Best gas grills under 500 dollars. When you plan to purchase a new gas grill with a $500 budget, you will need to consider some essential features—details like the size of the cooking space, temperature control, and construction.
With just $500, you can buy a gas grill that helps you cook a perfectly seared, delicious steak or burgers evenly and with an excellent sear.
Advantages of cooking with gas grill
The most anticipated advantage of using a gas grill is convenience. You can start the gas grill by igniting quickly and heats up quickly.
If you have only a little time preparing and cooking, this feature is a big bonus. With the speed of heating, the gas grill cools down quickly too.
A gas grill will be ready for storage after a cook session much sooner. You do not have to wait for the grill to cool down!
When you own a gas grill, you can clean the grill much more straightforward because there will be no ash to deal with after the grilling. The temperature can be controlled with the turn of a knob.
You can have less or more heat and can manage the airflow efficiently. Besides the convenience, a gas grill is cheaper to operate compared to another type of grill.
You will not spend more on fuel with a grill running on liquid propane.
It is also safer to use compared to the charcoal grill!
Gas grill parts
Grease tray or drip tray
The grease tray of a gas grill is a separate part that catches the drippings or greases the yummy food you cook on the gas grill. It is like placing a little cup or flat melamine plate that captures greases.
The grease tray can be cleaned, emptied, and replaced easily. After two to three years of use, the grease tray may rust and can not be used anymore.
Side burner
A side burner is a gas-powered cooking surface that is anchored to the side of a gas grill. The size is smaller than the primary cooking grate.
You can not use the side burner for cooking large quantities of food. Instead, side burners are used for small amounts of food, like side items and sauces.
While the primary cooking grate is cooking, you can cook small foods on the side burner. The side burner has separate flame powers.
This feature can allow you to cook at a different temperature compared to the primary cooking grate. Commonly, the primary cooking grate may reach 500 to 800 degrees Fahrenheit.
If your gas grill has a side burner, you can cook separately. Commonly the control knob is separated. You can raise or lower the temperature without affecting the heat of the primary cooking grate.
Heat plates
Most gas grills use a heat plate to protect the burners from food drippings and grease. A heat plate, also known as burner shields, gas grill heat plates, heat tents, radiation shields, and heat angles, must-have for today’s grilling.
The heat plates reduce grease buildup in the burner’s bottom when grease drips through the cooking grates. Some models may have one large heat plate or several individual heat plates anchored below the cooking grates above the burners.
In one or two years, heat plates can deteriorate and rust. The heat can be blocked, resulting in uneven heat distribution, grease fires, and flare-ups.
When you are experiencing inconsistent performance from your gas grill, all you have to do is replace the heat plate.
Burner
Gas grill burners are the most crucial part of the grill and the cooking system’s central part. They allow propane gas or natural gas to get into one end and then getting off.
Commonly, burners are lined with holes at the size of a pin along an edge. This hole is where the gas is getting out.
The location of burners is anchored underneath cooking grids. Burners supply the heat for grilling or cooking.
Burners distribute flames to the cooking surface from tiny pin-holes openings to allow gas to escape. Regardless of the material, burners will deteriorate and need replacing.
If you want to add years of life to the burners, you must do routine maintenance and take proper care. The size, design, and shapes are endless.
Burners come in infrared or blue flame. Infrared is a burner that uses propane or natural gas but achieves high temperatures from a ceramic plate on the top of the burner.
If you want to seat a slice of perfect meat, an infrared gas grill is an ideal option. Infrared gas grills warm up fast, cook in a shorter period, faster searing temperatures, and cool down quickly. They result in less pollution and heat and less total gas usage!
Burners are made from stainless steel or cast iron. These cast iron burners are a great heat conductor.
At the same time, stainless steel burners conduct heat effectively and efficiently. However, cast iron will retain heat much more effectively than brass or stainless steel.
It is highly recommended to clean burners after each use. The cleaning will improve how your grill looks. Grease or food particles can create a genuine fire hazard.
