The benefits of cooking with gas are manifold, including cleanliness, convenience, and a lower cost. Furthermore, unlike charcoal or pellet grills, gas ones burn clean, which is better for your health and the environment. The best outdoor gas grill under $200 is great for use on a patio, in all seasons, while the best portable gas grill under $200 is essential for showing off your gourmet cooking skills on camping trips.
Your search for the best gas grill under $200 ends here with this concise online guide. To help you choose the best model for your lifestyle, we have reviewed and compared the main features of our top 5 choices. We looked at how powerful the grill in terms of BTU is, the size of the cooking area, and how many burners were included. We also found out whether each of our top larger grills had additional features such as casters, side shelves, a warming rack and whether the smaller ones had such perks as inbuilt thermometers, push-button ignition or telescoping stand. Based on these, the Weber Q1000 became our favorite.
More features: infinite control burner valve; push button ignition
In our opinion, this is the best small gas grill under $200 which is a compact table model, not much bigger than an overnight bag. The grill’s bubble-shaped body has a glass-reinforced steel hood and stainless steel bottom cradled in two cast iron arms. It’s a very stable model that sits nicely on any surface and is very difficult to tip over. The cast-iron grills are split, and there is a removable catch pan that can dump grease to prevent fires. The great thing about cooking with true cast iron grills is that food simply tastes better and it also appeals to those who love a design reference to more old-fashioned barbecues.
The handle on the front of the grill hood is there to help you to transport it, but because it is cast-iron, it is quite heavy. You can easily picture this grill set up on the tailgate of a truck to cook freshly caught fish. The grill is also quite large at 189 square inches, and it can easily cook approximately eight steaks. Ergonomic control knobs allow you to turn up or turn down the heat to be in full control of the cooking process.
The Weber Q1000 is rated as the best outdoor gas grill under 200 because it is traditional, yet also so modern with a red auto-ignite power button. The grill is quite powerful with 8,500 BTUs of power output and because the grates effortlessly slide out it is quite easy to clean. This stylish grill also comes with a very impressive five-year limited warranty.
More features: telescoping stand; briefcase-style carrying handle
Our best portable propane gas grill under $200 is not much larger than a small overnight suitcase when its telescopic legs are collapsed. It even has a handle on the hood that makes it easy to carry it from place to place. The Cuisinart CGG-180 is the perfect propane grill to take on a road trip, picnic or camping and it is also the type of propane unit that is allowed on most high-rise balconies.
The grill’s hood is a cheerful bright red, and the base is black. As you unfold the grill’s components, you discover that it is actually a tall cart with four telescopic legs. Four black plastic knee locks extend easily to two stable bases that weigh it down and make it is quite hard to topple it over. The legs can be collapsed fully to make the unit a traditional tabletop grill when needed.
To turn the grill on, you simply press an ignition button, and it’s on, sparing you the necessity of using matches or a lighter to get it going. A white and black dial beneath the grill allows you to adjust the height of the flame; despite its design, it produces impressive 5,500 BTUs, and you can cook an entire meal on its cooktop measuring 160 square inches – enough for eight-ten burgers or chicken breasts. This best small gas grill under $200 also gets top marks because it comes with a three-year limited warranty.
More features: collapsible side shelves; 2 heavy-duty wheel casters
You can feed an army cooking with our top choice for Best 3 Burner Gas Grill under $200. The Master Cook Classic Liquid Propane Gas Grill is a versatile, universal wheelbarrow-style unit with three burners and 473 square inches of cooking area. The cooking grates are made of easy-to-clean porcelain-enameled wire. The grill basin is made of porcelain-reinforced steel, which stands up well in any weather conditions.
This simple, serviceable backyard grill has some very handy features including an integrated piezoelectric ignition system, which means you can have your grill up and go in no time. The top hood also encompasses a secondary cooking shelf that is perfect for toasting buns. Expandable shelves hang at the sides of the grill, and the whole thing is easily tucked away into a corner when not in use.
If you are looking for a full gas grill that will fit easily into a smaller backyard, than this best outdoor gas grill under 200 is one of your best options, particularly if you live in a four-season climate. It is easily towed by hand into a shed or garage on a pair of two rugged rubber wheels if there is a storm, or even for the entire winter. However, be aware that the enamel can wear off the grill wires after a few years. The fact that it is also only covered by a 12-month warranty makes it more of a “first backyard grill for a new homeowner” rather than one you might have forever.
More features: 304 stainless steel cooking grids; built-in dome thermometer
Our Budget Pick for the best small gas grill under $200 is this simple, lightweight brushed silver unit that boasts two burners and a beautiful metal Pit Bull badge embedded in the hood, giving it a bit of a retro look. The round integrated domed thermometer dial in the top of the hood also takes the mystery of knowing what temperature your grill is while the grill is closed, which minimizes your chances of burning food.
This portable grill, although compact, simple and very affordable did get some negative reviews for getting too hot at times, so it is recommended that you do not have it on for hours, but instead use it for quick meals. The fact that it is only about 16 inches high, also means that no flammable objects, such as paper plates should be placed nearby it.
If you like shiny silver grills you will love the interior of this unit with its reflective lid and stainless steel grill. However aside from being very good looking, the Pit Boss Grill 75275 also has a powerful BTU of 10,000, making it ideal for the chefs who like a quick sear on their steak or wants to conserve resources by cooking quickly. The simple tabletop design of this grill also includes folding legs and a matching hood, and it is not much bigger than a small suitcase, allowing you to carry it with you everywhere, whether that be to the top of a picnic table or to the back of a teardrop camper.
