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7 Amazing Grills and Smokers Under $500
Ready for a new rig? Believe it or not, a brand new, good quality gas grill, smoker, or pellet grill doesn’t have to break the bank. For many folks, the sweet spot is about 500 bucks. That kind of money, or even a little less, will buy you a very good piece of machinery that you can rely on for years to make steaks, burgers, chicken, brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and just about anything else you throw at it. These 7 grills and smokers are all winners of our highest honor, the AmazingRibs.com Platinum Medal for Best Value. These cookers have been tested, rated, and reviewed by Max Good, our full-time tester of outdoor cooking equipment, so you can be sure that you are getting a solid unit that is worth the money. To read the full reviews of these cookers, click the links below.
Green Mountain Davy Crockett Review
Read our review of Green Mountain's Davy Crockett. Green Mountain describes their small portable smoker as the Ultimate Tailgater Pellet Grill. It's also gaining popularity with people who want to add a small, set it and forget it smoker to their BBQ arsenal. We tested Davy Crockett and award it our AmazingRibs.com Best Value Platinum Medal.
Weber Performer Deluxe 22″ Charcoal Grill Review
Read our review to learn why Weber kettles enjoy generation after generation of popularity and loyalty. They are affordable, cook just about anything and last forever. This AmazingRibs.com Platinum Medal winner is set in a large rolling cart with all the bells and whistles including gas ignition!
Char-Broil Commercial Stainless/Black 3 Burner Gas Grill Review
Lowe's calls this exclusive model the Char-Broil Commercial Stainless/Black 3-Burner Gas Grill. It was previously called TRU-Infrared. This AmazingRibs.com Platinum Medal winner has an inner double layer to keep in heat. We reviewed this model, it is capable of high enough heat for searing, and low enough for roasting.
Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker 18″ Review
We tested and reviewed this original, mid-size version of Weber's popular charcoal smoker. Weber Smokey Mountains are often seen competing head to head with large commercial cookers at practically every competition AND WINNING! Click here to learn all about this high quality, Best Value AmazingRibs.com Platinum Medal winner.
Napoleon TravelQ 285X with Cart Review
Napoleon’s new TravelQ TQ285X is one impressive little clam shell style portable gasser, with some unique features not found from competitors. We reviewed it and award this tailgater our AmazingRibs.com Best Value Platinum Medal. The fold out scissor cart is one of the most solid versions we've seen.
Blackstone Rangetop Combo With Deep Fryer Review
Read our review of this cool combo cooker. With its ample cooking area, solid performance, and versatility for both griddle grilling and deep frying large amounts of food outdoors, the Blackstone Range Top Combo with Bonus Fryer easily earns a Platinum Medal.
Masterbuilt MPS 340/G ThermoTemp XL Propane Smoker Review
Vertical gas smokers are to easy to use. With Masterbuilt's ThermoTemp line, smoking on gas just got easier. Masterbuilt successfully offers groundbreaking use of thermostatic control on a gas smoker at an affordable price. We tested and reviewed their large XL model and award ThermoTemp our AmazingRibs.com Platinum Medal.
Blackstone Rangetop Combo With Deep Fryer Review
Read our review of this cool combo cooker. With its ample cooking area, solid performance, and versatility for both griddle grilling and deep frying large amounts of food outdoors, the Blackstone Range Top Combo with Bonus Fryer easily earns a Platinum Medal.
How We Test Grills And Smokers
Max Good is the AmazingRibs.com Director of Equipment Reviews and Keeper of the Flame. He is the only person in the world who tests and reviews grills and smoker full time. Click now to discover how he evaluates the hundreds of gas and charcoal grills and smokers crowding the aisles at stores coast to coast.
Char-Broil Commercial Stainless/Black 3 Burner Gas Grill Review
Lowe's calls this exclusive model the Char-Broil Commercial Stainless/Black 3-Burner Gas Grill. It was previously called TRU-Infrared. This AmazingRibs.com Platinum Medal winner has an inner double layer to keep in heat. We reviewed this model, it is capable of high enough heat for searing, and low enough for roasting.
Weber Performer Deluxe 22″ Charcoal Grill Review
Read our review to learn why Weber kettles enjoy generation after generation of popularity and loyalty. They are affordable, cook just about anything and last forever. This AmazingRibs.com Platinum Medal winner is set in a large rolling cart with all the bells and whistles including gas ignition!
Napoleon TravelQ 285X with Cart Review
Napoleon’s new TravelQ TQ285X is one impressive little clam shell style portable gasser, with some unique features not found from competitors. We reviewed it and award this tailgater our AmazingRibs.com Best Value Platinum Medal. The fold out scissor cart is one of the most solid versions we've seen.
Green Mountain Davy Crockett Review
Read our review of Green Mountain's Davy Crockett. Green Mountain describes their small portable smoker as the Ultimate Tailgater Pellet Grill. It's also gaining popularity with people who want to add a small, set it and forget it smoker to their BBQ arsenal. We tested Davy Crockett and award it our AmazingRibs.com Best Value Platinum Medal.
Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker 18″ Review
We tested and reviewed this original, mid-size version of Weber's popular charcoal smoker. Weber Smokey Mountains are often seen competing head to head with large commercial cookers at practically every competition AND WINNING! Click here to learn all about this high quality, Best Value AmazingRibs.com Platinum Medal winner.
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Published On: 7/1/2019 Last Modified: 4/23/2021
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