“There is no sincerer love than the love of barbecue” –George Bernard Shaw
To grill or not to grill, that is the burning question. And the answer is easy – but of course!
Everybody wants to grill, or maybe at least watch for some lazy couch potatoes. From children to grown-ups, it’s hard not to salivate at the sight of a sizzling steak on the grill, or the sweet aroma coming out of those smoked baby-back ribs.
But to make all that possible, we need the equipment to dish out the best-tasting food without breaking the bank. So let’s check out the Top 3 best grill under 400 in 2022.
What, no time to read the whole review? No problem, here’s a quick overview of our featured products:
Now that we have made a quick comparison of our best grills under 400, it’s time to get to know each of them better:
See also:
Best Gill Under 400 Reviews
1. Everdure by Heston Blumenthal Cube Portable Charcoal Grill with Travel Bag
Ever heard of The Fat Duck? It claimed the top spot in the world’s 50 Best Restaurants in the world in 2005. It also holds the record for the fastest restaurant in the UK to earn three Michelin Stars. The owner of Fat Duck is a British Celebrity Chef that goes by the name Heston Blumenthal.
So what has all that information got to do with this product? As you may have guessed, based on the product’s name, Chef Blumenthal is the one that designed the Everdure Cube Portable Charcoal Grill.
Looking at this cute boxy grill, it’s hard not to fall in love with its stylish retro look design. When you bring this to the beach or at a picnic, it’s hard to tell what it is. Expect to see people glancing and trying to figure out what this little cube is all about.
The moment you snap off the safety latches on both sides, and take off the bamboo board on top, that’s when the grill reveals itself. This undoubtedly is a unique and out-of-the-box grill design.
You can put your grilled food on the bamboo board for preparation. The plastic top beneath it which covers the rack is where you can put paper plates or utensils. The lightweight steel handle on both ends is always cool to the touch, as it’s not too close to the body of the grill.
Enough room also separates the top stainless grill and the bottom rack to accommodate enough charcoal for the heat. There’s a double line wall that acts as a built-in heat protection shield for an easy, comfortable grill experience. Another noteworthy feature is the integrated base plaque. It acts as a protector for any surface you decide to put the Cube in.
It comes in different colors and the whole body is a powder-coated finish. But no worries, it’s not gonna rust as it’s galvanized first before it was coated. It comes with an attractive portable canvas bag that can be used to store all your grilling utensils. There’s also a drawstring bag inside to store used dishes. And for this particular bundle, it comes with the great-looking grilling accessories.
Great design, lightweight, easy to transport, and hassle-free cleaning, makes this portable piece of beauty an ideal go-to-grill for a small picnic or tailgating.
Pros
- Compact and portable
- High-quality material
- Stylish & innovative design
- A highly versatile and durable piece of equipment
Cons
- A bit pricey for its size
2. BBQube Kamado-Go 275 Auto-Temp Portable Tailgating Grill
When it comes to innovation it’s hard to beat the BBQube Kamado-Go 275. This kamado grill is the first portable grill with automatic temperature controls. Their award-winning TempMaster controller included in the package is capable of maintaining 225 degrees with just a 2-3 degree deviation, which is unheard of in the portable grilling market.
This is a new generation of Stainless Steel Insulated Portable Smoker and is the perfect tailgating grill you will find. It’s great for small-sized parties with its 275 sq. inch of cooking surface. The arched top lid can handle 2-3 large ribs at a time. If you intend to do a marathon grilling, this portable workhorse can provide off-grid cooking for more than 20 hours!
It’s light and portable for easy transport which is good for a picnic, camping, and tailgating. It’s a game-changer with the TempMaster controller since you can smoke for hours on end without worrying about loss of heat. So no more hassle in checking the temperature of the griller. Just set your desired temperature and forget about it. That’s how convenient this thing is.
It’s also easy to clean with the ash drawer that is easy to remove for disposal. The tilted head deflector also functions as a drip pan for collecting grease.
Here are what’s included in the box:
- Kamado-Grill Grill Body with Folding Side Tables
- Heavy-Gauge Stainless Steel Cooking Grate
- Tilted Heat Deflector/Drip Pan with Grease Collecting Slit
- TempMaster Portable Wireless Temperature Controller and Thermometer
- Three probes Included – 1 x Grill Probe, 1 x Long Meat Probe and 1 x Short Meat Probe
- Custom Hardshell EVA Carry Case for TempMaster Controller
- High-Temperature Silicone Air Hose
Pros
- Innovative TempMaster controller for maintaining grill temperature
- Perfect for tailgating
- Stainless steel body and cooking grate
- Capable of low and slow smoking up to 10 hours with a single charcoal load
Cons
- Folding side tables are too small
3. M Grills C4 Stainless Steel Portable Competition Grade Charcoal Grill
This heavy-duty, well-made, and solid-built portable grill is made from a 16-gauge 304 stainless steel construction.
