As with most appliances, the choice of a grill largely depends on individual preferences. This also includes the size of your household, accessibility to outdoor space, and intended application—such as how often you plan to throw BBQ parties and serve large crowds.
While state-of-the-art grilling stations can cost a fortune, more and more leading brands dedicate their efforts toward making good-quality grills more available. This gas grills review covers some of the best current grill choices, all under the $300 price tag.
The sheer multitude of affordable grills populating the current residential appliance market can get pretty overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure what type of grill you’d like to invest in, so let’s look at the most popular options for indoor and outdoor grilling.
As the name suggests, charcoal grills operate by using the heat from smoldering charcoal fuel, either briquets or lumps, with the help of a series of air vents. Charcoal grills are considered to be the traditional choice, so to speak. And though they are one of the slowest options for grilling, the food prepared on these grills is valued for its distinct flavor, aroma, and richer texture. Some of the best charcoal grills go for just under $300, so the price should not be the focal point of your search but rather the materials and dimensions.
Budget charcoal grills are likely to be less expensive than other types of grills in this price category, but they are only suitable for outdoor use. If you plan to purchase a model priced under $200, pay close attention to materials used in the manufacture of the frame, the effectiveness of air vents, the design of the lid if there is one, and the quality of the grates. Cast-iron is always best for charcoal-fuelled grills since they can withstand high temperatures and the effects of charring.
These are the best choice for frequent campers, travelers, and tailgaters. If you like to set up a BBQ party outside of the limits of your backyard, a trustworthy portable grill running on propane be perfect for any picnic, campsite, or football game. In fact, some of the best inexpensive outdoor gas grills under $300 can be found in this segment of the outdoor cooking market.
However, it’s important to choose portable gas grills based on materials—their quality such as heat resistance and how lightweight they are—as well as their mobility. This includes foldable legs and side tables, ergonomic design of the body, minimal assembly, and easy propane tank connection.
This type of grill is primarily chosen for indoor cooking, so the main selling point is usually the compact size and more organized, neater method of grilling. Family-sized electric grills can, of course, be used outdoors, provided you have an outlet nearby, but the usage of such large appliances comes with a grain of salt on the account of their high power consumption rates that can affect your electricity bills.
Griddles made for kitchen use are typically small and easy to use. If you don’t want to deal with the mess that is most stovetop griddles, this would be a neater alternative.
Though many people choose counter-top sandwich grills for quick everyday breakfast prep indoors, more and more outdoor grills and griddles incorporate a panini/sandwich press into their cooktop. These models are more versatile but also more expensive, so if you want to stay within your budget, get a good kitchen press and a manual stovetop griddle as a bonus.
Perhaps the most popular style of outdoor cooking is a modern gas grill. Reliably manufactured options that are also affordable may be a pretty tough find, but if you truly want you and your family to enjoy classic grilled breakfast hot dogs and juicy dinner steaks, many trusted brands such as Weber and Coleman offer the very best gas grills just under $200 and all made to fit into a trunk of a family car.