Best Grill Under 500 Reviews in 2022

“Grilling, broiling, barbecuing – whatever you call it – is an art, not just a matter of building a pyre and throwing in a piece of meat as a sacrifice to the gods of the stomach. ” – James Beard

Did you know that grilling is one of the healthiest forms of cooking?

Grilling removes excess fats from the meat since the excess drips off the grates.  And best of all, the flavor and nutrients of the meat are retained, since the cooking time is reduced due to the high heat. 

So, if you’ve been putting off buying that portable grill, think about all the benefits grilling can do for you, not to mention the succulent and mouth-watering grilled meats you can enjoy.  

We’ve compiled 5 of the best grill under 500 which you will find useful if you’re itching to pull the trigger.  Here they are, in no particular order but we will give you our verdict at the end so please read on.  But if you’re in a hurry, we’ve made a quick comparison so you can get an idea:  

Now that we have made a quick comparison of all our 5 portable grills, it’s time to get detailed information for each.

Best Grill Under 500 

1. GASPRO Multi-Tasking Propane Infrared Outdoor Cooking Master

If you’re in a hurry to whip up a meal, the Gaspro Propane Infrared is up for the task.  It can warm-up in about 4 minutes which means you can come up with a great meal in less than 30 mins.  And that’s just for starters. 

This small but capable outdoor grilling machine boasts of an infra-red cooking system that reaches a mind-boggling temperature of 1500⁰F (815⁰c).  With that amount of heat, a steakhouse-quality steak can be produced in about 2 minutes of grilling on each side.  A push-button igniter fires up this gas-powered grill.

Matched with a cast-iron griddle, this is a very versatile machine that can cook all kinds of meat, seafood, and veggies.  A 6-notch slots in the grill rack allow you to adjust the grates distance to the infrared heat source.  It offers different heat zones for various types of food.   

With its body built from heavy-duty 304 stainless steel, you can rest assured that this grill is durable, rustproof, and easy to clean.  It passed CSA certification making the Gaspro safe for RV traveling and camping.   

The package includes the following: 

• Rod Grid x 1
• Grease Tray x 1
• Cast Iron Griddle x 1
• Wooden Grid Tool x 1
• Silicone Oven Mitts x 2
• 5-Feet POL Adapter Hose x 1
• Product Manual x 1

Pros

• Heavy-duty 304 Stainless Steel Body
• Infra-red cooking system
• Reaches temperature up to 1500⁰F
• 6-notches slot allow cooking flexibility
• A highly versatile and durable piece of equipment

Cons

• Not too easy to clean the inside rack

2. Royal Gourmet GG2101 2-Burner Cabinet Liquid Propane Gas Grill

This is a 2-burner propane gas grill with a 300-square inch main cooking surface and a 105-square inch warming rack.  Each burner can be independently controlled with an electronic ignition system.  It boasts of a porcelain-coated cast-iron grates which is non-sticky and retains heat much longer. 

The 2 side metal shelves are convenient for holding food, seasonings, or can be used for prepping.  There’s a lower cabinet that can house a 20-lb propane tank, or store other grilling accessories.  A removable grease drip cup for easy clean-up, and it sits on a 4-multi-directional caster wheels that can be locked in place, or move from place to place. 

The Royal Gourmet can dish out juicy burgers, seared steaks, or even cook a whole chicken in a matter of minutes.  The durable lid structure is lined up with a double-wall liner to ensure that the heat is retained for faster cooking. This is a versatile piece of equipment that is well-built and is sure to last for a very long time. 

Pros

• 2-Burner gas grill for dual zone cooking
• Porcelain-coated cast-iron grates 
• 2 side metal shelves for prepping
• Multi-directional caster wheels for easy transport
• Double-lined lid structure for faster cooking

Cons

• Side shelves do not fold

3. PK Grills PKTX Outdoor Portable Aluminum Charcoal Grill and Smoker

If you’re a company that’s been making grills for almost 70 years and you’re still around, chances are you know what you’re doing – and you’re good at it too!

And that’s true for Portable Kitchen or PK, a company established in 1952 in Arkansas, USA, which is steep in grill making history. It’s not unusual to find a functional PK made in the ’50s and ’60s.  This proves the durability and longevity of every PK grill.

The PKTX  is a portable aluminum charcoal grill and smoker combined.  The iconic capsule-shape grill underwent some upgrades while retaining its core principles.  The addition of 4 vents makes it easy to grill hot and fast, or low and slow.

