Best Gas Grill Under $500
After a thorough look at the gas grill market, we have found that the best gas grill under $500 is the Fuego FELG21C Gas Grill. It has a totally unique look relative to other gas grills, and really is a re-imagining of the product from the ground up. Oh, did we mention it was designed by a former Chief Designer at Apple?
Last update on 2024-12-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
For more information on the Fuego, see our Product Reviews section below.
Gas Grill Product Reviews
Once you have decided on a propane gas grill over a charcoal grill, a quick look online to see what is available shows that there are countless options. It can be difficult to discern which one is best, and which one is right for your family. There are many different price points, many options, and many feature sets to look at. Which one will be the best gas grill under $500?
When getting into the higher end gas grills, some additional features and size configurations become available, and the grill quality and durability improves dramatically. If you’re the kind of person who likes to purchase an item once and have it work for a long time, this is the article to read.
In this article, we will look at several options for the best propane grill under $500, compare and contrast the features, and see which ones shine.
FUEGO FELG21S Element Gas Grill, Stainless
The Fuego FELG21S Element Gas Grill is an unexpected newcomer to the best gas grills under $500 list. It doesn’t look anything like a standard gas grill, and looks more like a Star Wars robot than a cooking apparatus. It’s guaranteed to get a million comments and to become a conversation piece when it’s out on the back porch. This grill was designed by former Apple Chief Designer Robert Brunner, and it looks like it! It comes in two color options: stainless steel and carbon steel. The Fuego shown here in stainless, though carbon steel is a good deal cheaper if you like the look.
The Details
It’s hard to get a sense of the size of this grill on the photos, but it is 36″ high (43″ to the top of the handle) and 23″ in diameter, so basically it has a circular cooking surface, about 2′ wide. This translates into 346″ of primary cooking area, which is enough for approximately 16 quarter-pound burgers to be cooked at once. There is plenty of grill area here! For materials, the outside is powder coated steel, and the cooking grate is made of 21″ heavy-duty 15lb porcelain-enamel cast iron. The grate creates perfect sear marks. For fuel, it is designed to use propane tanks, but it can be adapted to natural gas if needed. It is quite efficient on the propane usage, and generally it will cook for 20 hours on its dual-zone cooking surface before needing a propane tank change over.
The Fuego FELG21S is made from a 21,000BTU dual ring stainless steel burner, and its heat system functions more like a traditional dome charcoal grill than a typical hood gas grill. The Fuego is a rapidly-heating grill, which can get up to 500′ in under five minutes, and can get up to 700′ max temperature for perfect searing. The two-burner system offers two modes: the outside burner only for indirect heating, and both burners for direct grilling.
The dome lid is not hinged, but it does have a lip to allow it to be hung from the side hook. It has wheels and handles, which make it very easy to move in and out of the cooking area. A cover is recommended in order to keep the grill clean and rust free.
Assembly and Cleaning
For assembly, the Fuego grill comes un-assembled, but includes clear directions to get it up and put together. Typically assembly takes under an hour. For cleaning, this grill is a bit more of a pain to clean than some of the other grills, though it’s not terrible. Due to the circular burners you must clean around and under, it can be difficult to get everything clean. You may want to line the (removable) drip tray with foil, and just extract the foil and replace when needed for quicker clean up time.
The Bottom Line
This unit is a bit of a wild card. It looks totally different than any grill on the market, and really functions quite nicely. It is a very good grill, especially if you are into modern design, and enjoy going against the standard looks. In our opinion, it is the best propane grill under $500!
- Designed in California by former Apple Chief Designer Robert Brunner and...
- Heats to 500F in just 5 mins; 21" heavy-duty 15lb porcelain-enamel cast...
- With over 20 hrs.; of cooking time on a single fuel tank, the Element's...
- Measuring 36"H x 23"Dia and supporting 346 sq.; in; of primary cooking...
- Featuring a hinged door for propane tank storage, easy to clean residue...
Last update on 2024-12-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Dyna-Glo DGE Series Propane Grill, 4 Burner, Stainless
Next up is the Dyna-Glo DGE Series Propane Grill. This one is also extremely attractive and well built, all stainless with careful attention to detail. This unit comes in a few different configurations, namely three different colors (gunmetal, stainless, and bronze) and in four or five burner design. It has a sleek, clean, modern look and is sure to fit any patio or deck space.
The Details
The unit shown above features four stainless steel commercial grade burners, plus a side burner for additional capacity. The main burners output 10,000BTU of power each, and the side burner puts out 12,000BTU of heat. The DGE Series grill has a great deal of capacity, with 646 sq inches of porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking area. It features an easy-on ignition switch, a temperature gauge on the front of the hood, and two side tables (which do not fold down). Also featured are stainless steel “heat tents” which help focus flavors and cut down on flare-ups.
The Dyna-Glo DGE Propane Grill comes with a storage cart base for storing any grill tools and accessories. The storage base includes a handy pull-out tray for your propane tank. This pull out tray makes propane tank swap-overs quite painless! The unit measures 46.8 inches x 22.62 inches x 50.7 inches, and is a comfortable size to use.
Assembly and Cleaning
This unit is pretty easy to assemble. Dyna-Glo includes a clear, concise manual to speed things along, and all in all you should be able to get it assembled in 1-1.5 hours. For cleaning, this grill comes with a small, square black drip pan with a handle, below the cooking area. You can remove the pan and scrub as needed to get charred food and grease out.
