by Chris Johns |
Updated:
May 8, 2020
Finding the best gas grill under $300 can be a bit of a challenge, since there are plenty of great models to choose from. At this price point, you can get a lot more grill features compared to the under $200 grills category.
If you’re just getting started with barbecuing, or you’re looking from an upgrade from a cheap gas barbecue, the $300 price level is a good place to start.
In this guide, I’ll show you the best gas grills under 300 dollars available for almost any kind of need. I’ll also go into detail about what you need to look for in the top gas grills under 300 dollars.
The Top 10 Best Gas Grills Under $300 for 2020
Here is our list of the best rated gas grills under $300 available in 2020. I start with the top overall choices, then go into the best options for different needs.
1. Char-Broil Performance TRU-Infrared 3-Burner Gas Grill – Best 3 Burner Gas Grill Under $300
This 3-burner grill falls just slightly above the $300 price point, but I had to include it thanks to its amazing features and top quality. Char-Broil is possibly the most reputable manufacturer of barbecue grills in the world.
The Char-Broil Performance Gas Grill has 24,000 BTUs spread across 450 inches of primary cooking space. It has porcelain coated cast iron grates for an easy to clean cooking surface.
It’s an infrared grill that uses Char-Broil’s TRU-Infrared cooking technology to help prevent flare-ups and cook food evenly.
What I like best about this model is that it’s made with durable and long-lasting materials, and it looks beautiful! You’ll be proud to show this stainless steel work-of-art off to your friends and neighbors.
It even includes a swing-a-way warming rack and 10,000-BTU lidded side burner to round out its list of great features.
- Exclusive stainless steel finish for increased style and durability
- TRU-Infrared cooking technology prevents flare-ups, delivers even-heat and cooks juicier food
- 450-square-inches of primary cooking space is great for most cookouts
2. Weber Q2200 Liquid Propane Grill – Best Small Gas Grill Under $300
Despite its small size, the Weber Q2200 Grill packs a lot of power with many of the features of a larger grill.
With its large grip handle and weighing in at only 42 ½ pounds, the compact size of the Q2200 makes it one of the best grills under 300 dollars for activities like tailgating, camping, picnicking, boating, and RVing.
It has a single 12,000 BTU burner with 280 square inches of primary cooking area, which is perfect for a family of four. Thanks to its small size, this baby gets hot fast, saving you time and propane.
You can even use it as a flat top griddle by purchasing the optional Weber Q2000 series griddle top. Imagine cooking foods like scrambled eggs, pancakes, grilled veggies, or fried rice in the great outdoors!
It has two folding side tables for convenient prep space, as well as an electronic ignition with built-in thermometer.
What I like best about the Weber Q2200 is how convenient it is to transport and store. It’s light enough to use on a table top, or can be set up stationary with the optional Weber portable cart.
If you’re looking for a small gas grill under $300 that will bring you lots of joy, this is a great choice for you.
- Total cooking area = 280 Square Inches
- Stainless steel burner puts out 12,000 BTU-per-hour
- Porcelain-enameled, cast iron cooking grates
3. Char-Broil Performance 4-Burner Cart Style Gas Grill – Best 4 Burner Gas Grill Under $300
If you have a larger family, or enjoy cooking for guests, the Char-Broil Performance 4-Burner Cart Style Gas Grill is an excellent choice for you.
The stainless steel styling looks amazing, and the Char-Broil brand ensures that it’s a high quality grill guaranteed to last for a very long time.
The Char-Broil Performance 4-Burner has 425 square inches of primary cooking area, which is enough to cook about 20 burgers at a single time!
Four stainless steel burners provide 36,000 BTUs of heat across porcelain enameled cast iron cooking grates, which ensure it gets hot enough to cook any cut of meat you choose.
The Char-Broil Performance Grill also has a swing-away warming rack above the primary burners where you can store side dishes and finished items to keep them warm.
This unit includes two foldable side tables that provide plenty of space to store your prep and other items. A 10,000-BTU lidded side burner is embedded in the left side table, with a lid that folds down when not in use for extra counter space.
What I like best about the Char-Broil Performance 4-Burner is the value it provides around the $300 price point. A model like this could easily be in the $500 dollars and under gas grills category, thanks to its size and its features. But at only $300, it’s an incredible bargain.
- Power Source: Propane/ liquid petroleum gas. The propane tank is not included.
- Exclusive Stainless Steel finish for increased style and durability
- Reliable electric ignition to fire up your grill and 10, 000 BTU side burner
4. Solaire Anywhere Mini Personal Infrared Propane Gas Grill – Best Infrared Gas Grill Under $300
The Solaire Anywhere Mini Personal is a very unique barbecue model. It’s really small, but packs a tremendous punch for its weight class.
This is what’s known as a “personal infrared grill”, which means it’s meant for small families or couples. It weighs only 9 pounds, making it the lightest gas grill on the list by far. You can literally pick this thing up and take it anywhere you want to go, easily.