Cleaning helps prevent grease fires or flash fires by cleaning your burners after every use.
Cooking grates
Barbecuing or grilling is a great way to invite people for fun and delicious burgers and meal. Grill grates or cooking grates are the metal grate that holds the meat or food above the fire.
It is recommended that the cooking grates are rust-free, dirt-free, and other contaminants. These harmful elements can spoil your food and then your health.
Make sure to clean cooking grates after each use.
Igniter
Igniters will start your gas grill. It will begin to provide the power source to the grill.
It is a battery-powered part of the gas grill. If it does not work, the battery might be dead, or the electrodes are damaged. Replace the battery with a new replacement or replace the electrodes.
Control knob
You can adjust the gas flow using the control knobs to the burners. You can determine the cooking temperature or the flame height of the gas grill.
Warming rack
You can warm up the cooked food and free up space for more food to be cooked on the grill. You can also warm up buns for burgers.
Types of a gas grill
Propane gas grill
Gas grills are fueled by natural gas or propane gas. Propane gas grills are more portable compared to a natural gas grill.
This is possible because propane is stored in portable tanks so that you can move the gas grill anywhere you like. Propane gas grills are easy to use; however, you have to refill your propane tank when the tank is empty.
Natural gas grill
You must connect the natural gas grills to your home’s built-in natural gas line. You do not need to purchase fuel every time the tank is empty. All you have to do is pay the gas bill as you do the grilling.
Infrared gas grill
The infrared grill is utilizing infrared technology, which distributes even heat across the grilling surface area. The infrared technology will not create flare-ups, a great way of searing, and even temperature.
The infrared grill is powered via natural or propane gas. Distributing the heat will be fast, and flames will not reach the cooking grates.
Flat-top gas grill
Flat-top gas grills come with a flat cooking surface or griddle. If you want to have juicier burgers or meat, a flat-top gas grill will not provide drippings that vaporize.
A propane tank usually powers a flat-top grill. Some models come in the form of a table-top grill or portable grill.
Top 15 best gas grills under $500 comparison chart
Top 5 best gas grills under 500 dollars reviews
1. Blackstone 28 inch Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle Station
The Blackstone 28″ griddle is a two-burner flat top grill propane-fueled has 470 square inches of cooking surface. The cooking surface is made from ten gauges rolled carbon steel.
You can start each of the two-burner grills with ease because each burner has a built-in ignition system. Each burner can provide 15,000 BTUs of cooking power with a total of 30,000 BTUs of cooking power.
Even as a beginner, every user can adjust the temperatures to cook meat or fish. Users can also get a steady sear on your steak with just turning the dial.
Even with just two-burners, the grill can cook about fifteen burgers at once and can serve about four to six people. The griddle sets are made from a powder-coated steel frame with a tray and shelf.
The grill is powered by propane tanks for fuel with includes fasteners for secure operation. It comes with caster wheels so you can move the grill that makes it portable.
The smooth surface of the grill is easier to clean. The grease management system draws grease away while cooking.
2. Char-Broil Performance 4 Burner Gas Grill – Cart Style Liquid Propane Gas Grill
You can use this Char-Broil Performance 4-Burner Cart Style Liquid Propane Gas Grill for grilling ten to twenty burgers simultaneously with its 425 square inch cooking surface. While grilling burgers, you can prep sauces and grill the vegetables on the lidded side burner.
The side burner itself can deliver 10,000-BTUs of cooking power. At the same time, the main burners can provide 36,000-BTUs of cooking power.
The four burners are made of stainless steel from ported on top that is durable for longer-lasting grilling performance and provides a wide temperature range with precise control. The design is stylish with a sleek and modern look.
The steel construction makes it possible for outdoor grilling or garden parties. You will not have difficulties when starting the grill by using a steady and reliable electronic ignition system.
You can move the Char-Broil Performance Stainless Steel 4-Burner using the two 7-inch wheels. The grease pan and tray can be moveable, for easy cleanup and simple maintenance.
There is also a warming rack that provides a secondary cooking area for toasting buns.
