Description: Summer is upon us. And nothing says summertime like burning some meat on the barbeque. But some folk do not possess a barbeque. If you are one of them, let us give you some ideas of what to look for in your next small barbeque purchase.

It is time to have some fun in the summer sun. And for most of us, nothing says summertime lie outdoor barbeques. Sure, you can barbeque all year long, but there is something special about doing it in the summer, while the kids splash in the pool and your neighbor’s file into your backyard while the resident grill master burns some meat while using one of the best gas grills under $500.

You can’t go wrong with a small gas barbeque grill if you have the right know-how. Efficient operation is more than just turning on the gas and lighting the burners. It is in regulating the heat, the timing of when to turn the items to cook them evenly, and remembering to shut the gas off when done. It’s almost an art form. Without proper insight, all you have is a lovely investment that ruins food and makes a mess.

Tips for picking your small gas grill

1. Size

The small gas grill you want to add to your home is best if you are specific about a few things. For instance, how often are you going to be grilling for guests? How often will you use it for yourself and/or your family meals? Do you have a home with a backyard, or do you need a small gas grill for an apartment?

There is such a thing as having too much grill. If you are only cooking for a family of four, and only for one meal, then one with a huge cooking surface and many burners is just wasteful and will kill your propane supply rather quickly. The same applies if it is too small for the job at hand. A small gas grill for camping is fine if you are cooking a meal for up to 4 people, but for a neighborhood get together, not so much. Know what you need based on your motivations in buying one.

2. Quality

The adage “you get what you pay for” applies to most things, and for this item, it is absolutely true. But to have a nice, quality model for your grilling needs, you don’t have to break the bank. There are plenty of small gas grills cheap out there, and they will last a few years with regular upkeep.

A small gas grill price point will have to do largely with physical dimensions, specialty options, and materials used. If you want a stainless-steel hybrid with a huge surface and extra burners on the side for cooking with a pot, you will pay a pretty penny. But a matte steel model with a reasonable cooktop area, and a few bells and whistles, can be acquired for just over a $100 if you know where to look.

3. Portability

Do you love to camp? Then a built-in grill will not work for you. Do you hate to camp? Then a portable grill makes no sense unless you intend to put it away after every use. This circles back to the question about what it is going to be used for, and more to the point, where it will be used most.

For all your small gas grill ideas, first, consider where it will be used most frequently. If it is going to be on every trip you take into the woods for camping or fishing adventures, then your small gas grill portable options are important. If you are never leaving home with it, then for style, maybe it can be built into a brick structure just for it. This decision has a small amount of fluidity, but if you do choose to affix it to a specific space, it is there for the duration of its life. So, make the call, but give it some serious thought.

Conclusion: Grilling is a fun, versatile, and healthy way to cook all sorts of food, not just the meats most people equate with it. Corn cooked this way is delicious, and shishkabobs, while still having meat in the mix, also have plenty of cooked veggies on the skewer. And fish is amazing when prepared this way. The flavors come alive and the atmosphere is just more vibrant when everyone gathers around to watch, and eventually savor, a meal prepared via this cooking medium. 

Did we inspire you to go out and get your very own unit for your grilling desires?

Author Bio: Richard Browny loves to grill and owns a hybrid grill that has both gas and charcoal as a grilling option. He prefers the taste of charcoal-grilled food, maybe with some moist mesquite chips for flavor, but will use the gas option if required to BBQ more quickly.