7 Best Budget Gas Grills Under $200 Reviewed

Grilled food tastes great. And if you’re reading this, it’s probably because you agree. Furthermore, grilling may be an enjoyable pastime in which friends and family can participate.

What you may not realize is that gas grills may also be pretty affordable. In reality, you can buy several high-functioning, well-made varieties of this equipment for less than $200.

The competitive pricing point of gas grills allows them to outperform charcoal smokers to a significant extent. You’re probably wondering which grill to buy right now. To make it easier for you to choose, we’ve compiled a list of the Best Gas Grills Under $200 available:

Best gas grills under $200 reviews

Char-griller 3001 grillin’ pro gas grill

The Char-Griller 3001 Grillin’ Pro is manufactured by Char-Griller, Georgia-based charcoal, and grilling company that manufactures Japanese-style stoves and kettles.

This grill is extremely well-made. It has the appearance and feel of a barrel-made grill, yet it is quite good. You’d think it was a more costly grill. However, the price is slightly around $200.

With three large burners to span the entire grill space, this grill can heat up rapidly and get you grilling in no time. The handle on the top remains cool, allowing you to check how the grilling is doing at any time quickly.

However, you will need enough space because this grill is not small. It is also quite hefty, weighing about 90 pounds, so you won’t be moving it around very often.

Char-broil classic 360 3-burner liquid propane gas grill

Now, for such a low price, this one is durable. The Char-Broil Classic 360-degree 3-Burner grill is made by a company making grills and burners that use gas, charcoal, and electricity since 1948, so they have a lot of experience and know what they’re doing.

Although it is not intended to be portable, it is light enough to load into your truck’s back if you are camping. It’s also a fantastic beginner grill if you’re unsure if you’ll use this equipment frequently and want to try one before investing in a more expensive one.

Master cook classic smart space living 3 burner lp gas grill

In terms of functions and design, this model shares some similarities with the Char-Broil Classic 360. However, as you shall see, there are some significant differences between the two.

It boasts a wide cooking surface area that can accommodate large meals. And a low-cost gas grill does not have to be poorly built. This grill has porcelain-coated wire cooking grates, a stainless steel handle, two folding side shelves for prep space, a rack to keep meals warm, and two heavy-duty 6-inch wheel casters for transportation.

Char-broil portable 240 liquid propane gas grill

Now for one that can be used for quick grilling on the go. Char-Broil also makes this Liquid Propane Grill, so you know you’re getting equipment made with all of the company’s knowledge and experience.

This is one of the best portable grills under $200 and is great for tailgating, camping, or beach grilling. To power the solitary burner, all you need is a 1-pound propane gas tank.

Cuisinart CGG-180TB petit gourmet portable tabletop gas grill

This is a fully portable, small-sized grill designed to provide excellent performance so that you won’t miss grilling on a bigger one. It is manufactured by Cuisinart, a company producing various kitchen appliances for almost 45 years, and has become a household name.

This is an excellent grill if you frequently go camping, fishing, hiking, or enjoy grilling on the beach, or even if you generally grill on your front lawn. It’s small yet strong enough to handle whatever you throw at it. It’s also easy to clean, thanks to a removable grate that can be washed in the dishwasher.

Char-broil classic 280 2-burner liquid propane gas grill

The Char-Broil Classic 280 is an incredible value at under $100. It has all of the essential features of a high-priced gas grill but at the price of a low-priced gas grill.

It’s made of solid stainless steel and features porcelain-coated grates and burners, so it’s less prone to rust and easy to clean.

The two burners generate 20,000 BTUs of heat across 260 square inches of primary cooking area.

Weber q1000 liquid propane

This portable small gas grill is ideal for a quick cookout. This gas grill is easy to use and does not include any expensive accessories or elaborate frills. This grill would be ideal for someone who wants to have a perfect grill while camping or at a park.

It is a tabletop grill with a propane tank for quick start-up.

The advantages of using a gas grill

Finding the best gas grill has various advantages. One of the two main types of grills on the market is the gas grill. There are two types of grills: the traditional charcoal grill and the rapid and efficient gas grill. Quick heat-up periods and easy lighting and ignition are two advantages of gas grills. Compared to charcoal grills, gas grills are much easier for new grillers.

Even low-cost gas grills typically incorporate a quick-start ignition, which allows it to be turned on and heated in a matter of seconds. This method is both convenient and effective. Gas grills can achieve a maximum temperature in minutes. However, charcoal grills require patience and care. Gas grills cook up a quick and delicious supper.

Furthermore, with gauged temperature control, gas grills can be closely monitored. When compared to many charcoal grills, there is less uneven cooking. Gas grills frequently include a temperature control knob; if you choose the right one, some even have built-in thermometers.

Both advantages provide close and accurate temperature control, allowing you to know when your food is ready to serve.

To wrap it up

There you have it. We’ve reviewed the best Gas Grills under $200 available in 2020. We’ve talked about some of the most powerful grills and some of the lightest and most portable.

These grills have one thing in common: they are all reasonably priced and offer a good range of functions for the money. You don’t have to break the budget if you want a good gas grill.

What, however, is the best gas grill under $200 that you can buy? Well, that is all up to you. We enjoyed the Char-Griller 3001 Grillin’ Pro as competitively priced outdoor grills go. It offers all of the necessary features and is well-built.

So, if you enjoy grilling but don’t want to deal with charcoal, you should consider buying a gas grill soon.

Considerations when buying a gas grill under $200

A few factors must be considered before going for this equipment. While the prices of the devices might vary greatly, investing $150 to $200 on a grill is more than reasonable for all of the features you desire.

