| PRODUCT | RATING | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Char-Broil Classic 280 Liquid Propane Gas Grill | 3.9 | Check Price | Read More |
| Char-Broil Classic 360 Liquid Propane Gas Grill | 4.1 | Check Price | Read More |
| Char-Broil Classic 405 Liquid Propane Gas Grill | 4.1 | Check Price | Read More |
| Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Patio Bistro Gas Grill | 4.0 | Check Price | Read More |
| Coleman RoadTrip LXE Portable Gas Grill | 4.2 | Check Price | Read More |
Can I buy a good gas grill for less than $200? The answer is Yes!
Even with a modest budget, you can still buy a high-quality gas grill that you can use to take your cooking game up a notch. Lots of people think that they can never find something at this piece range that fits the profile, but they’re wrong.
With proper research, you can easily find a suitable product you can prepare the best barbecue dinners without breaking the bank. In this article, you’ll find reviews of the best gas grills under $200, in addition to tips that can help you buy a suitable one.
Contents
What to Look For Before Buying a Gas Grill
There are a few things that you need to know before making a purchase, so you can make sure that you’re taking the right decision.
BTU Level
How hot your grill gets will directly affect the type of recipes you can cook. BTU also determines the amount of fuel used to keep your grill working. This refers to the amount of heat created by the appliance and not necessarily how hot it can get.
Cooking Surface
This will not only affect the amount of food you can prepare for your family and friends but also how hot the grill will be. If you have a small space available, then you’re better off using a small grill with a limited cooling area. This means that you’ll have enough room to move around and is definitely better than being stuck with a big gas grill that occupies the space.
For safety, there should be an empty space of two or three feet around the gas grill. Measure the space you have in your backyard or patio using a measuring tape before you pay for an appliance. Remember that a smaller gas grill will be more portable.
Heat Flux
This is calculated by dividing the number of BTUs by the surface area to get the BTU per square inch. A higher BTU is not as strong when used on a large cooking surface.
The Heat Flux determines the recommended BTU for your appliance based on your cooking needs. If the burners are located close to each other, the heat produced will be high, compared to another appliance where the burners are spaced apart.
How We Selected the Best Gas Grills Under $200
In order to help you buy the right appliance, we chose a few characteristics that allow you to compare different models. These features are: cooking surface, number of burners, BTUs, price, and a rating out of 5.
5 Best Gas Grills Under $200
[table “ComparisonTableofBestGasGrillsUnder200” not found /]Even if you have a limited budget, you can still buy the best grill under 200 dollars. We made sure that our list contains several recommendations that cater to the needs of various users.
Char-Broil Classic 280 Liquid Propane Gas Grill
Features:
- Lightweight and affordable gas grill.
- Small footprint.
The first thing you’ll notice about this affordable propane gas grill is that offers 280 inches of cooking space with a little footprint so it won’t occupy much space in your backyard or patio. It’s a good choice for apartment residents and people who like to pack their grill for tailgating and camping trips. The two stainless steel burners provide 20,000 BTUs to cook your food evenly with additional 8,000 BTUs from a side burner.
There are metal side shelves that offer a good space for prepping your food and keeping necessary utensils. The firebox and lid are porcelain-coated steel for easy and fast cleaning. The inline burners are made of stainless steel that lasts for long.
It features a Piezo ignition system for a fast and reliable start-up, in addition to two wheels. Although this is a portable and lightweight model, it takes some time to assemble. It also doesn’t come with assembly instructions. Moreover, you should clean it after each use to prevent rusting.
Pros
- Affordable and lightweight gas grill.
- Additional side burners for cooking a side dish.
- Side shelves for prepping the food.
- Fast and reliable start-up.
Cons
- Prone to rusting if not cleaned properly.
- Difficult to assemble.
Char-Broil Classic 360 Liquid Propane Gas Grill
Features:
- Three stainless steel burners.
- Fast assembly.
- Warming rack.
Most cooks agree that this is the best propane grill under 200. For an affordable price, you’ll enjoy 360 square inches of cooking space. Moreover, there’s a warming rack that measures 170 square inches to keep your burger buns warm or your meat ready for serving.
There are three stainless steel burners to boost your cooking performance. The lid and firebox are made of steel and are porcelain-coated to withstand the elements and be easily cleaned when you’re done. The ignition system is supposed to guarantee fast and reliable start-up, but you might need to use a lighter. It offers 30,000 BTUs of heat and the heat flux is high. It comes with two stable legs and two wheels so you can move it around when needed.
Although this seems like a good model to pack for a camping trip, the side shelves don’t fold. It’s made of steel but the porcelain coated grates won’t produce those amazing char-grill marks that you want to have on your steak.
