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Cheap Grills, Best Cheap Gas BBQ Grills
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Cheap Grills Buying Guide
There are two main types of cheap grills: charcoal grills and gas grills. In general, charcoal grills are cheaper than gas grills but lack the convenience of gas.
), the Char-Griller 3001 Grillin' Pro (starting at $200, Amazon
), the Brinkmann Pro Series Four Burner Gas Grill 810-9415-w (starting at $198) and the Char-Broil AT280 Two Burner (starting at $106, Amazon
). Prices for cheap charcoal grills start out at just under $50 and top out at $150; examples include the Char-Griller 2123 Wrangler (starting at $106, Amazon
), both Weber One Touch systems --the Gold (starting at $130, Amazon
) and the Silver (the 18.5-inch model starts at $59, Amazon
and the 22.5-inch model starts at $89, Amazon
) -- and the Meco 4100 Charcoal Grill (starting at $65, Amazon
).
The main difference between cheaper grills and their upmarket counterparts is the durability of the grill. As the experts at HomeBarbequeGrilling.com point out, pricier grills are stainless steel on the outside, which makes them last longer, while inexpensive grills are usually painted and not quite as sturdy. Higher-end grills also tend to have more durable materials inside, whereas cheap grills are often made from materials that tend to chip, peel, or rust. If you want to grill on the cheap, there are things you can do to make your grill last longer, such as storing it in a covered area, using a grill cover for protection, and making sure the grate is oiled and cleaned after each use.
HowStuffWorks reports that 75 percent of United States households own a grill. So most folks probably know a thing or two about this summer-time backyard ritual. But whether you're a novice or looking to replace a well-used model, there are several matters to consider. First, assess how much space you have for grilling. Then think about how many people you'll be feeding. And finally, decide whether you want gas or charcoal. One thing to note when looking for a grill is that vendors tend to favor a few particular brands, or only carry exclusive models, so when you find a grill you like, chances are you'll have a limited choice about where to buy it. User reviews for any given model are likewise fewer in number and harder to find. That said, the following guide will help you determine which grill best meets your needs.
Back to top »What to Look for: Cheap Grills Features
Cheap Grill Types.
Experts and consumers go back and forth on which grill is better, gas or charcoal. There are pros and cons to each type.
Cheap Gas grills
are the most popular choice for grilling these days, according to HomeBarbequeGrilling.com. There are several reasons why. For one, time and control are much better on a gas (that is, liquid propane) grill. About.com's grilling expert notes that the gas grill will be hot enough to begin cooking in as little as five to ten minutes. You can also control the flame, and thus the heat, better in a gas grill than with the charcoal variety. Gas grills also come with many accessories to make preparing your food easier, such as side burners, warming racks, and utensil hooks. The cleanup is easier too; all you need do is turn off the grill and clean the grate. On the other hand, gas grills tend to take up more space than charcoal grills and cost more upfront. And, as noted below, the flavor is just not the same as what you get with charcoal.Cheap Charcoal grills
use charcoal (or briquettes) as fuel to cook your food, which imparts the authentic grill flavor that's undetectable with gas grills. But charcoal grills have their drawbacks. If you expect to cook quick meals on a charcoal grill, think again. About.com's grilling expert says it takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes to fully heat up a charcoal grill before you can begin to cook. In addition, the cleanup with a charcoal grill is sometimes a bit much: you must dispose of the ash and old charcoal, and give the grill time to properly burn out. Lastly, while charcoal grills are initially cheaper than gas grills, you pay more in the long run for fuel because charcoal is pricier than filling a gas grill's propane tank every couple of months.Cheap BBQ Grills Cooking Surface.
In our research we found that size is a feature that generates lots of user comments. Obviously, you'll want a grill that fits in your outdoor area, but also one with a cooking surface size that meets your needs. As you shop, remember that if a cheap grill has a warming rack, it's included in the manufacturer's specifications for cooking surface.As far as surface space goes, cheap gas grills generally provide the largest cooking area. The Broil-Mate LP Gas Grill takes the cake, coming in with 700 square inches of cooking space. It is closely followed by the Char-Broil T480 Four Burner (starting at $219, Amazon
Cheap charcoal grills tend to be smaller. Among the cheap charcoal grills we researched, the Char-Griller 2123 Wrangler stakes out 435 square inches of cooking surface, followed by the Weber One Touch Gold 22.5 at 398 square inches, the Meco 4100 Charcoal Grill at 342 square inches, and lastly, the Weber One Touch Silver 18.5 with 270 square inches of cooking space.
Cheap Barbecue Grills Temperature Control.
Temperature control is a critical feature, according to grill experts at HomeBarbequeGrilling.com, because different foods need to be cooked at different temperatures. Cheap gas grills rule in this dimension because they all come with control settings or dials that manage where the flame is and how high it is; with charcoal grills, it's impossible to control the size of the flame. As an alternative, some cheap charcoal grills feature an adjustable grate (the Char-Griller 2123 Wrangler and Meco Charcoal Grill, for example), which lets you control how close the food is to the flame but not how hot the flame is. Vents give you some control over the heat in a charcoal grill by increasing or decreasing the oxygen that fuels the fire. About.com explains that you should close the vents to lower the heat and open the vents to raise the heat.One factor to consider with gas grills is the British Thermal Unit (BTU) rating, which affects the grill's cooking capacity. According to HowStuffWorks, one cubic foot of propane contains around 2,500 BTUs of energy, and the more BTUs, the larger the grill and its cooking surface; the average gas grill features between 20,000 and 50,000 BTUs. A good rule of thumb, advises About.com is to look for about 100 BTUs per square inch of cooking surface. The Char-Griller 3001 features 40,800 BTUs along with 438 square inches of cooking surface (net of the warming rack), which almost meets the About.com recommendation. The Broil-Mate 13024, with 30,000 BTUs and 260 square inches of cooking surface (net of the warming rack), slightly exceeds it.
