Barbecue is an American tradition that persisted through the years. It is an enduring family tradition that brings people together to cook and partake in delicious food. And men, next to his car and watches want to have the best barbecue grill.
Recently, propane grills have taken over the traditional charcoal grills in terms of popularity. It is easy to use, you only need to click the ignition knob, and it will heat up quickly. You don’t have to wait long like in a charcoal grill before you can cook your food.
The problem is with plenty of gas grills to choose from; it is hard to choose the right. And it becomes more difficult when your budget is only 500.
The question is, can you buy one? Yes, with just 500, you can score a grill that will perfectly cook a delicious steak complete with restaurant sear with this amount.
We have rounded up the five best propane grill under 500 in this article. You can also find a buying guide on how to find the perfect propane grill that’s right for you.
Featured Product
This Weber Spirit II E-310 is our top propane gas grill under 500 for plenty of reasons. First of all, if it’s from Weber, it must be good. It delivers a wider cooking area with enough heat distribution to cook food evenly. This grill is quick heating and has all the bells and whistles of the Weber Spirit, except in a smaller version.
5 Best Propane Grills Under 500
1. Cuisinart CGG-608 Portable, Professional Gas Grill
If you appreciate portability and small size, then you might like the Cuisinart CGG-608 Portable Professional Gas Grill and how it has many of the same characteristics of any of the larger grills, but in a smaller package. The locking hood handle also acts as a carrying handle, and because the grill weighs less than 18 pounds, you can conveniently carry it around with you wherever you go. This is great for camping trips, tailgating, and picnics at the park.
This lightweight grill has a strong 10,000 BTU burner with an ignition twist button, which makes it relatively easy to light up. The grill easily heats up and works well with just a 1-pound propane tank. Its cooking grate, which is made from premium stainless steel does not rust and is easy to clean.
In addition, the hood on this grill has an integrated thermometer that you can use so that you don’t have to keep guessing what the temperature is. The thermometer is easy to understand and offers you more heat control by showing when the grill has reached optimal temperatures to cook your food accordingly.
However, you may experience difficulties regarding cleaning the grill as it basically acts as a giant tub that catches all the grease that drips out from the meat. There is no easy way to clean it and it’s important to be able to clean it since this grill is also prone to flare ups. Other than that, this is a great portable choice if you want a gas grill to take with you anywhere you go.
2. Royal Gourmet 8-Burner LP Gas Grill
This is a winsome model for less than 500 and believe it or not, that’s what you are going to pay to cook 65 burgers at once. The Royal Gourmet 8-Burner LP Gas Grill is a huge grill with 967 square inches of grill area. It has non-stick porcelain steel cooking grates that are one-fourth in diameter.
The advantage of having an 8-burner gas grill is it provides you with a versatile cooking experience as each of the burners have individual control knobs. Some of the key selling points that will make you choose this grill aside from the expansive cooking area and eight heaters are the two sets of gas systems with two hoses and regulators for separate grilling. The extra preparation table on each side of the cooking area and the easy to clean porcelain steel grates are also a nice touch.
This grill is incredibly easy to move because the open cart design eliminates the weights despite its big size. Its side tables are foldable too, so it’s easy to store. The four caster wheels make mobility possible and easy. All in all, this grill may look expensive at first glance because of its expansive cooking area and eight burners, but with space and features, it is not costly.
3. Monument Grills Clearview Lid 4-Burner with Side Sear Propane Grill
The Monument Grills Clearview 4-Burner with Side Sear Propane Grill is a stainless-steel grill that you can buy at a low cost. Its most significant selling point is the window cut on the hood to give a view of what is cooking what is inside without lifting the lid. That’s where the name “Clearview” came from.
It has no use during night time, though, because it has no internal lights, and the glass can be obscured by smoke when cooking. When it comes to performance at high temperatures, Clearview can reach them although uneven. The four burners can reach 800 degrees at the center and reduce dramatically towards the sides.
The control knobs can be set at a moderate cooking temperature to even the cooking surface and eliminate the hot spots, which is better than cooking at a very high temperature. For more firepower, you can choose the infrared, ceramic sear burner, that is mounted on the left side of the grill. With a separate searing burner and a grilling area, the Clearview was able to create a different cooking zone.
