile grill with ample cooking space.
Who is it not for?
- Not suitable for those who need a fully enclosed storage area or portability with four wheels.
Final Verdict
Offers great performance and durability. Convenient open-cart design and folding side table make it a top choice for family grilling.
First on our list is the Weber Spirit II E-310, offering 529 square inches of cooking space over three stainless steel burners.
This gas grill provides 30,000 BTUs of power, allowing the porcelain-coated grates to heat evenly and quickly.
This grill comes with two foldable side tables, which give users extra space for preparation and management.
You will also find a bottom shelf for storage and six tool hooks.
The stainless steel lid comes in four different colors, all with a built-in thermometer, making it easy to monitor the internal temperature of your grill.
This gas grill also comes with a grease management system, which helped us control flare-ups and made it convenient to clean once we had finished grilling.
2 - Char-Broil 463351521 Grill
- Additional side sear burner
- Four burners producing 42.000 BTUs of power
- Rust-resistant cooking grate
- Packaging could be improved
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Great for those who need a versatile and reliable grill with a large cooking area and additional side burner.
Who is it not for?
- Not recommended for those who require natural gas compatibility or have space constraints.
Final Verdict
Ample cooking space and reliable performance with extra side burner and accessories. Suitable for larger gatherings.
Next on our list is the Char-Broil 463351521 gas grill. It features four top-ported stainless steel burners, delivering a total of 42.000 BTUs.
The porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grate is rust-resistant, making it easier to clean and maintain. It also enables better heat retention.
The Char-Broil Performance grill comes with a side burner, which offers 10,000 BTU heat distribution. It also has a lid to protect your side burner when it isn’t used.
This gas grill uses an electronic ignition system, which we found to provide a fast and reliable start-up nine times out of ten.
3 - Weber 51060001 Q1200 (Cheapest, Portable & Best Tabletop)
- Ideal for grilling on the go
- Made from durable cast aluminum
- Comes already assembled in the box
- Temperature control could be improved
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Perfect for those who need a portable and compact grill for small spaces or travel.
Who is it not for?
- Not ideal for those needing a larger cooking area or multiple burners.
Final Verdict
Highly portable and efficient, perfect for small spaces or travel. Compact and durable design.
Next on our list is another grill from Weber. Weber Q1200 gas grill is made for portability and ease, designed to be used as a tabletop grill with one stainless steel burner, producing 8500 BTUs of power.
The body and lid of this portable grill are made from cast aluminum, featuring two foldable side tables, providing extra space for preparation.
This portable grill features porcelain-coated cast-iron grates, which are durable and easy to clean.
Much like the Spirit E-310, this gas grill comes with a removable grease tray equipped with a grease control system.
This system made the whole clean-up process easier and helped us control flare-ups.
4 - Cuisinart CGG-8500 Gas Grill (Best Even-Heating)
- Two side shelves, one with a built-in side burner
- Comes with a 202-square inch warming rack
- A total of 50,000 BTUs of power
- Propane gas grill can be challenging to assemble
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Suitable for those who want a powerful grill with a large cooking area and additional side burner.
Who is it not for?
- Not recommended for beginners due to its high BTU output and larger size.
Final Verdict
High BTU output and large cooking area for serious grillers. Durable with excellent versatility.
The CGG-8500 gas grill from Cuisinart features five burners, producing a total of 50,000 BTUs of cooking power over 460 square inches of cooking space on cast-iron grates.
Along with the main burners, you will also find an additional side burner, producing an extra 12,000 BTUs.
This liquid propane gas grill also has a rack measuring 202 square inches if you require additional space.
This Cuisinart grill comes with two side tables, measuring 18 x 13 inches, giving you plenty of room for prepping and grilling.
We found the electronic ignition and heat output reliable, providing us with an even heat distribution across the cast iron cooking grates.
5 - Char-Griller E3001 Grillin' Pro Gas Grill
- Comes with a side sear burner
- 630 square inches of cooking area
- Made with a heavy steel construction
- Can experience a few grease flareups
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Suitable for those who want a powerful grill with a large cooking area and additional side burner.
Who is it not for?
- Not recommended for beginners due to its high BTU output and larger size.
