The sun is shining and birds are chirping.
That means it’s grilling time!
A grill is like an investment, so when you decide to buy one, whether it doesn’t burn deep into your pockets, you may think about this for a while.
Does it sound like you?
Well, a good propane grill should be built with high-quality, durable materials like stainless steel or porcelain enameled steel. If you are after a good gas grill, then propane gas grills below 300 will effectively fit the bill. But how will you find the best propane grills under 300?
Don’t worry, in this article, you will get an honest review of 10 grills, with the best features that make the grills stand out from the rest on the market. Let’s get started.
Handpicked List of Top 10 Best Propane Grills under 300 Dollars
If what you are after is a gas grill with enough BTUs or expansive grilling space, you will appreciate the Blackstone 1554 Station. It has one of the largest primary cooking spaces and can cook just about anything from quesadillas to pancakes, and you cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner without any hassle.
So without any further delay, let’s get started on the best propane grills under 300 on the market today.
1. Blackstone 1554 Station-4-Burner -Best Propane Camping Grill
If what you want is enough cooking space, then look no further than this gas grill from Blackstone.
Blackstone 1554 Station 4 Burner Propane Gas will let your prepare your favorites with traditional flavor and taste of barbecue.
With this grill from Blackstone, you will grill like a pro, using four adaptable heat zones that can be used for both small and large cooking. The spacious cooking top can accommodate up to 72 hot dogs as well as 16 chickens, steaks, and veggies.
What’s more?
The grill also comes with a push start button for easy ignition, and four caster wheels, two of which can be locked safely for when you are grilling. It can easily be moved around due to its cart-like built.
What I like about Blackstone 1554 grill is that you can easily assemble it, even if you don’t have any previous technical skills. The top of the grill is also removable for easy cleaning.
That’s not all…….
Blackstone 1554 Station grill is also built with sturdy stainless steel material and rolled steel that facilitates uniform heat contribution and heat retention.
2. Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill-Best Outdoor Propane Grill
Spoiler alert – there are other Weber grills on this list, but the best of the bunch is the restyled Weber Q1200. With this grill, you can prepare a wide range of meals thanks to its easily controlled heat zone. Its sturdy lightweight cast aluminum allows it to distribute heat evenly and also retain the heat.
Weber Q1200 grill also has a spacious cooking top with a large gripping handle with side handles as well as electronic ignition, durable cradles, a built-in thermometer, easy-to-control dials, and adjustable split cooking grids that you can use as a griddle or grates to increase your cooking options.
If what you are after in a grill is BTUs, then Weber Q1200 is a great option. Its single stainless steel gas burner produces up to 8500 BTU per hour across the spacious 189 inches surface.
You don’t have to assemble this grill once you buy it. And it also uses a one-use liquid propane tank, which makes it a great option for RV, picnic, tailgating, as well as any other outdoor activities.
The grill’s grates are also made of porcelain-coated cast iron as well as cast aluminum cover and body for heat retention.
3. Cuisinart CGG-180 Portable Gas Grill- Best Cheap Propane Grill
Are you looking for the best propane grill under 300 that is highly portable? Look no further as Cuisinart CGG-180 Petit Gourmet Portable Gas Grill is exactly what you need. This grill is compact and lightweight, making it perfect for camping or carrying it in your RV.
Though small, this grill can accommodate up to 4 pounds of fish or 8 burgers at a go.
The stainless steel burner valve is sturdy and with limitless options.
Also, it has grates that ensure uniform heat distribution for the perfect cooking outcome. Due to the porcelain coating of the frame of the grill, you will have a breeze cleaning it.
The wheels and legs of this grill are made of cast aluminum, which means it is rust-free. The top lid can be secured by the integrated lid lock.
What you will appreciate about this grill is that it is pretty easy to store due to its small and combat size.
Despite its small size, however, you will be able to cook enough dishes for up to four people at once.
For instance, the grill can hold four potatoes and four burgers at the same time.
4. Weber Q1000 Liquid Propane Grill – Best Propane BBQ Grill
Having restyled back in 2014, Weber Q100 is one of the best propane grills under 300. The grill retained its sleek styling but added new outstanding features that increase its functionality and fun.
Some of the new features include control knobs, grip handles, strong front, and back cradles, ergonomic handgrips as well a Weber Q logo design lid.