Check whether it is powered by natural gas or propane.

When comparing prices, consider the fuel type that your grill supports. Natural gas grills necessitate the installation of a gas line near the grill. Many are available in either format, but using a propane grill on a natural gas grill or vice versa is not permitted.

You should consider buying a natural gas conversion kit between $50 and $100. Natural gas is less expensive and less of a headache than its competitor.

Check the material

Under $200, models are typically made of stainless steel, the recommended material for professional cooking equipment. However, ensure that the grill’s body and frame are made of stainless steel, not materials such as cast aluminum.

Your grilling goals should choose the size of your grill.

Under $200, you can get a decent-sized grill with plenty of cooking space. Choose the size based on how many people you intend to cook for and how much you intend to cook. The convenience of having a grilling surface area should be the deciding factor.

Consider your footprint—how big is your backyard?

The footprint of the grill, in addition to the cooking area, should be considered.

Manufacturers advise keeping the grill two to three feet away from your home and any combustible materials for safety. Most grill grills also include side shelves that can be folded or removed, so make room for those as well.

Gas grills are easy, safe, and convenient to use.

Grills have some advantages over charcoal grills. Grilling using gas is convenient. With the turn of a knob, you can adjust the flame and temperature. Gas grilling is also quick and easy. There is no fiddling with briquettes, no handling of stinky starter fluid, and no waiting for the coals to heat up.

Furthermore, there are no ashes to clean up when you finish grilling. Switch it off, clean the grates with a metal brush, or put them in the dishwasher.

But level or heat flux?

The quantity of heat produced by the burner, and thus the amount of gas used, is measured in BTUs. BTU does not represent the amount of heat the grill can produce, and a larger BTU does not always imply that the grill produces more heat or cooks your meal faster.

Don’t only choose a gas grill solely on the BTU; consider the size and design of your grill as well. With a lower BTU, a smaller, more compact grill may produce more heat.

On the other hand, heat flux represents the amount of heat produced and is commonly measured in units of 85. It’s easy to figure out by dividing the BTU by the cooking surface in square inches (without the warming racks).

Quality ignition system

All gas grills require an ignition mechanism, with most of them employing a spark to ignite and light the burner.

The ignition system’s efficiency will be determined by the spark generator, the wire transporting the spark, and the electrode transmitting the spark to the ground point.

Some more expensive grills include a separate igniter for each burner, which is a great touch. However, when they break, they are costly and difficult to fix.

Here are the primary ignition systems available, and if the primary ignition fails—which it almost always does at some point—a manual ignition option should be available.

• Battery-Operated Ignition

Electric ignition is often powered by AAA, AA, or nine-volt batteries. If your ignition isn’t working, it’s usually an easy fix, just replacing the batteries.

• Piezoelectric Ignition

The original ignition mechanism is a piezoelectric device. It creates a spark by friction and emits a characteristic clicking sound. You may find it easy to operate because it only asks you to turn a knob and push a button to get your grill going.

• Hot Surface Ignition

This is the most recent innovation, usually found on high-end grills. No batteries are required; nonetheless, electricity is necessary to operate the ignition and ignite the burners.

How many burners?

Every grill expert wants his food to be juicy and delicate on the inside and crisp and crispy on the outside. The larger the cooking area, the more versatility you’ll have while grilling your favorite meals—in other words, the more burners, the better.

The best gas grills will always have at least two burners, but maybe as many as six.

Some foods are too fragile to be cooked directly on the heat source and must be prepared slowly or indirectly. To accomplish this, you must be able to turn on a burner or two on one side of the grill while leaving none turned on immediately under the food with the lid closed. A large cooking area and several burners are needed for this.

However, keep in mind that burners are the most often changed parts of a gas grill—and while some come with warranties, the more burners, the higher the maintenance costs.

Extra storage space

Grill accessories can quickly accumulate, such as cooking and cleaning tools, rib racks, and rotisserie tools. You will quickly realize that additional storage space is essential to keep you organized. There are several options available:

• Foldable and portable stands
• Side-folding shelves for more prep area 
• Full storage cart with two doors

High-quality grates for high-quality grilling

Grates commonly made of stainless steel, porcelain, or cast iron are among the most important pieces of your grill. The heat will wear them out at a variable rate depending on the quality and thickness of the material.

You’ll want a nonsticky surface to avoid losing half of your meal to the grate, even if it isn’t Teflon-coated.

• Steel Grates

Steel grates are normally the cheapest, but there is a reason for this. They tend to chip easily over time, allowing your food to stick to the grate. On the other hand, stainless steel grates do not chip easily if kept clean and in good condition.

• Porcelain Grates

Porcelain-coated grates have varying levels of quality, but the coat will chip with time, exposing and rusting the underneath metal. It’s better to avoid using hard scrapers on these grates and instead use gentler equipment.

• Cast Iron Grates

Cast iron grates are heavy and can withstand high temperatures, leaving attractive grill marks and cooking your dishes faster than conventional grates.

They are by far the most durable grates, lasting for decades if properly maintained after each usage. Clean and oil the entire surface to ‘seal them from the environment and prevent rust from forming.

Venting

Gas grill venting systems are necessary, but there is no reason for all smoke and gases to escape instantly. A long thin crack on the back of the hood is the ideal venting method.

This prevents all of the juice’s smokey smells from escaping and may significantly enhance your grilling game for less. Vents are vital. However, grills with excessive venting miss out on trapping potentially valuable smoky tastes!

FAQs

Last update on 2024-04-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using these links.