Low on budget? Don't worry! The cheap grill with high-grilling performance exists!
Picking a grill, especially when you are in a low budget, is not an easy task. Product price is closely related to the grill features and with such limited budget, you will look only for a basic grill.
That's why we decided to create a guide for everyone who is looking for the best grills under 100 dollars. After our research, we finally created a list with a few products that even though are very cheap and affordable, are capable of providing the same grilling experience and cooking performance as a full-size, expensive grill.
Now, let's jump into the list!
Note: Are you in a hurry? Use the navigation table below to jump directly to our Editor's Pick or the Final Conclusion for the clear winner of this round-up.
Our Top Picks for Best BBQ Grills Under $100
#1 (Editor's Choice) - The first option on this list is the Blackstone Table-Top Grill. It is a portable gas grill unit, with 260 square inches of cooking space on a 15.25 x 17 inch surface. Its 'H' shaped burner provides about 12,000 BTUs, more than enough to cook multiple foods. It is easy to clean, has built-in grease catcher and you can carry around anywhere you go. (Full Review)
#2 - Next, we have the Cuisinart Petit Portable Grill. It is a very compact gas grill, with 145 square inches of cooking space and 1 burner, providing about 5,500 BTUs. It is very affordable, very gas efficient and easy to clean. It comes in three different colors, has foldable legs, integrated lid lock and briefcase-style handle to carry around. (Full Review)
#3 - The Smoke Hollow 205 is another table-top, portable gas grill on this list. It has a total of 310 square inches of total cooking space, 205 sq. inch of which are dedicated to the main cooking area. Its 'U' shaped burner provides 10,000 BTUs and is powered by a disposable propane cylinder. It comes with a locking lid, foldable legs & a big handle on the front. (Full Review)
#4 - This product is for the Charcoal fans. The Weber Original Kettle is a decent option for a Charcoal Grill Under $100. It has a 22 inch diameter cooking grate, providing about 363 square inches of total cooking space. It has a rust-resistant construction with retaining heat lid for consistent cooking. It features one-touch cleaning system for ash and debris and 10 year warranty from Weber. (Full Review)
#5 - The last option we have is the George Foreman GGR50B. It is an electric grill with 240 square inches of cooking space, providing about 1600 watt of heat. It has adjustable temp control, ranging between low to very high. It also features a non-sticking and fat-removing slope design surface and a vented lid to create circular flow of hot air for even temp distribution. (Full Review)
Editor's Choice
Best Grills Under 100 Dollars Comparison Table
Name | Editor's Rating | Price Range | Cooking Space | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
(Editor's Choice) | $$ | 260 Square Inches | 12,000 BTUs | |
$ | 145 Square Inches | 5,500 BTUs | ||
Smoke Hollow 205 | $ | 305 Square Inches | 12,000 BTUs | |
$$$ | 363 Square Inches | Charcoal | ||
$$ | 240 Square Inches | 1,600 Watt |
Reviews of the Best Grills Under 100 Dollars
Blackstone Table-Top Grill - Best Gas Grill Under $100
First in this list, we have the Blackstone Table-Top Gas Grill. Even though our budget is minimal, Blackstone has a solution for this.
This model has almost everything that you can possibly require from a grill of this level.
With more than 260 square inches of cooking space, this grill will allow you to cook multiple foods at the same time, making it perfect for any occasion; camping, family gathering, road trips etc.
With more than 260 square inches of cooking space, this gas grill will allow you to cook multiple foods at the same time, making it perfect for any occasion; camping, family gathering, road trips etc.
On the outside, the unit has a black powder coated, stainless steel construction and a 15.25-inch x 17-inch steel cooking surface, making it ideal for outdoor use.
This portable gas grill has a stainless steel ‘H’ shaped burner which heats up the 260 square inch surface pretty fast, providing even heat distribution for optimal cooking across the whole surface. The single H burner provides about 12,000 BTU heat output and is started up from an easy-to-use electric ignition, making sure that the fire will start even on strongest winds or other weather conditions.
After you finish cooking, you don’t have to worry about cleaning. It has a very easy to clean built-in grease catcher and to clean the griddle, simply grab a paper towel and wipe it off the surface and you are good to go.
