“Grilling takes the formality out of entertaining, everyone wants to be involved” – Bobby Flay
Have you ever wondered who invented grilling?
Some experts say it probably happened about 500,000 years ago, in a cave somewhere in Africa when early man learned the ability to control fire. But in modern times, it wasn’t until the 1940’s when after the war, backyards became filled with grills.
In 1952, the concept of grilling was improved upon by an American welder made dome-shaped grills using cut metal. He used the top half as a lid to seal and lock-in the flavor and allow heat to be distributed evenly.
Most modern grills are still based on this model.
We’ve come a long away since, and most of us simply cannot do without it. And if you happen to be thinking about replacing your old grill, or looking for one to give as a gift, this review is for you. We are going to list the best grills under 1000. At the end of this review, you should be able to have an idea of what suits your needs.
In case you are in a hurry we’ve listed them down in no particular order with their specs and most outstanding feature:
5 Best Grills Under 1000
Now that we have made a quick comparison of all our 5 grills under 1000, it’s time to get detailed information for each.
1. Hasty-Bake 83 Continental Dual Finish Charcoal Grill
Hasty-Bake is a company established in Tulsa, OK, USA in 1948. It introduced the first portable grill unit and is one of the pioneers in the charcoal grill industry.
The 83 Continental Dual Finish Charcoal Grill is one of the company’s best selling grills. This particular grill is for those who want to use charcoal but with the control and accuracy where they can bake, steam, grill, smoke, sear, and more. You name it, this grill can do it.
It features a spacious top rack that can be used as a warming rack, or an additional area to smoke any type of meat. It can be removed if you need more space for the main cooking surface. The main cooking area is a large 504-square inch enough to accommodate 15 regular sized burgers at a time.
It’s made from stainless steel, and nickel-plated cooking grates angled at the center, to direct the drippings and the grease to a trough beneath them. The trough runs through the hole on the left side of the grill and onto a grease pan for easy cleaning.
Beneath the cooking grids, you’ll find the charcoal tray which is adjustable by a crank at the side and can be accessed through a side door on the grill. It can be easily removed for cleaning and additional wood can be put there without opening the lid.
The charcoal tray can be moved close to the cooking grids by a crank at the bottom side of the grill. Move it closer and you have a perfect environment for searing steaks. Move it below the bottom and with a removable stainless heat deflector, you can shield the food from direct heat allowing you to bake. And with the tempered glass on the lid, you can conveniently monitor your food without opening the lid.
Cleaning is easy with a removable, full-width slide-out ashpan container. The Continental comes with a 10-year warranty on stainless steel components and a 5-year parts/workmanship warranty.
Pros
- Heavy-duty stainless steel and nickel-plated cooking grates
- Durable 20 gauge hood with 3/16” tempered glass
- Adjustable charcoal tray for different types of cooking
- Removable stainless heat deflector for indirect cooking
- Easy access to charcoal tray through a side door
Cons
- Takes time for the grill to cool down
2. Broilmaster C3PK1 Charcoal Grill Package
If you’re looking for a durable charcoal grill and a smoker, look no further. The Broilmaster can reach high temperatures and hold it, making it ideal for low and slow cooking. It’s made from heavy-duty cast aluminum which holds heat better than stainless steel.
The multi-level grill grates are heavy stainless steel that the company uses in their more premium product lines. One thing is for sure, you won’t see rust building up in this machine as the stainless steel parts are quality non-magnetic stainless.
This achieves high temperature because of the left and right tapered air inlets. Open it up and watch the temperature reach up to 1000⁰F making it ideal for searing your steaks. Close the vents and you can hold the low temperature for your smoking ribs to perfection. Loading charcoal is easy and convenient with its front-loading door, so you won’t need to remove the cooking grids.
Just looking at this beauty will convince you that everything about her is quality. There are no flimsy parts and everything is solid and well-built. Even the pull-out ashpan is welded non-magnetic stainless steel. It just shows you how they took great care of making sure that this becomes a high-quality, durable, and long-lasting portable charcoal grill.
Pros
- Heavy-duty cast aluminum construction
- Multi-level stainless steel cooking grids
- Left and right tapered air inlets for control
- Front-loading charcoal
- Removable stainless steel ashpan
Cons
- Takes longer time to assemble
3. Everdure by Heston Blumenthal Fusion 29-Inch Charcoal Grill
To say that the Everdure Fusion is a beautiful grill is an understatement. In fact, at first glance, you may think it’s a museum piece rather than a charcoal grill. Inspired by minimalist Danish design, it’s a perfect balance of elegance and functionality which includes a 59-inch retractable power cord for long reach powering options.