3. Weber Spirit II E-310 3 Burner Gas Grill – Liquid Propane Grill
The Weber Spirit II E310 has a three stainless steel burner design. The total cooking power the grill can provide is 30,000 BTU-per-hour.
By using the Electronic Crossover ignition system, you can easily ignite the grill to start cooking. You can cook fifteen to twenty burgers at a time with this gas grill that boasts a 424 square inch cooking space.
You can also do the prep on its 105 square inch warming rack. The total cooking area would be 529 square inches for the best grilling experience you can enjoy with your friends and family.
The gas grill under $500 features porcelain-enameled Flavorizer bars, a thermometer, side tables made from stainless steel, and easy to read fuel gauge. These features prove that quality and performance make it worth the price tag.
If there are juices that do not vaporize, it will go into the grease management system, an angled grease tray, and a catch pan. You can easily clean up the catch pan and the grease tray.
4. Monument Grills Stainless Steel 4 Burner Gas Grill – Propane Gas Grill with Rotisserie
This Monument grill offers a reasonably priced grill with a feature list and an amount of power. The four-burner delivers 72,000 BTUs of total cooking power with also an additional side burner.
You can cook more than thirty burgers simultaneously with a total cook space of 723 square inches. The primary cooking space is 513 square inches and 210 square inches of warming rack.
It is made of stainless steel housing and features blue LED knob lighting for cooking in the dark. You start the grill by pushing one-button ignition quickly.
The cooking grates are made from porcelain-coated cast-iron, and there is a built-in thermometer to monitor the temperature. To cook consistently, the stainless steel flame tamers keep the heat evenly to the cooking surface.
You can do prep work with two stainless steel side shelves with hooks for spatula, pans, or knives. The propane tank is located in the cart plus other additional storage.
This Monument is under $500 that also provides you a built-in rotisserie kit and motor.
5. Char-Broil Performance 550 5 Burner Gas Grill Cabinet Liquid Propane Gas Grill
This Char-Broil Performance 550 5-Burner Cabinet Liquid Propane Gas Grill offers big-sized primary cooking are at 550 square inches. The additional cooking area is 205 square inches of secondary warming rack for vegetables and toasted buns.
With this much cooking area, you can cook more than thirty burgers simultaneously. The lidded side burner can provide 10,000 BTUs of cooking power.
The primary burner power comes in at 45,000 BTUs of cooking power. You can monitor the temperature of your cooking by seeing the built-in mounted thermometer.
You can start the grill quickly using the electronic ignition. The majority of the construction and fascia are made from stainless steel.
There is a big lower storage cabinet that can hide the propane tank and tool storage. Stationary steel side shelves can give you extra prep workspace.
Factors to consider when purchasing the best gas grills under $500
1. Features
You should pay attention to the benefits and features that are provided by the gas grills. Make sure to compare them by reading carefully the comparison chart provided.
The more expensive the grills, the more features, benefits, bells, and whistles the grill can provide. Features like warming racks, hanging shelves, and temperature gauges should be included for gas grills in the $500 price range.
2. Cooking area
Before purchasing a gas grill, the cooking area is the first feature to evaluate. There are numerous gas grills priced under $500 that is built with large cooking surfaces.
If you want to cook thirty burgers at a time, make sure that the total cooking surface area, which includes side burners and warming racks, is above 700 square inches. For a smaller size of people to serve burgers, 500 square inches of the cooking area would be sufficient for your barbecuing needs.
3. The burner
If the price is about $500, the gas grill can have more burners included in the cooking surface. The number of burners can determine how many people can be served by the grill.
It would be wise to consider a gas grill that contains three or four burners if you are going to grill for four to several people at one time.
4. The cooking power
To know the best gas grill under $500, you should consider the BTU under every gas grill model description. This description will provide you information on the amount of power the unit can produce.
It is essential to remember that larger units with frequent cooking need many more BTUs to even heat the entire thing. You will have to consider how the BTUs power provided has something to do with the grill’s size.