The Best Gas Grill Value Lives Under $400. Here's What to Check in the Store

I've owned four gas grills in fifteen years. The first was a $150 special that rusted through in two summers. The best one cost about $380 and is still going. The most expensive one wasn't worth what I paid. So yes, I have opinions.

The sweet spot

For most backyards, a three-burner gas grill around $300 to $400 is where value peaks. Below that, materials get thin. Above that, you pay for side burners, rotisseries and stainless trim you'll rarely use.

What to check in the store

**Lift the lid.** Heavy is good. A thin lid that flexes means poor heat retention and early rust.

**Look at the grates.** Porcelain-coated cast iron or heavy stainless steel. Thin wire grates warp and lose heat the second you add a cold steak.

**Check the burners.** Stainless steel burners last. Ask about the burner warranty. Good brands give 10 years on burners.

**Shake the cart.** If it wobbles in the store, it'll wobble worse on a patio.

**Look under the hood.** Flavorizer bars or heat tents over the burners help even heat and reduce flare-ups.

Specs that don't matter much

BTUs. Huge BTU numbers usually mean the grill leaks heat and needs more gas to compensate. A well-built grill with lower BTUs often cooks better.

Built-in thermometers in the lid. They measure air at the top of the dome, not at grate level. Buy a $20 probe thermometer.

Assembly

Plan on 90 minutes and a beer. Or pay for assembly. Home Depot and Walmart often offer it, sometimes free for certain models. A badly assembled grill leaks gas, so if you're not confident, let them do it.

Make it last

• Cover it. A $30 cover adds years.
• Burn it clean on high for ten minutes after cooking.
• Empty the grease tray. Grease fires are the dumbest way to lose a grill.
• Check hoses for cracks every spring with soapy water.

When to buy

Late summer and early fall. Stores clear grill inventory after Labor Day, and you can find last year's models for well under list. Spring is the worst time to buy a grill.

Where to buy

Home Depot has the biggest grill floor display and frequent end-of-season markdowns. Walmart carries several mid-range brands and often bundles a cover. Target sells a smaller selection. Amazon has good prices but you're on your own for assembly and freight damage.

Verdict

Spend around $350, buy in September, and check the lid, grates and burners in person. That grill will outlast two cheap ones and most fancy ones.