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Labor Day traditionally means an end to summer and the many barbecues and cookouts that break up its oppressively hot doldrums. But a trusty grill is made to be used all year long, so now's the time to pick one up for a song and savor seared steaks and the best burgers. The holiday weekend itself is almost here, and retailers are slashing prices on every size and kind of grill you can shake your tongs at.
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.
More Labor Day deals from Traeger
- Traeger Ironwood $1,599 (Save $200): If you just need to feed your family and not the whole neighborhood, the Ironwood will get the job done while fitting on more patios/decks.
- Traeger Timberline $3,000 (Save $300): Featuring 3-tier stainless steel grates, a 22-pound hopper and a side-mounted induction cooktop to the left of the grill, the Timberline is overkill for most of us. But if you want the fanciest pellet grill on the block (if not the zip code), this is for you.
- Traeger Timberline XL $3,500 (Save $300): Bumping the cooking space from 880 square inches to 1,320 square inches, this grill is a few skillet plates -- which of course Traeger sells, too -- short of being a food truck without an engine.
With a whopping 1,437 square-inch cooking space, this super-sized pellet grill truly earns its XL moniker. It may lack the seal around the lid that the Traegar has, but its hopper is as massive as its grill plates, and it features easy app-based monitoring for the grill temp and meat temps for keeping an eye on things when you can't be parked nearby. You can even adjust the heat from afar so that you aren't forced to trek back out into a cold night.
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.
More Labor Day gas grill deals from Home Depot
- Weber Spirit E-315 3-Burner Liquid Propane Gas Grill $569 (Save $50)
- Weber Spirit E-215 2-Burner Liquid Propane Gas Grill $449 (Save $50)
- Monument Grills 6-Burner Propane Gas Grill $619 (Save $40)
Best Labor Day charcoal and kamado grill deals
This fiery red egg may be pricey, but you absolutely get what you pay for. Rather than nickel and diming you to death like Big Green Egg does, Kamado includes (almost) all of the add-ons and accessories you could ever imagine in one easy kit.
More Labor Day deals from Kamado Joe
- Kamado Joe I $699 (Save $101): This doesn't have the latest bells and whistles of the Classic Joe III, but it's also less than half the price while still getting you the stellar heat retention and adaptability of a kamado grill.
Best Labor Day 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.
More Labor Day deals from Ninja
- Ninja Woodfire Pro 7-in-1 Electric Grill & Smoker with Thermometer $330 (save $70): Includes a built-in thermometer to ensure your meat cooks to the proper temperature without constantly opening the lid and letting out the pellet smoke.
- Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect Premium XL Outdoor Electric Grill & Smoker $400 (save $50): It's not quite as discounted as the other two, but it's got a larger cooking surface and the convenience of being able to monitor the grill and meat temps from Ninja's Pro Connect app.
- Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Electric Pizza Oven $300 (Save $100): OK, it's not a grill, but it is a pizza oven and smoker. Once it's pre-heated, it can bake up crispy pizzas in as little as 3 minutes, complete with the hardwood scents of the built-in pellet smoker. If it wouldn't break my lease, I'd be picking this up myself.
- Ninja Woodfire Adjustable Outdoor Stand $105 (save $25): If you're not confident in the durability of your patio tables or prefer to keep your grill safe and sequestered away from the rest of the chaos in your backyard, get Ninja's dedicated stand and save yourself the worry.
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.