Nothing brings people together better than a meal. When people share it, joy brings them closer together.
How you prepare your meals, however, is very important if you want guests to enjoy themselves and grilling is one of the cooking methods that guarantee the tastiest meals.
At grilling, foods own natural juices, and oils are used and this makes the meals super tasty. You will need just a few utensils so you won’t have a lot of dishes to clean afterward.
So, which is the best outdoor cooking device that you can get for your outdoor cooking needs?
I have searched the market extensively and settled on the following models as the best that you can get for approx. $100.
You don’t have to pay too much to get a unit that will help you prepare delicious dishes and my comprehensive guide of the best grills under $100 (or a few dollars more) will make sure that you don’t have to do that.
See the products below.
| Image | Title | Buy |
|---|---|---|
 | Weber 741001 Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill | Check Latest Price |
 | Pit Boss Grills PB100P1 Pit Stop Single-Burner Portable Tabletop Grill | Check Latest Price |
 | Char-Griller E1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill, Black | Check Latest Price |
 | Char-Broil Classic 280 2-Burner Liquid Propane Gas Grill | Check Latest Price |
Best cheap grills
The guide includes both gas and charcoal grills so you will be able to choose your favorite cooking appliance. Let’s now take a look at those that you can get in the mentioned price category.
Weber 741001 Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill
- Stay true to the modern version of the kettle that started it all—the Original Kettle, invented by Weber’s founder, and loved around the world. Its ultra-durable, porcelain-enameled lid and bowl retain heat, while the damperseasily adjust for precise temperature control. With a One-Touch cleaning system for easy cleanup after a long day of grilling, the Original Kettle will always be the grill built for everyone
- Holds up to 13 burgers made with a Weber burger press
- One-Touch cleaning system provides hassle-free ash cleanup.Removable, aluminum ash catcher
- Porcelain-enameled lid and bowl Retain heat, and won’t rust or peel
- Use the lid hook to avoid placing the lid on the ground while grilling
- Dampers allow you to easily control the temperature inside your grill
- 3D interactive assembly instructions for this product are available through the free BILT app.
The Weber 741001 Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill is one of the affordable yet highly effective charcoal units on the market.
With more than 363 inches of cooking space at the top, you have all the space that you need to make your steaks, burgers (13 of them), hot dogs, and all other grilled dishes that you adore.
Cooking grates
The cooking grates are made of heavy-duty plated steel which absorbs heat very well. It is, therefore, able to produce lovely sear makes on your steaks and burgers for a truly amazing eating experience.
They are coated with porcelain enamel which prevents food particles from sticking to them when preparing meals. You, therefore, won’t have a hard time cleaning the grill once you are done preparing your meals.
Controlling the cooking temperature
The Weber Original Kettle grill also has a damper which makes it easy to control the cooking temperature.
You can adjust it if you want a lot of heat to cook larger pieces of meat and to reduce the heat when preparing vegetables and other soft dishes.
Other features
The unit has an ultra-durable, porcelain-enameled lid and bowl that retain heat and won’t peel. The lid is 7.5 inches high.
One-Touch cleaning system enables hassle-free ash cleanup. The removable ash catcher is made of aluminum.
It has a lid hook to place it on while you turn foods. A 3D interactive assembly instructions for the product are available through the free BILT app.
The heat shield handle protects your hands from getting burned. Transporting it is easy due to durable wheels.
Check Reviews On AmazonPit Boss Grills PB100P1 Pit Stop Single-Burner Portable Tabletop Grill
- 205 sq in stainless Steel main cooking area with 100 sq in warming rack
- Stainless Steel body and hood with dome thermometer and latching hood
- 10, 000 BTU stainless Steel U shaped burner operates on 1 lb cylinder
- Folding stainless Steel legs for easy portability
- Push-button ignition and lower grease tray slides out for easy access
This small tabletop gas model comes from Pit Boss Grills. It has 205 square inches of stainless steel main cooking area with 100 square inches of warming rack.
The unit includes the dome thermometer, latching hood, and a flame tamer.
Other features
It has a U-shaped stainless steel burner that can produce up to 10,000 BTU of power on a 1 lb cylinder. You will start it by pushing the button.
The legs are made of stainless steel legs that are foldable. It features a grease tray that slides out for easy access.
This portable grill station is perfect for picnics, camping, tailgating, on a balcony, and also for cooking in the backyard.
Check Reviews On AmazonChar-Griller 1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill
- 250 square inches of cooking space, cast iron cooking grates, side drawer
- Ideal for small decks or patios
- Features Stay Cool wood handle, side shelf, double steel bottom and side air vent
- Wheels make this grill easy to move
- Assembly required
The Char-Griller 1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill is another amazing unit to get. It uses charcoal as its source of fuel and as such, it will be able to produce the smoky flavor that you might love. It is ideal for small decks or patios.
Important features
It features 250 square inches of cooking space and is made of powder-coated heavy steel construction. The grates are made of cast iron which is strong enough to resist high heat and harsh weather.
