The Best Time to Buy a BBQ Grill (and When Not To!)

The summer is winding down and temperatures are starting to cool off in many parts of the country. But, there are still several more weeks of great outdoor cooking weather left (or months if you’re in the south). And, if you are in the market for a new grill and wondering when is the best time to buy a grill or smoker, you’ve come to the right place. 

In this article, we’ve got the scoop on the best time to buy a BBQ grill, what to look for, and also when you should not try and buy one.

 

When to Find the Best Deals on New Grills

You can usually start to find pretty good prices on grills and smokers starting after the 4th of July. But, if you are really wanting to find the best deals, those are going to happen between September and November as the current “grilling season” is winding down. 

This is usually when there won’t be a lot of people shopping for grills and local stores will be wanting to get rid of the remaining ones that they still have to make room for winter holiday inventory.

So, depending on where you’re located, you can snag a good grill at a great price and have a brand new cooker to use through the remainder of the year or store it away to use brand new at the start of the next season.

These late summer-early fall deals will usually apply to somewhat standard grills that are good for the average backyard-cooking enthusiast. If you are looking to level up your BBQ game with a more competition-worthy cooker straight from the manufacturer, you may not find as steep of discounts but it’s not impossible to get a good price. 

Look for deals as a new model comes out. In many cases, when new models are released, the previous model can be found on sale on the company website. 

 

Source: Outdoor Living Concepts

(*Note: The above image is an example of a previous sale that happened and does not reflect a current sale.)

 

Tips for Buying a BBQ Grill During Late Summer to Early Fall

Here are some easy tips to follow to ensure you get a good grill at a sale price you’ll be happy with:

• If you know you will be looking to buy a new grill, make a list of features and specifics that are important to you in having. If you’re replacing a grill, are you wanting a different size? What features did you not have in that grill that you wish you had? What things do you want to avoid in your next grill? Want to change the type of fuel source?
  
  If you don’t currently have a grill, think of the types of things you want to cook and what specifications you’ll definitely need in a grill. Also, ask for some recommendations from people you know and trust who grill a lot.

• Take some time to do some research and pinpoint a few options of grills you like earlier in the season. Then you can really take a look at them while there is a good selection in stock. Take a look at all the features each grill has and read reviews online. Then you’ll be ready to pull the trigger on buying one when prices start dropping.

• Don't hold out too long to buy and chance missing out on what you want. Usually, stores clear out their entire grill section to replace it with holiday items towards late October.

• Be open to floor models too. Don’t be afraid to ask a store employee if they’ll sell one to you. Some of the best deals can come from floor model grills.

• Check smaller, local hardware/outdoor stores also. These stores often have great deals on grills towards the fall since they have less space to store the ones they have leftover.

• If you don’t have a big enough vehicle to transport a larger grill home, make sure you factor in delivery costs too.

• If you are not going to be using your new grill much before it gets cold, make sure it is stored away properly for the winter. Then you’ll be ready to go with a fresh grill that is in good condition at the start of the next season.

 

The Best Time to Buy Used Grills

If you are wanting to buy a BBQ grill but not wanting to spend the money on a new grill or smoker quite yet, look at buying a used grill. You can get some really great deals on these as well if you know when to look. 

When it comes to used grills, the best time to buy one is during the peak “moving season”, which is during the summer months. This is the time when many people are moving and having big sales to offload the items they will not be taking with them. So, look out for moving sales in your area, check on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, or even local thrift stores. Chances are you can find a lightly used grill at a good price. 

Make sure you have the capability while you are out looking to quickly pull up more information on grills you come across. Then you can check the original sale price, features, reviews, etc.

 

Source: Guardian Storage

 

Don’t Be Afraid to Negotiate

Whether you are buying a new grill or a used grill, the asking price you see is probably not the lowest you could get it for. To get the best deal, don’t be afraid to negotiate. This is especially true for floor models in stores and at moving sales. In both of these situations, the seller needs these grills to go because they may not have somewhere to put them soon.

So, make a lower offer for the grill. The worst that can happen is the seller says no. Then you can negotiate with the seller until you find a number that you’re both happy with. But, chances are, you’ll score a great deal on a cooker.

 

When Not to Buy a BBQ Grill If You’re Looking for a Deal

Just like there is a certain time of the year that you’ll find the best prices on grills, there’s also a time you should not be trying to buy a grill if you want to get a deal. You’ll find the highest prices on grills and smokers from March through June. 

As the demand for outdoor cookers goes up at the start of peak grilling season so will the prices. Then, they’ll likely stay fairly high until the end of the summer. 

Sure, you’ll find a larger selection of grills and smokers during this time. But, if you are really wanting to find a deal, just do your research during this time. Then wait for prices to go down once you get into September.

Occasionally, there are good flash deals throughout the summer on grills. So, make sure you look at the weekly store deals regularly. You may be able to snag a great price on a grill even during peak season.

 

Source: Green Acres Outdoor Living

 

You Don’t Always Have to Spend a Ton of Money to Get a Good Grill

As you can see, if you are patient and wait until the end of grilling season, you can find some great deals on new grills. If you’re leaning towards a used grill, zero in on people who are moving and not planning on taking their grill with them. Either way, it’s definitely possible to get a good grill that will last you for a while without having to shell out a ton of money. 

Have you snagged a good deal on a new grill recently? Recently seen any great deals online? Leave a comment below. We want to hear about it!

 

Once you get your new grill, if you are wanting to step up your grilling skills and impress your family and friends, check out our step-by-step virtual Championship Backyard Cooking Classes here at BBQ Champs Academy. You’ll learn directly from Champion Grillmaster and Pitmasters how to perfectly cook a variety of different backyard favorites.

Want to kick your outdoor cooking up to competition level? Get your All-Access pass now for our one-of-a-kind online, competition BBQ cooking classes with the pros. You’ll get all the insider smoking and grilling techniques broken down step-by-step, as well as competition-BBQ tips, and much more. You can start cooking competition-caliber meats today! 

Make sure to also subscribe to our YouTube channel and get recaps of all the latest competition BBQ news, interviews with Champion Pitmasters and Grillmasters, and insider info straight from the source.

 

*Feature image courtesy of Forbes