If you’re looking to get a steeply discounted gas grill or charcoal grill, there’s no doubt about the best time to buy: fall.
As soon as the fourth of July is gone for another year, the peak of the grilling season is behind you. That said, you still have weeks of great grilling stretching ahead of you, so you won’t achieve the best prices when you’re shopping grills quite yet.
Once the summer grilling season is wrapped, though, and fall starts unfolding, it’s no surprise that stores want as many grills off the shelves as possible. This presents you with the ideal opportunity to strike and snatch yourself the deal of the season.
I. How to Get The Best Grill Deals in Fall or Late Summer
Take full advantage of the grilling season itself to do your research and determine which grill makes the right fit for you. Read plenty of user reviews to get a feel for how the grills perform in real-world conditions. With grills still plentiful in the stores, it’s also a smart time to explore some grills. Even if you’re planning to buy your grill online, there’s no reason you can’t do a little active window shopping first.
The other advantage of doing your research during grilling season is that you have the opportunity to not down all the things you want on your next grill, and those features you could do without. If you spend this summer making endless small batches of grilled treats, it might be time to think about buying a bigger grill.
With all your research done, it’s now a waiting game. Don’t wait too long, though, or you could find all the grills are cleared out to make way for festive items.
If you intend to pick up your grill from a bricks-and-mortar store, don’t be shy about asking for discounts, especially if you’re considering a floor model. Often, the store would sooner take a hit just to get rid of a large and bulky grill they won’t likely sell until next year if you don’t take it off their hands.
If you are looking at much larger grills and you don’t have a car, make sure you account for delivery costs when budgeting.
II. The Best Time to Buy a Used Grill
There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to buying a grill. Some people prefer buying online and others in-store. For many others, buying a used grill is an attractive option, so when is the best time to swoop and snatch a great deal?
Well, if you’re looking for a used grill to save a few bucks without sacrificing your BBQ, the summer is the best time to do this. When you’re shopping for used grills, you could look at moving sales, yard sales, and thrift stores. Craigslist is an old classic always worth a look. There are also many online marketplaces offering you enormous choice and the keenest possible prices.
III. When Is The Worst Time to Buy a Grill?
Avoid shopping for a gas grill or a charcoal grill between March and June. While this might be the most natural time to buy – you have all summer and the whole grilling season ahead of you – this is why you should resist the temptation to buy a grill right now. The law of supply and demand dictates that prices will be highest during this season. Prices don’t tend to fluctuate much during the summer, and you’re highly unlikely to find a great deal on grills.
IV. What You Need to Know Before Buying a Grill
Now you know when are the best and worst times to go grill shopping, all that remains is to decide on the type of grill that makes the best fit for you.
Here are the most common options at your disposal:
- Charcoal grill: There is no substitute for the best charcoal grill if you want that trademark smokiness associated with BBQs. You’ll need to master manipulating the airflow to control the temperature on these grills. Easy to use but messy, purists the world over insist no other BBQ competes with a charcoal grill
- Gas grill: You can find gas grills that use either liquid propane or natural gas to deliver a delicious and user-friendly grilling experience
- Electric grill: If you’re looking to grill with convenience uppermost, you may want to consider an electric grill. As long as you have access to a power outlet, using one of these grills couldn’t be easier, even if you’ll struggle to impart that authentic smokiness to your food
- Kamado grill: A kamado grill allows you to harness the principles of a tandoor oven to create delicious tender food cooked slow and low, while also allowing you to cook at scorching hot temperatures to 750F. These ceramic grills certainly aren’t cheap, but you’ll be getting a powerful addition to your grilling arsenal
- Grill/smoker: A grill/smoker combo or a dedicated smoker gives you even greater flexibility to cook delicious smoked meats and fish, as well as veggies. The combo units are among the most versatile grilling solutions you’ll find
Once you decide which cooking methods makes the smoothest fit, all you need to think about is the size of the grill and overall build quality, and you’re ready to grab yourself a bargain!
V. Conclusion
Well, we hope today’s brief guide to the best time to buy a grill has cleared things up for you.
Make a move on a new grill in fall, and grab a bargain with the best used grills during summer.
All you need to do before you head off today is bookmark Hempen Hill BBQ. We are here to bring something for everyone, from complete beginners to grilling to more experienced pitmasters. We love to hear from our readers, too, so don’t be shy and let us know what you’d like to see in the comments below. See you soon!