A grill that costs $800 in June often drops to $500 or less by October. That’s not a typo — it’s how seasonal pricing works in the outdoor cooking world. Retailers follow a predictable cycle, and if you understand it, you can save hundreds of dollars on the exact same model that your neighbor paid full price for just a few months earlier.
The truth is, most people buy their grill at the worst possible time. They walk into a store on the first warm Saturday of spring, see a shiny new model, and swipe their card without thinking twice. There’s nothing wrong with being excited about grilling season, but your wallet would thank you for a little patience — or a lot of planning.
This guide breaks down the best time to buy a grill based on the type of grill you want, the deals available, and the real pricing patterns that repeat year after year. Whether you’re looking for a charcoal kettle, a pellet smoker, or a full-size gas grill, you’ll know exactly when to pull the trigger.
Why Timing Your Grill Purchase Actually Matters
You might think a grill is a grill — you buy it when you need it. But grills aren’t like most purchases. They follow a very specific retail pricing pattern that’s tied directly to seasons, holidays, and inventory cycles.
Here’s the logic behind it. Grill manufacturers release new models in early spring, usually between February and April. Retailers stock up heavily during this window because they know demand is about to spike. Prices hit their peak between May and July, right when backyard cookout fever is at its highest. And then, once Labor Day passes, something interesting happens — prices start falling, sometimes dramatically.
This cycle repeats every single year. It’s not a secret, but most buyers don’t pay attention to it because they’re buying on impulse. They don’t shop for grills the way they’d shop for a car or a TV, where everyone knows to wait for Black Friday or model-year clearance.
But the savings are real. Industry data consistently shows that end-of-season grill markdowns range from 25% to as high as 50% off retail. On a premium gas grill or pellet smoker, that can easily mean $200 to $400 back in your pocket.
The Best Months to Buy a Grill — A Seasonal Breakdown
Not every month is created equal for grill shopping. Let’s walk through the year so you can see exactly where the deals are — and where the traps are.
January and February — The Quiet Window
These are underrated months for grill buyers. Retailers are wrapping up winter clearance and making room for incoming spring inventory. If last year’s models are still on the floor, you’ll often find them marked down significantly. The selection might be thinner, but the prices are attractive.
This is also a great time to shop online. E-commerce retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Home Depot often run “winter grilling” promotions in February because they know a small but dedicated group of year-round grillers is always looking for a deal.
Pro Tip: If you’re eyeing a specific brand, check their website directly in late January. Some manufacturers offer “pre-season” discounts before the spring rush begins.
March and April — New Models Arrive
Spring is when new grill models hit the shelves. Companies like Weber, Traeger, Camp Chef, and Char-Broil roll out their latest lineups during this window. Prices are mostly at full retail for the new stuff, but here’s the opportunity — last year’s models need to go.
If a manufacturer updated its flagship pellet grill from a 2024 to a 2025 version, the 2024 model didn’t suddenly become a bad grill. It’s the same quality, often with minimal differences, and it’s now priced to move. This is where smart buyers strike.
You’ll find these outgoing models at hardware stores, big box retailers, and specialty BBQ shops. Don’t be afraid to ask a floor associate if they have any “prior year” inventory in the back. They usually do.
May Through July — Peak Season (and Peak Prices)
This is when the majority of Americans buy their grills. Memorial Day weekend alone drives a massive chunk of annual grill sales. Prices are at their highest during this stretch, and the “sales” you see are often just the illusion of a deal — a $50 discount on a $700 grill isn’t really moving the needle.
Does that mean you should absolutely avoid buying during summer? Not necessarily. If you genuinely need a grill right now and you’ll use it all season long, the cost per use makes it worthwhile. But if you can wait, you’ll get significantly more value later in the year.
One exception worth noting: Memorial Day and Fourth of July sales occasionally offer legitimately good bundle deals where retailers throw in accessories — grill covers, grill tool sets, thermometers, or fuel — with your purchase. These bundled extras can add $75 to $150 in value, which softens the blow of buying at peak pricing.
August and September — The Sweet Spot Begins
Here’s where things get interesting. August is the beginning of the end-of-season clearance cycle. Retailers know that grilling demand drops sharply after Labor Day, and they absolutely do not want to store large, bulky grills through the winter. Storage costs money. Floor space is needed for fall and holiday merchandise.
