Best Gas Grills Under $500

Last Update: November, 2023

You may be looking for a grill that won’t break the bank. Maybe you have just moved into a new home and you want to start hosting different parties and gatherings in your new home, but don’t have the ability to put your best food forward. 

Or maybe you are just a grill connoisseur, who loves the idea of grilling almost every meal. In any case, the good news is that you can purchase an awesome grill without spending a ton of money.   

Buying a grill can seem like such a daunting task, especially if you are looking for the best quality for your budget. We’ve put together this guide to help you find the best gas grill under $500 that will meet all of your needs.

More About The Char-Broil 463377319

The Char-Broil Performance Stainless Steel grill is equipped with 4 burners that deliver about 36,000 BTUs of heat across the entire cooking surface. You will love using this grill for a family gathering because you’ll be able to cook large sized meals in no time! 

The primary cooking surface of this grill measures about 23 inches wide and 18.5 inches deep. This is definitely enough space for you to cook a nice meal quickly for your family. The porcelain coated cast iron grates will help to prevent your food from sticking to the surface. Plus, this makes it extremely easy to clean. 

More About The Weber 45010001

The Weber 45010001 Spirit II E-310 grill is a solid gas grill that gives you great control over the food you are cooking. It is equipped with the GS4 grilling system, which is an innovative grilling system that is designed for ease of use. 

The infinity ignition will help you light your grill without any trouble every time. The burner tubes are also made to provide a consistent gas flow throughout the grill. So, you’ll be able to cook all your food evenly in no time. 

The flavorizer bars underneath the grates are angled just right in order to catch the drippings from your food that may cause smoke and sizzle. These bars will take that smoke and sizzle and add enormous flavor to your food. If any of the drippings are not vaporized by the bars, they drop down into the grease management system for easy clean up.

More About The Weber Spirit II

If you’re looking for amazing features like the powerful GS4 grilling system and iGrill capability, this is it. The Spirit II gas grill is a sleek designed two burner grill that is made to fit in small spaces. This small grill will kick your grilling game to a whole other level. 

With 450 square inches of cooking space, it is a little bit smaller than a few others on the market, but it packs a bang with the different features that come with it. The reversible cooking grates will empower you to be even more creative with your dish. You can use the thin side of the grate for cooking delicate foods like fish and shrimp while the wide side will create sears for your burgers and steaks. Both sides of the grates will tremendously enhance the flavor of your food. 

More About The Blackstone Outdoor Flat Top Grill

The Blackstone Outdoor Flat Top Grill is not your everyday type of grill. It is a specialty flat top grill that makes your food perfect without burning it. A flat top rack can prepare many items of food at one time, cutting your cooking time almost in half. Moreover, these types of grills require less oil so you aren’t wasting time with greasy food. The grill top heats up pretty evenly and every dish you make will be cooked to perfection.

This grill is equipped with four independently controlled stainless steel burners, each of which reaches up to 15,000 BTUs. Combined, this makes a total of 60,000 BTUs across the grill. A handy adjustable temperature control will also help you manage different cooking options. Not to mention, the safe design that can be used indoors or outdoors.

More About The Weber Spirit E310

The Weber Spirit E310 is a 3-burner gas grill that is equipped with generous grilling space (about 529 square inches). The superior temperature control will give your food an even cook every single time you use this grill. The 3 stainless burners emit about 32,000 BTUs per hour.

A rare feature of most grills, this Weber has a porcelain-enameled lid with a center mounted thermometer that will accurately read the temperature inside of your grill so you are always aware of preheating and cooking temps. The fully enclosed cabinet also provides a good amount of room for grilling tools and your LP tank, without too much crowding going on.

Finding a Gas Grill Under $500

There are a ton of gas grills under $500 that are available on the market. These grills range from heavy on style to high on performance. The best thing about each of these though, is the fact that they are all budget-friendly. You don’t have to worry about spending thousands of dollars when you’re looking for a good, quality grill. 

Determining the best grill for you is really based on what you are looking for. A lot of the grills that are under $500 have amazing features that can suit all of your needs; you just need to decide what your needs are. 

Are you looking for more cooking space and more high-quality burners? Or does mobility and space available matter more to you? The products above offer different avenues for you. 

Our goal is to make sure that you have all your ducks in a row before making a final decision. Whether you are purchasing your first grill or you are wanting to replace your current grill, consider going for a gas grill that is under $500 to truly meet your needs.

Factors to Consider: Buying Guide

Before you purchase the best gas grill under $500 for your home, there are a few things you need to consider. The specific features of your grill will make a huge difference in how you use it.

Fuel Source

So, you have already chosen a gas-powered grill over a charcoal grill - that’s a great choice for your own convenience, budget and the environment. But there is still one more important fuel choice you have to make: propane or natural gas?
 
While both propane and natural gas grills are cheaper, easier to maintain and more environmentally friendly than charcoal grills, natural gas generally burns much cleaner than propane, producing less CO2 emissions.
 
