When you think of gas grilling, you probably think of a mega-grill costing upwards of $1000, complete with any number of extraneous features and enough burners to take you to the moon. But you might be surprised to know that grilling is a game that anyone can get into, even if you’re not ready or willing to spend thousands of dollars. In fact, you can get your hands on one of the best gas grills for under $300.
Editor’s Pick for Best Gas Grill Under $300: The Char-Broil Performance SS 4-Burner
If you can only choose one gas grill then we definitely recommend the Char-Broil Performance Stainless Steel 4-Burner Gas Grill. Putting out 36,000 BTUs of heat across 425 square inches of cooking space and equipped with a side burner, this grill is a miracle of cooking prowess for its price.
Of course, for this price you’re rarely going to see features found on more expensive gas grills such as infrared burners or a natural gas connection. However, for $300 or less, you will be able to purchase something that can cook a number of burgers effortlessly, and even give your steaks a decent sear.
And with that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best gas grills under $300 currently on the market.
Our 5 Best Gas Grills Under $300
| Name | Pros |
 Char-Broil Performance Stainless Steel 4-BurnerGas Grill Check Latest Price | Editor’s Choice + Perfectly balanced performance and size + Beautiful chrome and silver finish + Features a side burner and other useful features – May not be enough power for some grillers |
 Weber Q2200 Liquid Propane Grill Check Latest Price | Best Portable Grill + Lightweight + Perfect for camping and other getaways + High performing for its size – Not as powerful as other grills on this list |
 Cuisinart CGG-7400 Gas Grill Check Latest Price | Best All-Rounder + Impressive BTU output + Allows for precision control over all burners + Great heat retention – Wheels aren’t really effective |
 Char-Broil Performance 300 2-Burner Cabinet Liquid Propane Gas Grill Check Latest Price | Best Compact Grill + Ideal for smaller apartments or those who don’t need a huge grill + Decent performance for a compact grill – Not super powerful |
 Megamaster 720-0982 Propane Gas Grill Check Latest Price | The Monster + Massive BTU output + Huge primary cooking surface + Large side shelves for easy preparation – Side shelves don’t fold away, making the Megamaster potentially cumbersome |
A Detailed Look At The Best Gas Grills Under $300
Char-Broil Performance Stainless Steel 4-Burner Gas Grill – Editor’s Choice
If you’re looking for the best gas grill under $300 that performs well and is surprisingly feature-heavy then look no further than the Char-Broil Performance Stainless Steel 4-Burner Gas Grill. Capable of accomodating large meals for big families and gatherings, the grill puts out an impressive 36,000 BTUs across 425 square inches of cooking surface. If you need extra cooking space and a little more power, there’s also a 10,000 BTU side burner.
It comes equipped with porcelain-coated cast iron grates, which are rust-resistant, help prevent food from sticking and are easy to clean. Likewise, the stainless steel burners and body are durable enough to withstand all weather and keep your grill in working order for years.
The Performance also comes standard with some features that make it stand out from other grills in this price range. Its electronic ignition ensures fast and reliable startups, the porcelain-coated grease pan allows for easy disposal of grease, and the foldaway side shelves are ideal for additional prep space.
All in all, this grill is a great option for this budget. Char-Broil is a reliable brand that understands how to make a quality gas grill, and this expertise shines through on the Performance.
Features at a glance:
- 36,000 BTUs
- 425 square inches of cooking space
- Powered by liquid propane
- Stainless steel construction
- Reliable electric ignition
- 10,000 BTU side burner
- Porcelain-coated grease pan
- Stainless steel burners
- Porcelain coated cast-iron grates
Weber Q2200 Liquid Propane Grill – Best Portable Grill
If space is an issue or you’re looking for something to bring on the road with you, then the Weber Q2200 Liquid Propane Grill is the answer. Weighing just 42 pounds and capable of producing 12,000 BTUs of heat, the Q2200 is compact enough to bring with on a camping trip but powerful enough to use at home.
