Gas grilling is often thought of as an activity where you can easily spend between $1000 and $2000 on a grill. The reality is a little bit different. It’s possible to get into the gas grilling game with a lower budget, and to prove it, we’ve put together this list of the best gas grills under $200.
Editor’s Pick for Best Gas Grill Under $200: The Cuisinart CGG-059 Grillster
If you’re looking for a beautiful combination of reasonable price, high quality and portability, then you’ll find it hard to do better than the Cuisinart CGG-059 Grillster. This lightweight yet powerful grill is the perfect companion to any backyard barbeque or camping trip. Due to its small size, it can be set up almost anywhere and you can start grilling immediately.
Now, under $200 means you’re not going to get the very best gas grill on the market, complete with natural gas connection and unrivaled heat retention. Gas grills at this price point are going to be fairly basic and most likely designed to be portable. However, you’ll be surprised to find that they do have a few impressive features and are capable of turning up the heat in certain aspects.
So if you’re unsure whether or not you want to fully commit to a more expensive gas grill, or simply don’t feel like spending a huge amount of money, this list is for you. And with that in mind, let’s take a look at the best gas grills for $200 currently on the market.
Our 6 Best Gas Grills Under $200 At a Glance
| < $200 BBQ Grill | Pros, Cons, and BBQ Digest Award |
|---|---|
Cuisinart CGG-059 Grillster Check Latest Price | Editor’s Choice + Super lightweight + 8,000 BTUs + Cooking grate is dishwasher safe – May not be enough power or space for some grillers |
 Weber Q1000 Liquid Propane Grill Check Latest Price | Best Portable Grill + Infinite control burner valve allows for precise temperature control + Sturdy aluminium construction – Requires around 10 minutes of preheating before use |
 Camp Chef Tahoe Deluxe 3 Burner Grill Check Latest Price | The Flamethrower + 90,000 BTUs + Three aluminium burners + Massive cooking area means you can cook different things at once – Poor heat retention means much of the BTUs get wasted |
 Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 Check Latest Price | Best Lightweight Grill + Weighs only 20lb + Solid, sturdy construction + TRU-Infrared cooking system provides a great cooking experience – Only one burner |
 MASTER COOK Classic Liquid Propane Gas Grill Check Latest Price | Best Backyard Grill + Two metal side shelves allow for an extendible work space + Comes equipped with wheels for easy maneuverability – Doesn’t have any extraordinary features |
 Megamaster’s 1-Burner Tabletop Propane Gas Grill Check Latest Price | Largest Portable Grill + Large cooking space for a grill of its size + Relatively powerful burner + Feature-heavy and reliable – Ignition takes a few tries to get started |
A Closer Look At The Best Gas Grills Under $200
Cuisinart CGG-059 Grillster
The Cusinart CGG-O59 Grillster is the ideal gas grill for avid campers and those who love the outdoors. Weighing just 10lbs, it’s also great for just bringing over to your friend’s house when they need an extra burner or two.
Pushing out 8000 BTUs over 146 square inches of cooking space, the Grillster is set up to easily cook hamburgers, steaks, seafood, chicken and vegetables. It comes equipped with an enameled steel cooking grate to prevent food from sticking; the grate is also dishwasher-safe, which makes cleaning up a breeze. A twist-light ignition knob ensures reliable start-ups every time, and a grease drip tray means you can dispose of any unwanted drippings without making a mess.
The Grillster is powered by liquid propane, and only needs a one-pound canister to get started. All in all, this little grill is the ideal combination of portability and power. Bring it with you to a sports event, camping trip, or even fire it up on a friend’s pick up truck while you down a few cold ones.
Features at a glance:
- 146 square inches of cooking space
- Enameled steel cooking grate
- 8,000 BTUs
- Compact design
- Twist-light ignition knob
- Locking lid for easy transportation
- Weighs just 10lbs
- Grease drip tray
Weber Q1000 Liquid Propane Grill – Best Portable Grill
It goes without saying that Weber makes some fantastic grills – the same is true for the Q1000 Liquid Propane Grill. As a successor to Q100, the Q1000 has an improved array of features such as larger handles and more robust control knobs. It still features an impressive 189 square inches of cooking space, making it portable but able to handle fairly large meals.