That said, propane is the more popular option, mostly for its cost-effectiveness. You will get about the same grilling effectiveness from both fuel sources, so just bear in mind: liquid propane as a fuel source is easier to come by and more affordable, but natural gas is a little kinder to the environment.

Cooking Capacity

One of the most important factors you will want to consider is how much food your grill will be able to cook at one time.

As a general guideline, a smaller grill will be easier to clean and maintain, but a larger grill will allow you to cater to more people at once.
 
You can judge the cooking capacity of your grill by the size of the cooking surface. Most people estimate about 72 square inches per person – that means that with a 500 square inch grill, you will be able to feed about 6 people. Cooking surfaces are always measured in square inches.
 
A lot of gas grills out there have additional stacked warming racks to cook or smoke more at one time, or to keep food warm while the rest is cooking. While these grills take a little more expertise to cook on, they can be a great choice for feeding a large group of people.

Ignition

One of the main reasons people will choose a gas grill over a charcoal grill is how easy it is to ignite – usually it takes only flipping a switch or turning up the heating knob to get the grill going. There is no need to get matches or a lighter involved.
 
Some grills have a more technical ignition systems than others. A battery powered electric ignition system, like the one on most Weber grills, can be super reliable for getting the grill fired up quickly every single time.

Grill Grates

 A lot of people forget that the grates of your cooking surface can actually make a huge difference in the quality of your food.

If the grates are not made from the right material, your food can stick to the grill or be left with a bitter, metallic taste.
 
The best grate materials are stainless steel and cast iron. These will be the most resistant to scorching and sticking, and leave your food tasting great. Stainless steel is the best for reducing rust and easy cleaning, but cast iron has better heat retention.
 
If you choose a grill with cast iron grates, make sure to find a model with a porcelain coating to prevent sticking – this will make cleaning up when you are done grilling much easier, and improve the quality of your food.

Shelving and Storage

Here’s another factor that we don’t often consider: sometimes, you need more cooking space on your grill than just the grilling grates. Grills with side shelves for storing food and accessories or prepping your food can be really handy.
 
If your grill does not have side shelves, you will have to make sure that you always have a table near the grill to prepare your food. It can also be really helpful to have a utensil rack on the grill – ideally your grill will be like a full outdoor kitchen space in one.

Maintaining Good Condition

After choosing the best gas grill for your home, it’s just as important to know how to take good care of it to ensure its durability. The best gas grills don’t require a ton of maintenance, but following these few simple steps can help to ensure that you get the best lifespan out of your grill.

Follow the Owner’s Manual

The easiest step to maintaining your grill is just to read and follow the directions outlined in your owner’s manual. No two grill models are the same – your grill may have unique needs for cleaning or maintaining the ignition system.

Don’t throw out that owner’s manual when you purchase your grill. Pay attention to it and follow the instructions closely.

Keep it Clean

One of the most important things that you can regularly do to keep your grill running great is to clean it after every use. Gas grills do not get as dirty as charcoal grills, but there can still be some gummy buildup on the grate and interior of the grill after every time you cook.
 
When you finish grilling, allow the grill to cool and then use a steel grill brush or tough rag to go over the grate and interior of the hood. This will prevent your grill from breaking down, and keep your food tasting fresh.

Check for Leaks

The main danger of a gas powered grill is the potential for gas leaks. Especially as your grill gets older, it is really important to check for leaks to keep yourself and your family safe.
 
Once a month or so, turn on the fuel line and run some soapy water over the connections. If you see any bubbles forming, that is a good indication of a leak. To prevent the leak from getting any worse, repair it right away or just replace the connection.

Gas Grill vs Charcoal Grill

So, why choose a gas grill over a charcoal grill?
 
While charcoal grills are very popular and can be pretty convenient, they simply do not offer the same long-term quality as a propane or natural gas powered grill. Charcoal can be expensive to purchase. It takes a long time to ignite and heat up, and it can leave your food with a charred, bitter taste when not carefully monitored.
 
The main reason for choosing gas over charcoal, though, is for your own health and the health of the environment. Charcoal smoke is thick and grimy – it can be dangerous for people with asthma. Plus, it is notorious for staining walls or clogging air conditioning vents. It is also very high in CO2, which makes it much worse for the environment than the smoke from a gas powered grill.
 
In the end, you will save yourself money and hassle, and reduce your carbon footprint by choosing a gas powered grill over a charcoal grill.

Conclusion

There are tons of great gas powered grills on the market right now, in a full range of prices. Fortunately, you don’t have to break the bank to get a great quality grill. Look for the best fuel type for your needs. Remember that a higher cooking capacity will mean a little more cleaning and maintenance, but it will allow you to feed more people at one time. Keep an eye out for stainless steel or cast iron non-stick grates.
 
Whichever type of gas-powered grill that you choose, make sure you take good care of it. Follow your owner’s manual carefully, clean the grill every time you use it, and check for leaks regularly. With all these in mind, your grill will last you through years of awesome summer barbeques.