Best Labor Day Grill Sales: 17 Discounts on Pellet, Gas and Portable Grills

While summer may be coming to an end, outdoor grilling sessions don’t have to. Whether you prefer pellet or gas grills, now is the perfect time to pick up a new model for hundreds of dollars off, thanks to these Labor Day deals. From roasting veggies to searing steaks, these are the best Labor Day grill sales to shop, including discounts on some of our CNET-favorite picks.

If this will be your first grill, please read our grill buying guide so that you get the right type of grill for your taste buds, living space and (most importantly) wallet. While I might prefer the quick, drop-dead ease of gas, those seeking maximum flavor and the highest temperatures for grilling pizzas and steakhouse-level sear may see the benefits of kamado grills.

Best Labor Day pellet grill deals

Our favorite pellet grill on the market is seeing its first deal since Prime Day this holiday weekend, so if you’re ready to dive into nest-level grilling and smoking, now is the time. Traeger kicked off the category’s popularity, and the Ironwood XL brings together the flavor of charcoal with the easy operations of a gas grill. The Ironwood XL uses a downdraft exhaust and excellent lip seal to create an even, smoky interior and wonderfully precise temperature controls, and the 924 square inches of cooking space lets you cook up a feast of flavorful meats.

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Best Labor Day gas grill deals

Char-Broil may be famous for its charcoal grills, but they also make a mean gas grill for those of us who want easy grilling without tending coals for an hour. This cabinet-style gas grill keeps things looking neat and shiny by hiding the propane tank. A series of emitter plates prevent flare-ups and even out the heat, but there are no fussy monitoring systems or apps, just three burners )four with the side burner), an igniter and some LED lights to help you see what you’re doing.

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Best small and portable grill deals

If you’re stuck in apartment living (like me) and can’t enjoy any of the grills we’ve covered so far, never fear! We can still get the grilling experience we long for with portable electric grills like the Ninja Woodfire. Like all Ninja products, this 7-in-1 grill may try to do a little too much — like air frying on top of being a grill — but the addition of a small pellet smoking hopper allows you to get some of that smoky goodness without a lot of smoke and the nearly daylong cooking time. Just be sure to clean that hopper very diligently after each use.

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What to buy after your grill

And if you do acquire a grill this Labor Day, please, please do yourself a favor and buy it a weatherproof cover immediately. Even if it doesn’t rain often, even if your grill is a cute ceramic egg, rainwater is a grill’s natural enemy and no one wants their shiny new grill’s frame or hood rusting at the edges because you couldn’t be bothered to throw on its cover. More than thermometers, grill scrapers or any other essential grilling accessories you have your eyes on, you need to start with a grill cover.

If the manufacturer’s cover is too expensive, make sure to check the dimensions and how it’s secured — ties, velcro, buckled straps — before you grab it. Grill covers that don’t fit end up with mildewed puddles or holes, and without a way to tie it down, the wind can just blow it off.

How we choose the best Labor Day deals

At CNET, we’ve got a team of expert shoppers and deal-hunters whose experience spans years of helping buyers understand which major sales and deals are legitimately good and which are more routine. That includes Black Friday, Prime Day, Fourth of July and countless other shopping events. We’ve gotten very good at weeding out scams and superficial deals. We look for real discounts, quality reviews and remaining sale time when choosing a deal to show you.

• Real discounts mean exactly that. We look at the price history for all items sold to make sure no manufacturers are inflating prices to make the discount seem more substantial than it is.
• Quality reviews are important for any product, but especially for big purchase items like grills, furniture and appliances. If it breaks the first time you use it, the discount isn’t really worthwhile.
• Remaining sale time is a huge part of our vetting process. If a deal seems like it will only be around for a short while or will only be available for the remaining stock, we’ll let you know upfront so you don’t come back to the deal later only to be disappointed.

When do Labor Day deals end?

These grill deals should last through Sept. 2, but there’s always a chance of selling out early, especially as grills aren’t as well-stocked as electronics or indoor appliances. While a few more deals may go live between now and Labor Day itself, most grill manufacturers and the retailers that stock them have already put out the best deals they’re going to, so I wouldn’t wait too long to make a purchase.

If none of the grills on sale tickle your fancy, check out CNET’s favorite charcoal grills, gas grills, portable grills, pellet smokers and kamado grills of the year to find your match made in flame-kissed heaven.