Inflation has hit hard, and the price of grills hasn’t escaped the surge. But fear not—today, I’m here to show you how to stretch your dollars and find the perfect grill for your needs, all while staying under a $300 budget. We’ll be visiting the major big-box stores, and I’ll share my top tips and tricks to help you score the best deal.
We’re not in Indiana this time; instead, we’re at an event that’s wrapping up soon. But before we leave, we thought it’d be a great opportunity to explore what it takes to purchase a budget-friendly grill. As we checked into our Airbnb, we noticed the grill on the patio—an affordable option that’s clearly seen better days. This got us thinking: If you were to replace it, where should you spend your $300 to get the most value?
Now, this wasn’t the video we originally planned for this week. There’s a story behind that, but you’ll have to tune in next week to find out. For now, let’s dive into finding a grill that suits both your needs and your wallet.
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First Stop: Home Depot
Next Grill Charcoal Grill – $129: If you enjoy cooking with charcoal, this compact grill could be a strong contender.
Char-Griller Charcoal Grill – $249: A bit larger with a nice upper rack and cast iron grates, this option is solid for charcoal lovers.
Char-Griller Offset Smoker – $299: This one has a large cooking chamber and an offset smoker for wood cooking. However, the thin metal and lackluster paint job make me hesitate, even at the top of our budget.
Next Grill 5-Burner Gas Grill – $299: Stainless steel throughout, with five burners and a side burner. However, the thin grates and questionable durability might not make this the best long-term investment.
Dyna-Glo 4-Burner Gas Grill with Sear – $299: While it offers a sear burner with 15,000 BTUs, the lack of stainless steel and the overall build quality are concerns.
Next Grill 4-Burner Gas Grill – $199: Cheaper than the other options, but it doesn’t inspire much confidence in its longevity.
Weber Kettle 22-Inch – $99: A classic and reliable option, especially for those who favor charcoal.
That’s it for Home Depot. Let’s move next door to see what Lowe’s has in store.
Next Stop: Lowe’s
Char-Broil 4-Burner Gas Grill – $199: This one includes a side burner and could be a strong contender at this price point.
Char-Broil 2-Burner Gas Grill – $279: Smaller and less impressive for the price.
Char-Broil 5-Burner Gas Grill – $299: Part of their Performance Series, this grill offers cast iron grates and stainless steel, making it one of the better options we’ve seen.
Char-Griller 33-Inch Charcoal Grill – $249: Thin metal construction raises concerns about rust, but it’s still worth considering if you’re after a charcoal grill.
Lowe’s offers a few more options, but many of them are portable grills, which might not be what you’re looking for. Let’s head over to Walmart for our next comparison.
Next Stop: Walmart
Blackstone Griddle – $297: Although it’s technically a griddle, it’s versatile enough to serve many grilling needs.
Expert Grill 5-Burner Gas Grill – $247: Walmart’s house brand offers a five-burner with a side burner for under $250—a great deal if you don’t mind the brand.
Cuisinart 2-Burner Gas Grill – $297: Compact and well-built, but with less cooking space than other options.
Expert Grill 4-Burner Gas Grill – $197: An even cheaper option, though with thinner materials and less durability.
Pit Boss Lexington Pellet Grill – $299: This is the first pellet grill under $300 we’ve seen today, making it a unique option worth considering.
We’ve covered the major retailers, but before we wrap up, I want to show you my personal favorite way to score a grill on a budget: the online marketplace.
Final Stop: The Online Marketplace
Welcome to my go-to spot for finding budget grills—the online marketplace. This is actually how we started The Cooking For Profit. We’d buy slightly used grills at a discount, review them, and then sell them back on the marketplace.
For example, you can find a Char-Broil six-burner with a side sear burner for $225 or a Z Grills pellet grill for just $200—a steal considering it retails for $450-$600 new.
If you’re willing to put in a little elbow grease, you can often find high-end grills for much less than you’d pay at a store. Take, for instance, a Weber Performer Deluxe available for $200—half of what it costs new.
Shopping on the marketplace is the best way to stretch your budget and get a quality grill. I’d recommend avoiding the low-end models under $300 when buying secondhand. They’re usually at the end of their lifespan and may not serve you well for long.
Instead, look for higher-end models like a Lynx four-burner natural gas grill. Though listed at $400, with some negotiation, you might snag it for $300 or just a bit more.
Conclusion
That’s my guide to buying the best grill on a $300 budget. Whether you shop at big-box stores or online, there are plenty of options out there. If you found this helpful, hit that like button, and don’t forget to subscribe for more grilling tips and tricks. Thanks for joining us at The Cooking For Profit—see you next time!