It has a side drawer, stay cool wood handle, a side shelf, double steel bottom, easy dump ash pan, bottom storage rack, and adjustable dampers.
It has 2 wheels that make moving it from place to place easier. Other than that, it has an air vent that allows you to control the cooking temperature within the device.
It can fir tri-tip or whole chicken with indirect heat, or prepare six 17 inches kebabs while still have room to roast some peppers and tomatoes. It is a great device that can cook for 2-5 people at a time.
Check Reviews On AmazonChar-Broil Classic 280 2-Burner Liquid Propane Gas Grill
- 280 square inches of cooking space over porcelain-coated grates
- Two stainless steel in-line burners for cooking performance;Assembly Required
- Porcelain-coated steel lid and firebox stand up to weather and the elements
- Metal side shelves measure 12-inches w x 13-inches l providing extra storage and prep space
- Piezo ignition system for fast and reliable startups. Cooking System: Convectional
Those looking for an affordable propane grill can never go wrong with the Char-Broil Classic 280 2-Burner Liquid Propane Gas Grill.
It has two durable stainless steel in-line burners that heat up 280 square inches of cooking space and can deliver more than 20,000 BTU of heat for your cooking needs.
With its piezo ignition system, starting it is very easy as you won’t have to look for a matchstick or a lighter.
The cooking grates are made of steel and coated with porcelain for effective element protection and easy cleaning. Porcelain-coated steel lid and firebox stand up to weather.
Metal side shelves (measuring 12 inches x 13 inches) enables food preparation and storage space.
It uses a conventional cooking system. It has 6-inch wheels for easier transportation. You will be able to prepare 12 burgers at a time on it.
Check Reviews On AmazonWhat is the best type of grill to buy?
There are different types of cheap and smaller grills that you can get for the backyard cooking.
You can choose either a gas unit of a charcoal one, which are two of the common types of outdoor cooking devices. Each of them can be used for an exciting camping adventure or tailgating party.
The cooking fuel
What sets these types of grills apart is the fuel they run on with gas units using either propane or natural gas while charcoal models use coal as the source of fuel.
Do you want that smoky flavor?
When you prepare your meals using a charcoal grill, they take in the natural smoky flavor from the burning coal that makes the meals quite tasty.
You will not be able to achieve this with a gas unit easily and, therefore, if you want you grilled dishes to acquire this unique flavor, then you should get a charcoal model for your cooking.
Fast cooking and portability
Gas grills, on the other hand, prepare meals very fast and makes them ideal for individuals who don’t like spending a lot of time preparing meals.
They are also portable so you can use them for your outdoor adventures and keep enjoying the grilled dishes even when you are on the go.
Are cheap grills worth it?
If you want to prepare a small portion of food for you and your family at the campground or tailgating then a cheap grill can do it.
They are simply built, without special features like a built-in thermometer on the lid, several burners, and so on.
So, if you are not a demanding chef that won’t prepare meals for a group of people each time then a cheap model can be a great choice.
What makes Weber grills so good?
Weber is a leading brand in the grilling world but why? The company really tries to deliver high-quality grills to the customer that have features for easier cooking and cleaning afterwards.
GS4 grilling system
GS4 is their most precious grill system that they made in my opinion. This high-performance grilling system that has 4 primary elements in the new Weber Genesis II models.
It includes Weber’s unique flavorizer bars, upgraded E2i Ignitors, high-performance burners, and a convenient grease management system. Cooking and cleaning are much easier with these sophisticated features.
One-touch cleaning system
A one-touch cleaning system is the other great feature that Weber charcoal units have.
The cleaning of the unit is simple as you just slide the hook on the ash catcher back and forth to remove the ashes from the device to the ash catcher.
Then you remove the ash catcher pulling it down to remove the ash. Put it back on by pressing it to the device and you are ready to grill again.
What is the best grill for beginners?
The best grill for beginners is the one that doesn’t have several features to operate with and is easy to use.
If you are buying a new device for your first outdoor cookout then look for the model that will be big enough to feed your guests, and also consider the type of fuel that you will be using.
Charcoal grills
Charcoal grills are usually more demanding to cook on than gas units where you just turn the knob and cook. Gas devices are easy to use also because you can easily adjust the heat.
Meanwhile, using a charcoal model demands setting a fire with charcoal briquettes or wood which requires some skills.
Electric grills
Electric grills are easy to use as you need to plug them in the electricity and turn the knob for cooking. They are more convenient to use and easier to clean since you won’t experience ash at the bottom of the unit.
Get a cheap and portable grill
You will enjoy your meals better if you prepare them with a grill and this article on the best grills under $100 will help you find affordable products for your cooking needs.
Cheaper and smaller grills are appropriate for non-demanding cooks for camping, tailgating, and similar outdoor activities, and are right-size for a small family.
When choosing your model consider its features so you will prepare food with satisfaction.