These are cooked over porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates and a single burner capable of producing 8,500 BTUs. The grate itself is actually a split-grate, meaning you can grill steaks on one side while frying an egg on another. The push-button ignition ensures easy start ups, while the infinite control burner gives you precise control over the temperature.
The Q1000 is constructed mostly out of cast aluminium, making it not only lightweight but also extremely durable and weather resistant. Once purchased, it’s good to straight from the box and doesn’t require any assembly. The only thing you will need a small cylinder of liquid propane, and a little bit of patience as the grill requires some preheating.
Features at a glance:
- One stainless steel burner
- 8500 BTUs
- 189 square inches of cooking space
- Porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates
- Cast aluminum lid and body
- Fully assembled out of box
- Push-button ignition and infinite control burner valve settings
- Uses disposable 14.1 or 16.4 oz. LP cylinder
Camp Chef Tahoe Deluxe 3 Burner Grill – The Flamethrower
While many grills on this list place a big emphasis on portability, the Camp Chef Tahoe Deluxe 3 Burner Grill is all about power. Packing three cast aluminium burners and fueled by liquid propane, this grill puts out a hefty combined total output of 90,000 BTUs. That’s not to say that the Tahoe Deluxe isn’t portable either; weighing just 46 pounds, this grill can be brought on most camping trips or outdoor excursions.
For its size, it also offers an incredible amount of space to cook food. With over 600 square inches of cooking space, there’s no way that anyone will have to wait for a second round of steak searing.
The Tahoe Deluxe also comes equipped with a few cool features, especially for the price point. A three-sided windscreen blocks strong winds and the burner housing heat box protects everything below. The heat control dials are fully adjustable and the legs can’t be easily removed for added ease during transportation.
It’s worth noting that for all its BTUs, the heat retention on the Tahoe Deluxe might not be the best in the world. It’s likely that much of the heat generated could escape.
Features at a glance:
- 90,000 BTUs
- 608 square inches of cooking area
- Three cast aluminum burners
- Effective burner housing for sheltering flames from wind
- Fully adjustable heat-control dials
- Removable legs for portability
Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 – Best Lightweight Grill
If you’re looking for something that’s ultra portable but doesn’t sacrifice on quality, then the Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 is your guy. Made by one of the most reputable brands on the market and weighing just 20 lbs, the Grill2Go is made for easy travelling, camping and backyard barbeques.
With 200 square inches of cooking space and a 9500 BTU burner, the Grill2Go is big enough to handle about eight burgers at once. It comes equipped with the Char-Broil TRU-Infrared cooking system, which allows for greater temperature control and even cooking, and prevents hot or cold spots, as well as flare-ups.
Featuring a cast aluminum firebox and lid with stainless steel latches to keep the grill secured when on the go, the Grill2Go is designed to be sturdy and convenient. It also comes with a few features usually found on bigger grills such as push button ignition and a lid-mounted temperature gauge.
Features at a glance:
- 9500 BTU burner
- 200 square inches of cooking space
- Stainless steel grilling grate
- Super compact build for easy travelling
- Cast aluminum firebox and lid with dual stainless steel latches and thermometer
- High-impact frame with legs and carry handles
- No flare-up TRU-Infrared cooking system
MASTER COOK Classic Liquid Propane Gas Grill – Best Backyard Grill
The MASTER COOK Classic Liquid Propane Gas Grill is not exactly small and it’s not exactly portable; it’s a low cost gas grill under $200 that is likely to stay in your backyard. That being said, it comes with collapsible side tables and some heavy duty wheel casters which make it ideal for smaller spaces or balconies.
With three stainless steel in-line burners pumping out a combined output of 30,000 BTUs and 473 square inches of cooking space, this grill can accommodate some fairly large meals. It comes equipped with porcelain-coated grates to prevent food from sticking as well as superior heat retention.
