Top 10 Models of the Best Affordable Portable Outdoor Grills
Is barbecue grilling an important part of your lifestyle? Are you looking for an affordable yet quality grill to replace your old one or begin your first grill ownership adventure? You are not alone. According to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, 7 in 10 adults in the U.S. already owned a grill or a smoker in 2017. More than 35% of the U.S. adults are planning new purchases in this space.
What drives people to invest money in this past-time? According to the same source:
- 72% of Americans love the flavor of grilled food
- 52% see grilling as a lifestyle
- 40% are in it for the entertainment
- others see grilling as a hobby, appreciate its convenience, flexibility, and health benefits.
No matter what your reasons for investing in an outdoor grill are, the choice you are facing is not easy to make. There are hundreds of products worth considering on the market. Some are, indeed, more attractive than the others. When reviewing them, you will have to take into account several important aspects.
- Fuel type – The options available are gas, charcoal, and electric. Gas is the most popular and convenient choice for outdoor grills. However, some people still prefer the smoke and flavor of charcoal. Electric models are gaining in popularity by the day as well.
- Grilling capacity/surface – The grill’s capacity should reflect the owner’s needs. Too large or too small grills are costly and ineffective. It is best to think in advance how many steaks you will need to prepare at the same time.
- Design – If you are going to use the grill in your backyard or on the patio only, any design will fit. However, if you want to take it camping or on your fishing trips, a compact, portable model will work better. Also, depending on where you will place the grill, details like shape, height, and weight may matter as well.
- Price – The price should never count more than the grill’s specifications. Unfortunately, sometimes, you can only afford to spend so much on a product, so it helps to have a price in mind from the beginning. You may have to sacrifice capacity, performance, or portability to obtain it but, if you know what you want, the decision will follow naturally.
We took all these aspects into account and came up with a list of ten grill models. One of them should surely match your needs and expectations. You will find our recommendations for those who love steaks and preparing them but do not wish to break the bank in the following lines.
10 Affordable and Best-Performing Outdoor Grills
1. PK 99740 The Original PK Grill & Smoker, Classic Silver
This is the most expensive and best-performing charcoal grill on our list, the dream of any amateur chef and barbecue-loving family. Grill and smoker, with a sturdy and attractive hand-poured aluminum construction, it works with both hardwood lump charcoal and charcoal briquettes.
It has a high-performance cooking capsule with a 21.5 x 14 inches hinged cooking grid made of nickel-plated steel and 4-way venting. Perfect for both fast and slow cooking (180-700+F temperature range), it is large enough to meet the needs of large families and small parties with friends and relatives.
Multiple awards winner and 5-star rating holder with an impressive warranty of 10 years, it can be detached from its stand and carried anywhere with ease, from camps to fishing cabins. Made in the USA, and with a price ranging between $300 and $400, this grill & smoker combination is the ultimate investment for 4th of July grilling and more.
2. Portable Tabletop Charcoal BBQ Grill
If you live alone, rarely use the grill, or cannot spare too much space and money for it, a simple, affordable, yet practical option like this portable charcoal barbecue grill should do the trick. It is the cheapest charcoal grill on our list and it features an average rating of 5 stars out of five.
Its overall cooking capacity is of 278 square inches, divided between the cooking space of 196 square inches and a warming rack of 82 square inches. It has a handle lid with 6 ventilation holes and ensures even cooking at both high and low temperatures. An additional ventilation in the grill’s side helps control firepower and ensures excellent grilling performance.
Besides its performance, we were impressed with its incredible price, its overwhelmingly positive reviews, and its portable, compact, yet elegant and practical design. Made of sturdy steel and finished in porcelain enamel, it withstands rust and scratches with ease and promises to meet the needs of any household.
3. George Foreman GGR50B Electric Grill, Silver
For those who love the convenience of electricity and compact, versatile, and attractive designs, indoor/outdoor grills may be a better option. This George Foreman GGR50B seems to take electric grilling to a new level. It has impressed hundreds of buyers with its specifications and affordable price.
