There is nothing better than when you can prepare your vegetables, meats and more like a professional would do it. Sometimes, using the conventional pan or crockpot is not enough to achieve the food taste you want. You have to consider something else much better for your needs.
Thus, we recommend the best cheap grill as an excellent place for you to start. While it may be an inexpensive grill, you can expect a host of unique functions, to help make your cooking convenient. Even more, the grills are also easy to set up, and they have unique cooking surfaces for your needs. Yes, that’s right! It may be a cheap grill, but you also have to consider the key features the cooking grill will provide for your needs.
We considered all these factors and more, in selecting these grills for you:
Best Overall
Cuisinart CCG190 Portable Charcoal Grill, 14-Inch, Black, 14.5″ x 14.5″ x 15″
With the Cuisinart CCG190, you have one of the most reliable ways to prepare your favourite barbecue meals.
The grill features an exceptional 150 square inch chrome-plated grate, which offers a highly spacious cooking space. Thus, the cooking grill can accommodate lots of food at the same time, while still ensuring optimal distribution of heat.
Even more, the inclusion of a dual venting system gives you the ultimate charcoal management and temperature control functions. You will also be pleased with the three secure lid locks, that make the grill easy and convenient to transport. It’s a compact grill that is lightweight, and simple to transport offering well over 150 square inches of cooking space. Thus, you have more than sufficient space to prepare meals for the entire family.
The grill is also compact, to make it ideal for places such as patios, camping, balconies, tailgating and more. On top of that, the cooking grill also comes with a host of unique additional features. For instance, it comes with a durable enamel coated firebox and a convenient mess-free ash catcher for your convenience.
The Good
- 150 square inch chrome-plated grate
- Has a dual venting system for optimal heating
- Comes with three secure lid locks for safety
- Equipped with an enamelled coated firebox and ash catcher
The Bad
- Somewhat heavy for some users
Another Top Pick
Char-Broil Classic 360 3-Burner Liquid Propane Gas Grill
Realize what you have been missing when it comes to grilling when you finally get your hands on the Char-Broil Classic 360 Burner. This unit packs all the useful features you need to grill like a pro, in a compact but fully-functional unit.
Perhaps the most significant aspect of this grill is that it offers an exceptional 360 inches of cooking space. Yes, and the cooking space is available over porcelain-coated grates, which are much more effective than the stainless steel types.
Even more, the grill also comes with additional features for your convenience when cooking. This includes the 170-inch porcelain-coated swing-away rack, for convenient warming. The cooking grill also features as many as three stainless steel in-line burners, for optimal cooking performance. Unlike most small cooking grills you may find, this unit measures 12-inches w x 13-inches l providing extra storage and prep space.
On the inside, the grill features in-line steel burners that are durable and ensure the best cooking performance. It even features a piezo ignition system, for fast and easy startups – all thanks to the push of a button.
The Good
- Offers an exceptional 360 inches of cooking space
- Comes with porcelain-coated grates
- Also has a porcelain coated lid and firebox
The Bad
- The legs are not adjustable and are fixed
Also Remember
George Foreman 15-Serving Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill, Silver, GGR50B
When you want to grill like a pro, it’s best when you go for the best resources such as the George Foreman 15 serving Electric Grill. This unit offers an exceptional 240 square inches of circular grilling space to make it ideal for well over ten people.
More so, this grill also boasts of many other unique features that will make grilling a breeze. For instance, the grill comes with a touch and non-stick coating. There is a lot to like about the non-stick coating, primarily because it’s durable and easy to clean.
To make things better, the grill is equipped with an indoor and outdoor removable stand. Thus, issues such as the weather won’t ever keep you enjoying the glory of grilling. Yes, the easy to remove stand takes you from a patio to countertop – in no time.
Thanks to the inclusion of adjustable temperature control, you get the ability to customize the cooking process to suit your needs. The temperature probe makes it easy to choose between five heat settings to ensure you get the best cooking results.
It does not matter whether its meats, veggies, kabobs, desserts or more! This grill can do it all. Plus, it’s all there in the name, and it’s accurate that you can use this grill both indoors and outdoors. Such a function is all thanks to the removable grill stand, which sits sturdy on the patio, and you can also remove for convenience. Also, the removable grill plate, and patented fat removing slope ensures that you have the power to create tasty meals with ease.
