Best Time to Buy a Grill (Weber, Traeger, Pellet, Gas) in 2026
The best time to buy a grill in 2026 is end-of-summer clearance (late August through Labor Day) — when Weber, Traeger, Char-Broil, and pellet grills drop 25–50% off as retailers clear seasonal inventory.
Grills are a classic seasonal pricing category — and most people buy them at exactly the wrong time. Demand peaks in May and June (Memorial Day, Father's Day, July 4th cookouts) and that's also when prices are at their highest. The deepest discounts hit late August and September when retailers clear floor space for fall and winter inventory. If you can wait, you'll save 30–50% on the same model.
The Short Answer
Grills are cheapest in late August and September — end-of-summer clearance routinely produces 25–50% off Weber, Traeger, Char-Broil, and Camp Chef. Black Friday is the second-best window. Father's Day and July 4th offer modest discounts but never hit clearance pricing.
Why Grill Prices Drop When They Do
Grills are seasonal floor inventory at every major hardware and home improvement retailer. Once Labor Day passes, retailers need to clear that floor space for snow blowers, holiday decor, and indoor furniture. That creates a hard end-of-season clearance window where Home Depot, Lowe's, Ace, and Amazon all discount aggressively. Pellet grills (Traeger, Camp Chef, Pit Boss) follow the same pattern but hit deeper percentage discounts because they have higher margins.
When Should You Buy a Grill in 2026?
January – March — Winter Off-Season
Last-call clearance on remaining 2025 inventory at Home Depot and Lowe's. Selection is limited but discounts run 30–50%. Best window for the patient buyer.
April — New Model Launches
Spring inventory hits the floor at full MSRP. Worst time to buy.
May — Memorial Day
Heavy advertising but discounts are usually 10–20% — the smallest of any major sale event for grills. Avoid if you can wait.
June — Father's Day
Modest discounts (15–25%) on premium gas grills and pellet smokers. Bonus accessory bundles (covers, grill brushes) are common.
July — July 4th & Prime Day
Decent 20–30% discounts on portable and tabletop grills. Full-size grills see only modest cuts.
Late August – September — End-of-Summer Clearance
The deepest annual discount window. Weber Spirit and Genesis lines often hit 30–40% off. Traeger and Camp Chef pellet grills drop 25–50%. Best time to buy if you can wait.
October — Late Clearance
Remaining inventory continues to clear. Selection is limited but discounts deepen on the models that haven't sold.
November — Black Friday
Second major discount window — strong on portable grills, electric smokers, and accessories. Smaller selection than Labor Day clearance but very competitive pricing.
How to Avoid Overpaying for a Grill
- Buy floor models in September. Display grills at Home Depot, Lowe's, and Ace are typically discounted an additional 15–20% on top of clearance pricing — and they're often in mint condition.
- Compare last year's model to this year's. Most grill 'updates' are cosmetic (color changes, new burner shrouds). Last-year models clearance-priced in fall are typically the best dollar-per-burner value of the year.
- Buy your accessories during Black Friday, not at grill purchase. Grill covers, pellet bags, grill brushes, and probe thermometers all hit annual lows in November — often 40–60% off.
- Skip extended warranties. Major brands (Weber, Traeger) include strong manufacturer warranties (5–10 years on burners and frames). Third-party extended warranties pay out at very low rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When are Weber grills cheapest?
- Late August through September. Weber rarely runs aggressive May or June discounts — they don't need to. End-of-summer clearance at Home Depot, Lowe's, and Ace is when the Spirit, Genesis, and Summit lines hit 25–40% off.
- Are Traeger grills ever on sale?
- Yes, but rarely outside two windows: Father's Day (15–25% off plus bonus pellet bundles) and Labor Day clearance (25–40% off prior model years). Black Friday occasionally produces strong Traeger deals on Pro and Ironwood lines.
- Should I buy a gas or pellet grill?
- For pure value, gas. Weber Spirit and Genesis lines often hit $300–$700 during clearance and last 10+ years. Pellet grills (Traeger, Camp Chef) cost more upfront but deliver smoke flavor and set-it-and-forget-it convenience. Both follow the same pricing cycle.
- Do grill prices drop after Labor Day?
- Yes — typically the deepest discounts of the year hit between Labor Day and the end of September as retailers clear seasonal floor space. October sees more discounts but on a much smaller remaining selection.
Track Live Grill Prices
TimeYourBuy tracks pricing across grills, smokers, and outdoor cooking equipment on Amazon, with a buy signal showing whether today's price is near the historical low.