Pros
- Convenient cooking space.
- Additional warming rack.
- Three stainless steel burners.
- Easy Assembly.
Cons
- Side shelves don’t fold.
- The grates won’t leave marks on your steak.
Char-Broil Classic 405 Liquid Propane Gas Grill
Features:
- Big cooking space.
- Steel coated lid and firebox.
- Rust-resistant grates.
With a primary cooking space of 405 square inches, you’ll be able to cook for a big group without breaking the bank. There’s an additional space of 190 square inches on the warming rack, which can be used as a secondary cooking area. The sides don’t fold, so packing and transporting this model might be a bit problematic.
Assembly isn’t that difficult, although some of the parts aren’t labeled. The steel body is porcelain-coated to withstand the elements making it a good choice for outdoor use. The grates are rust-resistant and easy to clean. However, due to the high heat of this unit, the paint will start to crack and come off.
The Piezo ignition system works with a click of a button and will heat up the burners fast, producing 40,000 BTUs and making it one of the gas grills under $200. A temperature gauge would have been helpful since the four burners tend to produce too much heat. Keeping an eye on the grill would be helpful.
Pros
- Large cooking surface and a warming rack.
- Durable body with a porcelain coating.
- Four burners for even cooking.
- High heat output.
Cons
- Gets too hot so it might burn the food.
- Due to the temperature, the porcelain coating might peel off.
- Side shelves don’t fold.
Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Patio Bistro Gas Grill
Features:
- Infrared technology.
- Small size.
- Even heating with a temperature knob.
If you need a small one-burner grill that would fit in your balcony, then this is definitely a good model to consider. It costs a little bit more than $200 but features a sleek and modern design where the gas heats up the infrared plaque to diffuse high heat. There’s a temperature knob, so you’ll have total control over the cooking process even if you’re a beginner.
It’s quite easy to assemble and doesn’t occupy much space, so you can easily pack it for an outdoor adventure. Moreover, you can hang your utensils on the bar for fast access. It uses less gas than other models although it produces 13,000 BTUs. However, the heat output of this appliance isn’t that high. The solid stainless steel grate is durable and you can add charcoal or wood chips for an extra flavor.
Thanks to the Easy Light integrated ignition system, there will be no flare-ups. It features a total cooking surface of 240 square inches in addition to a secondary area of 80 square inches for versatile cooking. However, cleaning this grill is a bit challenging and it changes color as you use it more often. This is a high-maintenance grill and the food is likely to get stuck, so you should make sure to clean it regularly.
Pros
- Sleek and portable design.
- Uses less gas.
- Temperature knob.
- Infrared technology for higher heat output.
Cons
- Food gets stuck.
- Needs to be cleaned thoroughly.
- Changes color.
Coleman RoadTrip LXE Portable Gas Grill
Features:
- Instant ignition.
- Multiple color options.
- Foldable design.
Using this appliance, you’ll have 20,000 BTUs across a surface of 285 square inches, so it’s a suitable choice for a small party. The cast iron porcelain-coated grates can be swapped with other griddle and stove grates for more versatility that appeals to expert and beginner cooks. It comes in several color options and folds flat so you can pack it for a picnic or a camping weekend.
The start button ignites the grill instantly without using a match. The dual burners give you even heat output to cook your food to perfection. There are two side tables to carry your condiments and cooking utensils but they slide out of the way when it’s time to transport or store this unit.
Cleaning this unit is quite easy thanks to the grease drip tray. You can adjust the flame output, but there’s no temperature gauge. It’s a good idea not to put food directly over the flame because with this model you’re likely to experience hot and cold spots. There’s a carry handle, but it’s a bit flimsy so don’t try to use it to drag the grill on the wheels.
Pros
- Cast iron grates that can be swapped.
- Easy setup and storage.
- Grease drip tray.
- Side tables.
Cons
- There are hot and cold spots.
- Carry handle is flimsy.
Conclusion- What is the Best Gas Grill under $200?
Whether you’re looking for bigger cooking space or a more versatile option, you can easily find the right gas grill if you take a good look at the items on our list of the best grills under 200. We chose the Coleman RoadTrip LXE Portable Gas Grill thanks to its innovative design and excellent heat output. It’s also an excellent choice for outdoor trips.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, then you should take a look at the Char-Broil Classic 405 Liquid Propane Gas Grill as the best value product since it provides a convenient cooking space and heat flux for an affordable price.
It’s hard to find extra features at this price range. The best gas grills under $200 are built for cooks who need something reliable yet affordable, so make sure to take this into consideration while browsing different products.
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