The Good
- Has a durable and non-stick coating
- Offers 240 square inches of circular grilling surface
- Adjustable temperature control for ease of use
The Bad
- Could use better ergonomics on the handles
Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill, Red
If you love cooking, you will have to know about the Cuisinart brand. We introduce you to this brand with the Cuisinart CGG-180T petit gas grill, which makes it easy to prepare your favourite foods. It’s easy to see why this grill makes it to the top of some of our best grills for cooking.
For instance, the grill features a portable 145 square inch grilling area, and foldaway legs. The large grilling area space ensures that you can prepare large meals for the entire family at once. Even more, the grill also comes with convenient foldaway legs that make it easy to store. Yes, this large-sized grill can make eight burgers, eight steaks, six chickens and 4 pounds of fish.
Thanks to the powerful 5,500 BTU burner, you are sure of more than sufficient heat for preparing your meals. As you would expect with all high-end grills on the market, this unit also has a porcelain-enamelled grate. It’s a unique grate that is stain resistant, and also acts as a non-stick cooking surface.
Best of all, thanks to its exceptional portability features, you will find it easy to use this grill wherever you go. Whether it’s the beach, the game, campsite or anywhere, this grill is perfect! Plus, features such as folding legs, a grill lid latch, a generous carry handle and a spill-resistant drip tray also take portability to the next level.
The Good
- Offers 145 square inches of grilling area
- Comes with foldaway leg for ease of storage
- Powerful 5,500 BTU stainless steel burner
- Equipped with a porcelain-enamelled grate
The Bad
- N/A
Lodge L410 Grill, 10.25″ H x 8.25″ W x 19″ L, Black
Replace your traditional grill with the Lodge L410 and never look back! Why? Well, the Lodge L410 is perhaps one of the best cheap cooking grills on the market. The cooking grill comes with features such as a door, which makes it easy to add coal.
The grill has a unique sliding mechanism, which offers exceptional airflow benefits. You will also be pleased with the superior heat retention system that requires less charcoal to cook your meals. The grill is ideal for any location that requires a self-contained cooking source. More so, the source coals are easy to access behind the flip-down door. To make things convenient, the grill also comes with two adjustable heights.
It’s a sturdy cast iron grill, which is ideal for backyard or patio barbecues. While it may be compact in size, it’s rugged enough to go with you on camping and fishing trips. The broad grill surface can accommodate various types of meals, including whole fish or large steaks for a small crowd. It also comes with a second door, which is decorated with a sunrise marsh scene. The door opens to provide convenient access to the coal.
You will also be pleased with the attached handle, which makes it easy to carry the grill, and the inbuilt shelf you can use to rest utensils.
The Good
- Comes with one door for adding coal easily to meals
- Sliding door to improve the flow of air
- Offers superheat retention and require less charcoal
- Rugged and all cast iron construction for longevity
The Bad
- The handles also warm up significantly
Blackstone 28 inch Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle Station
Realize what you have been missing in cooking when you finally get the Blackstone 28 inch outdoor flat top gas grill. With well over 470 sq. Inches of flat top grilling space, this unit is ideal for cooking all meals through the day.
It does not matter whether its grilled cheese, steak, potatoes or pancakes, it can do it all. You will also enjoy the high convenient bottom shelf and two side shelves that make it comfortable to store food.
With this grill, you can forget about fuels such as kerosene, charcoal or matches. It features an easy start mechanism and a unique battery-powered push-button mechanism. In fact, with just the simple push of a button, this grill is ready to go for your recipes. Thus, get this grill and take the headache away from outdoor cooking, and spend more time enjoying meals.
You will find it easy to wheel this unit around your yard, or perhaps transport it from your backyard to a campsite. The removable griddle top and fold up legs are all the unique functions you need to move this grill easily. Built to last, this grill features a powder-coated steel frame, and stainless-steel burners. It’s also super simple to clean, thus making post-meal cleanup a simple procedure.
The inclusion of two independently controlled 15,000 BTU stainless steel burners will deliver a total of 30,000 BTUs. Thus, you have controlled low to high settings, for versatile cooking results.
The Good
- Offers 470 square inches of cooking space
- Comes with a battery-powered push-button ignition
- Removable top griddle top and fold up legs
The Bad
- N/A
How to Buy the Best Cheap Grill
What Is the Difference Between Gas and Charcoal Grilling?
