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Summer is here and there’s no better way to enjoy the warm weather than with family and friends alongside good food.
Looking to entertain a yard full of guests with a weekend barbeque or just craving a char-grilled steak? then a propane gas grill would definitelybe a great addition to your backyard.
While you can get lost due to the abundance of the best inexpensive gas grills on the market today with different specifications like side burners and BTUs, not all of them might be suitable for you, not even the top-rated renowned brands.
However, you can always find propane gas grills of all kinds to fit your cooking and grilling needs.
Being space-saving grills for small yards, luxurious five burners for cooking meals for the whole neighborhood, portable grills for your family and friends on the move, or affordable gas grills if you are cooking out on a budget!
In terms of affordability, the main highlight is the variety of grills, shapes, and sizes that you can get without breaking the bank, as they are all priced under $500.
To help you realize that dream of owning the best budget Propane Grill for your summer escapades, here is a list of where you can find the best propane grills under 500 dollars.
Char-Broil Performance Stainless Steel 4-Burner CART-STYLE Gas Grill
The grill comes in a durable stainless steel construction featuring a cart design for easy mobility.
The cart-like design features two wheels and two fixed feet for improved mobility and stability.
The Char-Broil is a spacious grill, encompassin425 squarere inches of primary cooking space.
This space is ample enough regardless whether you are cooking for your family or for your friends at your next backyard barbecue party.
Moreover, the 150-square inch swswing-awayarming rack that’s an addition to this grill provides extra cooking space, for enhanced versatility while cooking.
The Char-Broil’s cast iron porcelain-coated cooking grates are rust-resistant and easy to clean.
The grates also have excellent heat retention for an exquisite grilling experience.
The four top-ported stainless steel burners of this grill provide uniform cooking in addition to being durable.
Moreover, the 4 burners have a total thermal output of 36,000 BTUs, which is enough for grilling whatever you throw at it.
A 10,000 BTUs lidded side burner is also present on this grill, which enables side preparation while grilling.
The lid provides additional prep space once folded the moment the side burner is not in use.
Pros
- Quality stainless steel panels to resist corrosion.
- Compatible with a universal rotisserie kit.
- Side burner adds versatility for year-round cooking.
- Large side shelves.
- Generous hood clearance is perfect for top-down cooking of larger meat cuts and poultry.
- Excellent heat management thanks to an insulated hood and temperature gauge.
Cons
- Cabinet is exposed on the backside.
- Takes longer to reach searing temperature than some comparable grills.
Other salient features of this performance series grill include:
A removable, porcelain-coated grease pan for easy cleaning.
Push-to-start electric ignition for quick and reliable start-ups.
A lid-mounted temperature gauge for precise temperature monitoring and control.
Dyna-Glo Black & Stainless Premium Grills, 4 Burner, Liquid Propane Gas
The Dyna-Glo & Stainless premium grill is a smaller-sized one – but still makes it one of the best propane grills under 500 dollars list.
It is a powerful grill with more burners than comparable grills, with all the features that ensure total control over grilling great food.
Featuring chrome-plated, infinite-setting control valves.
The Dyna-Glo grill allows you to tinker with direct and indirect heat, thus ensuring you don’t have to move your meat around to try and find a hotter or cooler spot.
Still, on matters of control, the porcelain-enameled, heavy gauge steel heat tents help protect your burners as well as vaporize steak and veggie juices into flavored steam that marinates your delicacy!
Moreover, the heat tents ensure an even distribution of heat so that the entire cooking surface has a uniform temperature.
With a total of 667-square inches of primary cooking space, four burners and a side burner, this grill gives you ample space for grilling, ideal for BBQs.
Furthermore, the Dyna-Glo comes with fast heating, as its BTU of 60,000 heats up fast and gets very hot, suitable for searing.
If you love to cook for a lot of people but are limited in space for a huge grill, then the Dyna-Glo Propane Grill is perfect for you!
Cuisinart CGG-200 All Foods Tabletop Gas Grill, Stainless Steel
Ranking among one of the best portable propane grills under 500 at just under $160.
The Cuisinart’s CGG-200 All-Foods grill is designed with great engineering techniques, for the user’s convenience and is equipped with top-notch features.
It comes along with 240 square inches of cooking space which is ample enough to cook for close to 8 people at once.
