Best Gas Grills Under $300

Outdoor cooking can be a fun activity and a great bonding time for family and friends. Grilling over fire has been a part of the American culture for countless years. However, over the past few years, this activity has leaped forwards and has become easier and more accessible to everyone, whatever their grilling experience, thanks to the convenience of gas grills.

In this buying guide, we’ll explain to you why you might need a gas grill and show the Best Gas Grills Under $300. 

A gas grill in this price range won’t have the bells and whistles of a high-end grill and probably won’t have more than three or four burners, but it will still provide you with a great grilling experience without breaking the bank.

These are our top picks for the best gas grills under $300:

Char-Broil Classic 360

This is a three-burner grill that is an excellent option. While having only three burners means that you won’t have all the options to cook on indirect heat without adding some heat diverters. It’s, however, still a very good choice for most cookouts.

The grill’s body is very sturdy, with dual wheels to allow for maneuvering and portability. Two metal side shelves give you plenty of room to stage your meals. A big warming rack also gives you the option to toast buns or keep your food warm.

I definitely like the two levels of cooking inside the grill as it increases the cooking surface area significantly.

The grill uses one-button-press ignition which is easy to use.

Reasons to Buy

• A high-quality and durable body made of stainless steel.
• Ease to assemble.
• Large grilling space enough to cook a big meal.
• Easy to start electronic ignition system.
• Uses a full sized propane tank.

Reasons to Avoid

• Heat distribution somewhat limited as there are only three burners.
• There are fairly frequent comments that the knobs shut off accidentally, but I did not experience that issue.
• No place to hang your cooking tools. It seems that this would have been an easy add on for the manufacturer.

Coleman RoadTrip 285

Fair warning, but this is my favorite grill for its portability.

This is a three-burner gas grill made specifically for camping and tailgate outdoor grilling. The grill has a light body that’s easy to assemble and can be moved around with ease, thanks to the fact it folds up and can easily be wheeled.

The grill has two sliding side tables that can be extended or stored away according to your needs. It also comes with a water pan to be used to catch drippings, so you won’t have to worry about cleaning the leftover grease after you’re done.

This gas grill comes in a variety of different colors and can be stored upright easily, taking very little space, thanks to its quick-fold wheels and legs.

Hint: Look closely at the different colors as some are priced more than others. I am more than happy to spend less for choosing a different color.

Reasons to Buy

• Great portability features.
• It needs little space to store.
• Water pan feature.
• Extra sliding side tables.

Reasons to Avoid

• Hard to control temperature. 
• The locking mechanism is flimsy and you can feel that the metal is very thin.
• The assembly isn’t as sturdy as I had hoped. I wish the legs splayed out a bit more to make this more stable. It isn’t bad, but it is something to be aware of.

Char-Broil Performance 4-Burner Cart Style

This is the only budget gas grill that has four burners. The body is entirely manufactured of stainless steel, including the burners, side burners, and shelves. This makes the grill very durable while looking very slick. The grill also has porcelain-coated cast iron grates for durability.

Warning: The price of this grill has been going up recently, so keep watching it for when it dips.

I really like the extra side burner. It lets me boil my famous beer corn outside while I am cooking for the BBQ.

The side shelves with burners are a great addition that will enable you to cook large meals, store your cooking tools, or keep the food warm until it’s served.

Reasons to Buy

• Very durable stainless steel body.
• Easy to start electronic ignition system.
• Spacious grilling surface and warming rack.
• Two extra side tables.
• Very easy to clean 

Reasons to Avoid

• It can take a long time to assemble.
• The propane tank isn’t included.

Weber Q1000

Weber is one of the top manufacturers of grills worldwide, and the possibility of owning one for less than $300 is appealing.

Though this grill has just one burner, it can cook up to nine burgers at a time. The grill’s lightweight, along with its ergonomic grips, makes it a portable unit and an incredibly easy one to take anywhere.

The grill uses one-button-press ignition and has an infinite control burner valve settings to adjust the temperature as much as needed. The grill also allows for using both grates and griddle (purchased separately).

This grill runs on disposable liquid propane cylinders or an external tank setup.

The only reason that this one isn’t my top favorite is that I need a table or stand, and we do some tailgating, where it isn’t convenient to carry along another thing.

Reasons to Buy

• Reputable brand name, which guarantees quality.
• Usable right out of the box.
• Good temperature control features.
• Great portability.
• Very sturdy and high-quality build.

Reasons to Avoid

• Just one burner, which can mean a weak grilling power.
• Very small grilling area, making it only suitable for cooking small meals for one or two people.

What Are the Different Types of Gas Grills?

There are different types to consider when choosing the one that suits your needs best. Here’s a roundup.

Portable Cart Grills

These are the most common type of gas grills. These grills are made of cooking units placed on a wheeled cart body. These are usually foldable, making for easy transport to events.

Fixed Grills

These are outdoor cooking stations that are permanently set in backyards or patio kitchens and are usually the option of choice for serious grillers who cook meals for their families. Since they won’t be moved around much, they are typically the largest type of gas grills, allowing for maximum cooking capacity. Fixed grills also usually come with the most advanced cooking features.

Tabletop Grills

These are small grills that are perfect for cooking a meal for one or two people. They are very light and easy to pack and carry, making them great for camping or beachside grilling.

What to Consider?

There are many options out there, and you should do your own research. Here are some things to consider and shopping tips to help you make an informed buying choice:

Model Built And Portability

One of the very first things you should consider when making your choice is how well built the body of the grill is. Always check that the grill you’re choosing has a sturdy body. Also, avoid grills with gaps along their edges, as they tend to break and wear down after a while.

The biggest factor is considering how you plan to use the grill and how often you intend to make meals on it. We were looking for a portable grill to take to the park for picnics with friends, so we chose the Coleman.

Burners/Cooking Size

The most essential thing to consider when buying a grill is high-quality burners. When your grill has multiple burners, you can set different heat settings for different spots on the surface, allowing you to cook different types of food at the same time.

Larger families probably need a larger grill surface area, otherwise you’ll be cooking in shifts.

Grill Grate

Find a grill with a high-quality grate. The best models use stainless steel or cast iron grates, as they resist rust and corrosion.

I am partial to the cast iron varieties as they are easiest to clean. May times, I’ll just turn the grill on a high temperature and let the heat do the cleaning for me.

Removable Trays

This is a very common feature in almost all grills, but it’s still essential to check that it’s in your grill of choice. Removable trays that can be either cleaned or disposed of are essential, as they allow you to get rid of the dripping grease after a cookout.

Extra Features

Some grills come with extra features that could be a bonus, like a place to hang your tongs and spatulas or a table-like extendable side space to place your tray.

What Are the Pros of Using Gas Grills?

• They require no grilling experience and are easy to use.
• They are portable and easy to move around.
• They heat quickly and are ready to be used for cooking 10 to 15 minutes after lighting.
• They are easier to clean than regular charcoal grills.

What Are the Cons of Using Gas Grills?

• They accumulate sizable amounts of grease and soot over time.
• They are more expensive to buy and fuel than regular charcoal grills.
• They don’t give the food the same smokey flavor that you get from cooking on charcoal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bottom Line

Gas grills are a great alternative to regular charcoal models. While they may not offer the same rich and smokey flavors as their charcoal counterpart, gas grills are easier to set up, faster to use, and can still cook very delicious food.

Grilling setups don’t have to cost you a fortune either. For under $300, you can still buy a good gas grill that you can use for a barbeque outdoors with family or friends.

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