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Best Grills Under $1000 in 2024: Top-Rated & Reviews

Even though the summer is quickly coming to an end, there's no reason why the grilling season can't continue into the autumn. If you're thinking of starting a grilling journey, now is the time to do some research. After all, there are gas grills, conventional charcoal grills, heat-loving kamado grills, pellet grills, portable grills, and more to consider. Whether it's your first time buying a grill or you just want to update, our top recommendations for the best grills under $1000 will help you determine what model you truly want to use.


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BUYING GUIDE

When looking for the best grill, consider whether you want a tabletop or freestanding piece, the sort of grill you like, and whether you want it to be portable. You should also check how much cooking area the grill provides, since this might affect your capacity to cook for a large group.

1. Types of Best Grill

The two most common types of outdoor grills are gas and charcoal, although electric, pellet, and kamado grills are also fair game. Here are the basics on each:

  • Gas grills are the most popular type. They're fantastic because they provide good temperature control (the ability to adjust the burner knobs reduces the likelihood of burned brisket), as well as the ability to light with the touch of a button, heat up rapidly, and are simple to clean.

  • Charcoal grills need briquettes or lump charcoal to light up. Charcoal is more hands-on and takes longer to heat up and cool down, but since it heats hotter, it gives a better barbeque taste than gas. It's ideal for grilling purists who are willing to put in the effort.

  • Kamado grills heat with charcoal but have thicker walls than traditional charcoal grills, which are frequently constructed of ceramic. They can achieve extremely high temperatures, similar to those seen in a pizza oven, and they hold heat effectively for low and slow smokes.

  • Electric grills plug in and can't be matched for convenience or simplicity of use - especially those that can be used inside or in apartment complexes that don't allow barbecues - but don't expect steaks or burgers "browned" on an electric grill to taste like those from a genuine BBQ.

  • Pellet grills, which use electricity and hardwood pellets made from wood wastes to heat, are a developing category. Pellets give meals a wonderful, genuine hardwood flavor, but they're expensive.

2. Cooking Space of the Best Grill

This is a factor to consider with almost every grill, although it's perhaps more important with small grills. Can you put everyone's burger on the grill at the same time when preparing meals for the family, or will you have to cook in shifts while attempting to keep everyone's dish warm enough to eat? The idea is to get enough grill without going overboard.

3. Portability

While all of the small grills are portable, some are meant to be taken out of storage just when needed, while others are built to be permanently installed in your outdoor space. Which grill is ideal for you depends on your lifestyle and available space.

4. Fuel Type

Some believe charcoal produces the greatest flavor, while others think propane is more convenient. Meanwhile, for those who are unable to have a live-fire barbecue on their balcony or deck, electric grills are the perfect option. Each type of fuel has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, but no matter which you select, you'll be able to enjoy outdoor grilling with it.


OUR TOP PICKS

 

1. Best Grill under $1000: Weber Spirit II E-310 3-Burner Gas Grill

  View price on Amazon  

The Weber Spirit II E-310 3-Burner Gas Grill is just about ideal when it comes to cooking. Weber grills have been a popular choice for decades, and with good reason. They're well-built, dependable, and stylish on the deck or in the garden.

When we tested a previous model from the Spirit series, it cooked evenly and produced steaks with lovely grill markings that were just rare and juicy. The chicken was golden brown, delicious, and tender as it came off the grill, with very few flare-ups. The grill has porcelain enameled cast-iron grates that can cook up to 25 four-inch burgers at a time, as well as a stainless side table and a gauge that shows how much gas is left in the tank.

 

2. Best Charcoal Grill under $1000: Weber Original Kettle Premium 26 Inch Charcoal Grill

  View price on Amazon  

This Weber Original Kettle Premium 26 Inch Charcoal Grill is a best-seller for a reason: it's iconic in the industry and well-loved by customers (and its slightly less expensive version has over 3,000 positive reviews on Amazon).

It's fueled by charcoal and has an ash bin beneath the grill that's easy to replenish for continuous grilling for around $350. The structure is strong, with solid attachments and a detachable top that can be placed on the side of the grill for storage in the off-season, and it can be wheeled around simply for storage.