More features: Piezo ignition system; two 6-inch wheels; two metal side shelves
This is one of the best outdoor gas grills under 200 which earned top marks with us because of its warranty which includes five years on the 32,000 BTU burner, two years on the firebox and lid, and one year on other parts. All together this unit boasts four burners operated by twist knobs, making it as easy to operate as an indoor gas stove. It has everything you could want in a less-expensive outdoor grill including a large warming rack, shelves that swing up and extend like wings, and an ample 405 square inch four-burner cooking space.
One of the reasons that the Charbroil Classic 405 grill got slightly lower marks than our other models is that, despite its affordability and the fact that you can grill 32 burgers on it at once, the grates have a habit of falling into the grilling basin if you do not interlock them precisely right. Another issue noted by some customers is that the shelves do not position themselves flat without effort and that there is no handle on a grill to pull it around.
Ultimately this outdoor gas grill is most ideal for stationary, backyard use but it is still compact enough to stow away in the corner of your deck. Though a bit heavy, you can always tow it by the wheels into a shed or garage where it will be safe from the elements and then bring it out again when it’s time to cook up steaks, hamburgers, corn, and skewers on its large surface again.
There are quite a few factors to consider when shopping for the best propane gas grill under $200. In this guide, we’ll shed light on the most crucial one so that you’re armed before your next shopping trip.
Like most items you purchase, you do get what you pay for. Usually, the cheaper the grill is, the less solid the warranty will be. An exception to this rule is the Weber Q1000 that has a five-year limited warranty. Also, inexpensive grills are less likely to have any extra features beyond the hood, grilling basin and warming racks. If the unit is small and portable, such as the Cusinart CGG-180, it is very likely that it won’t have a warming rack.
If you’re after a grill with a few more features and can stretch your budget a little, take a look at our picks of the best gas grills under $300, and some great gas grills under $500 – most of the models we reviewed are well under this price bracket, but do offer more in terms of features.
When choosing the best propane grill under $200 you might want to consider the following features.
Our top grills vary in size from 160 square inches, as in the case with the Cusinart CGG-180 to 405 square inches that the Char-Broil Classic 405 offers. It is best to set your intention with regards to the size of your primary cooking area before you buy. For instance, if you want to cook up 30 hamburgers or more fire up the Char-Broil Classic 405. If the picnic is in a park, or you cook for no more than five people, then the portable Pit Boss Grills 75275 with its 276 square inch cooking area is a good choice.
Due to space limitations, portable gas grills do not boast warming racks, which are great for lightly toasting hot dog and hamburger buns at a level higher than the main grill. The larger, more stationary grills such as the Char-Broil Classic 405 and Master Cook Classic Liquid Propane Gas Grill boast inbuilt warming grills that slide out from the roof of the inner lid.
The more burners that are on the grill, the abler you will be to cook different items at different temperatures. For instance, the stationary outdoor Char-Broil Classic has four adjustable burners, just like an indoor stove and may be the choice of a cook who has vegans in the family that need to keep the meat separate from vegetables. You can also have a burner turned to low to keep burgers and other meats warm before they are served. Gourmet chefs may prefer more burners to cook with, and for the gourmet-griller-on-the-go, the Pit Boss Grill 75 75275 is one of the few best 2 burner gas grill under 200 that we know of.
When it comes to BTU, size matters! Generally, the larger and more stationary the grill is, the more BTUs it is likely to have. For instance, Char-Broil Classic 405 that has a cooking surface area of 405 square inches also boasts a BTU of 32,000, whereas the smallest, the Cuisinart CGG-180 has a BTU of 5,500 and a primary cooking area of 160 square inches.
The more BTUs a grill has, the faster it will burn up your fuel.
The dimensions of the ideal gas grill for you will depend on what you want to use it for. The most important thing for you to decide is whether or not you want to take it on the road. Bigger cart-style gas grills such as the Char-Broil Classic 405, are bigger because they have a larger cooking service. Portable grills, such as the Weber Q1000 tend to sit on tabletops, so you can position them at the level that is right for you.
The more a grill weighs, the more it is meant to be permanently stationed on your porch. However, what the grill will weigh also depends on what it is made of. For instance, the portable Weber Q1000 has cast iron parts and therefore is a lot heavier than the Cuisinart CGG-180 that is made of steel.
Look for the best guarantee available when you buy an outdoor grill. The best gas grills under $200 on our list have at least a one-year warranty, with some, such as the Pit Boss Grills 75275 offering an ideal five-year limited guarantee on the burners and one-year on other parts.
At the minimum, make sure that the burners are covered by the warranty.
When shopping for the best outdoor grill under $200 you should also keep these features in mind.
Not all portable or outdoor gas grills offer all of the above but the more of these that are included with your selection, the better.
In order to maintain your gas grill:
Our top choice, the Weber Q1000 is a must-have in case you need your grill to be sturdy and durable. Its glass-reinforced steel hood and stainless steel bottom are cradled in two cast iron arms, which makes the overall construction likely to last for many years to come.
The Cuisinart CGG-180 is the most portable and versatile model on our list. With its telescopic legs, you can quickly turn it from a tabletop grill to a freestanding unit. The briefcase-style design adds to its portability.
For larger tasks look no further than the MASTER COOK Classic Liquid Propane Gas Grill. With its three burners and 473 square inches of cooking area you’ll be able to feed a little army of grilled food lovers with ease.
