As someone with years of grilling experience and after having bought and tested many grills in my time, there is no doubt that purchasing a grill can be stressful.
Making sure that you buy a quality grill that fulfills your needs is key to a happy cooking life.
However, since there are so many grills at vastly different price points, how much should you spend on one?
The price of a new grill can vary greatly depending on a couple of factors such as the brand, the durability, the type of grill, heat output and regulation, and any extra features; considering all the aspects mentioned above, you can expect to pay as little as $100 and up to a whopping $3500. If you're on a tight budget, check out these gas grills under $500.
Many aspects can affect the price of your new grill. Two of the most important things to consider are your needs and your budget.
Finding the perfect grill to fit both beforementioned aspects might be tricky, but saving up over a couple of months to buy your dream grill is always the better option.
Quick Summary
- The cost of a grill varies greatly, from $100 to $3500, depending on factors like brand, durability, type, heat output, and extra features.
- The brand and manufacturing material significantly impact the price, with higher quality and well-known brands costing more.
- The type of grill and its heating mechanism also affect the cost, with gas and pellet grills often being more cost-effective in the long run.
Aspects That Affect The Price Of A Grill
1. The Grill Brand
If you are looking to buy a grill manufactured or designed by a big brand, you should be prepared to pay a bit more than what you would for a lesser-known brand.
Grill manufacturers and brands have been around for a long time, and often the quality of the grill you buy will be associated with the brand of the grill manufacturer.
More prominent brands also tend to show more faith in their products and are more likely to include long-term warranties for their products.
Mike Newman, an expert, says, "A good rule is to look for as many parts as possible that are covered for at least 5-10 years."
Lesser known or cheaper brands tend to include warranties as well. However, they are known for having warranties that only cover certain smaller or cheaper parts of the grill [1].
2. Manufacturing Material and Durability
The material your grill is made of can make or break your grilling experience.
Though grills made with higher quality materials are a bit pricier, the durability they have is unparalleled.
It is essential to do research on the grill you wish to buy as well as what it is made of to ensure that you are purchasing a grill that will last.
“The least expensive grills are simply not built to last.”
- Derrick Riches, The Spruce Eats & Grilling Expert [2].
Though buying a new $200 grill every few years could cost you the same as using a $1000 grill over the same amount of years, the durability and quality will speak for themselves.
Not only will the more expensive grill last for longer, but it will probably also cook more evenly and have better heat regulation.
3. Type of Grill
The kind of grill you have refers to the heating mechanic of your grill itself. It is vital to research grills and their fuel price in your location to have a rough estimate of the money you will be spending after purchasing your grill.
Gas grills tend to be a bit more costly, but for prolonged use, these grills end up being far more cost-effective compared to charcoal grills.
The same rule counts for a good quality pellet grill. Pellet grills may seem to cost more when first purchased but sometimes turn out to cost less over the long run because of lower fuel prices [3].
The type of grill you have can also affect the taste of what you cook, so be sure to factor taste preference into your decision.
If you prefer a smokey or natural fire taste, a pellet grill will be better suited to you than a gas grill.
Read More: 6 Differences of Pellet and Charcoal Grills
4. Bells and Whistles
Though it might seem nice to have a grill that comes paired with a mobile app that lets you set the temperature, these kinds of features can drastically impact the price of your grill.
It is always good to compare what you need to what you want and what you can afford.
“Many grills offer built-in accessories such as side burners, warming drawers, and searing infrared stations. I would happily give up all of them, as long as I can have a dedicated rear rotisserie burner, a built-in box for smoking chips, and a replaceable, probe-style thermometer in the lid.”
- David Zimmer of Cottage Life [4].
5. Heat Output and Regulation
If you enjoy grilling and know how you like your meat cooked, heat regulation is essential to making the most of your experience.
There are few things worse than using a grill that can’t retain heat or that struggles to regulate the temperature and ends up burning what you’re cooking.
Looking at the specifications of the grill you want to buy is essential for cooking in the way you would like.
If you prefer a slower burn or a more intense and fast heat, that is what you should be looking for.
Are Expensive Grills Worth It
When looking at the prices that grills reach these days, it is easy to understand why many of us want to stick to the lower-priced grills, especially when they have seemingly fancy features.
However, if you really want to make your purchase count, a more expensive grill is absolutely worth it.
More prominent brands and grill manufacturers provide a much better worth for money in terms of the quality of your grill and often times have much better heat regulation that helps simplify your cooking process.
Even fewer fancy variants of a well-known brand are better than a cheap grill with bells and whistles.
Cheaper grills might save you some money in the short term, but if you are a true grill expert or just enjoy grilling as an activity, you will definitely feel the difference when you buy a good quality grill.
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