There are many reasons to consider purchasing a USA-made grill for your backyard. First and foremost, it feels great to support American businesses. A close second however, is the fact that products made in the USA are known for their superior quality. Why by two made-in-China when you have can one made-in-America?
The American backyard barbecue is world famous, and that outdoor grilling flavor is an American staple. For the summer of 2020, grill with the sense of pride that comes with cooking on a product made in the USA.
Granted, there are many overseas brands that can provide a decent grill, but some of these brands rely on cheap labor and inferior materials.
With the USA made grills, you might have to shell out more money, but you’re paying for unmatched quality. Surprisingly, it wasn't that easy to pick out the top 5 USA-made grills available online. There really are not that many options out there.
In fact, many grills are produced by American companies, but they are manufactured outside the country. Others have their parts made overseas, and then they are constructed here.
That's why you won't see big names like Big Green Egg, Weber, or Traeger on this list.
We tried hard to make this list accurate, and we listen to the comments. If you find one that isn't made in the USA any more, let us know!
We picked 5 of the best USA grills we could find available online, that way you don't have to wait six feed behind someone in Home Depot for 2 hours trying to buy one you need. I'll bet you the sales rep couldn't even tell you if the grill was made in the USA anyway…
There are a variety of styles below, from a stripped down basic charcoal grill to a 2-burner small backyard gas grill! Pick the one that fits your personality, your backyard size, and your grilling style.
Top 5 USA Made Grills
- Huntington 2-Burner Propane Gas Grill
- Americana The Swinger Grill
- Primo 778 XL Ceramic Smoker Charcoal Grill
- Holland Freedom Grill
- PK Grills Griller & Smoker
All these are good sizes for the average back-yard griller, with the Americana brand being more versatile for taking on the road, like to the park or on a camping trip.
The Huntington doesn't have great reviews, but it's the the only inexpensive American made gas grill we could find.
Our personal favorite however, was the PK Grill & Smoker because it's a charcoal-style grill (better flavor!), plus a smoker in one grill. It's also portable, meaning it's ready for your next camping trip or tailgate party.
Do you have another USA-made grill you'd like to add to this list? Please let us know in the comment section below.
1. Huntington 2-Burner Propane Gas Grill
This grill looks like the stereotypical gas grill that you’d have in your backyard during a fourth of July party. When starting the Huntington, all you’ll have to do is push a button. No need for burning paper inside the grill or pouring excessive amounts of lighter fluid to maintain a fair temperature. The Sure-Lite push button ignition system will quickly get the grill to a high heat level.
Every area of this grill has been built with durability in mind. The oven is made of a die-cast aluminum, while the control panel has a black powder coat applied to it. The powder coat helps protect against rust. On top of that, you won't have to worry about the shelves breaking down after extended use, as they are made with a high-quality weather-resistant material. This is the perfect solution if you regularly leave your grill outdoors in harsh weather.
The front handle is heat resistant, so you’ll be able to check on your cooking meat no matter how overwhelmingly hot the grill becomes. No worry of burns on your hands and no more need to put on gloves every time you want to see how things are going under the lid.
Positives
- Durable
- Easy to start
- Heat resistant handle
- Mobile
- Two surfaces on left/right for setting gear
Negatives
- Average-sized cooking surface
- Die cast aluminum oven and black powder coat control panel, cart and front panel
- Perm-Mold side shelves with integrated tool hooks
- Painted steel front panel do EZ-Q-Cart design
- Heat resistant front mounted handle
- 5 stage quality enamel paint process
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
2. Americana The Swinger Grill
The next option is the Americana Swinger – which has an old-school look that perfectly defines a USA-made grill. The cooking surface is about 332-square inches, so you’ll have some breathing room when cooking for an average-sized group.
The surface should be able to fit a reasonable amount of meats without any difficulty. The rugged wooden side tables will also give you some more space that can be used for food preparation. Unlike some of the foreign grills, this American grill will be able to avoid burnouts with the elevated fire grates.
You can take this grill wherever you need to go thanks to its portable features. When it’s time to move the grill to its next destination, you can fold the wood side tables to reduce the overall size. From there, the two wheels on the bottom will be able to help you roll the grill to your destination without straining yourself.
