Why you don’t need to overspend on grills – expert tips on clever buying

Look for a new BBQ for your yard and you’ll find designs at an enormous range of prices. For some people it will be worth investing in the highest price models, but you don’t need to overspend on grills.

The best grills don’t have to be the largest and most fully featured if that’s not what suits your backyard, your cooking needs, and your flavor preference. Instead it’s all about finding the model that best suits your requirements.

Here, we’ve put together a guide to explain why you don’t need to overspend on grills, whether you’re looking for the perfect model amongst the best gas grills, are committed to charcoal cooking, or want an alternative grill type.

Why you don’t need to overspend on grills

A top-of-the-range grill can be a worthy investment, but you can prepare great food on a relatively low priced model, too – and that’s why you don’t need to overspend on grills.

What is crucial, however, is getting a grill that uses the fuel type you prefer, is the right size, and has features you’ll benefit from. 

You’ll likely go into a grill purchase with a good idea of how much you want to spend, or at least a price range you‘re happy with, but to help you get the most out of every dollar, our guide has the details on weighing up grill models.

Think fuel type

You can avoid an overspend on grills by opting for charcoal rather than gas. ‘Charcoal grills are much cheaper than gas grills,’ explains outdoor expert at Homes & Gardens Alex David. ‘They don’t need any wiring or expensive propane burners. Functionally, a charcoal grill is just a vessel for holding hot coals, so you can get a decent charcoal grill without shelling out. 

‘That said, cheap steel buckles, and the airflow on cheap charcoal grills can be poor, but you can get a grill that works for hundreds of dollars less than a middling gas grill.’ For example, Alex likes the Weber Original Kettle grill, which is hundreds of dollars cheaper than the Weber Spirit II E-310, our favorite gas grill.

Consider size

A large grill might not be worth the extra cost. ‘Huge grills can be overkill,’ says H&G’s Alex. ‘For example, the Weber Genesis SPX-435, our favorite large grill, has the capacity to cook a whopping 40 burgers. Unless you’re partying with the entire extended family or feeding the roster of a high school football team, there’s little need for it. It’s a fantastic grill and makes great food, but given that it retails for more than $2,000, it won’t be worth the spend if you’ve got a little nuclear family. 

‘You can cook more than enough food on a three-burner or a small charcoal grill – the last time my whole family came over we got by with a small charcoal grill about the size of a three or two-burner.’

You can also get by with a small plug-in electric grill and smoker, like the Ninja Woodfire at QVC. 

Weigh up different grill features

Another reason why you don’t need to overspend on grills is that not every feature is an essential – or at least not for everyone.

‘You can get away with a really basic charcoal grill, but it will make the experience frustrating,’ says H&G’s Alex. ‘All you need is an open grill – I’ve cooked on drum charcoal barbecues that don’t have storage shelves, tool hooks, thermometers or even lids. 

‘However, they aren't fun to cook with. No storage shelves means nowhere to put plates, sauces, or ingredients. No tool hooks means nowhere to store spatulas or tongs, which can be tricky when they’re dirty with grease. You don’t need a thermometer – white hot coals are always a sign that your grill is ready – but that will make it tricky to cook more involved, technical recipes. A lid is a really basic feature because it means you can cook more slowly and keep your food juicier. 

‘On gas grills, you can also do without storage or side tables or even a thermometer, but it will make cooking harder. My controversial opinion is that you don’t need a side burner. It’s a great addition but it’s a nice-to-have, not an essential. Side burners are great for crisping onions and whipping up sauces, but let’s be honest – lots of us are just grilling a few burgers quickly so we can get on with the party. If you’re not much of a cook, you don’t need one.’

Be a clever shopper

The shopping practices that will ensure you don’t overspend on grills? ‘Avoid overspending by sticking to small grills,’ says H&G’s Alex. ‘You truly don’t need some of the behemoths out there. On our last test day we fed a team of eight from a three-burner grill. Anything else is a lot of fun but not always necessary. 

‘Double check the specifications, too – sometimes two grills sold by the same company are actually identical models, but one has tiny improvements like bottle openers that make it marked up above the other. You can also save decent money by buying a previous generation model, and often you won’t see much difference in performance. 

‘My top tip is that the best time to buy grills is around Black Friday. Demand is way lower and retailers are desperate to shift old stock, so you can find hundreds of dollars off top grills. The only problem is that November is a bit too chilly for many of us to be buying a grill, but you can prep for the next summer.’

Grill FAQs

What kind of grill gives the best flavor?

If you aren't a keen cook, another way to save money is to buy a firepit with a grill built in, like this grill-and-firepit at Target. That way you aren't overspending on a grill you won't use, bring in a new focal point for social areas that can keep you warm at night, as well as have a way to cook if the mood strikes.