An Integrated Piezo electric ignition system ensures reliable start-ups, and the built-in stainless steel thermometer lets you monitor your food accurately and precisely. The grill lid and firebox are constructed of porcelain-coated steel, meaning the MASTER COOK is likely to withstand anything mother nature can sling at it.
As far as the best gas grills under $200 go, the MASTER COOK is pretty bare bones, but it does the job. If you’re looking for something to cook some burgers on from time to time, but aren’t wholly concerned about more intricate features, then this is the grill for you.
Features at a glance:
- 473 square inches of cooking space
- Porcelain-coated grates
- 30,000 BTUs
- Three stainless steel in-line burners
- Piezo ignition system for reliable start-ups
- Porcelain-enameled wire cooking grates
- Stainless steel handle
- Two foldable shelves
- Two heavy duty wheel casters
- 12 months warranty
Megamaster 1-Burner Tabletop Propane Gas Grill – Largest Portable Grill
Megamaster’s 1-Burner Tabletop Propane Gas Grill is the perfect grill if you’re looking for portability without sacrificing on cooking space. With an impressive 360 square inches of available cooking space over an 11,000 BTU burner, this grill can take on up to 17 burgers at once.
Equipped with a Piezo ignition system, the 1-Burner Tabletop fires up in an instant. The durable porcelain enameled firebox retains heat really well, and also makes cleaning up afterwards effortless. The grill also comes equipped with a built-in thermometer that allows you precise control over the grilling process.
The lid is powder-coated and locks easily when not in use. Combined with the fold-away legs, this grill is ideal for anyone who wants to simply get up and go.
Features at a glance:
- 360 square inches of cooking space
- Stainless steel burner
- Push button Piezo ignition
- 11,000 BTUs
- Porcelain enameled cooking grate
How to Choose the Best Gas Grill Under $200: A Buyer’s Guide
Size
When you’re in the market for one of the best gas grills under $200, one of the most pressing questions you need to ask yourself is, “How big do I need my grill to be?” In this price range, in general grills are going to be smaller rather than bigger.
If you’re looking for a gas grill that comfortably provides for a huge outdoor gathering, you may have to spend a bit more money. However, if you want something portable that still does the job well, then you will definitely find something.
Cooking Area
When shopping for grills, take a look at their dimensions, weight as well as the available cooking space which is usually measured in square inches. In general, you don’t want anything with less than 150 square inches of cooking space, unless you’re planning on grilling for a very small number of people.
If you’re planning on cooking for a large number of people, however, then definitely grab a grill with upwards of 200 square inches. At that size, you’ll be able to cook eight burgers easily, and as you go bigger you can accommodate larger meals.
Construction
When you’re spending money on a grill, you don’t want to have to buy another one in the next year. It’s therefore critical that you take into account how a gas grill is built, and what materials it is constructed from.
In general, you want your grill to be constructed from hardy, durable, rust-resistant materials such as stainless steel or aluminium. You also want the cooking grates to be aluminium-coated to prevent them from rusting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best and most trustworthy brands?
There are a lot of great companies producing quality grills these days. It’s tough to narrow it down, but some brands do outshine others. In general, you can’t go wrong when purchasing grills from Weber, Char-Broil or Cuisinart.
How long do gas grills last?
With proper cleaning, care, maintenance and storage, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t get at least five years’ use out of your grill. That’s a conservative estimate; grills, especially grills under $200, can last upwards of fifteen years. The materials a grill is constructed from as well as the length of time it’s left out in the elements will have a marked effect on its longevity.
Do BTUs matter?
In one word: yes. BTUs, or British Thermal Units, are a measurement of the amount of heat that a grill can produce. In general it’s a good yardstick with which to measure the power and performance of a grill.
However, all the BTUs in the world won’t help a grill with poor heat retention. It’s important, therefore, to take other measures, such as the materials a grill is constructed from as well as its ability to retain heat, into account. Otherwise, all of that heat will simply dissipate rather than being directed at the food in the grill.
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