Finding the Best BBQ for Memorial Day Sale Season

The best bbq for Memorial Day sale season is the grill that fits your cooking habits, your budget, and your backyard. Every year, stores cut prices on grills ahead of the holiday weekend. The deals look tempting. But a low price alone does not make a good purchase. A grill that rusts in two years or cooks unevenly is no bargain. This guide walks through what matters when you shop. It covers the main types of grills, what to look for, what you can expect to pay, and how to keep your new grill in good shape for years.

Why Memorial Day Is a Good Time to Buy a Grill

Memorial Day marks the start of the summer cooking season in America. Stores know this. They stock shelves with grills, smokers, and outdoor cooking gear weeks in advance. When the holiday weekend arrives, prices drop to draw shoppers in. Discounts of twenty to forty percent are common on mid-range models. High-end models see smaller cuts, but even a modest discount can save you a real amount of money on a premium grill.

Shopping during a sale also gives you more choice. Stores carry their full spring lineup, so you can compare side by side. If you wait until July, the popular models may be gone. If you buy in fall, the prices may be lower, but the pickings are thin. For most buyers, the Memorial Day window offers the best mix of low prices and wide selection.

Still, the season brings pressure to buy fast. Ads create urgency. “Sale ends Monday” signs push you toward a quick decision. Take your time anyway. A grill is a purchase you will live with for years. An hour of reading before you buy can save you from a machine that frustrates you every weekend.

How to Choose: What to Look for in a BBQ: Best Bbq for Memorial Day Sale

Start with fuel. Gas grills heat fast and cook with steady control. Charcoal grills cost less and add a smoky flavor that many cooks love. Pellet grills burn wood pellets and work well as smokers. Kamado grills hold heat for hours and handle both searing and slow cooking. Electric grills suit small patios where gas and charcoal are not allowed. Your fuel choice shapes everything else.

Next, look at cooking area. A grill with 400 to 500 square inches of space feeds a family of four or five with room for a crowd on holidays. If you cook for two most nights, a smaller unit will heat faster and use less fuel. Measure your patio or deck too. Leave at least a foot of space on all sides for safe movement.

Check the build quality. Lift the lid. A heavy lid seals heat better than a light one. Look at the grates. Cast iron holds heat well and gives good sear marks, but it needs regular oiling to prevent rust. Stainless steel grates clean more easily and resist rust. Porcelain-coated grates are a middle ground. Push the grill gently. It should feel solid, not wobbly. Cheap wheels and thin sheet metal are signs of a grill that will not last.

Controls matter more than most shoppers think. On a gas grill, turn each burner knob. The response should be smooth. Look for an ignition that lights on the first click. Battery-free piezo igniters last longer. A built-in thermometer in the lid helps you track heat, though it measures air at the top, not the heat at the grates. Many cooks keep a separate probe thermometer for accuracy.

Think about cleanup as well. A grill with a slide-out grease tray is far easier to maintain than one where grease pools in the body. Removable ash pans help on charcoal models. If the sale price is low but the design makes cleaning a chore, the grill may sit unused after the first summer.

Finally, read the warranty. A good gas grill carries at least five years on the burners and two years on parts. Premium brands often give ten years or more on the cook box and grates. A short warranty tells you what the maker thinks of its own product.

Types of BBQ Grills and Which One Suits You

Gas Grills

Gas grills are the most common choice in America. They light in minutes, heat evenly, and shut off with a twist of a knob. Two-burner models handle small families. Three- or four-burner models give you heat zones, so you can sear on one side and cook gently on the other. For guidance on entry-level models, see our guide to the best gas grill under 500 for beginners. Brands such as Char-Broil and Broil King offer solid mid-range options that often see deep Memorial Day discounts.

Charcoal Grills

Charcoal grills cost less and reward patience with real smoke flavor. The classic kettle design has cooked backyard burgers for decades. You control heat by moving coals and adjusting vents. It takes longer to start, and cleanup means handling ash. If you love the ritual of fire and want the best flavor per dollar, read our take on the best charcoal grill for backyard bbq. Sale season is kind to charcoal models, since stores discount them to move volume.

Pellet Grills

Pellet grills burn compressed wood pellets and run with a dial, much like an oven. They excel at smoking ribs, brisket, and pulled pork over many hours. Traeger built the category, and several makers now compete in it. Pellet grills cost more than gas or charcoal, but Memorial Day sales often trim the price on popular mid-size models. Keep in mind that you must buy pellets on an ongoing basis, and the grill needs an electric outlet.

Kamado Grills

Kamado grills are round, ceramic, and superb at holding steady heat. They sear steaks at high heat and smoke pork shoulder low and slow. Big Green Egg is the best-known name, and Napoleon makes a strong competitor. Kamados are heavy and pricey, but they last for decades. Our guide to the best kamado grill for the money compares the top options. During sales, bundles that include a stand and cover can be the real deal.

Electric and Portable Grills

If you live in an apartment with balcony rules against open flame, an electric grill may be your only option. They heat quickly and work well for small meals. Portable grills suit campers and tailgaters. They rarely see the deepest discounts, but sale prices still help.

Cost and Price: What You Should Expect to Pay

Memorial Day deals vary by type. Here is a plain view of typical sale prices in recent years.

Entry-level gas grills drop to around 200 to 350 dollars during the sale. These are basic two-burner models from mass-market brands. They cook fine but may need new parts within three to five years.

Mid-range gas grills, the sweet spot for most families, often sell for 400 to 800 dollars on sale. You get three burners, thicker steel, better grates, and a longer warranty. Most buyers should aim here.

Premium gas grills run from 900 to 2,500 dollars or more, with sales trimming a few hundred. These are built to last a decade or longer.