Its convenient size and the portability of this product makes it very easy to store by just simply turning the griddle upside down on top of the body to save some space and to take it with you anywhere you go.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
Next, we have the Cuisinart Petit Gourmet Portable Grill.
This product is a compact, tabletop type gas grill, coming in 3 different colors; black, red and stainless steel.
Its small size and dimensions make it a perfect option for taking with you everywhere you go. Even though this grill's dimensions are small, it is capable of cooking large amounts of food, up to 8 steaks, 8 hamburgers, 6-9 chicken breasts or 4 pounds of fish.
It has a total of 145 square inches of grilling space, powered by a powerful 5500 BTU burner made of stainless steel which is fired up by a twist-start ignition for easy lighting.
The combination of the porcelain-enameled grate and the compact dimensions of the unit make it possible for the grill to provide you with a very quick heating and even heat distribution on all the surface. The heat concentration and being near the cooking surface in such a small grill, makes this product very gas efficient, making it use far less gas than a full-size grill.
Other features worth mentioning are the spill resistant drip tray, its foldaway legs, integrated lid lock to keep it secure and a briefcase-style handle to carry it around, making it a very portable product.
If you are looking for a small solid and durable gas grill, with such a low price to use it on your garden or to take it with you on the beach, campsite or anywhere else, then this product is the perfect option.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
Smoke Hollow 205
As the third option on this list, we have the Smoke Hollow 205. This grill is another portable, table-top gas grill product, suitable for your garden, camping, picnics or any outdoor use.
On the outside, it has a long-lasting construction made of stainless steel, making it ideal for outdoor cooking.
Even though it is a compact size grill, with 27 inches long x 17 inches wide and 12 inches tall, it features 310 square inches of total cooking space.
205 Square inches are dedicated on the primary cooking area and 105 square inches as a warming rack. The main cooking grate is 11.25 inches with 18.5 inches and is made of stainless steel while the warming rack is chrome-plated.
All this cooking surface is heated by a 10,000 BTU stainless steel ‘U’-shaped burner which is fueled by a small, disposable propane cylinder, available for purchase in every camping store.
As for portability, this grill comes with a locking lid, foldable stainless steel legs and a big, easy-to-grab handle on the front, making it very easy to transport or store.
If you are looking for a portable grill which is built for the grillers on the go, then the Smoke Hollow 205 is a perfect fit.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
Weber Original Kettle Premium - Best Charcoal Grill Under $100
Next, we have the Weber Original Kettle Premium Model. It is a charcoal grill product from the well-known manufacturer Weber, which promises a durable and high-performance charcoal grill, at a very affordable price.
It comes with 363 square inches of total cooking space and its 22 inch-diameter plated steel cooking grate can cook up to 13 burgers at one round of grilling. The plated steel cooking grate is capable of retaining heat for even and consistent cooking.
You can choose to arrange the charcoal on the fuel grate for direct or indirect grilling.
The porcelain-enameled lid and bowl are capable of retaining heat and providing you with a consistent temperature and even cooking. This kind of finish also prevents rusting and any kind of peeling, even on high grilling temperatures.
Rust-resistant vents on top of the lid will allow you to better control the temperature of the grill, without lifting the lid. Just adjust the dampers based on your needed heat levels and when you want to extinguish the coals completely, just close the dampers fully to cut the oxygen flow.
When you want to remove the lid, you can hook it to the dedicated angled lid hook on the side of the grill, so you don’t place it on the ground or anywhere else, especially when it is hot.
When you finish, the one-touch cleaning system provides you with a hassle-free cleanup of the ash and debris from the charcoal by just swiping it into the aluminum ash catcher.
Other features worth mentioning are the glass-reinforced nylon handles which are each protected from getting too hot with heat shields, the 10-year limited Warranty from Weber and the two durable wheels which allow you to easily move the grill around the yard.
This charcoal grill is the ideal choice for those who like the traditional smokey flavor and are looking for a high-performance charcoal grill, full of features and at an affordable price.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
As the fifth option and the last product to consider on this list, we have the George Foreman GGR50B Grill.
