They use it every other day, and the sweet smell and sizzling sound regularly drifts over the fence into your garden. It sure smells tasty!
After a while, you give in and think you’d better try out this grill and BBQ stuff for yourself. But when is the best time to buy a grill?
Well, we’ve got the answers for you! In our helpful guide below, you’ll find out all about the best time to buy a grill.
On top of that, you’ll find tips for buying them, as well as recommendations of the best places to secure the best deals. Read on and you’ll be cooking in no time!
When Is The Best Time To Buy A Grill?
So, let’s begin with the big question. On the whole, the best time for you to be buying a grill is just after the Summer, around the months of September or October.
You may be thinking that’s an odd time to buy an outdoor cooking instrument, because the sun will be going and the cold will be coming, but that’s exactly why it’s a good time.
Grills and BBQs are a seasonal hobby for many, and they like to do it when the weather’s at its best. This is especially true for people who have harsh winters, so go by your location and its weather.
People start grilling around March, and more and more people turn to it as the months go on, leading to a grilling peak around May.
After that, interest starts to dip a little (apart from July), until we Autumn and the hobby mostly stops.
For this reason, lots of stores have great discounts on their grilling equipment, across all types: gas grills, charcoal grills, smokers.
Since there’s low demand for them, they desperately want to sell them off, so they offer lower prices across the board. If you want to save well, this post-Summer period is a great time to invest in an outdoor grill.
In fact, a more specific time to spot these deals would be just after the big holiday: the Fourth of July.
If you look at your local stores (large ones like Home Depot, with plenty of variety and stock), you’ll notice that they tend to offer deals on all types og grill right after the Fourth of July.
This is because many people will celebrate Independence Day with a grilling session, with a big meal for the whole family. Once that day is over, the demand for grills decreases a bit.
Therefore, the stores offer brief, big sales on grilling supplies.
Finding A Great, Good Quality Deal
As we’ve mentioned, stores will start to reduce their grilling equipment right after the end of Fourth of July and right after the end of the Summer period.
This means that August through October sees a whole range of great deals and offers on all types of grills, because the stores are trying to get rid of their stock and make space for more seasonal appropriate items: such as Christmas themed equipment.
As an aside, it’s also worth mentioning that some stores try to discount their stock even before Fourth of July, so keep a lookout.
Floor Models
On top of these overall reductions, you’ll notice that floor model grills will be even cheaper than them.
Floor models, as you may know, are the products that a store uses for display on their shop floor, demonstrating the goods and getting looked over and touched by thousands of customers.
For this reason, their quality may be a little less than if you were buying a boxed, non-floor model product. I recently bought a coffee table from a store, and they tried to give us a floor model that had a chip in it!
For this reason, you will want to do a thorough inspection of a floor model before you choose to buy it and make use of the huge reduction.
In the store, have a look over the grill that’s caught your eye. Look out especially for any damage or degradation, because these could affect the performance and lifespan of the grill, and then there would be no point in buying it anyway.
On top of that, you’ll want to ask an employee if the floor model has a warranty attached (entitling you to a free replacement if it breaks in a certain period of time) or a returns policy.
The reason for this is that some floor models from stores do not allow you to return them for a refund, probably because the store definitely won’t be able to re-sell it.
If the floor model breaks, then, you’ll be left at a loss of money. We don’t want that, so it’s best to check the condition and the returns policies ahead of purchase.
Size And Features
More generally, whether you’re looking at the discount grills or the further-discounted floor model, you’ll want to think about size and features. It all depends on how you plan to use it.
If you’ll just be grilling a few burgers for a small family, then a small and simple grill will do you fine.
However, if you’re planning on using the grill for massive get-togethers, with dozens of guests, then you’ll want to find a grill model that has lots of burners and plenty of room to fit each piece of meat.
Check all the models in order to find the size that will best suit you.
However, it is worth noting that deals on grills depend on the quality and size of them. It is usually the more basic grills that have the bigger reductions in price, because they’re already cheaper to begin with.
Even if a store wants to get rid of its stock, it’s still not going to easily give away its best products. For this reason, large grills with multiple burners may not have quite the reductions you were hoping for – if any at all.
This is doubly so if the model is new.
If a newer model is released, though, you can always bet the older models will be reduced.
Additionally, newer models should be much safer, because advancements in technology are making the equipment safer and safer over time. For this reason, try not to buy a really old and out of date grill.
