Grilling is one of the most extensively used methods of cooking that dates back to the time our folks have learned how to make fire. Back then, food is cooked with just the essential ingredients and fire. Nowadays, grilling is more popular than ever, and it’s a part of the tradition.
Picking a decent grill is a right of passage of sorts for guys, and it is not an easy task. There are so many options on the market; it can be confusing. Sometimes you might end up buying a grill that may not fit your needs if you are not smart.
If you have a budget of 400, it can buy a decent grill with all the bells and whistles, but the problem is how can you make an educated purchase. This is the main reason why we have narrowed down the selection to five grills.
Four hundred dollars can buy you the best gas grills, but you have to read our reviews on our list and the accompanying buying guide first. We have prepared a list of the best gas grills under 400 based on several important factors including its performance, built-quality, design, and price
Our Choice: Char-Broil Performance 300 2-Burner Cabinet Gas Grill
This product is one of the best two-burner gas grill that has total heat output of 24,000 BTU and 300 square inches of primary cooking space. It also has an additional swing-away that has porcelain-coated grates. Performance-wise, this Char-Broil model is an efficient and reliable grill filled with exciting features.
Top 5 Best Grill Under 400
1. Char-Broil Performance 300 Gas Grill
Char-Broil is a well-known brand when it comes to the grill, and this model is a perfect example of how it makes its products. First is the cooking area; it has 300 square inches of the primary cooking area plus 100 inches of swing-away rack. Both grates are porcelain-coated for rust protection and easy cleaning. The grates are made from cast-iron, which allows for efficient heat distribution.
It also has an accompanying stainless-steel lid to cover the entire grill for convection cooking. That makes it more efficient because the heat will not escape with the tight cover. The cover is also provided with a temperature gauge to monitor the temperature. Such added amenities are well-made and durable. It offers an additional stylish element to the entire set up.
The massive cooking area is powered by two burners, each with individual controls to set it to the desired temperature that the food requires. It is easy to fire up this grill because of the electronic ignition system. This grill’s total heat output is 24,000 BTU equipped for maximum heating capacity to cook delicious foods.
Additional amenities include the metal shelves on each side that fold down as extra preparation space. It also has an easy to access storage cabinet to store the propane tank and cooking accessories. The two caster wheels provide mobility and stability.
Overall, this unit is well-made and durable, with included cover to protect the grill when not in use. It has sealed seams to protect the grill from water penetration.
Pros
- Consistent heat on the cooking surface without hot spots
- Durable and well-made
- Easy to light with the ignition system
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Quite heavy and not easy to move around
2. Blackstone 36-Inch Outdoor Flat Top Grill
This griddle/grill from Blackstone gives you a lot of choices for customization, so you’ll have lots of options for cooking your food. As with other Blackstone grills, the cooking area of this model is quite spacious. It allows you to cook large quantities of food simultaneously to serve a party. The cooking space is not only vast; it is also designed with a grease trap for less oily and healthy food.
The Blackstone 36-Inch Outdoor Flat Top Grill has an adjustable heat setting to create different heat zones on the grill area. The burner has four heat zones that get heated quickly and let you cook without delay. Thanks to its fast ignition system, lighting up is easy with just a push of a button.
This Blackstone grill has an impressive design and is perfect for your outdoor parties. It is portable and has fold-down side shelves for additional preparation space. And the design includes open cabinet shelves for storage and four caster wheels for greater mobility. It can be locked so you’ll have a stable grill. This grill is well constructed using stainless steel that protects it from rust and corrosion. There is a special place for the gas tank at the left bottom for a seamless cooking area.
Another excellent quality of this grill is it’s easy to mainstem. Assembling, it is more straightforward compared with other grills that need an engineer to figure out what goes with what. You can set up this grill anywhere, and when not in use, just fold it up and cover for secure storage. The efficient grease management system makes it easy to clean.
Pros
- Rust-resistant as it is made with stainless-steel
- You can create four cooking zones and cook any meal you need
- Easy to assemble and has a foldable design for secure storage
- Efficient grease management system for easy cleaning
Cons
- You need to clean the grease tray after use
- The height of the grill is not adequate for some
3. Royal Gourmet GD401C Flat Top Gas Grill
Some people say grill while others say griddle, if you are debating which of the two should you buy, then you better get the Royal Gourmet Portable Propane Gas Grill and Griddle Combo. This cooking machine features a propane fire cast iron griddle on one side that has stainless steel burners and a classic propane grill on the other.
It has a built-in grease channel that is designed to direct any drippings to the grill pan that is easy to clean. Although the design of this grill is meant to be portable, you still need to think twice before taking them into your truck. It can be cumbersome and massive.
The Royal Gourmet GD401C is made with high-quality materials. Its burners are made from stainless steel, while its other components are fully integrated to the built. The griddle top is made from cast-iron without any coating, so it needs care and maintenance. The whole grill is easy to assemble in two hours using household tools.
Its stainless-steel burners impart enough heat to the grill and griddle. Each is independently controlled and has a heat output of 12,000 BTUs. The cast-iron metal on the griddle side can rust and needs a seasoning layer. A little scraping while cleaning, and a layer of shortening will help. There is not much difference on the grill side from your standard grill. Its downside is not having any lid for convection cooking. You can improvise by using an aluminum baking pan that’s turned upside down.