 

3. Best Pellet Grill under $1000: Traeger Grills Pro Series 575

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Traeger is recognized for its huge pellet grills that can cook or smoke a large amount of meat at once at a precise temperature. They heat up faster than charcoal grills and need less preparation (no fiddling with smoldering coals that are difficult to spread out).

Simply plug them in, and the inner mechanics will transport pellets from the hopper into the heated "fire pot". A fan then pushes the heat and smoke into the grill, where the food is cooked. With a temperature range of 165ºF to 500ºF, this Traeger Grills Pro Series 575 may be used for everything from smoking and braising to searing and grilling. It also links to a recipe app, which allows you to schedule and track the cooking process, which is helpful because certain meals might take hours to prepare. It includes an 18-pound hopper and 600 square inches of cooking area.


FAQs

1. Should I buy a gas or charcoal grill?

There is no right or wrong answer in the eternal argument over whether a gas or charcoal grill is superior for outdoor cooking. If you're still confused, here are the advantages and disadvantages of each kind of grill to help you decide which is best for you.

When it comes to portability, gas grills are handier than charcoal grills. A one-pound propane canister is considerably easier to transport than a large bag of charcoal. They're also a lot easier to clean, and they heat up much faster. Gas grills use electric starters or a spark wheel to light the gas burner, allowing you to commence cooking faster than with charcoal. It's also easier to control the heat while cooking with gas than it is when grilling with charcoal; instead of wrestling with hot coals, simply twist a knob to change the heat.

On the other hand, charcoal grills are much less costly than their gas counterparts. Many people like the flavor of cooking on a charcoal barbecue because the briquettes used for fuel infuse the dish with smokey elements. The coals generated by burning those briquettes may burn hotter than propane, which can be a benefit or a drawback: you'll get a good sear on your meal if that's what you want, but it's also possible to burn your food at temperatures beyond 700° F.

2. Is an electric grill better than a gas or charcoal grill?

While these machines are referred to as "grills," they really heat your food using a coil rather than flames. As a result, they're more akin to an electric griddle than a grill. If you want to grill indoors, we recommend using the broiler in your oven, a cast-iron griddle pan, or an indoor grill. You'll need an accessible power outlet (which not all decks or patios have) or a high-powered extension cable to utilize an electric grill (a hassle to use and a trip-hazard).

3. How do I choose a grill size?

You can figure out the size of the grill that will fit your cooking demands if you know your needs and have done some planning on how much room you will need within the grill.

If you intend on keeping the grill for an extended period of time, or at least until you're ready to use it again, you'll need to figure out how much space you have in your backyard. A big grill will probably be too small for you if you are constrained on space but need to cook regularly.

4. Which dishes are better to cook on a gas grill? Charcoal grill?

Gas grills provide greater temperature control, making them ideal for delicate meals like fish, fruit, sauces, and vegetables that require low to moderate heat, but a charcoal grill is ideal for steak, which benefits from the infused smokey taste and can even be seared at high temperatures.

5. Is it true that pellet grills are healthier?

Pellet grill manufacturers say that by employing an indirect heating source, the production of carcinogenic chemicals is reduced. However, there is no scientific research that pellets decrease the production of cancer-causing chemicals in the body.


Final Thoughts

There are hundreds of various grill models to choose from, but you should only choose one that suits your cooking style, lifestyle, and budget. These can range from small portable grills that can be taken camping to bigger, more professional-looking gas grills that can be used to cook food inside your car.

If you're having trouble making a decision, we hope our buying guide and product reviews may be of assistance. Here are our final picks for the best grills under $1000:

Don’t forget to share this article with your friends or family if you find it useful!


AMELIA GARCIA
AMELIA GARCIA
AMELIA GARCIA has been working in the line of kitchen appliances for about 8 years. She loves her job, and she would like to make the best use of her knowledge about kitchen appliances to help others. Sharing has become one of her top favorites. She often posts useful tips for purchasing the best kitchen appliances on her Facebook. Besides this, she is also keen on finding fantastic kitchen items to decorate her house. AMELIA GARCIA has accumulated considerable experience and wishes to provide you with practical and valuable information.
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