Budget Grills

Basic $250 gas grills can work as well as fancy grills

While gas grills costing $500 to $1,000 dominate the market, most people spend only around $250 on a new grill. You won't get the most durable components at that price, but if cost matters more to you than durability, cheaper grills can meet your needs.

In tests, the Brinkmann 810-8410-S (*Est. $200) performs as well as, if not better than, many gas grills that cost hundreds of dollars more, but for that price, it's not built to last as long. This grill is sold only by HomeDepot.com, although a nearly identical model, the Brinkmann 810-9415-W (*Est. $190), is available at Walmart.com.

The size and features of the Brinkmann gas grill are exceptional for the price. It has four burners with 630 square inches of cooking space. Rated output is 48,000 British thermal units (Btu). A low-power side burner is a convenience for non-barbecue cooking. Testers say shelf space is ample, and it has a warming rack, which can be used to defrost hamburger or hot dog buns or hold cooked food while you continue cooking other items. A thermometer, however, is not included.

The Brinkmann gas grill also has a bottle opener, a beverage holder and silver-and-black styling. No LP tank is included, but tanks usually don't come with expensive grills, either. Brinkmann includes a five-year limited warranty on the stainless-steel burners, three years on all other stainless-steel parts and one year on everything else.

Professional reviewers find that the Brinkmann 810-8410-S grill heats food evenly and works very well at low temperatures. User reviews at HomeDepot.com are, for the most part, glowing. Owners like the Brinkmann grill's wide array of features, the flexibility afforded by four burners, its even cooking and easy assembly. One owner notes that the Brinkmann 810-8410-S is a bit wobbly, however, and several others say it rusts quickly, even with a protective cover. Another owner says the Brinkmann is not as well constructed as a Weber grill, but given the price, it's not expected to be. A larger portion of owners posting at Walmart.com are more vocal about the poor construction. The majority of owners overall, however, are thrilled. "My only concern," says one, "is that my grocery bill is going to be higher now since I'm buying all of these steaks."

For a few more dollars, reviewers recommend three Kenmore gas grills in the $250 to $350 price range. In "Great Grills (Under $500)," Good Housekeeping editors praise the Kenmore 16301 (*Est. $250) for its sleek styling and, more importantly, because it "aced" cooking tests. The Kenmore 16301 gas grill has 608 square inches of total cooking surface, porcelain-coated cooking grates and three stainless-steel burners. The Btu output is 36,000 for the main burners or 48,000 with the side burner. It also has a temperature gauge and towel holder. Good Housekeeping likes the ease with which the grease tray can be removed for cleaning.

Most of the 20 users posting comments at Sears.com praise the Kenmore 16301 for its heat, reliable grilling, easy cleaning and value. Ninety-five percent say they would recommend it to a friend. Several owners cite problems with flaking paint, though, and one reports problems with gas flow control.

In one major test, the Kenmore 16641 gas grill (*Est. $280) outperformed several models priced over $1,000. The Kenmore 16641 grill is a bit more robust than the 16301 model, with 630 square inches of total cooking space, four stainless-steel main burners, a side burner and a total output of 61,000 Btu per hour. With porcelain-coated cast iron grates, the Kenmore 16641 gas grill cooks evenly, according to testers, who also laud its convenience.

Sears' standard one-year warranty for Kenmore grills covers parts and defective workmanship. Extended protection is available for an additional fee.

Reviewers caution that you get what you pay for with cheaper grills. In user reviews of inexpensive Char-Broil and Kenmore grills, most new owners say the grill seems fine for the price, but several comment that some part or feature either arrived broken or broke shortly after purchase.

Experts say that if you go with a cheap gas grill, you should expect to replace it sooner. You can extend the life of an inexpensive grill by taking good care of it -- buying and using a grill cover, keeping it on a covered porch or under an awning, and cleaning and maintaining the grill properly.