Online
Of course, you don’t have to limit your search to stores. Shopping online is a great way to find even more discounts, and be able to look at and compare a variety of sellers in next to no time.
On top of this, they may have a greater range of grills available. When you’re in a store, you may find that they don’t have the model you had your eye on. ‘
Chances are, the internet will! However, it is harder to inspect the quality when it’s online, and get a feel for the size.
BBQ
BBQ grilling is becoming more popular as time goes by, which has meant that BBQ grills are also widely available and open to discounts.
On top of that, it also means that the popular grilling season has become longer. The difference between BBQ and regular grilling is that BBQ uses smoke and is done with a lid over the meat – and the meat is often larger cuts.
What Is The Best Time For Buying A Pre-Owned Grill?
What we’ve spoken about so far has been new grills, but there is also a large market for used grills.
If you like the idea of getting a used grill (as long as it’s in good and safe condition!) then you can certainly get good discounts on them, almost always even better than on brand new grills.
A good place to start your search is in garage sales, where regular people will be selling off their grills in person. Be prepared to haul it out of there!
On top of that, a thrift store is a great way to find used grills at cheap prices. Lots of people will donate their old grills to a thrift store when they buy a new one, giving it away for free so that it can benefit a charity.
They will often have a good selection, but you’ll want to check with the employees about whether they have a return policy on the stock, in case it doesn’t work.
Ideally, you’ll be able to spot any damage before you buy it, and inspect that all the parts and features are there. However, if it breaks after you buy it, you’ll want to return it.
The Moving Season
Generally, a fantastic period to look for used grills will be in the moving season. What’s this? Well, it’s the period when lots of people choose to move home.
This is often in the Summer, because their children will be out of school, and it’ll be the end of the school year so they can start at a new one easily if they have to.
On top of that, things are just looser and nicer around Summer – you don’t want to move all your belongings while it’s snowing and cold!
Why do people sell them before they move, though? Don’t they want their grill in their nice new house? Well, not quite!
Grills can be large and difficult items to move, so a lot of people just try to get rid of theirs easily, and buy a new one for their new house.
For this reason, you’ll especially find better prices on large used grills, because they’re such a nuisance to get rid of otherwise.
You can either take them on the price the sellers offer, or even have room to negotiate, because they’ll want to get rid of them quickly.
However, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind when buying these. Firstly, have a look over the grill for any damage or rusting points.
Do this in the daytime, because it’s easier to see the flaws. On top of that, inspect the fire burners for any corrosion that would affect their use, or even make it dangerous to cook on.
Only buy when you are satisfied that it is in good and (very) safe condition.
A new grill should always be in better condition, and will often have a warranty and returns policy on top of that.
However, though a used grill may not have those things – or even the range of choice – you will get really great savings.
Getting The Best Deal
We’ve just mentioned negotiation, and this is going to be a useful tool for you to make sure that you get a fair price and the best deal.
Don’t feel ashamed to negotiate, you’re not ripping them off! In fact, they may be ripping you off.
That usually isn’t the case, though. Most people won’t know how much their grill is worth, so their price isn’t very informed or reasonable.
To get around this you can do some research and tell them how much cheaper you can get it elsewhere, and what it should be going for, which should lead them to lower the asking price.
The seller’s situation can also be a good help in negotiating. If they’re one of the Summer movers that we’ve mentioned, they may be trying to get rid of their grill quickly before they move.
As a result, they are likely to go lower on the price, just so they can be freed of it and get some money quickly.
On top of this all, condition should also come into it. Obviously you shouldn’t buy a grill that’s majorly damaged, but if it’s just got a safe chip on it, that may be a possible way to knock a bit off the asking price.
Getting A Grill Deal As The Summer Winds Down
There are a few tips and tricks you’ll want to keep in mind in order to get a grill at the very best time and the very best price.
Firstly, you should know that some stores will start trying to get rid of their grills as soon as the Summer season is over, and there may be a rush from other people who have also been waiting for some discounts.
Therefore, you’ll want to get to the store as quickly as possible, and get the deals before anyone else.
On the other hand, looking on the internet can be a great money and time saver.
In fact, many will offer you free delivery on them, which can be a lot easier for you than buying a grill in store and then having to fit it into your car and drive it back home.