So the discounts start appearing — and they’re real this time. You’ll commonly see 20% to 30% off across the board. Premium brands that rarely go on sale might offer their first meaningful discounts of the year.
September, especially the weeks right after Labor Day, is arguably the single best time to buy a grill if you want a strong combination of selection and price. The shelves still have decent variety, but the prices have dropped considerably.
October and November — Deepest Discounts, Limited Selection
If pure savings are your goal and you’re flexible on exactly which model you get, October and November deliver the steepest markdowns. Prices can drop 40% to 50% off original retail. Retailers are in full clearance mode.
The trade-off? Selection is hit-or-miss. Popular models and sizes sell through first, so you might be choosing from whatever’s left. But if the grill that’s left happens to be the right one for you, you’re looking at an outstanding deal.
Don’t overlook Black Friday and Cyber Monday. While these shopping events are dominated by electronics and clothing, grills do show up in the mix. Online retailers, in particular, run aggressive pricing on grills during Cyber Week. Keep an eye on Amazon, Lowe’s, and Home Depot — they’ve historically offered some of the best grill deals during this period.
December — A Wildcard Month
December is unusual. Most people aren’t thinking about grills, which means the few remaining units are priced to clear. You won’t find much selection at physical stores, but online inventory can still surprise you.
If you’re buying a grill as a holiday gift for someone who loves outdoor cooking, December can actually work out well. Just make sure you’re buying from a retailer with a solid return policy, in case the size or type isn’t quite right.
Best Time to Buy by Grill Type
Not all grills follow the exact same pricing curve. The type of grill you’re after can shift the best buying window by a few weeks — or even a couple of months.
Gas Grills
Gas grills are the highest-volume category in outdoor cooking, which means retailers carry the most stock and face the most pressure to clear it out. The best time to buy a gas grill is September through October, when the end-of-season push is strongest. You’ll find the widest range of discounts during this window.
If you’re not sure which gas grill fits your needs, it’s worth comparing the top models before you shop, so you can move fast when the price drops.
Pellet Grills and Smokers
Pellet grills have exploded in popularity over the past few years, and brands like Traeger, Pit Boss, and Camp Chef compete aggressively. Because pellet grills are positioned as “year-round” cookers (you can smoke a brisket in January just as easily as July), the discounts aren’t always as dramatic as gas grills.
That said, the best deals on pellet grills typically appear during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Traeger, in particular, has made Black Friday a flagship sales event for the brand. Pit Boss tends to offer competitive pricing through big box retailers like Walmart around the same time.
If you’re considering a portable option for tailgating or camping, the same holiday timing applies to portable pellet grill smokers.
Charcoal Grills and Kamado Grills
Charcoal grills, especially kettle grills, are generally more affordable to begin with, so the dollar savings from waiting are smaller — but the percentage discounts can still be significant.
Kamado grills like the Big Green Egg, Kamado Joe, and similar ceramic cookers are a different story. These are premium products with higher price points, and manufacturers tightly control their pricing. Deep discounts on kamado grills are rare, but you’ll occasionally find bundle deals (free accessories, stands, or covers) during Memorial Day and Black Friday.
If a kamado grill is on your wishlist, start by understanding the different kamado grill options available, because the best “deal” isn’t always about price — it’s about getting the right features for how you cook.
Offset Smokers
Offset smokers cater to a niche audience — people who are serious about traditional low-and-slow smoking. Because they’re a specialty item, offset smokers don’t always follow mainstream sales cycles. Your best bet for deals is late fall and winter, when demand is lowest and retailers are most willing to negotiate.
Check specialty BBQ retailers and manufacturer websites directly. Sometimes the best deal on an offset smoker comes from a smaller shop that’s trying to clear inventory before year-end.
Where to Find the Best Grill Deals
Knowing when to buy is half the equation. Knowing where to look is the other half. Different retailers play the game differently, and understanding their approach gives you a real edge.
Big Box Retailers (Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart)
These stores carry the largest physical inventory of grills, and they’re the most aggressive about end-of-season clearance. Both Home Depot and Lowe’s typically mark down their outdoor cooking inventory starting in late August. By October, the discounts can be steep — especially on floor models and display units.
