Cons
- Doesn’t come with any extra screws or washers
Char-Broil 463377319 gas grill under 500
Next on our list is the Char-Broil 463377319 propane grill. It features four stainless steel burners, providing 36,000 BTUs in 425 square inches of primary cooking space. The porcelain enameled cooking grate is rust resistant, making it easy to clean and maintain.
The Char-Broil Performance grill comes with a side burner, which provides 10,000 BTU heat distribution. It also has a lid to protect your side burner when not in use. You’ll also find a 150-square-inch heating rack, which pulls away for convenience.
This grill uses an electronic ignition system, which we’ve found to provide a quick and reliable start nine times out of ten.
Pros:
- Additional side burner
Four burners producing 36,000 BTUs of power
150 square inch heating rack
Cons:
- Packaging can be improved
Nexgrill Deluxe 2-Burner Propane gas grill under $500
This quality Nexgrill model has two burners that produce 28,000 BTUs combined, which is a lot of heat for its modest 290 square inches of cooking space (not including the heating rack). The Nexgrill also comes with convenient features, including all-weather wheels that allow the chef to maneuver the grill into place, a removable grease tray for drippings, and hooks that hold three grilling tools.
In addition to its bold fire engine red color, the Nexgrill has an aesthetically pleasing streamlined design that becomes even more elegant when the side shelves are folded down. A covered closet hides the propane tank from view.
Product specifications
- Number of burners: Two
- Cooking space: 290 square inches
- BTUs: 28,000
Pros:
- Attractive aerodynamic look
- Ample power for the size of the cooking surface
- hidden tank support
Cons:
Gas grills tend to be more expensive than their charcoal counterparts, but this one won’t break the budget. It doesn’t have some of the bells and whistles you’ll find on more expensive models, but it still does a great job for grilling steaks and burgers, with plenty of room for more.
It offers 360 square inches of primary grilling space on the porcelain-lined grills, along with a handy heating grill that can keep finished foods at serving temperature. This grill has three burners that provide a total of 30,000 BTU of cooking power for great searing or slow, slow cooking for perfect BBQ ribs. Our reviewer was impressed with its uniform temperature: “The flame was uniform and responded well to temperature adjustments, which resulted in even cooking and the food came out exactly as expected.”
Two metal side shelves are useful for holding sauces and dishes, while the two wheels allow you to easily move the grill as needed. Our reviewer found the grill a little wobbly when trying to cut the meat on the side shelf, but overall he thought it was sturdy and comfortable.
Cuisinart CGG-8500 gas grill under 500
The Cuisinart CGG-8500 gas grill features five burners, producing a total of 50,000 BTUs of cooking power in 460 square inches of cooking space on cast iron grills. Along with the main burners, you’ll also find an additional side burner, producing an extra 12,000 BTUs.
This liquid propane gas grill also features a heating rack measuring 202 square inches if you need additional space. This Cuisinart grill comes with two side tables, measuring 18 x 13 inches, giving you plenty of room to prep and grill.
We found the electronic ignition and heat output to be reliable, providing even heat distribution across the cast iron cooking grates.
Pros:
- Two side shelves, one with built-in side burner
- Comes with a 202 square inch heating rack
- A total of 50,000 BTUs of power
Cons:
- Can be a challenge to assemble
Kenmore 3-Burner Propane gas grill under $500
This Kenmore grill represents a step up from the smaller models that dominate the sub-$500 price range. With three stainless steel burners and 30,000 BTU power, it is versatile and allows the grill master to create three separate cooking zones. At over 512 square inches, you can cook dozens of burgers or a couple of steaks and a few side dishes. Two side tables provide space for preparation.
Kenmore is also one of the most stylish grills thanks to its streamlined pedestal base. The three burner grill is unusual in that it is available in six color options so users can match it to the style of their outdoor living space.