If the shipping isn’t free, you may want to calculate the total cost and the shipping fee and see if it’s really worth buying online.
Additionally, always do your research. Have a look around stores and the internet, and see how the prices are comparing to each other.
On top of that, have a look at how much models are reduced by when a newer version comes out and they become slightly outdated – but no less good!
However, doing your research is all pointless if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Make notes on the features that you would like to have in a grill or BBQ, and think about what you’ll be using it for.
If you’re going to be cooking for lots of people, then you’ll want lots of space and burners.
The Worst Time To Buy A Grill
Now that we’ve looked at the best periods to buy a grill, letting you get the cheapest ones and the best deals, we’re now going to look at the work periods in time where you could invest in a grill – so that you can avoid them!
Put simply, the worst time for you to buy a grill is in the peak grilling season. This is between March and June, when people are buying their grills for use in the Summer and in advance of the Fourth of July.
All the stores know that this is when grills are most popular and when they are in the highest demand, and that’s why they keep the prices high.
The stores will even have a larger range of supplies at the start of this period, accounting for all the later demand that they know will come.
On top of that, the prices are unlikely to lower at all during this time. With that being said, it’s not impossible, and there is always the chance of a small sale.
With that being said, it may just be personally worth it for you to spend a little bit extra and get one during the Summer season.
After all, you may not see much point saving some money but missing out on all the best grilling weather as a result.
The Best Places To Buy Grills
There are a range of places that you can buy grills. Obviously, if you want a used grill then you’re going to be buying right from somebody, or picking it up at a garage sale or a thrift store.
If you’re buying a new grill, then there are a handful of places to look. Firstly, you can go straight to the manufacturer and see if they offer their models any cheaper than through stores.
If not, you can go to the stores. Local hardware stores will often have the more affordable, simpler grills on sale, while a larger store or chain is more likely to have a whole range of fancy or simple grilling equipment.
The Most Popular Grilling Trends
Double Fuel Grill
The double fuel grill is becoming popular with many people, as well as the combo grill. These offer more than one type of grill, like a gas grill and a fuel grill, which allows you to cook your fuel differently.
On top of that, it allows you to have more things cooking at the same time. Obviously, these models will cost you more, because it’s like having two different grills.
With that being said, though, the increased price is worth it for the versatility!
Pellet Grill and Pellets
A pellet grill combines elements from other types of grills, like charcoal, gas, and convection ovens. You can cook in a variety of ways with them, and they give you an increased smokey flavor – if that’s what you like.
However, you don’t have to have a specialized grill for it, and can instead use a pellet smoking tube. These can give you up to 5 hours of smoking, and you can pick the flavor of it too, giving you the taste you want.
The Most Popular Grilling Gadgets
Heat Repellent Gloves
These are essential for your safety, and highly recommended! Always be safe when cooking, whether it’s from the heat or just making sure that the meat is fully cooked – avoid food poisoning.
Wireless Meat Thermometers
It’s important to check the internal temperature of your meat, so that it cooks properly. This can even be checked wirelessly, while you go elsewhere and leave it cooking – but don’t leave a grill unobserved for long!
Grill Automation
Technology has advanced to make the cooking easier, too. Some new models will have fans and sensors that shoot air to keep your fire blazing, and it can all be handled with temperature controllers or even automation.
Facts And Statistics
Through the US census, we can often find out that almost 80 million Americans grill every year. It’s a wildly popular hobby and for good reason! Grilling is a good way to spend time with others, as well as get out of the house and enjoy the outdoor air.
The number of grillers should only increase, because in 2018 the global market for BBQ grills was valued at 4.79 billion dollars. Whether it’s the equipment or the meat itself, grilling is a popular and lucrative hobby for the grill industry!
The most popular meat for grilling is burgers, with steaks and hot dogs coming afterwards. These are all relatively easy and quick to cook, as well as delicious, so it’s not surprising!
A survey was conducted in order to find out why people prefer to grill or smoke their food. 72% of people said that flavor was their reason, while 40% attributed entertainment and 18% said it was for health. On top of that, 64% owned gas grills, while 44% had a charcoal grill instead. Whatever the reason, and whatever the grill, they’re clearly very popular!
Final Thoughts
And there you have it! Grilling is becoming more and more popular. If you’re planning on joining the delicious trend, you now know the best and cheapest time to buy a grill for yourself.
Always make sure that it’s in good, working condition!