Quick Fact: Floor models and display grills at big box stores are often discounted an extra 10% to 15% beyond the sale price. Yes, they’ve been sitting on the showroom floor. But a grill is designed to live outdoors — a few weeks of store display doesn’t affect performance.
Amazon
Amazon’s grill pricing is dynamic, meaning it can change day to day based on demand and competition. This works in your favor because you can use price tracking tools like CamelCamelCamel or Honey to set alerts and buy when the price dips.
Amazon also runs grill deals during Prime Day (usually July), which is one of the few times you can get a legitimate mid-summer discount. It’s not as deep as end-of-season clearance, but it’s better than full retail.
Specialty BBQ Retailers
Stores and websites that focus exclusively on grills and outdoor cooking — places like BBQGuys, AmazingRibs.com marketplace, or regional specialty shops — sometimes offer deals you won’t find at big box stores. They also carry brands and models that Home Depot and Walmart don’t stock.
The advantage of buying from a specialty retailer is expertise. They can help you choose the right grill for your cooking style, and they often include better customer support after the sale.
Direct from Manufacturers
Brands like Traeger, Weber, Solo Stove, and Kamado Joe sell directly through their own websites. Manufacturer-direct sales events can be excellent, particularly during holiday weekends and Black Friday. You’ll sometimes get exclusive bundles, extended warranties, or free shipping that aren’t available through third-party retailers.
Should You Buy a Used or Refurbished Grill?
This is a question that doesn’t get enough attention in most buying guides, and it deserves an honest answer.
Buying a used grill can be a great deal — or a terrible mistake. It depends entirely on the type of grill and its condition.
Charcoal grills and kettle grills hold up well when purchased used, because they’re mechanically simple. There’s not much that can go wrong beyond rust, and you can spot that easily before buying. A used Weber Kettle in good shape is one of the best values in outdoor cooking.
Gas grills are trickier. Burners, ignition systems, and gas lines can degrade over time, and a used gas grill with corroded burner tubes is going to give you nothing but headaches. If you’re considering a used gas grill, inspect the burners, heat plates, and ignition system carefully. If any of those components need replacing, factor the cost into your decision.
Pellet grills are best bought new unless you really know what you’re looking at. The electronics, auger system, and temperature controllers are the heart of a pellet grill, and diagnosing issues with those components isn’t easy in someone’s driveway.
Where to find used grills: Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and local buy/sell groups are the main channels. Late September and October are prime months for used grill listings because people are clearing out their patios for winter. You can sometimes find a high-end grill for 50% to 60% off retail from someone who simply decided they don’t grill enough to justify keeping it.
What to Look for When You’re Ready to Buy
Timing the purchase is smart, but it doesn’t help much if you end up with the wrong grill. A few things are worth thinking about before you hand over your money, regardless of when you buy.
Think about what you actually cook. If you’re mostly grilling burgers, hot dogs, and steaks, a gas grill or charcoal grill is all you need. If you want to smoke brisket, ribs, or pulled pork, a pellet smoker or offset smoker is the better fit. If you want to do both, a kamado grill gives you the most versatility in a single unit.
Size matters more than you think. A grill that looks huge in the store might feel cramped once you’re cooking for eight people. Measure your patio or deck space, and think about how many people you typically cook for. Most families of four do well with 400 to 500 square inches of primary cooking space.
Don’t forget the accessories. A good instant-read thermometer is arguably more important than which grill you buy. Undercooked chicken and overcooked steak have ruined more backyard cookouts than any grill ever could. Budget for a quality thermometer, a solid set of grill gloves, and a reliable grill brush along with the grill itself.
Read the warranty before you buy, not after. Grill warranties vary wildly. Weber offers a 10-year limited warranty on many of its products. Some budget brands offer just one year. If you’re spending $500 or more, the warranty should be a factor in your decision.
How Holiday Sales Stack Up for Grill Buyers
Not all holiday sales are equal. Here’s a realistic look at how each major sale event performs for grill shoppers.
Presidents’ Day (February): Modest discounts, mostly on last year’s inventory. Good for early planners who want a specific outgoing model.