Product features:
- Number of burners: Three
- Cooking space: 512 square inches
- Btu: 30,000
Pros:
- Wide cooking area
- Three heating zones
- Stylish appearance in six color options
Cons:
- Not as powerful as other gas grills
Weber Q 2200 best gas grill under $500
Despite being a tabletop model, the Weber Q 2200 Gas Grill is just as powerful as a full-size model. This sturdy little grill features 280 square inches of cooking space on its cast iron grates, and its single burner delivers up to 12,000 BTUs per hour – more than enough to cook hamburgers, hot dogs, steaks, veggies and more. In addition, it starts quickly and easily, thanks to its ignition button.
One of our tester’s favorite aspects of this grill are the folding side tables; they are roomy enough to hold a plateful of food. We were impressed by how quickly the grill heats up – easily reaching 400 degrees in 5 minutes – and its durable construction is ideal for hitting the road and preparing dinner in your backyard.
If the Q 2200 doesn’t suit your needs (or your budget), there are a number of other Weber Q Series models you can consider. For example, the Weber Q 2000 is very similar, offering the same cooking area and side tables. However, its dome is a little shorter and lacks some features like the built-in lid thermometer.
Char-Griller E3001 Grillin’ Pro gas grill under $500
Its ability to use gas, wood and / or charcoal from its innovative aroma drawer makes this Char-Griller model an attractive option for those who love the convenience of gas but lack the flavor of charcoal. Its unique design consists of four 10,000 BTU burners placed under a drawer that houses coal and wood at the same time. Gas burners ignite coal or wood, creating smoke that infuses food with flavor.
In addition to the four burners, the heat can be managed through two chimney shutters that control the flow of air to the wood and charcoal. A removable tray makes it easier to clean the ash after grilling. The Flavor Pro is equipped with two large side tables for preparation work and hooks for grill tools.
Product Specifications:
- Number of burners: four
- Cooking space: 725 square inches (direct and indirect)
- BTU: 40,000
Pros:
- Combine the ease of gas cooking with the flavor of wood and charcoal
- Large cooking surface
- Two shutters and four burners for temperature control
Cons:
- Controlling the temperature can be difficult
American Gourmet 463773717 Char-Broil gas grill under $500
Next on our list is another grill from Char-Broil called American Gourmet, which features three burners that deliver 30,000 BTUs of heat over a 360 square inch cooking area. Porcelain coated cast iron grates prevent food from sticking to the surface, making it easy to clean and maintain.
This gas grill also features a 170 square inch warming rack and a piezo ignition system that provides reliable heat. We found the two side shelves to be a handy addition to the grill, giving us plenty of space to prep our food before grilling.
Pros:
- Cast iron cooking grids to prevent food from sticking
- Additional warming rack
- Piezo ignition system for easy starting
Cons:
- Temperature control could be improved
Gas grills are convenient to use, but sometimes the smoke and charcoal flavor is what is needed. This grill can do both, with one side fueled by gas and the other ready to be filled with charcoal. The gas side has three burners that provide a total of 40,800 BTUs of cooking power for great searing of steaks, sausages and burgers. There’s also a 12,000 BTU side burner that our tester found powerful enough to heat up a large pot. This side burner is also great for simmering sauces or boiling water to steam corn on the cob. When not in use, the side burner has a lid that turns into a handy side table.
On the charcoal side, the fire grate is adjustable for perfect cooking, and there’s an easy-to-empty ash pan for easy cleanup. Two chimney-style vents allow the cook to adjust the smoke and temperature. It features porcelain coated cast iron grates for perfect sear marks on steaks and easy cleanup.
Gas grills are great because all you have to do is turn them on to start grilling in minutes, but many people miss the flavor of wood or charcoal briquettes. This gas grill solves that problem with its flexibility, according to many reviewers. First, it has a unique flavor drawer that can be used for charcoal, lump charcoal, chunks, logs, chips, or even wood pellets. Even better, the grill can choose gas only, charcoal or wood only, or a combination of gas and alternative fuel at the same time. When using a combination, the rapid ignition system has the fuel ignited and ready to use in 10 minutes or less, so there is much less waiting time than with a traditional grill at the charcoal or wood.