Its grilling surface is of 240 square inches, suitable for 15 servings or more. The already famous George Tough Nonstick Coating makes butter and oil unnecessary. You can count on 5 heat settings and adjustable temperature controls. It comes with a removable stand and approval for use in apartments. It is one of the best-sold products on our list and, in our opinion, the best electric outdoor grill.
4. Blackstone 28-inch Outdoor Gas Grill Griddle Station
Have you ever dreamed of opening your own steakhouse? This restaurant-grade gas grill station can help you live the dream, even if only in terms of grilling experience and performance. It is propane-fueled and has a fabulous price and an impressive cooking capacity – 470 square inches of flat cooking surface. We think it is the best performing propane grill on our list.
It puts out up to 30,000 BTUs through two independent burners that create distinct controllable heat zones. They allow cooking for large and small parties alike, at both high and low temperatures. The grill’s caster wheels make it easy to move around. The removable griddle top and foldable legs allow for easy and compact storage and transportation.
5. Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet Gas Grill, Red
Some people consider grilling an art but cook mostly for their family or a couple of close friends. For them, a small and portable tabletop gas grill like this Cuisinart CBB-180T should do the trick. It is the most portable grill on our list. With a grilling surface of 145 square inches, it can accommodate up to 8 burgers, steaks, or chicken breasts.
Its stainless steel burner releases 5,500 BTU to ensure the desired and even heating of the porcelain enamel grate. With foldable aluminum legs, lockable lid, and briefcase-like carrying handle, this Petite Gourmet portable grill received the ‘Editors’ Choice Best Grill’ Award from Outdoor Gear Lab for portability and cooking performance.
6. Blackstone Table Top Grill
Sometimes, a restaurant-grade grill like the Blackstone griddle station above is too much for your needs and budget. When that happens, a smaller and portable model like this one may be a better option, especially when it comes at half-price and with impressive features.
You can expect built-in electric igniter and grease catcher and use 1 pound propane bottles for fuel. An “H”-shaped steel burner heats the 260 square inches non-stick cooking surface in no time. It puts out 12,000 BTUs and allows for fast and even cooking in any conditions.
7. Weber 741001 Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill
For those who love the smoke and flavor of charcoal for their weekend barbecues but do not host friends and family gatherings that feel like parties gone out of control, this sleek and elegant Weber Kettle Grill should be a worthwhile alternative.
It has a cooking surface of 363 square inches with a non-stick coating steel grate, vents resistant to rust, porcelain enamel lid and bowl, and handles and heat shield made of glass-reinforced nylon. Add an aluminum ash catcher and a one-touch cleaning system made of aluminized-steel, and you should have a hard time imagining your grilling sessions without the Weber 741001.
8. Coleman RoadTrip LXE Portable Propane Grill, Blue
This propane grill is perfect for those who spend their past time outdoors, who love picnicking, camping, and tailgating. It puts out 20,000 BTUs to heat a generous grilling surface of 285 square inches, easily replaceable with griddle and stove grates cooktops sold separately.
You can expect instant button ignition, collapsible, compact and lightweight construction, and an attractive design that will add class to any barbecuing or grilling session.
9. Weber 46110001 Spirit E210 Liquid Propane Gas Grill, Black
With a capacity similar to the Blackstone 28-inch Grill Griddle Station and a price similar to the PK99740, the Weber 46110001 spirit promises to make gas grilling at home a pleasure.
It features two burners made of stainless steel releasing 26,500 BTUs to heat a cooking surface of 450 square inches with Flavorizer bars and cooking grates made of cast iron and enameled in porcelain. Its electronic ignition system and a thermometer mounted in the center, ensure ease of use.
10. Smoke Hollow 205 Tabletop Propane Gas Grill
A cheap, propane-fueled portable alternative for BBQ-grillers on the go, Smoke Hollow 205 will answer most backyard needs as well. Although it normally operates on 1-pound disposable propane cylinders, it is easy to adjust for 20lb propane tanks as well. Its “U”-shaped burner releases 10,000BTU to heat the 205 square inches grilling area and 105 square inches warming rack.
Which of These Outdoor Grills Drew Your Attention?
Now that you know our options, we would love to discover yours. Since there are so many great outdoor grills out there, we hope you will take the time to let us know which one seems to meet your needs and expectations best. Feel free to drop its name in a comment!
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