Another great feature of Clearview is the LED illuminated control knobs, a feature that you can find only on expensive grills. They are not only cool, but it also comes handy during night time grilling. Other extras include the battery-powered igniter for each of the four burners, the S-shaped hooks to hang the tool’s double door cart with caster wheels, and a slide-out grease tray.
4. Blackstone 1554 Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill
The next grill on our list is the Blackstone Restaurant-Grade 4-Burner griddle. It has a 36-inch flat top to give you an ultimate griddle experience and as a partner for outdoor cooking. Griddles are used in diners for cooking burgers, breakfast items, and your beloved stir fry. There is a purpose why Blackstone designed this to grills so that it can cook a wide variety of food from fish to steak to vegetables.
Flat tops have more advantages too, it can keep all the juices and flavor of your food, and you can have the crispy edges if you desire. You don’t need to match this grill as it has its battery-powered ignition that you can ignite with just a push of its button ignition.
This Blackstone grill offers versatile cooking space because it features four burners that have individual temperature control so that you can cook different types of food at different cooking temperatures. You can also cook with just the two zones if you are alone to save you on gas.
Its cooking area is expansive at 700 square inches; it can hold up a maximum of 16 steaks and 72 hotdogs. So, you can use this grill for catering services and parties. The grill is made from steel on its cooking surface; it’s sturdy and durable. The cantilever shelves add extra space for food prep.
5. Sunstone 2CSB-LP Slide-in Double Side Burner Propane Gas Grill
The Sunstone grill is designed as island components made complete an outdoor kitchen that you can buy at a very affordable price. This double side burner gas grill offers excellent dependability and control. It’s made with 304-grade stainless steel, which makes it durable and rust-resistant.
This grill also has two brass burners, which has a heat output of 15000 BTUs per burner. The stainless-steel cover has a chrome-plated handle. What you have is a handsome grill that will make you the envy of your neighborhood.
Other distinct features include the electronic ignition that is handy for a quick and reliable start for your convenience at any time. It also has a cover shield that will protect the grill from the outdoor elements when not in use. Its double burner gives you the ability to cook amazing food at two different zones. The integrated burn skirt keeps all the gas components safe and secure. In summary, this is a superb burner if you are looking for a perfect fit for your outdoor kitchen.
Buying a Propane Grill? Here’s What You Need to Know
Now that you have decided to buy a propane gas grill, here are some tips on how you can find the right one for you. They come in a wide range of styles, and the prices can go from a few hundred to thousands of dollars. Read on this buying guide to help you decide on your gas grill.
Size
The best gas grill should also have the right size. Sizes of gas grills can range from 145 square inches to 723 square inches. The smallest grill can fit eight steaks, which can be a good option when you are cooking for two or intimate groups. If you are looking for a bigger grill, you can choose from any of our grills on the list.
The drawback of large grills is they often take a long time to heat and a little bit to control its temperature. However, it has an advantage in cooking in large quantities simultaneously.
Portability
When it comes to portability, a smaller grill will be a smart choice, as they can be transported easily and set up in a matter of minutes. It can come in a tabletop or a standalone unit. Portable grills have only the necessary components and don’t have the bells and whistles. However, they are great options for cooking at home and during camping.
Burner Strength
The heat output of the burner is another important aspect that you should be looking for in a gas grill. If you are grilling different seafood and vegetables, you may need to get a grill with lower BTUs while meats that need searing should be cooked in a grill with a higher BTU. Grills will need more heat.
Another essential feature that you should take note is the number of burners on your grill. Different grills have different burner configurations. The ones with multiple burners will allow the grill to reach a higher temperature.
Versatility
The versatility of the grill is another factor for consideration because it should not only make sear marks on your food. New grills offer several cooking methods, and some models have split grate designs that will allow half of the grate to change into other cooking methods like a griddle, for example.
Special Features
Today’s grills are like Swiss Army Knives; some have only the necessary components while some are loaded with extra features. You should consider this when you are looking for a grill. To determine this, you have to ask yourself what you need to cook and how you would like to cook it.
Slow cooking and barbecue require a warming rack while you need a compact kitchen in a grill, choose the one with a side burner and shelves.
Conclusion
The highly recommended propane grill based on our list is the Weber Spirit II A-310. This grill has lots of cooking areas, with side shelves and storage space under the grill, easy to clean, and heats up quickly. It has plenty of power with the three burners with a secondary cooking area and a warming rack. The Weber Spirit II A-310 is the best propane gas grill with superior style and power.
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