It features four gas burners that deliver 40,000 BTUs of cooking power over 725 square inches of cooking space on porcelain-coated cast iron grates, so there’s plenty of room for meals for the whole family. Dual chimneys on top regulate heat and smoke for the perfect flavor every time, while cleanup is easy with a slide-out front tray that aids in the ash and grease disposal process.
Cuisinart CGG-240 best gas grill under $500
Last but not least, the Cuisinart CGG-240 Portable Grill. It attaches to a foldable stand, giving you the option of using a large, conveniently sized grill. This gas grill features a 15,000 BTU burner that heats 240 square inches of cooking surface.
Like most gas grills featured here today, the Cuisinart CGG-240 has two fold-out side shelves to hold plates, tools, or condiments. The drip tray is removable, allowing us to easily clean the grill without worrying about making a big mess while grilling.
Pros:
- Ideal for grilling on the go
- Two folding side shelves
- Three Year Warranty
Cons:
How to choose the Best Gas Grill under $500
Grilling is a very popular leisure activity in our country. The best gas grills allow you not to depend on the availability of firewood and the weather, as well as cook food at any time of the year.
A gas grill is an installation that will help you cook food quickly and safely anywhere, if you have a cylinder filled with gas. Such devices heat up faster than a conventional barbecue or charcoal counterpart, and the notorious smoke flavor can be achieved using marinades or special wood chips.
Gas grills are built-in, mobile and portable (portable). The former are used in restaurants, they are very expensive, so we do not consider them in our material. For an ordinary family and even a large company, mobile and portable structures are usually enough.
The devices also differ in size, number of burners, power and materials of manufacture. In order to choose the best grill, you need to decide whether you will go hiking with it or put it on your site. Interestingly, the price does not always depend on the size and power. Often popular brands are more expensive – however, they are also responsible for the quality of products.
What are the main advantages of a gas grill?
The main advantage of a gas grill is the speed of heating and the ability to quickly adjust the heat. Special sensors will help to monitor the temperature. Most gas grills are ignited using a piezo ignition (one spark) or electric ignition (a lot of sparks at once), for more expensive models, adjacent burners ignite automatically. A gas grill is also good because you do not depend on weather conditions, do not carry coal with you and do not look for paper or twigs to light the grill. Some put gas grills on their balconies and roast meat to the envy of their neighbors all year round. Yes, open flames are prohibited by law. But there are constructions where there is no fire, which means there is no smoke, so only the smell of fried meat can give you away.
What materials of the body and parts are better to choose?
When choosing a gas grill, both the body material and the material from which the burners and grates are made are important.
Most often, the case is made of stainless steel, while it is better to look at models with double walls. Ideally, in the “working area” there should be as few joints, fasteners and other hard-to-reach places as possible where fat can get in, which you then have to wash off.
It is better that the burners are made of stainless steel – they will last a long time, and they are easier to clean than the rest, although cast iron seems to be more reliable.
As for the grill grate, the thicker the rods, the better the meat will be baked, and the “drawing” on it will look more beautiful. Cast iron is considered the ideal material, but stainless steel and porcelain coating are more practical for frequent use.
How to select the size of a gas grill?
When choosing a gas grill, size can be a determining factor. On portable devices, you can cook 1-2 steaks at a time. Stationary, especially if they have a voluminous lid and additional burners (3-4 or more), will allow you to bake a whole chicken along with a side dish and sauce. True, you need to be prepared for the fact that the price of such a unit will hit your wallet.
What other features of the gas grill should I pay attention to?
First of all, its stability. If the design is portable, you will need a level, flat surface. If portable, pay attention to the design of the wheels: it is more convenient to carry grills on large wheels around the site. Ideally, they should also have clamps to stabilize the structure at the assembly site. When choosing a grill in a store, try lifting the lid and rocking it from side to side – unstable? Look for another!
Temperature regulators are most often made of plastic so that they heat up less. Pay attention to whether the temperature can be smoothly set at your own discretion or you will have to choose from the values \u200b\u200bfixed by the design – the first option is, of course, preferable.
Side tables, hooks for appliances, shelves for spices and a separate place for storing a gas cylinder are little things that make life much easier and make cooking more comfortable.