The great thing is, you can be sure that an Everdure is both beauty and substance. This design masterpiece can start to show who’s boss in just 10 minutes with a press of a button. The fast flame ignition gets the charcoal burning at once. It combines the ease of a gas barbecue (which it is not) with the benefits of cooking over charcoal (which it is).
Yes, it’s a combination of charcoal and electric powered grill. With a built-in Rotisserie system, you can grill an authentic rotisserie meal with its patented Rotiscope technology. It’s built into the grill with 3 height settings which can support up to 30 pounds of chicken, turkey, or even a suckling pig.
You don’t need to worry as it’s kept firmly in place on the rotisserie rod as it turns courtesy of the jaw-like Clip lock Forks. Chef Heston Blumenthal doesn’t seem to run out of design ideas, that it’s really hard to keep up.
The Fusion contains a porcelain enamel firebox and a charcoal tray designed for easy clean-up with chrome hinged grill grates which allow for easy access. This is another design winner and a best-seller in the Everdures product line-up.
Pros
- Beautiful Danish minimalist design
- 59-inch retractable power cord
- Fast flame ignition not found in most charcoal grills
- Rotisserie system with patented rotiscope technology
- Porcelain enamel firebox and charcoal tray for easy clean-up
Cons
- Needs an electric power source for its Rotisserie system
See also:
4. Everdure Force by Heston Blumenthal 2-Burner Liquid Portable Propane Gas Grill
The usual complaint of portable gas grill owners is the inability of their grills to generate enough heat for searing meat.
This feature is usually found in charcoal grill which is the go-to grill for high-temperature cooking.
Enter the Everdure Force by world-renown British Celebrity Chef Heston Blumenthal. This well-designed durable gas grill allows instant searing using a fast ignition technology. It cuts warming time for your gas grill to start cooking in just 5 minutes.
The 2 high-performance burners can be independently controlled generating an impressive 22,000 BTUs of grilling power. The enamel-coated cast-iron flat plates are interchangeable for better flexibility.
Just like other Everdure grills designed by Chef Blumenthal, the Force is a stunning piece of art. The die-cast aluminum body with an extra high hood is designed to enhance airflow delivering an even cook throughout the grill’s entire surface. Two side shelves are convenient for holding seasoning or for prepping.
Pros
- Instant searing with fast ignition technology
- Dual-zone cooking with 2 high-performance burners
- Die-cast aluminum body for durability and rust-proof
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Side shelves do not fold
5. Mhp Gas Grills Wnk4dd Natural Gas Grill
Modern Home Products or MHP has been around for over fifty years. The company was founded in the ’50s and until now continues to produce high-quality gas grills that are durable, and popular.
This is a natural gas grill which features permanent mold cast aluminum housing, and has a large cooking surface of 642 square inches (including warming rack). This includes a 48-inch black, anodized aluminum in-ground post with stainless steel tubing.
This is a well-built gas grill that will cook great food cheaper compared to gas-powered or charcoal grills. It includes a stainless grease cup for easy cleanup. Best of all, it comes with a lifetime limited warranty so this beauty is built to last.
Pros
- Permanent mold cast aluminum housing
- Large cooking surface ideal for small parties
- Natural gas grill means cheaper operating cost
- Lifetime limited warranty
Cons
- Limited position since it runs on natural gas
See also:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to use natural gas in a grill?
Yes, it’s safe to use natural gas just as safe as using propane gas.
If you already have gas plumbing installed in your house then it makes sense to go for a natural gas grill as it’s cheaper compared to propane gas or charcoal.
And the good news is you are sure to never run out of fuel (or charcoal) even with your biggest backyard cook-fest, as long as you did not forget to pay the gas company.
What’s the advantage of a rotisserie in a grill?
A rotisserie grill is always a welcome addition to a gas or charcoal grill. The advantage of a rotisserie is the evenness of cooking allowing for maximum juiciness of the meat. With regular grilling, the meat will dry out quickly making it dry and bland. And since it’s a motorized mechanism, you only need to set it up and leave it until it’s cooked.
Conclusion
With any products, the higher the quality the more expensive it becomes. And with added features expect the price to go even further.
Some people can do with a $300 grill and be satisfied, while others who already own a thousand dollar grill still wants to upgrade to a $2000 machine. This just shows that we all have different needs, wants, and views when it comes to buying.
For some the ability to grill food fast is important, while for another, it’s perfectly alright to wait and give the grill the time to warm up. Simply put, there are “different strokes for different folks”.
In our view, all the grills here on our list are worth their asking price. The innovation that each of these grill-making companies incorporate into their products is a result of years of experience, and continuous research and development.
So whether you think you want the Rotisserie system offered by Everdure Fusion, or you see the practicality of a natural gas grill offered by Mhp, it is you who will decide which one suits your needs best. One thing is for sure, whatever you choose from the list, it can only enhance your grilling experience and share lifelong memories with your friends and loved ones.