Memorial Day (May): The biggest “grilling holiday” in retail, but the discounts are often underwhelming — $30 to $75 off, with a lot of “bundle and save” promotions. You’re paying close to peak pricing.
Fourth of July: Similar to Memorial Day. Prices are high because demand is high. Accessories and consumables (charcoal, pellets, propane) see better discounts than the grills themselves.
Prime Day (July): One of the better mid-summer options. Amazon and competing retailers sometimes offer genuine discounts of 15% to 25% on select grill models.
Labor Day (September): This is where meaningful end-of-season discounts begin. If you’ve been watching a grill all summer, Labor Day weekend is often the tipping point where the price makes it worth pulling the trigger.
Black Friday / Cyber Monday (November): The best holiday event for pellet grill and smoker deals. Gas grill deals are also strong, especially online. This is when Traeger, Pit Boss, Weber, and Camp Chef put out their most aggressive pricing of the year.
Planning Your Purchase — A Simple Timeline
If you want to be truly strategic, here’s a practical approach to buying your next grill at the best possible price.
Start paying attention to the model you want about two to three months before you plan to buy. Check the price at multiple retailers and note the current going rate. This gives you a real baseline — not the inflated “original price” that retailers sometimes use to make discounts look bigger than they are.
Set up price alerts using browser extensions like Honey or apps like CamelCamelCamel (for Amazon). These tools track price history and notify you when the price drops below a threshold you set.
If your target buying window is September or October, start watching prices in July. You’ll see them hold steady through mid-August and then start dropping. Once the price hits a level you’re comfortable with, buy it. Don’t try to time the absolute bottom — you might wait too long and find the model sold out.
Did You Know? Retailers often do a final markdown in the last week of October or first week of November, right before they need the floor space for holiday merchandise. This “last call” markdown can be the deepest discount of the year, but it’s a gamble — your preferred grill may already be gone.
FAQ
Is it cheaper to buy a grill in winter?
Yes, winter is typically one of the cheapest times to buy a grill. Demand drops significantly after the summer and fall grilling seasons, and retailers are eager to clear remaining inventory. You won’t have as many models to choose from, but the prices on what’s available can be 30% to 50% lower than summer retail. Online retailers tend to have better winter selection than physical stores.
Are Memorial Day grill sales actually good?
They’re decent, but they’re not the best. Memorial Day is a high-demand shopping weekend, so retailers don’t need to offer deep discounts to move product. You’ll see promotions and bundle deals, but the actual price reductions on the grill itself are usually modest — often just $30 to $75 off. For significantly better prices, waiting until after Labor Day or shopping during Black Friday will save you more.
Should I buy a floor model or display grill?
In most cases, yes. Floor models and display grills are typically offered at an additional discount beyond the sale price, and the “wear” they’ve experienced is minimal — mostly just people opening and closing the lid. Inspect it for any cosmetic damage, make sure all parts and hardware are included, and confirm the warranty still applies. For most people, a floor model grill is a smart way to save an extra 10% to 15%.
What’s the best month overall to buy a grill?
September is widely considered the best overall month. It hits the sweet spot between good selection and significant discounts. End-of-season clearance is in full swing, but popular models haven’t completely sold out yet. If you’re flexible on the exact model and just want the absolute lowest price, late October and November (especially Black Friday) can beat September on price — but with fewer choices.
Do grill prices drop during Amazon Prime Day?
They can. Prime Day, usually held in July, has featured genuine discounts on select grills and smokers in recent years. The discounts typically range from 15% to 25%, which is better than you’d normally find in mid-summer. Other retailers like Walmart, Home Depot, and Target often run competing sales during the same week, so it’s worth checking multiple sites.
Your Next Move
Buying a grill is an investment in years of great meals, backyard gatherings, and the pure satisfaction of cooking over fire. The grill itself doesn’t change whether you buy it in June or October — but the price absolutely does.
If you can wait for the September-through-November window, your wallet will genuinely thank you. If you can’t wait (and honestly, the urge to fire up a new grill on the first warm weekend is hard to resist), at least shop with an understanding of where prices stand in the cycle, so you’re making an informed decision rather than an impulsive one.
Pick your grill, time your buy, and start planning what you’ll cook first. A rack of baby back ribs is always a strong opening move.