Split grates allow you to prepare a combination of meals by replacing the original grate with a Q 1000 attuned griddle. This way, you will experience new ways of cooking breakfast, lunch, and dinner with lots of fun.
Weber Q1000 portable grill is a great tailgating companion. It uses disposable liquid propane cylinders, which you must buy separately. This grill can be used on the go as well as at home in your backyard.
Though it doesn’t come with the LP cylinder, the grill features an optional liquid propane adapter hose for linking to a 20lb propane tank.
With a reliable start, you will begin making your meals in no time.
Burgers, hotdogs, and brats can be easily cooked using this grill, but you can also prepare a wide range of food.
5. Weber Q2200 Liquid Propane Grill-Best Value Propane Grill
Perhaps one of the best propane grill gas under 300, Weber Q2200 is a perfect grill to barbecue on the go. This lightweight propane grill has a highly stylish design.
The base and the lid are made of cast aluminum, which means it can never rust, while the grates are constructed of porcelain-coated cast iron for even heat distribution and retention.
The glass-armored nylon frame of the grill makes sure that you will get many years of service from this device.
It also features collapsible side tables for extra prep space if you don’t have a table in the vicinity.
The removable top surface is easy to clean, and the grill itself can hold several hotdogs and burgers at a time thanks to its 280 square inches primary cooking surface.
The only major concern about this grill is its massive 44 pounds weight, which means it will not be easy to lug it around if you planning on taking it out on camping.
Generally, Weber Q2200 is also the best propane grill under 300 and perfect for backyard grilling.
If you are looking for a reliable gas grill that will not destroy your budget, this is a great option.
6. Cuisinart CGG-306 Chef’s Style Stainless Tabletop Grill -Best Tabletop Propane Grill
Cuisinart CGG-306 Chef’s Style Stainless Tabletop Grill blends great design with raw grilling performance. It can go from box to the first hotdog in just a few minutes, with an easy assembly that requires no tools or technical skills.
The grill has two stainless steel burners that produce up to 20,000 BTUs of heat, which can be sparked by an easy twist of the ignition knob.
You can also control your cooking with noticeably adjustable dials as well as monitor the temperature of the grill with the built-in lid thermometer.
Cuisinart CGG-306 Chef’s Style is no doubt among the best propane grill under 300. The stainless steel construction means it is rust-free and weighs less than 25 lbs.
If you are a fun of roasting large cuts of meat, this two-burner grill is the best option. I mean, the grill can cook a whole chicken or turkey as well as large cuts of meats and briskets.
With total heat control left on your hands, it is quite easy to get professional grilling results all the time.
The cooking grate, made of stainless steel, offers powerful heat distribution so that your food cooks evenly.
7. Char-Broil Performance Stainless Gas Grill – Best Propane Grill For The Money
Slightly falling within our $300 budget range is Char-Broil Performance Stainless Steel 4-Burner Cart Style Gas Grill. This grill is one of the products restyled by the brand, as a result, has additional features that enhance performance.
Being comfortably sized, this grill provides an astonishingly 425 square inches of primary cooking surface, as well as an extra 150 square inches of secondary cooking surface.
The 4 burners combine to produce 36,000 BTUs, and some additional 10,000 BTUs from the lidded side-burner.
The grill also features rust-free porcelain-crusted cast iron grates, which are perfect for long-term grilling.
The 4 burners gas grill‘s four burners are also built with durable stainless steel, and the precise heat control allows for better cooking.
Starting the grill is also easy. Simply press the electronic ignition system and you are good to go.
The ample metal shelves on either side of the grill offer space for food preparation and can hold prep veggies, spices, baked potatoes, sauces, kabobs, and other ingredients.
You will also like the lidded side burner, which allows you to prep on top of it when it’s not in use.
The grease tray is easily removable for quick cleaning. This means after you are done with cooking, you don’t have to go through the hassle of cleaning up the grease.
8. Char-Griller E3001 Grillin’ Pro 40,800-Btu – A Propane Grill With Plenty Of Space
Another product from Cher is this best propane grill under 300 – the Griller E3001. You will be able to cook a whole range of foods using this durable grill, which also has a classy design. The two burners combine to produce up to 40,800 BTUs across an expansive cooking top.
The grill is made of heavy-duty stainless steel as well as porcelain-covered cast-iron grates that enable the unit to distribute and retain heat. The construction of the grill also allows it to withstand harsh weather, which is something you want in your grill.
