If you love grilling in the summertime but can’t afford to blow your budget on a luxury gas grill, there are many reasonably priced grill options to consider. Great gas grills can be found at more affordable price points, meaning you can still buy one without going broke. A good quality propane grill under $300 can give you the convenience and deliciousness of a high-end model without costing you an arm and a leg, minus some of the extra bells and whistles that you won’t normally use anyway. Check out our top choices for the best gas grills under $300 before buying. These are also excellent options if you are looking for something smaller than a full-sized grill.
What to Look for When Buying a Gas Grill
As with any major appliance purchase, it is crucial to figure out precisely what you need before heading to the store. This will help you to avoid buyer’s remorse and narrow down your options so you can find the best gas grills under $300 for your needs without having to do hours of research. Here are the most important things to consider when buying a gas grill: Gas or Charcoal? Both have their pros and cons, but the main difference is that gas grills are generally easier and quicker to operate than charcoal ones.
There is a wide price range for gas grills. The best budget grills start at $150, but you can find some really great high-end ones for under $600. Most propane grills come in either small, medium, or large sizes. A small grill is ideal for 1-2 people or apartments, whereas a large one can comfortably fit 5-6 people. You want to make sure your grill is built well and will last for years. You can tell a lot about the quality of construction just by looking at it, and the materials that it is built from. BTU – This stands for British thermal unit and indicates how hot a grill can get. This is important when picking a grill because the hotter it is, the more food you can cook, and at higher temperatures.
Quick Picks
Our Recommendations: The Best Propane Grills Under $300
If you are on a tight budget but want a lot of grills for your money, you can’t go wrong with these top five propane grills for under $300. All of these grills are incredibly affordable, but that doesn’t mean they are low quality. All of these are high-quality grills that offer a lot of value for the price. So if you are looking for a reasonably priced grill, here are some top brand choices: Blackstone, Char-Broil, Weber, Dyna-Glow and Kenmore.
Blackstone Flat Top Gas Griddle
The Blackstone griddle grill is a relatively new product that has been getting a lot of attention over the last few years. It is the favorite gas grill for smashburger lovers, cooking breakfast outdoors, or searing steaks on high temperature. You can use this grill for both grilling burgers and griddle cooking, which means you get 2 for 1. You can cook everything from steaks to pancakes on its 470 sq. in surface. Our favorite ways to cook:
- Breakfast: eggs, bacon and pancakes
- Lunch: Philly cheese steaks, quesadillas, grilled cheese
- Dinner: hibachi style grilling, smash burgers, and great grilled onions
The Blackstone will be sure to impress with its uniqueness and versatility. If you’re looking to grill at all hours of the day, this grill is for you. Also consider these flat top griddles.
What we like about the Blackstone:
- Large surface area with over 470 square inches of grilling space
- Easy to clean – the rolled steel cooking surface is easy to clean and season
- Easy assembly – this grill can be assembled with only two people
- Smashburgers – did we forget to mention this above?
What we don’t like about the Blackstone:
- It uses a lot of propane fuel. It can quickly use a full tank when running for long periods.
- Users have reported that the two-burner model can struggle to get hot in cold climates.
Char-Broil Classic 360
The Char-Broil Classic 360 is another high-quality grill for the money. It is a great option for people looking for an affordable gas grill, with a small footprint. This is the perfect grill for apartments and small balconies.
The Classic 360 is relatively small and great for 1-2 people. This powerful 3-burner grill has plenty of cooking space, with 300 square inches of primary cooking on porcelain-coated cast iron grates, plus 100 square inch swing-away rack with porcelain-coated grates. It also includes a side burner, so you can cook any side dishes without having to be inside at the same time. The electronic ignition is great for fast and reliable startups. Lastly, this grill comes with a rust resistant finish, helping you withstand some rain and wind. Although it comes with a rust resistant finish, we recommend covering with a cover, or ensure it is covered when it is not in use.
Suggested Post: If you’re looking for an upgraded Char-Broil, check out the Char-Broil 4 Burner Gas Grill.