When it comes to differentiating between these two types, the bottom line is: grilling is grilling – regardless of the fuel you use. Both techniques use radiant heat transfer, from the fuel source, which it directs to the cooking grid. Furthermore, drippings may come off the food, and fall on the heat source, to produce a unique smoky flavour. The smoke that rises to your food helps impart a unique bbq flavour.
Thus, it all boils down to your specific preferences. The goal is to identify the key features that make it easy to cook with each fuel source type. If after going through this guide, you are not convinced that one is suitable, then consider going for both.
Gas Grills
Gas grills require the use of a liquid propane tank, which you connect to provide fuel for the burners. More so, gas burners come with variable temperature controls, which make it easy to customize the grill to suit your needs. More so, the burners often feature a unique shield, which helps protect against issues such as drippings. Thus, you can expect issues such as flare-ups to stop, and find it easy to maintain specific temperatures.
The best benefit of gas grills is that they are easy to use. Usually, they come with electronic ignitions, which make it easy to start the grill. With just the simple push of a button or a strike of a match, the gas lights quickly and with convenient lights. For convenient cleanup, you may just have to operate the grill on “high” heat for a few hours, and with the lid closed. Done correctly, the cooking grills should burn any remaining by-products of the cooking to ash. Then, get a brush and use to scrape away any remaining waste in your grill.
As far as specialty applications go, gas grills are perfect. Most gas grills feature infrared burners that are ideal for rotisserie cooking. More so some brands come with sear plates, which can get to high temperature fast. Side burners are also excellent when buying gas grills. The role of a side burner is to prepare side dishes, and also to help maintain the temperature of your food.
Charcoal Grill Cooking
Unlike the gas grills, charcoal grills require a manual ignition function, which you may achieve by using a fluid or a lighter. Similar to a gas grill; however, you have to prepare food over the grate and the fire source. The drips will sizzle and create smoke – an essential aspect of making barbecue meats. You control the heat by regulating the amount of charcoal. More so, factors such as the flow of air also come into play when using grills. Usually, greater airflow provides more oxygen to the grill chamber, thus ensuring the charcoal burns at high temperatures.
The main benefit of using a charcoal grill is that it imparts a unique flavour to make. The smoke produced by the food drippings will ignite over the coal, to help produce a unique and distinct taste which you cannot replicate with a gas grill.
Also, a charcoal grill is much less technical than the former. You won’t expect any burners to clog, iron grids to rust, or perhaps igniters that fail when use. As long as components such as the hinge, basin and lid are intact, your cooking will go well.
How Does the Grill Design Influence Cooking Performance?
Not all grills are similar in functionality. Issues such as inconsistent temperatures, uneven heat distribution and flare-ups, are significant issues even for the most informed cooks out there today. Some grills come with unique features to help stop such problems, and to improve the efficiency of your cooking grill.
Flare-ups occur due to the combustion of natural food juices or grease, that will drip onto the burner, through the cooking rack. In some cases, flare-ups can be useful because they provide proper temperatures for darkening or searing meats. Left uncontrolled, flare-ups can lead to issues such as inconsistent cooking, or perhaps cause the food to burn.
Features that help stop flare-ups might include
- Metal burner shield – these help to shield the burner from issues such as falling grease or juices
- Ceramic briquettes – placed on the bottom of grills, which are on top of the metal shroud, briquettes help to absorb juices before they get to the fire. Thus, they help to stop flare ups. That said, you may have to get them replaced at some point, because they can retain odour.
- Burner port positioning – when a burner ports are located on the sides of the burner, the sides of the burner rather than top, this is convenient. It helps to stop issues such as flare-ups and clogging.
- Rotisseries – this refers to a special motor that you mount on the grill, and it has a spit which extends on the surface of the cooking grill. Most rotisserie kits come with a counterweight, which you can attach to the end of a spit, to provide even turning benefits. More so, some high-end models come with a rear infrared burner, which will help deliver consistent heat.
- Searing zone – searing is a process which will provide a sumptuous and blackened rust, which is perfect for meats. Moreover, an excellent searing area requires a powerful burner to achieve high temperatures fast. Once the meat sears, you should finish cooking it on the primary grill.
Overall
There are many ways you can prepare your vegetables, meats, sauces and more. We all know there is nothing better than when you can use unique methods to cook your meals. Thus, in this guide, we have for you the best cheap grill on the market for you to consider. When you have one of these units with you, cooking becomes a highly convenient process. You get to sear, fry, grill and more – all in one unit.
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