It also features 2 open chimneys that allow for ventilation. The construction of this unit also includes a built-in stainless steel thermometer, two wheels for portability and stability, fast ignition system, a storage space, hanging hook, side shelves that are foldable for extra pep space, and a grill lid.
The 438 square inches of primary cooking surface offers you plenty of grill space, in addition to an additional 192 square inches space of warming rack.
The side shelf also provides you with additional workspace, while the side lidded burner offers more flexibility.
Each burner also includes an ignitor probe for extra convenience.
9. Char-Broil Performance 300 2-Burner Cabinet Liquid Propane Gas Grill
This is arguably the best propane grill under 300. It is suitable for a family of two or three and is made from heavy-duty material that will last you for many years.
Manufactured by Char, this is the smallest and more compact version of their grills but still retained the same features as the larger versions.
The two-burner, made of stainless steel, produces a combined 24,000 BTUs of meat-searing heat, which is distributed over 300 square inches of primary cooking space and additional 100 square inches of the secondary cooking surface of the swing-away warm rack.
Other features also include electronic ignition for a quick and reliable startup, stainless steel lid, as well as foldaway side shelves for convenient prep.
Additionally, the cooking grates are also coated with porcelain for an easy clean when you are done with your cooking, while also providing uniform heat distribution for perfect grilling.
You will love this compact two-burner gas grill if you are working with a small space in your backyard.
Moreover, the grill also comes with a lid-mounted temperature knob that provides you with much more control over the heat.
10. Cuisinart CGG-7400 4-Burner Full Size Gas Grill – Consumer Reports Best Portable Gas Grill
Our last pick for best propane grill under 300 is a product from a well-known kitchen appliance manufacturer – Cuisinart. The firm has wide several collections of full-sized grills, which are popular among grillers.
CGG-7400 Full Size Gas Grill is a full-sized grill that will provide you with a range of cooking options. It has a rather basic design but is highly streamlined.
Perhaps the standout feature of this grill is its fourth burner. In terms of specs, this grill has a spacious cooking top of 443 square inches of main cooking space as well as an extra warming rack of 167 square inches.
The four stainless steel burners provide a total of 44,000 BTUs, and the grates, made of cast iron distribute the heat evenly despite the fact they don’t have porcelain coating.
The construction of grill is primarily stainless steel with a cart-like design that allows for easy mobility.
The ignition also involves a twist start.
Moreover, you will also enjoy the lid-mounted temperature dial to control your cooking.
This model doesn’t have a side lidded burner but has a mounted bottle open instead.
CGG-7400 grill is an excellent choice if your primary concerns are grilling space, basic features, and budget.
How to Choose the Best Propane Grills Under 300 Dollars?
While all the 10 propane grills shared in this review are great in their own right, you only need one. So how do you decide which one to go for? Below are some buying tips that will enable you to arrive at the best propane grill under 300 that fits your style and needs.
When buying a gas grill, you need to first define whether it is for preparing meals for large crowds, or just a frequency of use, storage, and budget.
Here are some guiding rules:
Things to Consider Before Buying Propane Grill Under 300 Dollars
I guess you already found the best propane grill under 300 dollars. But before investing I want you to check some of the crucial factors.
1. How much power do you need?
When I talk about power, I mean the ability of the grill’s burner to produce heat or the BTU of the grill. As we have seen with Performance 300 2-Burners, you may be able to sear a steak if your grill produces a power of fewer than 200 BTUs per square inch of cooking space.
You can calculate the grill’s BTU per square by dividing the total BTUs by the size of the cooking surface.
2. What is the perfect grilling surface?
For a family grill, you should go for a 400 square inches cooking surface, with at least three burners.
If you want to use five or six burners, consider buying a grill with 500 or 600 cooking surfaces.
3. What is the ideal number of burners?
This also depends on the size of the people you plan to cook for. A family of three or four can be perfectly served by a two-burner grill.
The ideal number of burners might be three, which can prepare meals for up to 12 people.
Note that 2 burners may pose a challenge when it comes to uniform heat distribution.
4. The best types of burners for a grill
Burners are to grills what an engine is to a car. If you feel your grill is not working properly, the problem might be with the burners.
There are numerous types of grill burners.
The most common ones are stainless steel, cast iron, and tin burners. You can also find infrared burners, which are normally used to give the steak that ‘heat shock’ as well as giving it crunchy edges.