What we like about the Char-Broil Classic:
- 3 large burners, including a convenient side burner for sides, and anything that needs heating
- Reliable, affordable grill that lasts several years
- Compact grill that’s easy to move
What we don’t like about the Char-Broil Classic:
- Assembly can be challenging. Owners report anywhere from 45 minutes to three hours
- Missing a thermometer on the grill lid
Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill
The Weber Q is always a classic choice. This particular model is the Weber Q1200, which is the perfect choice for anyone looking to enjoy the convenience and quality of a Weber while camping, tailgating, or on a tabletop in your backyard.
With one stainless steel burner producing 8500 BTU-per-hour and 189 square-inch total cooking area, this barbecue is perfect for cooking for 2 to 3 people. The porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates and cast aluminum lid and body make it easy to clean and maintain, while the fully assembled out of box design means you can start using it right away.
The built-in lid thermometer ensures your food is cooked to perfection, and the easy-start electronic ignition and infinite control burner valve settings make it simple to use. The Weber Q1200 is the perfect choice for anyone looking for a convenient grill for their next tailgate.
What we like about the Weber Q:
- The perfect tailgating and table top grill
- Compact grill that can easy fit in the backseat of a car, or trunk
- Heats up quickly and ready to grill in no time
What we don’t like about the Weber Q:
- The grill uses small, camping propane tanks. Hooking up a large propane tank is possible, but the hose is sold separately
Dyna-Glo DGP321CNP-D Premier
The Dyna-Glo DGP321CNP-D is a fantastic gas grill has everything you need to grill up delicious meals for your family and friends. It is also a budget friendly gas grill under $300.
With 319 square inches of primary cooking space, you can cook up to fifteen 4-inch burgers at once. The 319 square inches of total cooking space means that you can also cook burgers, hot dogs and chicken all at the same time.
The Dyna-Glo DGP321CNP-D comes with two stainless steel tube burners that deliver 24,000 total BTUs of heat, making it the perfect grill for searing steaks or charring vegetables.
The Dyna-Glo DGP321CNP-D is also easy to move around with four casters (two of which are lockable for stability). With so many features and so much cooking space, the Dyna-Glo DGP321CNP-D is a solid option for those with more space.
What we like about the Dyna Glow:
- Large cooking surface area with over 415 square inches
- 24,000 BTU – making it one of the more powerful affordable grills out there
- In addition to a hot grill, the high BTU count allows for even heat distribution throughout the cooking surface
What we don’t like about the Dyna Glow:
- It’s important to keep covered, leaving it exposed to rain can lead to rusting
Kenmore PG-A40406S0L BBQ Grill
The last grill that we’ll take a look at is the Kenmore PG-A40406S0L 4 Burner Gas BBQ Grill. With a total cooking surface of 622 square inches, this grill is sure to be able to accommodate all of your cooking needs. The primary cooking area is 442 square inches, with the secondary area coming in at 180 square inches. If you’re looking for larger gas grills under $300, this is the grill for you.
The 4 main burners are made of stainless steel tube for lasting strength, and each carries 10,000 BTU. This grill also includes one 13,000 BTU side burner, making it perfect for those who like to heat up their sides, or boil corn while manning the grill.
The durable stainless steel and powder coated surfaces and side shelves make this grill last even in the toughest conditions. Electronic ignition makes starting this grill easy, so you can get cooking in no time. The Kenmore PG-A40406S0L 4 Burner Gas BBQ Grill is the largest option out of all of the grills we checked out. If you have the space, and are frequently cooking for a larger family, you can’t go wrong with this option.
What we like about the Kenmore:
- The largest cooking surface area of all the grill – coming in at 622 square inches
- Five total burners – four main burners, and one side burners. Cook up to 41 burgers at once!
- Stainless steel, powder coated surfaces ensure that this grill will last for many years
What we don’t like about the Kenmore:
- Assembly takes at least 90 minutes
- Conversion kit required for natural gas hook up
Conclusion
Choosing the best gas grill under $300 can be difficult given all of the options out there. The main feature to consider are the size of the grill, and whether or not it will fit in your outdoor space. The total surface area of the grill to ensure you can accommodate all of your guests, and latest taking a look at the BTUs to ensure you can get to the grilling temperatures for the meals you love most.