Charcoal kettles cost 100 to 250 dollars on sale. Pellet grills run 500 to 1,200 dollars on sale. Kamado grills range from 700 to 1,500 dollars, and bundles add value rather than deep price cuts.

Watch for hidden costs. A cover, usually 30 to 80 dollars, protects any grill from rain and sun. For gas models, a full propane tank costs around 20 dollars to exchange. Charcoal, pellets, tools, and a good thermometer add up. Set your total budget before you walk into the store.

Also compare the sale price to the everyday price at more than one store. Some “sale” tags mark the price down from an inflated list price. The Home Depot and other large retailers list price history on their sites. A true deal beats the regular street price, not just the printed sticker. Independent reviews from Consumer Reports can tell you whether a discounted model actually performs well.

Care and Upkeep After You Bring It Home

A grill lasts as long as you care for it. After each cook, run the burners on high for ten minutes with the lid closed. This burns off food residue. Then brush the grates with a stiff grill brush while they are still warm. Oil the grates lightly before cooking to stop food from sticking.

Empty the grease tray often. Old grease causes flare-ups and can feed a fire. On charcoal grills, scoop out ash after every few cooks. Ash holds moisture and speeds rust.

Cover the grill when it is not in use. Even grills rated for weather last longer under a cover. Store it in a dry spot for the winter if you can. Disconnect the propane tank and keep it upright in a ventilated area, never indoors.

Once a year, give the grill a deep clean. Take out the grates, heat plates, and burners. Scrub them with warm soapy water and a brush. Check the burner tubes for clogs. Spiders and insects love to nest in them over winter, and a blocked tube causes uneven heat. Tighten any loose bolts and oil the wheels. This one afternoon of work can add years to the grill’s life. Step-by-step grilling and cleaning guides at The Spruce Eats walk through each task in detail.

Safety Tips Every Grill Owner Should Know

Place the grill on a level surface, away from the house, deck rails, and overhanging branches. Ten feet of clear space is a good rule. Never grill in a garage or under a low roof, even with the door open. Carbon monoxide builds up fast and you cannot smell it.

Keep a spray bottle of water nearby for small flare-ups and a fire extinguisher rated for grease fires within reach. Never use water on a grease fire. It spreads the flames. Smother it by closing the lid and turning off the burners.

Check gas connections for leaks. Mix dish soap with water and brush it on the hose and fittings. Bubbles mean a leak. Turn off the gas and replace the faulty part before you cook.

Keep children and pets at least three feet away from a hot grill. The outside of a grill gets hot enough to burn skin. Teach older kids that the grill area is off limits during cooking.

When you finish cooking, turn off the burners and the tank valve. Let the grill cool fully before you cover it. If you smell gas while the grill is running, turn everything off, step away, and call the fire department if the smell persists.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do Memorial Day grill sales actually start?

Most major retailers begin marking down grills two to three weeks before Memorial Day. The deepest cuts land on the weekend itself and the days right after. Shopping early gives you the best selection. Shopping late gives you the lowest prices, but popular models may be sold out.

Is a cheap grill on sale worth buying?

It depends on the build. A well-made entry-level grill at a discount is a fine buy. A flimsy grill with thin metal and a one-year warranty is not, even at half price. Check the weight, the grate material, and the warranty before you judge the deal.

Gas or charcoal: which is better for a beginner?

Gas is easier to learn. You turn a knob and cook. Charcoal takes practice with vents and coal placement, but it teaches you real fire control. If you are new and want quick weeknight meals, start with gas. If you enjoy the process and want smoky flavor, start with charcoal. Detailed technique advice at AmazingRibs.com helps both kinds of cooks improve.

How long should a good grill last?

A mid-range gas grill lasts five to ten years with regular cleaning and a cover. Premium models last ten to fifteen years. Charcoal kettles often last a decade. Kamado grills can last twenty years or more because the ceramic body does not rust. Pellet grills last about five to eight years, with the electronics usually failing before the steel does.

Should I buy the floor model on sale?

Floor models can be a good deal if the discount is steep and all parts are present. Check it over carefully. Make sure the burners, knobs, grates, and wheels are all there and undamaged. Ask for the full warranty in writing. If anything is missing, the discount should be large enough to cover replacements.

Do I need accessories right away?

A good brush, long tongs, a spatula, and a probe thermometer cover most needs. A cover is worth buying at once. You can add a smoker box, grill basket, or rotisserie later once you know how you like to cook.

A Short Final Word

The best bbq for Memorial Day sale hunting is not the cheapest grill on the page. It is the grill that matches your fuel, your space, your cooking style, and your budget, bought at a fair discount with a solid warranty. Decide what you need before the sale starts. Compare a few models. Read one or two honest reviews. Then buy with confidence and enjoy the first cookout of the season. Summer tastes better when the grill is right.

References

AmazingRibs.com. (n.d.). Barbecue and grilling science. https://www.amazingribs.com Big Green Egg. (n.d.). Kamado grills and outdoor cooking. https://www.biggreenegg.com Broil King. (n.d.). Gas and charcoal grills. https://www.broilkingbbq.com Char-Broil. (n.d.). Gas and charcoal grills. https://www.charbroil.com Consumer Reports. (n.d.). Product reviews and ratings. https://www.consumerreports.org Napoleon. (n.d.). Fireplaces, grills, and heating products. https://www.napoleon.com The Home Depot. (n.d.). Home improvement products. https://www.homedepot.com The Spruce Eats. (n.d.). Recipes and cooking guides. https://www.thespruceeats.com Traeger. (n.d.). Wood pellet grills. https://www.traeger.com