While slight in frame, the Q2200 still has 280 square inches of cooking space, enough to accommodate large meals for groups of varying sizes. The entire grill is made from stainless steel, and the cast-iron cooking grates are porcelain-enameled to prevent your grill from rusting and your food from sticking.
For a portable grill it also packs in a few impressive features. The electronic ignition means you can startup immediately, while the built-in thermometer and infinite control burner valve give you precise control over the cooking process. It also contains a removable catch pan to make cleaning up and disposing of waste a simple process.
While the Q2200 is one of the smaller best gas grills under $300 on the list, it’s huge on performance. It’s also made by one of the most reliable brands on the market, meaning it’s a product you can trust.
Features at a glance:
- 280 square inches of cooking space
- Stainless steel burner
- 12,000 BTUs
- Porcelain-enameled, cast iron cooking grates
- Electronic ignition with built in thermometer
- Two folding work tables
- Removable catch pan
- Infinite control burner valve
Cuisinart CGG-7400 Gas Grill – Best All-Rounder
If you’re planning on hosting big gatherings and need to bring a few extra BTUs to the table, then definitely consider the Cuisinart CGG-7400 Gas Grill. With four stainless steel burners each putting out 11,000 BTUs over 443 square inches of cooking space, there’s very little this grill can’t cook.
Food is cooked over heated heavy-duty cast-iron cooking grates designed to both last for years and give your meat a decent sear. Two side tables provide ample space to prepare all of your food and hold all of your grilling accessories. And the stainless steel lid will help retain heat and withstand anything that mother nature can throw at it.
Performance-wise, the CGG-7400 really shines. Its stainless steel control panel contains a different control knob for every burner, allowing you precise cooking control. This means you can cook different food on different burners and at different temperatures all at the same time.
While the grill has two wheels attached to its cart, it’s pretty heavy and cumbersome. There are very few places to grip it, and so moving it isn’t as easy as it might appear. For all intents and purposes, this is a stationary grill.
Cooking aside, the CGG-7400 also has a few cool little features. A built-in bottle opener means you can always pop a cold beer while working the grill, and a thermometer built into the lid means you always know how hot your food is without having to open it up.
Features at a glance:
- 44,000 BTUs
- Four stainless steel burners
- 443 square inches of cooking space
- 167 square inch warming rack
- Heavy-duty cast iron cooking grates
- Two prep tables
- Stainless steel lid and control panel
Char-Broil Performance 300 2-Burner Cabinet Liquid Propane Gas Grill – Best Compact Grill
If you liked our editor’s choice of grill but are low on space or just don’t need a grill that’s as powerful, then the Char-Broil Performance 300 is a solid choice. Capable of pumping out 24,000 BTUs over two burners and with 300 square inches of cooking space, this grill is compact without sacrificing on performance.
It has much of the same features as its big brother, albeit in a smaller format. This includes porcelain-coated cast iron grates for non-stick cooking and easy cleaning, a lid-mounted thermometer and an electric ignition for a reliable startup. The stainless steel lid and fold away shelves give this grill a pretty finish while also offering protection against rain and other weather conditions.
The entire construction sits on four casters, two of which lock for mobility and stability, making it easy to move around. All in all, this is a great little gas grill that, while small, offers a lot of value for someone who’s not looking for a grill with all of the extra accoutrements.
Features at a glance:
- 24,000-BTUs
- Two burners
- 300 square inches of primary cooking space
- Porcelain-coated cast iron grates
- 100 square inch swing-away rack with porcelain-coated grates
- Stainless steel lid
- Lid-mounted temperature gauge
- Electronic ignition for fast and reliable startups.
- Fold-away metal side shelves
- Storage cabinet for propane tank and accessory storage
Megamaster 720-0982 Propane Gas Grill – The Monster
If you believe that size matters, then you’ll feel religious about the Megamaster 720-0982 Propane Gas Grill. With five burners pushing out 50,000 BTUs and almost 500 square inches of cooking space, this 720-0982 has the surface area and cooking capacity of a much more expensive grill.