The cast aluminum construction makes the PKTX a durable, lightweight, rustproof, and great conductor of heat.  It’s 4 times more efficient compared to stainless steel charcoal grills.  And PK is so confident of the durability of their grill that they’ve offered a 10-year warranty on their products.

The PKTX folds down for easy transport so take it for camping, tailgating, or even just in the backyard, and enjoy quality grilled foods in a matter of minutes.  It bagged the Consumer’s Digest Best Buy category for 2017.

The patented venting and shape for an exception two-zone cooking makes the PKTX a tough act to follow.  Its unique shape makes it ideal for direct and indirect cooking using the 4-point venting system.  It allows exceptional airflow inside of the grill capsule keeping a consistent temperature essential for that perfect grill.

Pros

• Durable cast-aluminum construction
• Easy to use patented 4-point venting system
• 2-in-1 Grill and Smoker
• Porcelain-coated cast-iron grates

Cons

• Scooping  up the ash is a bit messy

4. Z GRILLS Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker 700sq in 7-1

Set it and forget it.

And with those words, Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker BBQ Grill made a lot of happy customers.   With the automated electric feed system, it maintains temperature from 180⁰F up to 450⁰F.  Its Smart Digital Controller keeps temperature with +/- 20⁰F and makes setting the grill temp as easy as turning a dial.

The 700 square-inch cooking surface makes this grill ideal for small to medium-sized gatherings.  With the ultimate 8-in-1 ways to cook using 100% hardwood pellets, you’re sure to taste that aromatic natural wood flavor on your grilled foods whether it’s grilled, smoked, baked, roast, braised, seared, or char-grilled. 

The grill has an integrated spigot that drains grease into a cup (not included) at the side instead of accumulating in the bottom of the grill.  With a 20-lb pellet fed into the hopper, the machine will grill for 15 hours with just the turn of a dial.

Pros

• 700 square-inch of cooking surface ideal for parties
• Automated electric feed system
• 8-in-1 ways to cook
• Easy to clean and maintain

Cons

• Needs an electric outlet to operate

5. PK Grills PK Original Outdoor Charcoal Portable Grill & Smoker Combination

The PK Original Outdoor Charcoal is a portable aluminum charcoal grill and smoker combined.  The iconic capsule-shape grill underwent some upgrades while retaining its core principles.  The addition of 4 vents makes it easy to grill hot and fast, or low and slow.   This particular model has a small shelf under the grill for holding your seasoning or tools. 

The cast aluminum construction makes the PKTX a durable, lightweight, rustproof, and great conductor of heat.  It’s 4 times more efficient compared to stainless steel charcoal grills.  And PK is so confident of the durability of their grill that they’ve offered a 10-year warranty on their products.

The PKTX folds down for easy transport so take it for camping, tailgating, or even just in the backyard, and enjoy quality grilled foods in a matter of minutes.  It bagged the Consumer’s Digest Best Buy category for 2017.

The patented venting and shape for an exception two-zone cooking makes the PKTX a tough act to follow.  Its unique shape makes it ideal for direct and indirect cooking using the 4-point venting system.  It allows exceptional airflow inside of the grill capsule keeping a consistent temperature essential for that perfect grill.

Pros

• Durable cast-aluminum construction
• Easy to use patented 4-point venting system
• 2-in-1 Grill and Smoker
• Porcelain-coated cast-iron grates
• Dual-shelves for storage

Cons

• Scooping  up the ash is a bit messy

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a pellet grill and a charcoal grill?

A pellet grill gives a more smokey flavor (depending on the wood used) as compared to charcoal.  And with a pellet grill, you can just choose your desired temperature, close the lid and let the machine do its job.  The pellet wood is also cheaper than most charcoal wood.  Another difference is that pellet grills are operated electrically as you need to feed the wood pellets into a hopper. 

Can you use wood pellets in charcoal grill?

Yes, you can but it would be a good idea to use or mix it with charcoal if you want to add a certain smokey flavor to your meat, or food.  You may want to try different kinds of wood pellets to find out which flavor suits your taste. 

Conclusion

Our featured grills are all under $500 so if this is your price point all these grills meet 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.

All the grills featured here have their strengths and weaknesses, and choosing anyone on this list will be worth your money.  But if we will base our decision on durability and longevity, our hands-down winner will be the PKTX and PK Original Grill & Smoker Combination.  It’s hard to argue with almost 7 decades of grill-making excellence.  But again, choosing the best portable grill is a matter of personal preference.  There is no wrong decision as long as your needs are addressed by your choice. 

Related:

• 5 Best Grill under 1000
• 5 Best Grill under 200
• 5 Best Grill under 300
• 3 Best Grill under 400