Cheap BBQ Grills Grates.
Regardless whether a cheap grill is charcoal or gas, the material composition of the grate determines whether food will stick, as well as how evenly the heat disperses and thus how well the food cooks. About.com's grilling expert prefers cast iron grates because they heat up quickly, hold the heat on the surface, and last a very long time -- although cast iron does need to be oiled to keep food from sticking too much. Another good option, according to About.com, is porcelain-coated cast iron: high quality porcelain keeps the food from sticking, while the cast iron heats evenly and fast. Maintenance is easier with porcelain because you don't have to oil the grates. When it's time to clean porcelain-coated grates, scrub gently with a metal bristle brush; don't use metal scrapers because they'll chip the porcelain.Most cheap grills feature porcelain-coated grates. Two cheap gas grills we researched -- the Char-Griller 3001 and the Brinkmann Pro Series Four Burner Gas Grill 810-9415-w -- both feature the preferred combination of porcelain-coated cast iron grates. The grate on the gas-burning Broil-Mate 13024 is porcelain-coated steel. In the charcoal grills category, the Char-Griller 2123 -- our top pick -- sports cast iron grates but not the porcelain coating; the Weber One Touch Gold grate is coated with porcelain but it's unclear what lies beneath the surface.
Back to top »
Please see our Discount BBQ Grills Features Comparison Table »
Best Cheap BBQ Grills
Char-Griller 3001
Gas BBQ Grill. The Char-Griller 3001 Grilling Pro is a gas-burning crowd pleaser with amenities such as 630 square inches of cooking space (including the warming rack), three burners with separate controls, a side burner for heating sauces, and porcelain cast iron grates. Users say this grill is sturdy, heats up fast, is easy to use, but can be a little hard to assemble. Read more »
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Char-Griller 2123
Charcoal BBQ Grill A good choice in charcoal grills, the Char-Griller 2123 Wrangler impresses users with a cooking surface of 435 square inches, cast iron grates, adjustable grate height for better heat control, and a warming rack (not often found in cheap charcoal grills). Users sing the praises of this grill and enjoy the tasty finished products.
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Good Cheap BBQ Grill
Broil-Mate 13024
Gas BBQ Grill The Broil-Mate Gas Grill 13024 is a very basic model, but don't be fooled. Users are enthusiastic about its quality, pointing to the durable cast aluminum on the outside and heavy-duty porcelain-coated grates inside, a cooking surface measuring 420 square inches (including the warming rack), and two separately-controlled stainless steel burners; they also like the price. Read more »
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Weber One Touch Gold
Gas Charcoal Grill The Weber One Touch Gold 22.5 is a round charcoal grill with 398 square inches of cooking surface, an exceptional 10-year warranty, and a patented cleaning system, this grill gets high marks from users who like the ease of use and durability. Read more »
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Brinkmann Pro Series Four Burner Gas Grill 810-9415-w
The Brinkmann Pro Series Four Burner Gas Grill 810-9415-w is in the same class as the Broil-Mate Gas Grill 13024 but has more features, including a larger cooking surface measuring at 651 square inches and four separately-controlled burners. But user reviews for this grill are rare and the comments are slightly less positive than for the Broil-Mate Gas Grill 13024. Still, consumers seem impressed with the quality of the grates and the ease of use, although durability is a touchy subject. Read more »
Cheap Deals
Grow your own food
Inexpensive meat
The meat may be cheap, but shoe leather it ain't. The New York Times cooks up some tasty treats with budget cuts of meat that sport unusual names.
Inexpensive Indian Food
Forget those pricey condiments and premade timesavers. Preparing an authentic Indian meal for less than $15 is a no brainer -- if you follow these tips from The Washingtonian.
Don't Bother Cheap Grills
Char-Broil AT280
The Char-Broil AT280 Two Burner grill has a relatively small cooking surface for a gas grill coming in at only 280 square inches, which is not ideal if you plan to entertain large groups. This is the simplest version of a gas grill and lacks the frills that users love; heat control is minimal and there is no warming rack. Users give it mixed reviews, with some saying it's very hard to assemble and the flame is hard to control. Read more »
Meco Charcoal Grill
Another grill without frills, the Meco Charcoal Grill is about the most basic grill around. Running on charcoal makes cleanup a little messy, and the nickel-plated grate is not the best choice because it can chip easily and food tends to stick. Users consider this grill cheaply-made and note that the lid isn't durable nor does it hold in heat. Read more »
Products Mentioned in This Review
Char-Broil T480 Four Burner and Char-Boil Grill2Go AdvantageChar-Broil AT280
Meco Charcoal Grill
Broil-Mate 13024
Weber One Touch Gold
Brinkmann Pro Series Four Burner Gas Grill 810-9415-w
Char-Griller 3001
Char-Griller 2123
Thrifty Resources
Article Sources
Home Barbeque Grilling Consumer Search Consumer Search About.com Bobby's Best The Gas Grill Review How Stuff WorksFinancial Advice
Better Budgeting BillShrinkFrugal Advice
Wise Bread Frugal Village NYTimes' Frugal Traveler on YouTubeManufacturers
CharbroilPrice Comparison
Shopping.comReview sites
Consumer ReportsCheapism.com on Facebook
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