The Bottom Line
This unit is built solidly and has an attractive frame. The Dyna-Glo DGE is a great option for a higher end grill, and will serve you well for years to come.
- 4 stainless steel commercial grade straight tube burners (10,000 BTU's...
- 52,000 TOTAL BTU's of heat-generating cooking power with electronic...
- 3 pc heavy gauge 7 mm stainless steel cooking grates, stainless steel...
- Full storage cart with two doors for easy access and convenient tank...
- Integrated temperature gauge for accurate grill zone temperature...
Last update on 2024-12-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Char Broil K6B 6-Burner 65,000 BTU Propane Gas Grill, with Sideburner
The Char Broil K6B 6 Burner 65,000 BTU Propane Gas Grill is yet another excellent entrant in the higher-end gas grill market. It is attractive in design, with a mixture of stainless steel and black metal for some visual interest. This model comes in three different price/accessory tiers. The first option is just the grill. The second option is the grill with an all-season grill cover, and the third is the grill with a multi-sensory wireless thermometer.
The Details
The Char Broil K6B features six stainless steel burners for unparalleled heat control, with an additional side burner offering 10,000BTU more cooking power. One of the burners on this grill is a potent 15,000BTU high power searing burner, which is absolutely awesome for steaks. The unit offers a large 650 sq inches of primary cooking space, as well as 250 sq. in. of space in the side burner area.
The K6B is made up of porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grates and stainless steel construction on the main unit. It has an electronic ignition for easy lighting, and a handy temperature gauge on the lid. Again, if a wireless thermometer is desired, that option is available. It is possible to add a rotisserie unit to the grill, though it is not included in the base model.
Assembly and Cleaning
The K6B does require assembly, though it’s not a huge ordeal and should be doable in an hour or two. The instructions are pretty straightforward, and you should be grilling in no time. For cleaning, the unit can easily be cleaned by removing the cleanup tray from the back and scrubbing it down as needed.
The Bottom Line
The Char-Broil K6B offers a great deal of power, and the sear burner is a nice feature for getting those grill lines in the meat for attractive presentation. This baby is definitely great choice for a gas grill under $500, but we still love the Fuego and Weber Spirit a little more.
- Char-Broil 6-burner, 65,000 BTU gas grill with 10,000 BTU lidded side...
- 650 square inches of primary cooking area on porcelain-coated cast iron...
- Convective cooking system is great for grilling and indirect cooking at low...
- Large, painted metal side shelves offer extra of work space
- Stainless steel lid, handle, control panel, and fascia add style and...
Last update on 2024-12-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Weber 46510001 Spirit II E310 Liquid Propane Gas Grill, Black
First on our list is the Weber 46510001 Spirit E310 Liquid Propane Gas Grill. It is a fantastic setup, with clean lines and Weber’s signature design. This grill says “quality” on every level, and has a nice, clean, modern feel. The unit is fueled by liquid propane, and has several different options. It is available in black or stainless, in a two or three burner configuration, and with an optional side burner. The image is of the three burner configuration, in black, with no side burner.
The Details
In the three burner configuration, the three main burners output 32,000 BTU per hour of heat. Should you want the side burner, the side burner puts out 12,000 BTU of cooking power. The Weber Spirit three burner grill has a large cooking area, with 424 sq. inches on the main grill. If you choose the side burner option, you will get an additional 90 sq. inches in the side burner area. The Spirit E310 features porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grates with porcelain-enameled “flavorizer” bars. These materials are great for easy cleaning and for heat retention. The flavorizer bars are designed by Weber to improve flavors and reduce flare-ups. The Spirit E220 features a temperature gauge, a fuel gauge, an easy-ignition electronic crossover system that fires off with the push of a button. Depending on the configuration, it also includes one or two side tables that do not fold down.
Assembly and Cleaning
The Weber Spirit Three Burner Gas Grill comes un-assembled, and it takes 2-3 hours to put it together. The assembly process isn’t too bad in general. It includes the tank hose, but the LP tanks are not included. Additional accessories are available, such as a cleaning brush and a drip tray. Both of these make cleaning the unit a much easier process.
The Bottom Line
The build quality of the Weber Spirit II E310 is outstanding, and is an excellent choice. The Weber Spirit line of grills is extremely fully featured, with a solid build quality and long lasting durability. It is certainly a leader among the pack for the top gas grill under $500, and the Weber name is a clear winner for many.
- Boasts the GS4 grilling system with improved infinity ignition, burners,...
- Porcelain-enameled, cast iron cooking grates
- 529 Square inches of cooking space over three burners. Left Table down...
- 30, 000 BTU-per-hour input main burners with fuel gauge
- Open cart design with six tool hooks and two large wheels.Built-in lid...
Last update on 2024-12-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Best Gas Grill Under $500
The Weber Spirit Gas Grill line is absolutely stellar, and is a classic. For many, it is the best gas grill around.
However, we’re going out on a limb and picking our favorite as the FUEGO FELG21S Gas Grill. It’s so unique looking, makes such a strong design statement, and backs that statement up with solid functionality. The Weber is great, but we love the Fuego!
Happy grilling!
Last update on 2024-12-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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