If you want to add browning on your dishes, then you should have an infrared burner in your grill.
5. The footprint
What is the available space for storing the grill? Most units are designed with side shelves that can be collapsed for easy storage.
A grill should be stored at least 2 meters away from the house and inflammable objects, so make sure when you buy one, think about the available storage.
6. Heat Transmission
Even heat distribution is key to any cooking, and if you want juicy, delightful meat, heat transmission should be top of the list of things you need in your grill.
Uneven distribution of heat will mean food on one side of the grill is warmed while food on the other side is not warmed yet. Also, the front area of the grill may not be heated enough to grill if the heat is not uniformly distributed. This is because the gas only runs to the end of the burner and then back. So when the grill is poorly built that the tube pressure is not precise the gas will only run back two thirds, meaning the front section will not heat up.
Traditionally, lava stones were commonly applied to distribute the heat effectively across the grill surface. However, the disadvantage of using stones is that the stones also heat up and would only distribute heat according to their strength. As a result, it also leads to uneven heat transmission as well as a waste of fuel, efficiency and a reduction in output. More worryingly, stones absorb oil and fat from steak and other fatty foods, which could result in flares and burning of food.
Most grills nowadays use cast iron, which usually absorbs heat, stores, and then releases it. This means the heat will be distributed more evenly and much more efficiently, and quicker. So make sure the grates of your grills are made of cast iron.
Alternatively, triangle heat plates can also be used to dissipate heat quite efficiently. The tapering of the heat plate allows it to absorb the heat and then distribute it directly to the very top of the grill. And the sharper the triangles are, the more effective the heat distribution will be.
7. The material of the grill
The main reason you should care about the material used is that it affects the longevity of the grill. It is safe to assume that you want to buy a grill that will last you for ages.
Ideally, a great grill is the one made from either stainless steel or aluminum cast, any material is probably substandard.
Cast aluminum is used in most grills due to its rust-resistant qualities, seeing that the grill will be spending a lot of time outside. This material also allows the unit to retain the heat and transmit it evenly.
Generally, stainless steel is what you want your grill to be made of. But there are different types of stainless steel used in grills. The two most common are Model 304 and 430. The less common is Model 316.
8. Fat drainage system
Why should you care about this? To avoid flare-ups, a grill must have a functioning fat or grease drainage system. Any best propane grill under 300 contains a fat emptying option.
If your grill doesn’t have this option, you can use infrared burners, which are known to be less fat sensitivity, and so will generate fewer flare-ups.
9. Grill’s Brand
Last but not least, you should consider the brand. Blackstone, Cuisinart, and Char are some of the best propane grill brands for making the top of the line grills.
The warranty on the product also varies from brand to brand. But as a rule of thumb, the longer the warranty time frame, the greater the confidence in the product by the manufacturer.
In the course of the grill life cycle, you will require spare parts, and buying from a recognized brand allows you to source for any part you may need.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Best Propane Grills Under $300
Frequently asked questions and answers about best propane grills under 300 dollars:
How can I avoid flare-ups?
Flare-ups are common in propane grills and are believed to be caused by the accumulation of fats, oils, and marinades on the burners. To avoid flare-ups, remove the extra fats, drip preserves, and sauces from your ingredients before putting them on the grill. If you must leave the excess fat on your food, be sure to leave the grill lid open.
Is It Possible to Hook Up Natural Gas to Propane Grill?
Yes, but after doing some several modifications. This is a very complicated process and if you are not an expert, don’t try it. However, a licensed technician can help you.
How Can I Clean The Grates Of My Propane Grill?
Use a wire brush grill to scrape the grates to get rid of any excess charred food. Use lukewarm water and soap to soak the grates and then scrub them with a wire brush, rinse and allow them to dry out in the sun.
Final Thoughts
I can’t stress enough the importance of selecting the best propane gas grill. As you have to invest a decent amount, so make sure you get the most out of your money by choosing a grill with a lot of great features. With the right grill, you can prepare just about any food you want without a fuss.
Each of the grills in this review has its own strengths and weakness; therefore, make sure you take your time to look at each of them, before deciding which device to buy.
Take a look at our top list and see which one fits your needs. If you also like charcoal grills, find our top list of the best charcoal grills under 200 dollars. Leave a comment if you find this article helpful.