With summer winding down and fall fast approaching, many people start thinking about picking up a new grill before next grilling season. But when’s the best time to buy? Here we’ll explore the pros and cons of buying a grill at different times of year.
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Quick Summary
The best time to buy a grill is generally late summer and early fall when stores are trying to clear out inventory to make room for winter merchandise. September is arguably the prime month for grill deals and sales. Prices start dropping in August and remain low through October. Wait too long into fall or winter and selection becomes limited.
When Are Grills the Cheapest?
Like many seasonal items, grills tend to be cheapest when they are out of season. When summer winds down in late August and September, stores start marking down prices to clear out grills to make room for winter merchandise. This makes late summer and early fall the best time to find discounts. Here is an overview of grill prices throughout the year:
| Month | Average Grill Price |
|---|---|
| January | Highest |
| February | High |
| March | High |
| April | Slightly Lower |
| May | Slightly Lower |
| June | Low |
| July | Low |
| August | Lowest |
| September | Lowest |
| October | Low |
| November | Slightly Higher |
| December | Higher |
As you can see, the best deals are found in August through October, with September being the prime month for grills sales. Retailers are trying to clear out inventory before the end of grilling season.
Take Advantage of Labor Day Sales
One of the best times to buy a grill is around Labor Day weekend. Along with Fourth of July, Labor Day has become one of the biggest grill-buying holidays. Retailers will advertise Labor Day sales on grills and grilling accessories. This is a great three day weekend to score a discount.
Shop Discounted Floor Models
If you are willing to buy a floor model instead of new-in-box, September is a great time to get a deal. Retailers will heavily discount display grills to make room for next year’s models. Inspect the grill closely and make sure all parts/components are included. But a display can mean savings of hundreds of dollars off retail pricing.
Consider Buying Off-Season
Although fall is peak discount season for grills, you can find deals during other months as well. Winter clearances in January/February can offer savings, though selection is more limited. Buying off-season means you’ll have the grill ready for spring and summer while paying the lowest possible price.
Buy from the Previous Year’s Inventory
Another trick is to look for remaining previous year models still in stock. Retailers will mark these down significantly if they have 2019 grills still sitting around when the 2020 models hit the shelves. Again, inspect closely but buying last year’s grill new-in-box can mean big savings.
Get Price Matching
To get the best possible deal, shop around and use price matching policies to your advantage. Check major retailers for their lowest prices on the grill model you want. Bring any ads showing cheaper prices to the store manager and ask them to match. Lowest price guarantees ensure you pay the smallest amount.
Consider Used/Refurbished
If buying new is not a must, consider used and refurbished grills. Check Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and eBay for discounted used models. Or look at certified refurbished grills from retailers and manufacturers. You can save 50% or more buying pre-owned if you inspect carefully.
Conclusion
September and October are the prime months to find steep discounts on grills as retailers clear inventories. But deals can be found year-round by price matching, buying floor models, shopping previous seasons’ stock, and considering used/refurbished. With some strategic timing and savvy shopping, you can land a high-end grill at a fraction of the usual cost before next grilling season rolls around.