This is more durable than most grills in the market in the same price range. And the ¼” thick 304 stainless steel grates simply means this thing is no push-over. Some call it “the tank” which is a great compliment to its durability.
You can cook steaks, burgers, shrimps, vegetables, or whatever food you fancy and this grill will give you a finished product that is worth savoring to the last bite. The damper vent on the side allows you to regulate the air and adjust the heat to your liking.
It’s a perfect companion wherever you want to go either camping, picnic, tailgating, or just inside your backyard. With its compact size and heavy-duty construction, it’s so easy to pick it up and go. And with the latching lid, you’re sure that the coal and ash inside is secured and will not be all over the place.
The C4 comes with M Grill’s patented stainless steel grate lifting tools which come handy when it comes to refueling your grill with more charcoal. Use it to stoke your charcoal to make it nice and even. It’s a great and must-have tool for grilling.
You can see videos of the C4 being used in cook-off competition with successful results. Just proves that this is a high-quality, tough, durable, and proudly American made portable grill.
Pros
- 16-Gauge 304 Stainless Steel Body
- Solid-built and highly-durable
- Latching lid keeps coal secured
- Stainless steel grate lifting tool
Cons
- No side table
Things To Look For When Buying A Charcoal Grill
There are many things to consider when buying a charcoal grill. Most grills on the market have the same or identical features so it’s not so hard to choose which one you should buy. However, while similarities in features are well and good, some grills are just made better than the others. Here are the main things or features to look for when shopping for your next charcoal grill.
Temperature control
Most professional cooks will tell you that maintaining the right temperature in cooking is important. That’s why you see them constantly checking the cooking temperature with those handheld thermometers. The best way to control the temperature in a charcoal grill is with the following:
- Lid
- Dampers
- 2-Zone capability
Lid
A lid is important in sealing off the heat thus maintaining the temperature inside the grill.
Dampers
Air or oxygen is needed to start fire and control it. A damper vent allows air to feed inside the grill giving you control of the fire. Closing it chokes off oxygen and lowers or maintains the coal temperature inside.
Two-Zone Capability
In portable grills, this is harder to find compared to regular grills where the surface area is bigger. The ability to move the meat to a lower temperature area and roasting it with indirect heat when it’s almost cooked is important. In portable grills, this is usually addressed by adjusting the grates farther from the coal.
If the grates have a fixed slot position, then the damper vent is the next option. Putting the meat farther from the damper allows it to cook away from the main heat. The reason is that the vent is where the air comes in and that’s where the higher temperature is found.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a stainless steel grate better than a cast iron grate?
Both have their advantages over the other. Stainless steel will not rust easily and is better protected against corrosion. Cast iron grate, on the other hand, is more durable and lasts longer. It also retains heat longer and has a better non-stick property, but it also rusts and corrodes in time.
Is it okay to grill with rusty grates?
Grilling with rusty grates is not recommended especially when the rusts are dangling or loose. The rust might stick to the food which is a health risk. Grates with slight rust can still be used as long as its washed and cleaned before use.
Conclusion
Choosing the best grill may seem confusing with so many different brands on the market. But if you know what to look for the process becomes easy. While there are standard features that most grills have, some are made better or enhanced compared to others.
Our featured portable grills are all under $400 so if this is your price point all three met your criteria. It will now depend on your needs and requirements on what is the most ideal grill for you. All these grills will undoubtedly produce great tasting food. They are all well-made and if you take either one of them in a camping or picnic, all will do a great job.
If style and design is on top of your list, the Everdure Cube is hard to beat in this area. It also grills great food so it’s definitely a great choice. But if you want a portable grill that can take more abuse than usual, you may want to go with the C4 by M Grills. It’s 16-Gauge 304 Stainless Steel Body is as hard and durable as it gets. It’s not called “the tank” for nothing.
But for me, the BBQube Kamado-go 275 is hands down the best in this class. Their innovative TempMaster controller is a welcome feature that every grill should have. And for them to introduce it puts them ahead of the competition. The arched lid is also a plus, especially when cooking those large rib eyes and those 32 oz steaks.
But hey, we all have our preferences, and whatever you decide you will surely get a great deal! After all, these are the 3 best portable grills under $400 you will ever find.