The grilling and griddle area are just enough with 292 square inches each, which is big enough for cooking for 5-6 persons. This is also perfect for your outdoor kitchen as an everyday grill. What makes this grill unique is the built-in grease channel that has a removable dripping pan to collect the grease and oil while cooking. The folding side table also provides you with extra space for food preparation.
This griddle/grill is easy to clean. You only need to remove the grease pan and the grill grates for a scrape down. What makes the cleaning hard is maintaining the griddle part. All in all, this model can give your money’s worth because it is a grill and a griddle in one.
Pros
- Offers cooking versatility with the grill and the griddle
- Has a built-in grease channel
- Easy to clean
- Large yet offers portability
Cons
- Requires maintenance of the griddle part
- There is no lid available for the grill part
4. Stanbroil Stainless Steel Drop-in Gas Grill
If you are looking for a grill that fits your 400 budget but works well, you need to get this Stanbroil Stainless Steel Drop-in Gas Grill; it is the perfect barbecue grilling accessory to complete your grilling setup. What makes this grill a must-have is it allows you to cook different meals at one time. Thanks to its stainless steel burner that produces a maximum cooking power of 12,000 BTUs, you can do your cooking at different temperature settings.
The burner is made from commercial-grade 304 Stainless Steel with solid SS grates that could last for years. There is also a stainless steel cover that protects the grill whenever it is not in use. This grill has 720 square inches of cooking area. That is perfect for cooking any kind of food, including Teppanyaki-style and many more.
It also makes perfect barbecue for camping, tailgating and other outdoor activities with grilling as the cooking option. The griddle is made from one of the safest materials for cooking compared with steel that might contain lead. What makes this grill a right choice is it is easy to clean because of the stainless steel materials.
Pros
- Large cooking surface
- Sturdy and durable as it is made from commercial-grade stainless steel
- East to clean with the built-in grease well
- Versatile as it offers different cooking style
Cons
- Only one burner is available
5. Napoleon TQ285-BL Portable Propane Grill
This impressive model from Napoleon is a clamshell-style portable barbecue grill that has some unique features that you cannot find in any other grill brands. It has a collapsible stand that is solid and functional. The large wheels are accompanied by high-quality design and construction.
This is a perfect companion to your camping, tailgating, and other outdoor activities because it can easily be folded up and packed in your vehicle and rolled across the pavement, grass, or gravel single handedly.
The grill has a powder coated body that snaps close to store the cooking grate inside. It has two stainless steel burners with individual temperature settings. You can create two cooking zones with this grill as well as direct and indirect grilling. Or manage the temperature settings to accommodate the dish that you are cooking.
Napoleon grills are known for their JETFIRE Ignition, and this grill is no exception. These electric igniters facilitate easy lighting with a turn of its control knobs. There is a safety feature at the back of this grill. It has a stainless-steel windscreen in the back vent to maintain the heat and avoid blowout of the burner.
You don’t have to look for a platform to set up this grill. It has a folding scissor cart that is lightweight yet heavy-duty. No need for complicated assembly, all you have to do is snap it open, and it’s ready. When you are done cooking, just collapse and snap it close, and it’s ready to go.
Unlike other collapsible stands, this has a stable and reliable feel. Plus, it has two large side tables and holders for towels and tools. The grease tray is an added touch for easy cleanup.
Pros
- Portable and easy to bring along
- Study scissor cart
- Extra side tables and towel and tools holder for convenient cooking
- High-quality design and durable construction
Cons
- The wavy pattern on the grates are not easy to clean
- The top is made with thin metals
Buying Guide for Best Gas Grill Under 400
Save your time and money by buying top quality gas grills that fit your 400 budget by knowing exactly what you should be looking for. Here are the seven factors that matter the most when it comes to selecting the best gas grills within your budget.
The number of burners
The best number of burners depends on how many people you are cooking for. for around five people, a two-burner grill will do. Three burners work well with a large number of people to prepare for.
Ignition system
Most gas grills have electronic ignition in two types: spark generator and piezo starter.
BTU Levels
This refers to the maximum heat output of the grill. Gas models have the highest BTUs compared with infrared models. Choose a grill with high BTUs because it will give you a better grilling experience.
Grill space
It refers to the available cooking area in square inches. For a small family, a 400 square inches of grill space is enough. Most three-burner grills have 400 to 500 square inches.
Cooking grates
The material that the cooking grate is made from is a critical element in grilling. Also, if the cooking grates are made from good quality materials, they will last longer and withstand different weather conditions.
Useful Accessories
Some grills have side burners, side shelves, and hooks or handles for your comfort. Although these are not vital in grilling, they can be useful too.
Warranty
The reputation of the manufacturer and its warranty is essential when buying a grill. Get a grill with the highest warranty period because that means the brand is confident with their products.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to the best gas grills under 400, you can find many options to choose from, so be careful about how you spend your money, or you will end up with something that is not for you.
Our choice for the best gas grill under 400 is the Char-Broil Performance 300. It has everything that you are looking for in a medium-sized gas grill with enough cooking space, powerful burners, long-lasting and durable construction, and cooks well.
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