It is the only electric option we have featured in this list and that’s because any electric product under our budget is either not high-built quality or is expensive.
This unit is capable of cooking over 15 servings of meat, veggies or any other similar food, thanks to its 240 square inches of grilling surface.
The circular grilling surface features the George tough nonstick coating and fat-removing slope. The Non-stick coating makes the surface durable, easy to clean and removes the usage of butter and oil while the slopped grilling surface helps to remove up to 42% of fat from meats for lean, tasty meals. Also, the vented lid helps to create a circular flow of hot air to ensure an even distribution of temperature and even cooking, which is very important when you cook a large roast or a whole chicken.
This unit is capable of producing 1600 watt of heat and comes with an adjustable temperature control system. The temperature probe lets you choose from the five settings to get the best heat level for any kind of food, ranging from low just to keep food warm to very high for creating searing marks on the meat.
The assembly of this product takes just a couple of minutes and you just have to plug in and wait 10 minutes to start cooking.
The non-stick cooking surface and the sloped design not only means that you don’t need to use much-added fat on cooking but also makes the cleanup process very easy. The sloped design draws the fat and other liquid into a dishwasher-safe drip tray, just below the surface. On top of that, the circular cooking grate can be easily removed for a fast and simple cleanup.
This grill can be used just as easily outdoors as you can indoors. The removable grill stand attached to the bottom of the grill keeps it stable even on countertop surfaces, making it ideal for outdoor use or when you want to place it directly on a tabletop.
If you are looking for a decent electric grill, perfect for outdoor and indoor use, full of features and all under our budget point, then this George Foreman product is the perfect fit for you.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
What to Consider when picking a Cheap Grill?
When you are on a search for a gas grill in under $100 range, things can get a bit tough.
Even though the options can be very limited, still there a few things you can consider when picking the right product for your preferences.
Power
When choosing a small gas grill, one of the main things to consider is the power. Products at this price range tend to be less powerful and sometimes, not powerful enough to provide even the essential heat for cooking basic foods, like burgers or steak.
This factor is also related to what you are going to use the grill for but you better keep an eye to the BTUs (British Thermal Unit) numbers when you decide.
Heat Distribution
Again, with such limited price, you better be prepared for not a fully loaded technological grill. This can cause the power provided by the burners to not heat evenly and to not distribute the heat correctly. This is often caused by the used material type and the model of the burner.
Most of the gas grill models on this list have good reviews when it comes to heat distribution. If you are considering to pick a model which isn't in this list, then I recommend you to read previous customers reviews, so you can see if there are any complains about the heat distribution.
Also, you can participate in some grilling discussions like this Uneven Grill Heat Tips on Reddit or even better, watch some online videos or read several tutorials online to help you with this issue.
Fixing Uneven Heat Distribution (Video)
Durability
No one doesn't like when their newly purchased gas grill starts to rust or have durability issues.
Durability is very important especially on affordable products when the used construction materials are not the best.
The products featured in this list have an overall good reviews when it comes to construction quality and that's because there are options who are designed to be used on the go, like tailgating, camping etc.
Other Features
The three upper mentioned factors are the most important ones when it comes to picking a gas grill under 100 dollars. They are essential for a good, durable and functional grill.
After the product you are considering is good enough based on those factors, then you can also start considering additional features.
Things like lid thermometer, foldable legs, warming racks etc. can make the difference if you have two good products but don't know which one is better.
Final Thoughts
Deciding what is the best gas grill under 100 dollars is not an easy task. The budget is very limited and you want to make sure that you pick a fully functional grill, which will be able to provide you with delicious and even-cooked food.
After we reviewed all the upper-mentioned products, we decided that the clear winner of this round-up is the Blackstone Table-Top Grill. It is a decent built gas grill, with 260 square inches of cooking space and an 'H' shaped burner capable of outputting 12,000 BTUs and an even heat on all the surface. On top of that, it is very easy to clean and portable to carry with you anywhere you go. The only downside is that you have to sacrifice the searing marks on your foods if you go with this grill. But, that's only a visual factor when considering the cheap price and the quality of this unit.