Because it’s an infrared grill, it can get very hot very quickly, which is great for searing steaks or making perfectly charred hamburgers like a pro.
Infrared grills have a plate between the burners and the grill which gets very hot and cooks the food using radiant heat. What results is an incredibly hot grill that won’t flare up. Drippings get vaporized into smoke and help improve the flavor of the food.
It runs on a 1 pound propane tank, but you can buy a hose adapter that allows you to connect it to a 20 pound propane tank easily.
Imagine taking this little bad boy with you camping, picnicking, boating, tailgating, or literally anywhere in the great outdoors and creating restaurant quality meals! Won’t you just be the envy of the park?
I love this grill. It’s compact, well-made, ultra-portable, and does what it’s supposed to do without any frills: It cooks delicious foods fast.
- Real infrared ceramic and stainless steel burner with electronic push-button ignition
- 48 square inches of grilling area that fits two 4-inch burgers on special v-grate that improves flavor and virtually...
- Use made by 100-plus year old family business
5. Megamaster 6 Burner Gas Grill – Best 6 Burner Gas Grill Under $300
With a name like “Mega Master”, you know something’s gonnaa be pretty intimidating, and the Megamaster 6 Burner Gas Grill definitely lives up to its name. This thing is a MONSTER!
The grill’s 6 burners produce a whopping 54,000 BTUs of heat across 753 square inches of cooking surface. That is plenty of space to cook for a large family or event, around a dozen steaks, or 30 burgers.
It has two oversize side tables, which unfortunately don’t fold down, but provide a huge amount of prep and storage space.
The lid and stainless steel cooking grates are porcelain enameled for better durability and easier cleaning.
What I like best about the Megamaster 6 Burner Gas Grill is the value it provides for less than 300 dollars. It is insanely huge!
- Total 54, 000 BTU
- Primary cooking area: 543 sq. Inches
- Warming rack: 210 sq. Inches
6. Napoleon TravelQ Portable Propane Gas Grill – Best Portable Gas Grill Under $300
If you plan to take your barbecue on the road, you definitely want something small enough to carry easily but big enough to get the job done. The Napoleon TravelQ Portable Propane Gas Grill is exactly what you need in a portable gas grill under $300.
It comes with an ample 285 square inches of primary cooking surface, enough for about 19 burgers at once. Its two stainless steel burners generate 12,000 BTUs of heat, which is plenty enough for a small barbecue model to get very hot quickly.
It has a wind-proof design that helps keep it lit even under windy conditions, which is perfect for a boat or RV.
There’s even an optional griddle top available to convert this model into a flat top grill. Imagine being able to cook any type of food like pancakes or fried rice while you’re camping!
The thing I like most about this model is its beautiful design. It has the basic features of a larger gas grill, like temperature control knobs and push button lighting, while maintaining it’s sleek styling.
If you’re looking for the best portable gas grill under $300, this is an excellent choice.
- The TravelQ features 2 individually controlled stainless steel tube burners, 12,000 BTU's, and 285 square inches of total...
- Napoleons iconic cast iron cooking grids provide even heat, prevent food from falling through, and create beautifully...
- Professional grilling in a portable package; perfect for camping, tailgating, parties, and small outdoor living spaces
7. Magma Connoisseur Series Gas Grill – Best Tabletop Grill Under $300
If you live in a smaller space like an apartment or RV, you might need a grill that not only gets the job done, but is small enough to use on a table surface.
That’s where the Magma Connoisseur Series Gas Grill really shines. It’s a small gas grill, with 108 square inches of primary cooking area, which is good for a small family or gathering. But what this tabletop grill lacks in size, it makes up for in performance.
It’s made of marine-grade mirror polish stainless steel, which gives it a beautiful modern look, almost like an AirStream trailer.
It uses a 1 pound propane bottle, but can be connected to a 20 pound tank easily using an optional hose adapter. It can even be connected to a natural gas connection with an adapter.
- Fold-away legs, oversized perfectly balanced lockable lid with full length handle
- Inner safety shell funnels grease into front access, lock in place grease tray
- Convenient snap out radiant plate for even heat distribution and easy clean up
8. Char-Broil Performance 300 2-Burner Cabinet Gas Grill – Best 2 Burner Gas Grill Under $300
If you’re looking for the quality of a Char-Broil grill, without the extra space (or price) of the 3 or 4 burner Char-Broil models, the Char-Broil Performance 300 2-Burner is an excellent choice.
It offers many of the same features of its popular larger, 4-burner style but at a lower price.
This grill has 2 burners that produce 24,000 BTUs of heat over 300 square inches of primary cooking area, and even includes a 100 square inch swing-away rack to keep finished food warm.
The porcelain-coated cooking grates are easy to clean, while giving you plenty of heat transfer for anything you’re grilling.
Finally, it has a stainless steel lid, push-button electronic ignition for an easy start-up, and folding metal side shelves for the prep area.