Final Verdict
High BTU output and large cooking area for serious grillers. Durable with excellent versatility.
Char-Griller E3001 features three burners, producing a total of 40,800 BTUs, with a side burner that produces an additional 12,000 BTUs.
It comes with 630 square inches of cooking space: 438 for the grilling surface and 192 square inches for the rack.
The coated cast iron grates are designed to hold an even and consistent heat, with independent knobs that control how much heat each burner produces.
The rest of the unit is made from tubular steel, featuring a dual smoke stack for better ventilation.
We found the grill to have plenty of storage space, with enough hooks to hang our BBQ tools and keep the area organized.
6 - American Gourmet 463773717 Char-Broil Gas Grill
- Cast iron cooking grates to prevent food from sticking
- Additional warming rack
- Piezo ignition system for easy start-up
- Temperature control could be improved
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Suitable for small families or individuals looking for a budget-friendly grill with reliable performance.
Who is it not for?
- Not ideal for those needing a large cooking area or additional burners.
Final Verdict
Budget-friendly with reliable performance and decent cooking area. Ideal for small-scale grilling.
Next on our list is another grill from Char-Broil called American Gourmet, featuring three burners that deliver 30,000 BTUs of heat across a 360-square-inch cooking area.
The porcelain-coated grates prevent food from sticking to the surface, making it easier to clean and maintain.
This gas grill also features a 170-square inches rack and a piezo ignition system which provides a reliable heat output.
We found the two side shelves to be a handy addition to the grill, giving us enough room to prepare our food before grilling.
7 - Cuisinart CGG-240 Gas Grill (Best With Warranty)
- Ideal for grilling on the go
- Two folding side shelves
- Three-year warranty
- Legs could be more sturdy
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Perfect for those needing a portable grill with a compact design and decent cooking area.
Who is it not for?
- Not recommended for large gatherings or extensive grilling needs.
Final Verdict
Compact and portable with decent cooking space. Ideal for on-the-go grilling and small spaces.
Last but not least is the Cuisinart CGG-240 portable grill. It comes attached to a collapsible stand, giving you the capacity of a large grill in a convenient size.
This features a 15,000 BTU burner, which heats 240 square inches of cooking surface.
Gas Grill Buyer’s Guide:
When searching the market for a grass grill, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure you’re getting the most for your money.
1. Natural Gas Grill or a Propane Tank?
There are two options for gas grilling: using gas or a propane tank. Both are better for the environment than charcoal grills, but natural gas burns slightly cleaner than propane.
If you have a gas line in your house, buying a natural gas grill is more cost-effective in the long run.
That being said, propane gas grills are 64% more popular than natural gas burners [1].
There are a few reasons for this. Propane grills are much easier to use than gas. You don’t need to hook it up to your house line; simply connect it to a propane tank, and you’re good to go.
This also means that propane gas grill options are more portable than natural gas grills since they can be used anywhere.
2. Grilling Space
If you’re purchasing the a gas grill, you probably don’t expect to get many square inches for it.
However, as you can see from the above reviews, it’s pretty easy to get your hands on a grill with 400 - 500 square inches of cooking space.
This will be enough to feed an average-sized family, while a grill above 600 square inches of cooking space will be better for a larger family or a pitmaster who frequently throws bbq parties.
Before buying your grill, you have to consider how much cooking area you need.
Think about how big your family is, the food you plan to cook, and whether you’ll have guests often.
You’ll also have to consider the height of your new grill. A rack would be a good idea if you want to toast your buns or cook vegetables.
If you need extra grilling space, you could always consider gas grills with a side burner.
3. BTU
A high BTU (British Thermal Unit) doesn’t necessarily mean your grill will produce more heat; it tells you how much energy and heat output the burners will need according to the fuel consumption [2].
You should consider the BTUs like the horsepower on a car; just like how other factors determine how fast your car goes, other factors will affect the hotness of your grill and how quickly it will heat up.
When you purchase a grill, the size and shape of the unit must also be considered.
If you have a larger grill, you will need a higher BTU, and if you have a smaller unit, a smaller BTU will be sufficient.
4. Heat Flux
The heat flux needs to be considered when determining how hot your grill will get. To figure out the heat flux, you need to divide the primary cooking surface of your grill (excluding any warming racks) and divide that by the BTU.