The adjustable air vents and tilt-away hood will allow you to check up on your food without any crazy flare-ups that could potentially hurt you. The combination of portability, ease-of-use, and a generous cooking space help make this one of the best USA-made grills available.
Positives
- Inexpensive
- Generous cooking space
- Adjustable air vents
- Durable side tables give users more space
- Portable
Negatives
- Difficult to assemble
- Rusts easily
- 332 square inches of cooking surface
- Six-position chrome-plated cooking grid
- Along with its durable, folding, wooden side tables, this grill has six heat zones to grill medium, rare and well-done at the same time.
- Its elevated fire grate/ash dump enables the Swinger to start faster while also preventing bottom burn outs.
- With its tilt-away hood and adjustable air vents, this grill makes checking on your food and controlling temperature easy. For easy transport, just fold down the side tables and let the easy-rolling wheels take you where you need to go.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
3. Primo 778 XL Ceramic Smoker Charcoal Grill
The first thing you’ll notice about this grill is the ceramic exterior finish. The Primo 778 XL is made with a superior ceramic finish that boasts a protective and scratch-resistant porcelain glaze.
You get 400-square inches of space available to cook on. This alone should be plenty of space, but you can add more. Using the rack extensions, you can increase the size up to almost 680-square inches. This is perfect for large families or backyard gatherings.
One potential disadvantage is the high price of this grill. In fact, this grill has the highest price on the list, but the cost is justifiable for two main reasons. First, the ceramic material is incredibly durable. Second, the American craftsmanship typically results in a higher price.
Positives
- Versatile
- Plenty of cooking surface
- Durable ceramic exterior
Negatives
- High price
- Difficult to put together
==> Get It Here On BBQ Guys
4. Holland Freedom Grill
Currently Unavailable
Nothing says, “American made” more than a grill named “Freedom.” The Holland Freedom is the last grill on this list and a worthy option to consider. It comes with a 5-year rust warranty that will cover your grill if it deteriorates from the consistently harsh weather.
Speaking of warranties, the cooking grid is covered with a lifetime warranty. That’s right, if your cooking grid becomes defective, you’ll be able to get a new one regardless of how long it’s been. The good news is that this part of the grill is made of stainless steel, so it’s unlikely that rust will accumulate and therefore you probably won’t need to exercise the warranty.
Monitoring the grill temperature will be far from a hassle thanks to the thermometer built in the lid. The thermometer is located right at eye level on the aluminum lid, in between the two vents. The grill also has a rotary spark igniter that will make lighting the grill an effortless process rather than a vexing chore.
Between the two shelves and a condiment tray, this high-quality American made grill provides you with all the essentials needed to enjoy yourself in the summer sun.
Positives
- Durable
- Easy to read thermometer
- Wheels offer mobility
Negatives
- High price
5. PK Grills Griller & Smoker
Positives
- Griller and smoker in one
- Built from heavy-duty cast aluminum
- Ready to cook in 10 minutes
- Used in grilling competitions
- Rust-preventing hinges
- Great airflow control and heat prevention
- Multiple color options
- Portable!
Negatives
- Non-traditional look
- Silver finish may need to be washed before use
This is a new addition to our list, and is a lesser-known brand as well as grill. The lack of “fame” doesn't stop it from getting awesome reviews on at grilling and smoking competitions, as well as on Amazon.
This grill is built out of cast aluminum, which has pros and cons. On the good side, it won't rust, and even the hinges are part of the cast so you won't have issues with bolts rusting after years of use like with most other grills. Even so-called “stainless steel” grills will cut corners on joint areas which is where they'll fall apart first. The downside to aluminum is that if you are smoking in the Winter, you'll lose more heat than with other materials, so you may have to do more babysitting.
Also, you might not be able to tell from the picture above, but this is a portable grill too. The grilling portion can be taken out like an “egg” style grill and placed in the back of your truck, separate from the stand. That means you could potenitally even take your grill in any SUV or sport utility vehicle for camping, or to a tailgating event!
Though this grill looks a little non-traditional, it's a favorite of mine on this list.
- A charcoal grill and smoker - pks unique capsule shape and 4 vents make it easy to grill hot and fast or low and slow.
- Cast aluminum construction - aluminum is rust-proof, durable, lightweight and conducts heat 4x more efficiently than Steel Charcoal grills.