The grill also encompasses a 430 stainless steel grill lid which is insulated with double wall construction which serves to keep the elements out as well as maintain the temperature and reduce the heat.
It also has a Versatile Modular grill Surface System which allows you to prepare a wide range of delicacies!
Moreover, it has a 201 stainless steel heat-resistant lid which keeps you safe from any heat burn the moment you open it to confirm if your food is cooked and so on.
In addition, the 2 stainless steel side tables are strong enough for placing your cooking accessories such as food trays and plates.
The grill’s twist-start ignition makes it easy to start and ignite the grill right away, with the burner reaching an output of up to 12,000 BTUs.
The temperature gauge allows you to customize the temperature as per your requirements.
Pros
- Comes with a three-year warranty.
- Lightweight and easy to carry.
- Can be assembled in a matter of minutes without any additional tools.
Cons
- The dome is shallow and may hinder cooking larger items, such as a whole ham.
- Opening the dome while cooking will lose heat quickly.
Once the Cuisinart CGG-200 is up and running, you can enjoy your delicacies alongside your family and friends!
Char-Griller E3001 Grillin’ Pro 40,800-BTU Gas Grill, Black
Char-Griller put some thought into the design of the E3001 Pro and despite it still makmaking in our list of the best propane grills under 500 dollars.
Has the top-notch quality you want to see imid-to-high-end end gas grill.
Featuring two stainless steel burner elements alongside a flip-top burner on the left-hand side table, the grill is built for versatility.
Moreover, the burners are all ignited by a built-in electric lighter that runs on a single AA battery.
For a propane grill that’s priced slightly under $180, having a primary grate made from cast iron for superior heat retention and searing.
Also has a special porcelain coating for non-stick properties and easy cleaning gives the Char-Griller E3001 value for its money!
Other notable features of this grill include a sturdy base with a special hole that’s designed to perfectly hold a propane tank.
It also features two large heavy-duty wheels for easy movement and three tool hooks.
Has a 438 square-inch primary grill gate and 192-square-inch warming rack.
A domed lid with dual chimneys for internal heat control and holding tall food pieces.
The Char-Griller E3001 Pro will do everything you expect from one of the best propane grills under 500 dollars.
Fuego F21C-H Element Hinged Propane Gas Grill, Dark Gray
The Fuego F21C-H has the aesthetics all combined in its tiny footprint.
Featuring a cast iron grilling grate surface of 346 square inches with an optional griddle and pizza stone kit.
The cooking surface is more than enough for a grill its size and worth its price point, making it rank among one of the best propane grills under 500 dollars.
This Propane gas grill by Fuego encompasses a new hinged lid design at 45-degree angle in a bid to prevent reaching over the hot fire – a feature worth noticing!
In addition, the lid is low and keeps heat in well, while letting air circulate thus ensuring uniform cooking.
The grill also comes with a residue removal system that allows for grease to drop straight through the residue stray thus facilitating easy clean-ups and minimizing the risk of flare-ups.
The grill’s dual burner system cannot be overlooked as it features both direct and indirect grilling, with the sturdy metal knob letting you choose which circular gas tube to use.
Pros
- Small footprint is perfect for smaller spaces.
- Sleek design brings a unique look and aesthetic appeal to your outdoor space.
- Extremely versatile and makes cooking any meal simple and hassle-free.
Cons
- Grill design tends to promote flare ups while in use.
- Difficult to control the heat and keep it even throughout the cooking space.
With the burner having been upgraded to 22,000 BTU/hr., the grill reaches 500F within a maximum of 5 minutes and temperatures of up to 650F overall.
Dyna-Glo DGE Series Propane Grill, 5 Burner, Stainless Steel
The Dyna-Glo Propane Grill 5-Burner is a compact and affordable gas grill equipped with a couple of nice extras.
Its price of slightly above $400, thus making it one of the best propane grills under 500 dollars.
Tagging along with infinite setting control valves and integrated temperature gauge for accurate grill zone temperature.
This grill by Dyna-Glo has 708-square inches of primary cooking area space!
Featuring the push-button electronic ignition system, this propane grill starts quickly and easily, heating up fast.
Also has 5 stainless steel commercial grade straight tube burners with an output of 10,000 BTUs each.
Moreover, the grill’s grates, warming rack, and heat tents are made of stainless steel to ensure durability.