The higher the heat flux, the hotter your cooking surface will get [3].
5. Ignition
Most grills will have electronic ignition. It means that with a simple push of the button, your grill will ignite in seconds. You don’t need to use the matches or a lighter. For example, many leading contenders, like Weber, use their patented ignition system to ensure the grill ignites the first time.
The best gas BBQs will have a high-quality, battery-powered ignition - these tend to last longer.
6. Number of Burners
The number of burners your grill has will affect how hot it will be and how quickly it will heat up.
Typically, if a grill has three or four burners, it will heat up much quicker than a grill with only one or two.
“The key to good grilling is to recognize that you are setting yourself up to cook in a whole new environment. This is actually one of the main purposes of grilling - to get yourself outside.”
- Barton Seaver, Chef
More main burners will also make your grill more versatile for the foods you cook.
Since you have control over separate burners, you can control the temperature of your entire cooking area. These different heat zones can be used for direct and indirect cooking.
The main burners may be located front to back or side to side. The latter will provide you with more flexibility when you cook.
7. Grill Grates
The quality of your grill grates will determine how well your food cooks. Look for iron or stainless steel grates. These will resist rust and corrosion and be easier to clean.
However, if the cooking area is made from stainless steel, you may notice that the heat isn’t held as well. This is why you should go with a cooking area coated with porcelain enamel.
If you purchase gas grills under $500 and find the grates flimsy or made of cheaper material, you should consider replacing them for an all-around better experience.
8. Build Quality
Affordable gas grills should still be made with durable and high-quality materials. Gas grills may be exposed to all types of weather that could easily damage a low-quality grill.
Look for a grill that is made from stainless steel, as they tend to be the most durable.
Grills made from cast aluminum or coated cast iron are also good, but they could experience some chipping, leading to rust. This rule also extends to the burners; stainless steel will be more durable.
It’s a good idea to check the warranty and which parts it includes. Typically, the burners will have a more extended warranty than the grill's body.
Read More: Best High-End Grills
9. Portability
If you’re looking for a grill to use on the go, there’s no sense in buying one that has six burners and a cooking area of 600 square inches.
You’re better off going with a compact propane gas grill that is either lightweight to move or designed for a tabletop.
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FAQs
How Many Btus Should a Grill Produce?
A gas grill should produce 80 - 100 BTUs per square inch of cooking area. So, if you have a 200-square-inch grill, your unit should produce around 16,000 - 20,000 BTUs. The BTU isn’t everything you should look out for; the size of your grill, max temperature, and build quality will also affect its performance [4].
Can You Convert a Propane Grill Into Natural Gas?
Not all propane units can be used with gas. However, some may be converted. You will need to check the owner’s manual to ensure you can do this safely, and if so, you need to purchase a natural gas conversion kit.
I recommend getting this from the same manufacturer as your grill. You can always buy knock-off sets online; however, you risk voiding your warranty if something goes wrong.
How Do You Clean a Propane Grill?
You should clean your grill using a grill brush after every cook. If you do this when the grill is still warm, it’ll be easier to remove the grease and food particles since they haven’t had time to harden.
If you have a cast-iron cooking area, you’ll want to put some oils on the grates afterward. Deep clean your grill once a month.
Best Grill Under $500 - Our Winner
All the grills listed here are excellent options when it comes to purchasing a grill on a budget.
That being said, our winner has to be the Weber Spirit II E-310 Grill purely for its large cooking area, impressive BTU power, and ample amount of storage.
We loved this grill's handy grease control system, and we believe both beginners to the grilling world and pitmasters will be impressed with the value for money this grill has to offer.
Weber Spirit II E-310 Grill (Best Overall & Easiest-to-Maintain)
Our #1 Recommendation
Rated With Carnivore Style's Scoring System
- Primary cooking area is 529 square inches
- Includes two stainless steel side shelves, the left being foldable
- Lots of storage space and places to hang your tools
- Includes flavorizer bars, infrared technology, and a grease management system
- Doesn’t come with any extra screws or washers
I upgraded my outdoor cooking with a compact grill featuring four stainless steel burners, all under $500. I would definitely advise trying them!