You walk into the garden center at Lowe’s and it’s a literal maze of shiny stainless steel. Most people gravitate toward the six-burner monsters that look like they belong in a professional kitchen. But honestly? If you’re just flipping burgers for two on a Tuesday night or trying to squeeze a cooking station onto a 10x10 balcony, those giants are a nightmare.
Bigger isn't always better.
I’ve spent way too many hours hovering over cast-iron grates to tell you that small gas grills at Lowe's are actually where the real value is hidden. You’ve probably seen the rows of Weber Spirits and those compact Char-Broils and wondered if they can actually sear a steak. The answer is yes, but only if you know which one is a "real" grill and which one is just a glorified hot plate.
Small grills generally fall into two buckets: the "patio-savers" (two-burner freestanding models) and the "tabletop nomads" (portables). In 2026, the tech has caught up. You aren't sacrificing heat anymore; you're just sacrificing the footprint.
Why the Weber Q-Series Still Wins the Space Race
If you haven't looked at the Weber Q 1200 or the newer Q 2800N+ lately, you're missing out on a design that basically hasn't needed to change in decades because it just works. It’s got that weird, alien-pod shape. It looks goofy.
But it’s cast aluminum.
That matters because cast aluminum holds heat like a vault. While cheap steel grills lose all their temperature the second a breeze hits the balcony, the Q-series stays hot. I’ve seen people use the Q 1200 at campsites in 40-degree weather and still get decent grill marks. At Lowe's, these usually sit around the $279 mark for the base 1200 model. It's not the cheapest, but it’s the one you won't be throwing in a dumpster in three years.
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One thing people get wrong? They think the single burner is a weakness. It’s not. It’s a loop burner. It covers the whole surface area. You won't get "zones" for indirect cooking easily, but for a small gas grill at Lowe's, it’s the king of consistency.
The Battle of the 2-Burner Cabinets: Weber vs. Char-Broil
When you move up to a freestanding grill, the conversation usually shifts to the Weber Spirit II E-210 versus the Char-Broil Performance Series 2-Burner.
Price-wise, they aren't even in the same zip code.
- Char-Broil Performance (The Budget Play): You can often snag these for under $300. It’s got two burners, folding side shelves, and it looks "pro" because of the cabinet.
- Weber Spirit II E-210 (The Long Game): It’s usually closer to $450 or $500. It doesn't have a cabinet; it’s an open-cart design.
Here’s the nuance most reviewers miss. Char-Broil uses thinner gauge steel. It gets hotter faster—I've seen them hit 500°F in under five minutes—but that thin metal also rusts faster if you live near the coast or leave it uncovered in a humid June.
Weber uses heavy-duty porcelain-enameled grates. They take ten minutes to get truly hot. But once they’re hot? They stay hot. If you’re the kind of person who keeps a grill for a decade, pay the "Weber tax." If you're in a rental and just need to get through two summers, the Char-Broil is honestly fine. Just don't expect it to be an heirloom.
The Infrared "Secret"
Char-Broil has this TRU-Infrared thing. Basically, there’s a perforated metal plate between the flame and the food. It prevents flare-ups. If you’re a messy griller who loves fatty ribeyes, this is a lifesaver. No fireballs. No charred-to-a-crisp chicken.
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The downside? Those plates are a pain to clean. You have to scrape out the tiny holes with a special tool. It’s the classic trade-off: easier cooking for harder maintenance.
The Blackstone Pivot: Is a Griddle Actually a Grill?
Lowe's has leaned heavily into the Blackstone craze. You’ll see the 22-inch Culinary Omnivore tabletop griddles everywhere. Is it a small gas grill? Technically, no. But for a lot of people shopping for small gas grills at Lowe's, it's actually the better tool.
If you want to cook:
- Smashburgers
- Philly cheesesteaks
- Hibachi-style veggies
- Breakfast bacon and eggs
Then stop looking at the Weber. A traditional grill is terrible at these things. The Blackstone 22-inch is portable, has two burners, and gives you way more versatility for a small patio. But you’ll never get those "charcoal-style" sear marks. It’s a flat-top experience.
Things to Check Before You Leave the Store
I’ve seen people buy a "portable" grill only to realize it doesn't come with the adapter for a 20-lb propane tank. Most small gas grills at Lowe's are designed for those tiny 1-lb green canisters.
Those canisters are expensive.
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If you're planning to use a tabletop grill on your patio permanently, buy the $20 adapter hose. It lets you hook a "portable" grill up to a standard tank. It pays for itself in about three grill sessions.
Also, check the lid height. This is a huge mistake people make with compact grills. If you want to roast a whole chicken or a thick roast, you need a high-dome lid. The Weber Traveler is a fantastic, slim grill, but the lid is shallow. It’s built for steaks and burgers. If you want to do "big" food on a "small" grill, look at the Napoleon TravelQ PRO285. It has a much higher lid than the competition.
Maintenance is Not Optional
Small grills have smaller "grease management" systems. In a giant grill, the grease has a lot of room to wander. In a 2-burner, it's all concentrated in one little tray.
Clean it.
I'm serious. Small grills are prone to grease fires because everything is so compact. Every 5-10 cooks, pull the grates and wipe out the bottom. It takes five minutes but saves you from a terrifying Tuesday night when your dinner turns into a bonfire.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Lowe's Trip
Don't just look at the price tag. Do these three things:
- The Lid Shake: Open the lid and give it a slight wiggle. If it feels like a tin can, it won't hold heat. If it’s heavy and solid (like a Weber or Napoleon), it’ll cook better in the wind.
- Check the Grates: Look for porcelain-coated cast iron. Avoid thin wire grates; they don't hold enough thermal mass to sear properly.
- Measure Your Railing: If you're on a balcony, measure the distance from the wall to the railing. A "small" freestanding grill often needs 24 inches of clearance from combustible surfaces. If you don't have that, you must go with a tabletop model on a non-combustible stand.
Grab the adapter hose, a decent cover (even a cheap one extends the life by years), and a brass brush. You're ready.