- 10-Year - buy with confidence. Pk cast aluminum charcoal grills are covered against rust, burnout or breakage for a full decade.
- Portable - the Original pk grill & smoker Detaches easily from any of its available stand options for transport. As a portable smoker grill, packs are great for Tailgating, camping, fishing/hunting cabins, etc.
- Built to cook - with 300 square inches of cooking surface, This charcoal grill can handle everything from brats to a Thanksgiving Turkey.
- AWARD WINNING CHARCOAL GRILLS - Consumers Digest Best Buy 2017, AmazingRibs Pitmaster Best Value Pitmaster Award 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2018 Official Grill of Steak Cookoff Association.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying USA Made Grills
When coming to a final decision for the best USA made grills, there a few factors to consider. The quality of your grill is one of the most important things to look for. Luckily for consumers, USA made grills are known to have excellent, long-lasting quality.
One factor to think about is the cooking surface area. Primo and Holland both have decent sized cooking area while the Americana and PK Grills have less surface area. If you plan on cooking for a large group, more space is always better.
While most USA-made grills are built with high-quality materials, rust and durability should also be a concern. The Holland Freedom grill comes with a 5-year rust warranty and a lifetime warranty on the grates. PK Grills is built out of cast aluminum, including the joints, so rust won't be an issue here.
Portability may also be a concern, especially if you need to transport the grill. The Swinger grill is the most portable option on this list, but several others also include wheels on the legs to help you move the grill. PK grills have a good system for breakdown for when you want to take your grill on an adventure. The cast iron will be be heavier than cast aluminum though!
Speaking of USA-made products, have you heard of KettlePizza? This is another innovative product coming out the USA that allows you to make wood-fired pizza on your gas or charcoal grill! These cool products (one for gas, one for charcoal) “hack” your barbecue so that it can reach temperatures of 800º-1000ºF, which is Neapolitan-style pizza cooking temperature. It's a pretty neat thing to have laying around for summer when the mood strikes. Pizza night will never be the same!
- Here's my review of the KettlePizza Gas
- Here's my review of the KettlePizza Charcoal (the original one)
- Here's the comparison of Gas VS Charcoal pizza
Watch out for fakes!
I don't mean they are fake grills. I mean they are not really made in the USA, as you or I would understand it. Phrases like “Designed and Supported in the U.S.A.” are pretty easy to interpret, while others slogans may be more cryptic.
This is why I had to remove Weber grills from my USA-made list. They used to be made in the USA, but it seems that they are now assembled in the USA from parts made overseas. Their choice of phrasing is “Made in the U.S.A. incorporating globally sourced component parts.”
The famous Big Green Egg also fits into this category, bearing the name of the United States, but actually being produced in Mexico. For an egg style Golden's Cast Iron grill alternative, try instead. It won't come cheap though, costing a whopping $1700 for the egg with cart.
About USA Made Grills
Outdoor grilling has been a phenomenon in the United States for decades, so using a grill made in the U.S. is ideal for those who want a genuine grilling experience. One reason the USA made grills have become popular over the years is that some people want to feel as though they are supporting American businesses, but there are plenty of other reasons to think about buying American.
Let's not forget, many of these American brands back the quality of their grills with extended warranties. These warranties will help cover the replacement of parts if they rust or become damaged.
Obviously, these grills are meant to be used outdoors. The use of propane, wood, or charcoal grills indoors is a hazard that should be avoided. If you prefer to grill indoors, then we suggest you examine our list of the best ceramic grills for indoor cooking.
Now for the downside. It is very likely that you will be paying a higher price for an American grill than a foreign grill. This is a result of the quality in which your grill is made. Grills made outside the United States, particularly in China, typically utilize cheap labor to get their products built quickly and cheaply. Many people in the U.S. are against this form of labor, so they feel as though it is better to purchase a grill made at home, even if it costs a bit more.
Overall, the lesson here reflects the old saying of “you get what you pay for.” If you couldn’t care less about your grill lasting a long time, then maybe these grills don’t fit your agenda, but if you want the most for your money then the USA made grills will get the job done for you.
If you want to celebrate America’s holidays the right way, do it with an American made grill. Not only will you be enjoying great food with friends and family, but you will also be supporting the companies that keep the economy going.