What stands out with this model is the pull-out propane tank which makes it very easy to set up and dismount the propane tank when it’s time to refuel.
In addition, the grill’s side burner also stands out, with a thermal power output of 12,000 BTUs and is great for cooking up stir-fried veggies as well as its ability to handle rotisserie.
For a big BBQ grill at this price point; the Dyna-Glow 5-Burner Propane grill can accommodate a big group of guests for that backyard or any outdoor party that you have been thinking about!
Weber 57060001 Q3200 Liquid Propane Grill
Suitable for those who love picnics and tailgating, as well as even cooking at the comfort of your backyard.
Priced a little bit less than $450, this grill by Weber makes it among the best propane grills under 500 dollars.
Featuring 393-square inches worth of cooking space, this grill allows you to feed the family and a few friends.
Moreover, the grill has quality Weber cast-iron grates that help retain heat and disperse the heat around the surface uniformly and quickly.
Made of good grade steel for durability, the 2 burners have a total thermal output of 21,000 BTUs an hour.
The burners cooking periods being further escalated by the dome-shaped lid which sustains heat in well.
Moreover, the speed of heating of this Weber Q3200 is exquisite, reaching up to 500F in between 2 and 3 minutes.
For easy cleaning, the grill has been porcelain enameled.
The thermometer on this grill is pretty accurate, enabling you to monitor cooking temperatures at a glance.
Pros
- Contains two side tables for added prep space that fold down for easy storage
- Sturdy cart-like set up with 2 wheels for simple mobility.
- Easy assembly in under an hour.
Cons
- Some consumers have complained that the heat output on this grill is not ideal and sometimes inconsistent.
- Other consumers are stating that the quality of the design is not up to par.
Other notable features of this grill from Weber include handles that light up in the dark and hooks for tools, so there’s no chance of you losing anything.
Weber 45030001 Spirit II E-310 Red LP Outdoor Gas Grill
The Weber Spirit II E-310 Gas Grill is a solid grill that gives you control over what you cook.
Priced at almost $450, it makes it to the best propane grills under 500 dollars, but the high-quality construction and performance alongside killer manufacturer warranty help justify the price!
Featuring the brand’s GS4 high-performance grilling system comprised of infinity ignition which translates to ignition every time.
High-performance burners which ensure an even heating surface, porcelain-enameled flavorizer bars designed to hold drippings and eliminate flare-ups.
It also has a grease management system which streamlines cleaning, this grill boasts of impressive performance.
With its solid ignition, the grill lights up with no hassle whatsoever, getting hot extremely quickly, with only a few minutes to get to 500F.
Moreover, the burners have high performance as they heat uniformly across the board, packing a thermal output of 30,000 BTUs/hr.
The in-built temperature control of this Weber grill cannot also be overlooked as it’s precise.
The Weber Spirit II E-310 comes with four color options; bright red, sapphire, ivory, and black.
Made of porcelain-enameled cast iron grates, the grill surface is durable and easy to clean.
Pros
- Reliable GS4 grilling system.
- Porcelain flavor bars and cooking grates.
- Large and sturdy side shelves.
- Excellent grease management system.
- Great convection design for low and slow cooking or cooking away from direct heat.
Cons
- No storage cabinet.
- Could use more stainless steel for a premium appearance.
Other awesome inclusions to this Weber grill include reversible plates with varying thickness for allowing more flexibility in cooking technique.
Final Thoughts
While each of the above-renowned gas grills models ranks among the best propane grills under 500 dollars, you should always keep in mind what purpose you want your grill to serve when choosing the grill.
Taking time to consider everything that is going to be important to you when shopping for your grill is the first step in making the right decision.
If you have a big family or enjoy hosting parties on a regular basis, then the Dyna-Glo DGE series propane grill 5-Burner or the Char-Broil Performance Stainless Steel 4-Burner will be great for you.
On the contrary, if you do not need to serve many portions all at once the Weber 45030001 Spirit II E-310 Red LP Outdoor Gas Grill proves to be an excellent choice.
For the grillers on the go, the compact, portable and easy-to-carry Weber 57060001 Q3200 Liquid Propane Grill will definitely suit all your camping and tailgating needs.
All these grills come with quality, with their performance beyond expectation, for a price tag of under $500.
With all the grills reviewed here worth buying, the decision of which one to choose to cook your delicious meals with ease is up to you solely to decide.