With massive size also comes massive performance. Featuring 0.6mm porcelain-enamel flame tamers and porcelain-covered cast iron cooking grates, this grill provides excellent heat retention and even heat distribution. The electronic ignition ensures a near-instant startup, and the built-in thermometer provides precision control over the grilling process.
The entire grill sits on four sturdy legs with two heavy duty wheels for easy mobility. The cart also features a tank hole and tank lock for easy propane storage and replacement.
With its matte black finish and red trimmings, the 720-0982 is just a joy to look at, and likely to look great in any backyard. Although its size might work to its detriment in some cases, as its oversized side shelves can’t be folded down and can make the grill quite cumbersome.
Features at a glance:
- 50,000 BTUs
- 474 squares inches of primary cooking area
- 182 square inch warming rack
- Five burners
- Electronic ignition
- Built-in thermometer
- 0.6mm porcelain-enamel flame tamers
- Porcelain-covered cast iron cooking grates
- Oversized side shelves
Buyer’s Guide – What to Look for When Buying a Gas Grill Under $300
If you’re in the market for the best gas grill under $300, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by all of the various features and technical jargon of the grills on offer. To help you navigate these ads and provide you with a bit more clarity, we’ve put together this buyer’s guide.
Number of Burners/Power
The first question you need to ask yourself when purchasing a gas grill is, “What am I going to be cooking?” This will largely inform the size, power, BTUs and number of burners you need from your gas grill.
While two burners will be enough to grill a few burgers and steaks, it won’t be enough to cater for everyone at a large gathering. Four burners would definitely do the job, but if you’re only looking to grill for your family once in a while, this might be a bit of overkill.
Cooking Space
Closely linked to power, the cooking space is the surface area, usually measured in square inches, which you will have available for grilling. More cooking space is ideal for larger gatherings while a smaller surface area would be ideal for apartment and balcony grilling.
Features to Price Ratio
While there are exceptions to the rule, it’s generally a given that the more money you spend, the more features your grill is likely to come with. These features include infrared burners, side burners, tool hooks, built-in thermometers and more. While you might not need all of these features, they are nice to have and do enhance the grilling experience.
However, they do cost money. You have to determine if the added features are worth the cost, and so keep a feature to price ratio in mind when shopping for grills.
Portability
Are you planning on taking your grill with you on camping trips or tail-gating with friends? Or do you plan on never moving it once it’s set up in your backyard? The answer to these questions will help you find out how important portability is to your grill.
It goes without saying that grills that emphasize and favor portability are likely to sacrifice on grilling space, power or both.
Build Quality/Materials
The materials that your grill is constructed of are going to have a pretty large impact on its longevity and future performance. You want as much of your grill as possible to be constructed out of a durable material such as stainless steel in order to prevent rusting.
The same goes for the grates and burners. If they’re not porcelain-enameled or coated, you might want to consider spending a bit more for grates and burners that are.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is heat flux?
A precise measurement of the heat a gas grill can generate is the heat flux. To determine the heat flux, divide the BTU output of a grill by the total square inches of primacy cooking space. The resultant number is the number of BTUs per square inch, or heat flux.
For optimal results, the heat flux of a grill should average between 80 – 100 BTUs per square inch. Many grills are likely to surpass this, however, thanks in large part to modern and efficient design features which maximize heat retention.
What are flavorizer bars?
Flavorizer bars are the heat diffusing bars which are placed directly over the burners in order to act as a barrier between food and flames. Their purpose is to prevent any drippings from the food making direct contact with the flames and causing flare-ups. This not only prevents food from burning, but makes the burners much easier to clean.
But flavorizer bars aren’t all about protection, they’re about flavor too. By taming the flames, they create much more even heat distribution, and infuse any food being grilled with the vaporized drippings.
What should my grill be constructed from to prevent it from rusting?
Because gas grills are likely to be left outside, you want something that can withstand the elements. When it comes to the frame of the grill, a stainless steel or aluminium construction is going to prevent it from rusting and deteriorating. With regards to the cooking grates, ensure that they are porcelain-coated to keep them usable for many years to come.
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