What I like most about the Char-Broil Performance 300 2-Burner is the value it provides for the price. If you don’t have a whole lot of space, or are looking for a lower priced Char-Broil model grill, you can’t do better than this one.
- 2-burner, 24,000-BTU Cabinet Gas Grill
- 300 square inches of primary cooking on porcelain-coated cast iron grates, plus 100 square inch swing-away rack with...
- Stainless steel lid and UFC provide stylish durability, and features a lid-mounted temperature gauge for added heat...
9. Royal Gourmet 4-Burner 36 inch Flat Top Griddle – Best Flat Top Grill Under $300
Imagine being able to make breakfast foods like pancakes, scrambled eggs, or hash browns in the great outdoors. The Royal Gourmet 4-Burner 36 inch Flat Top Griddle makes that dream a reality.
If you’ve never used a flat top grill before, you’re missing out on a great grilling experience.
It’s powered by 4 stainless-steel 13,000 BTU tube burners, each independently controlled, with a total of 52,000 BTUs cooking power.
The large 792 square inch griddle plate has a solid 4.5 mm of thickness, and comes conveniently pre-seasoned.
What I like best about this model is its open cart design, complete with four caster wheels and hooks for hanging your barbecue accessories or hand towels.
For less than $300, this flat top grill provides a ton of excellent value and plenty to like.
- 4 stainless-steel tube burners independently controlled; each has 13, 000 BTUs, total 52, 000 BTUs cooking power.
- 36" L x 22" W, total 792 Square inches of cooking space, over 4. 5 mm thickness flat Griddle plate with pre-seasoned surface....
- Durable stainless-steel control panel, with upgraded electronic ignition system, which offers a reliable spark at every push....
10. Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill – Best Value Gas Grill Under $300
The newly restyled Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill is a fantastic value at around $200. It has most of the features of a larger gas grill with the portability of a small gas grill.
It has one stainless steel burner that produces 8500 BTUs of heat over a 189 square inch primary cooking area, plenty enough for a small family or group.
This grill also includes a large grip handle with handy side handles, strong cradles, a push-button electronic ignition system, thermometer, heat control knobs and reversible split cooking grates that can convert into a griddle easily.
What I like best about the Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill is how compact everything is. The side tables literally fold under the grill lid for easy transport and storage.
If you’re looking for a portable gas grill that provides plenty of value for the price, this is a great choice for you.
- One stainless steel burner produces 8500 BTU-per-hour to heat 189 square-inch total cooking area
- Porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates and cast aluminum lid and body
- Dimensions - lid closed and tables out (inches): 15.5H x 40.9W x 16.5D inches. Fully assembled out of box. Uses disposable...
What To Look For in a Gas Grill Under $300
Buying a new gas grill can be an overwhelming experience. There are so many different options and models to choose from, it might be difficult to choose which features you need. Here are some important options to consider when purchasing a gas grill under 300 dollars.
Multiple Burners
A proper gas grill must have at least two burners. This allows you to do a very important cooking technique called 2-zone cooking.
The more burners you have, the better. You’ll be able to turn off one side of the grill, and slow roast over indirect heat. When the food is nearly done, you can crisp it over the heated side.
Lid
A lid is a critical part of a gas grill, and most grills have one, but surprisingly some do not. A lid allows you to set up the 2-zone cooking method discussed above. Without one, you can still cook thin cuts of meats like burgers and hot dogs, but you won’t be able to cook chicken.
Large Cooking Surface
You need to know the total square inches of the cooking surface. The last thing you want to do is crowd your grill, and having plenty of space is critical for the 2-zone cooking method.
Some models also include a “warming rack”, allowing you to stop cooking certain pieces and keep food warm while the rest finishes.
Infrared or Convection?
Infrared grills produce heat differently than traditional convection grills.
In a traditional gas grill, burners produce both radiant and convection heat which is transferred up through the grills to cook the food. In an infrared grill, gas burners heat up a glass, metal, or ceramic plate which sits between the burners and the cooking grates. The ceramic plates absorb the heat from the burners, and transfer it to the food above as radiant energy.
The main benefit of infrared grills is that you get very even cooking heat with less flare ups than a traditional gas grill.
I recommend infrared grills, especially if you like to sear steaks or want good browning of your food. If you can’t afford an infrared grill, you can still get the same effect using GrillGrates.
Electronic Ignition
There are two main ignition systems for gas grills: Electronic and Piezo.
An electronic system uses battery power to create a a spark. This is fine as long as your batteries don’t die.
A piezo electronic ignition system uses a spring-loaded system to generate a spark using friction. They make a distinct clicking sounds when you turn them on.
Either system works fine, and generally have very little problems.
Conclusion
Any of these gas grills will be great choices, but the best propane grill under 300 dollars is the Char-Broil Performance Stainless Steel 4-Burner Cart Style Gas Grill.
For a little under $300, it provides plenty of cooking area, many terrific features, and the quality and design of a Char Broil grill.
Happy grilling!
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