Timing is everything when it comes to getting the best deals. Turns out, shopping for a new grill is no different. While grilling season is the most seductive time to get a barbecue, savvy shoppers know that saving big means waiting for the right time to buy.
It seems like every other week there is some new sale going on. No one likes wasting money and grills aren’t cheap. So when is the best time of year to buy a new grill?
More often than not, the best time of year to buy a new grill is August through October. Peak grilling season is over and retailers are looking to off-load excess inventory. And usually at a steep discount. Historically, almost all retailers have their biggest money saving deals during Labor Day weekend.
Can’t wait until the end of summer to buy a grill? Well, I don’t blame you. Luckily, there are many sales found throughout the year on barbecues and some are better than others. Either way, you don’t want to miss the best time to buy a grill so read on for more shopping secrets.
Peak season deals are few and far between
Peak grilling season generally stretches April through July. Most shoppers wanting to get their hands on a new grill this time of year won’t find many deals. Demand is high and retailers know they have the upper hand.
That’s not to say you won’t see any sales but they seldom offer big savings like other times during the year. Plus, most of the peak season sales aren’t actually discounts on the grill. Instead, they are just package deals with a few tantalizing grilling accessories thrown in to sweeten the pot and entice customers to hand over their cash.
Peak season holidays like Memorial Day, Father’s Day and occasionally Fourth of July weekend are your best bet for money saving deals on a grill. It takes some shopping around and price matching to eke out the best deal but it can be done.
Big savings for fall shoppers
Fall is every grilling aficionado’s favorite time of year. Peak season demand plummets and retailers are scrambling to sell excess inventory. Unsold barbecues get marked way down in price. For those needing a new barbecue, this is your chance.
When is this magical time where grilling season ends and the grill sale season begins? Well, that depends. There is no official date indicating the end of grilling season but mid-August is when many attractive deals start showing up. It varies by retailer, so keep an eye out for the best sales.
However, don’t be too hasty. While it might be tempting to buy a grill during the first end-of-summer sale, you could save even more. Labor Day sales are often retailers last chance to sell left over grills. As a result, you’ll probably see the biggest sales of the year at this time. 15-30% off is not uncommon. That means hundreds of dollars left in your pocket.
The savings are certainly big but grills bought at this time of year might not get much use until next season. Find a safe place to store it and you’ll have something to look forward to.
Steep winter discounts
Being cooped up during the long cold winter is enough to get anyone dreaming about fun in the sun. Instead of dreaming about summer barbecues and warm weather, spend your winter shopping for a new grill. Not only will it pass the time but there are savings to be found.
Christmas, New Year’s and even Presidents’ Day sales are the perfect time to find cheap grills at many retailers. Almost no one is buying barbecues December through February so many box stores and online retailers are itching to make a few sales.
As March roles around, next year’s barbecue models are getting delivered to stores and last year’s models have got to go. That makes March an ideal time to snatch up last year’s models at ridiculously cheap prices. I have even heard of people making their own deals with store managers at big retailers.
Watch for late winter deals and don’t be afraid to haggle. At the end of the day, the grills need to sell before new models show up so you are in control.
Holiday sales
Tis the season for shopping sales. Now days, most holidays simply give retailers an excuse to market just about everything. While that might not be the best way to celebrate important dates, there is no denying you can save huge by shopping during these most festive times.
Not all holiday sales are created equal so here is a line-up of the special dates and holidays when grills usually go on sale:
- New Year’s
- Valentines Day (varies by retailer)
- St. Patrick’s Day
- Easter
- Mother’s Day
- Memorial Day
- Father’s Day
- First Day of Summer
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Veterans Day
- Black Friday
- Cyber Monday
- Christmas
Scratch and dent floor models
Many retailers still offer decent margins for shoppers willing to buy the floor model. These are the grills that have been on display all season for customers to try out and touch.
Floor model grills often come with a few scratches and dings but savvy shoppers see those imperfections as money saving opportunities. If you time it right and talk to a manager, you may be able to ask for a discount. 5-10% is common. And that is usually on top of current sale prices.
Floor model discounts seldom occur during peak season when shoppers out number the grills but fall and winter are the perfect time to key in on less than perfect grills still sitting in the store.
Used grill bonanza
So many people overlook the used market for amazing deals on grills. If you want o save 50% or more, then hunt down a used grill. As grilling season gets under way, used grills start showing up on Craigslist, at garage sales and on other classifieds.
April through August are the best times to find quality used grills. Most of these grills are sold by someone looking to upgrade and needing a few bucks to help foot the bill. Sure, there are plenty of junkers out there but with a little searching and some patience, you might find a gem.
Barbecue deals online
With more shoppers turning to the internet for the bulk of their buying needs, it’s fair to say that a few good sales exist online.
Amazon’s Prime Day sale (actually a 48 hour event) is among the biggest shopping events of the year. Anyone looking to save money on their next barbecue grill shouldn’t miss it.
Other giant retailers like Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, and Ace Hardware host similar sale events on Prime Day or during other times of the year. Shoppers that check those websites often are well prepared to take advantage of some great deals.
And don’t forget about Cyber Monday sales too. Deals on this day don’t benefit grill shoppers as often but it is still a good time to check. Especially, if you aren’t afraid to buy a barbecue online.
How to recognize a good deal
It’s tough to spot a deal if you don’t even know what a barbecue usually costs in the first place. The flashy sign on the grill you’re looking at might list a sale price that isn’t any different than the store just across town that’s not having a sale. Don’t be fooled. Do your research so that you can separate fake sales from the real ones.
Start by figuring out your budget and then look at grills within that price range. Pick a few top contenders on your wish list. Now all you have to do is keep an eye out for sales on the specific grills you want. Compare the sale prices to the “msrp” to see how much you are saving.
Anything less than 10% is not really a sale worth getting excited over. In my book, a truly good deal on a grill is at least 15-20% off.
Not sure what grills should cost or what is a reasonable price to pay? Well, I’ve got you covered in my other recent article. Take a look to find out what grills cost and how to find one that fits any budget.
Your grill shopping cheat sheet
Need a simplified guide that helps you check for the best times to buy a new grill? Well, here it is. This calendar summarizes the key sales of the year and when you can expect to get the best grills at the lowest prices.

The takeaway
The goal of any company is to get you, the shopper, to buy their stuff. Fortunately, this gives you the upper hand. It’s your choice when you want to spend your money so wait for those awesome sales and not only will you save big bucks, you’ll also get the grill of your summer time dreams.
If there is only one critical point you get from this article, it should be this: Resist the temptation to buy a new grill during peak grilling season (April through July).
Instead, wait for sales during Labor Day weekend, fall close-out sales and winter holiday sales. Your patience will be rewarded.