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Cheap Grills, Best Cheap BBQ Grill

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Cheap Grills Buying Guide

To many people, a warm evening, a nice patio, and the delectable smell of dinner cooking on the grill is close to perfection. With one of the cheap BBQ grills on our list you can join in this backyard ritual.
Whether you're shopping for cheap grills for the first time or looking to replace a well-used model, one thing to consider is what kind of grill you want. There are two main types of cheap grills: charcoal and gas. In general, charcoal grills are cheaper than gas grills but lack the convenience, heat control, and cooking speed. On the other hand, fans of charcoal grilling report there is no comparing the taste; a cheap gas grill just can't match the authentic grilled flavor you get with charcoal.

High-end gas grills can cost upward of $2,000, and high-end charcoal grills range beyond $1,000. Cheap gas grills cost anywhere from $100 to $250. Prices for cheap charcoal barbecues start at just under $50 and top out at $150. The main difference between cheap BBQ grills and their upmarket counterparts is durability. As the experts at HomeBarbequeGrilling.com point out, pricier grills are typically made of durable stainless steel, while cheap grills are usually painted or plastic 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. However, there are things you can do to make a discount 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.

Several other factors are worth considering when shopping for a cheap grill. One is the size of its cooking surface. While both gas and charcoal grills generally fall between 200 and 700 square inches, cheap gas grills are usually on the higher end of that range. It is important to note that a warming rack is often counted in the cooking surface area. Heat control is something else to keep in mind. Gas grills are best for heat control, as they allow you to adjust where and how high the flame is. It's harder to control the temperature in a charcoal grill, although some come with grates that can be lowered closer to the flame and vents that help with heat control. Finally, grate composition is important in cheap BBQ grills. Cast iron and porcelain-coated cast iron are ideal. Cast iron allows food to cook evenly, while porcelain prevents food from sticking.

Users of high-end grills swear that the features, build, and durability are worth their high price tags. But our research indicates that the best cheap barbecue grills can stand the test of time and perform just as well as their pricey counterparts. The best cheap gas grills we found are the Char-Griller Grillin' Pro 4001 (starting at $199, Amazon) and the Brinkmann 2 Burner Gas Grill 810-9210-S (starting at $99). As far as the charcoal variety goes, we like the Char-Griller Wrangler 2123 (starting at $99, Amazon) and the Weber One-Touch Gold 22.5 (starting at $130, Amazon). We aren't so crazy about the Meco 4100 Charcoal Grill (starting at $55 for red, $99 for black, Amazon) or the Char-Broil Two-Burner Gas Grill (starting at $99, Amazon) due to consumer complaints about quality and ease of use.

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Best Cheap BBQ Grills

Char-Griller Wrangler 2123
Gold Medal

Char-Griller Wrangler 2123

 The Char-Griller Wrangler 2123 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 end results. Read more »
BBQ Grills Deals
Char-Griller Grillin' Pro 4001
Gold Medal

Char-Griller Grillin' Pro 4001

 The Char-Griller Grillin' Pro 4001 is a gas-burning crowd pleaser with amenities such as a whopping 834 square inches of cooking space (including a warming rack), four burners with separate controls, a side burner for heating sauces, and dual smoke stacks for even heating. Users say this grill cooks food quickly and evenly and outperforms more expensive models. Read more »
BBQ Grills Deals

Good Cheap BBQ Grill

Weber One Touch Gold 22.5
Gold Medal

Weber One Touch Gold 22.5

 The Weber One-Touch Gold 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 say it's durable and easy to use. Read more »
BBQ Grills Deals
Brinkmann 2 Burner Gas Grill 810-9210-S
Gold Medal

Brinkmann 2 Burner Gas Grill 810-9210-S

 The Brinkmann 2 Burner Gas Grill boasts a cooking surface of 446 square inches (including a warming rack) and two separately controlled burners. Users seem impressed by how easy this grill is to assemble, use, and clean. They say it cooks food perfectly. Read more »
BBQ Grills Deals
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Don't Bother Cheap Grills

Meco Charcoal Grill

The Meco 4100 Charcoal Grill is another grill without frills. Its nickel-plated grate is not the best because it can chip easily and food tends to stick. Some users consider this grill cheaply made and note that the lid isn't durable. Read more »

Char-Broil Two-Burner Gas Grill

The basic Char-Broil Two-Burner Gas Grill has an even smaller cooking surface than the charcoal grills we looked at, measuring just 280 square inches. Even users who rate it highly in cheap BBQ grill reviews say assembly is a nightmare. Read more »

 
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