The Water Cooler

Gas or Charcoal

Let's say gas

Weber makes really good gas grills but they really start at 500. The Char-broil brand at lowes work pretty good and you can get a really nice one for 500. How often are you planning to use it and how much do you plan to cook at one time?

It's not under $500, but I highly recommend the Big Green Egg. Last grill you will ever buy, want, or need.
It's the Nick F'ing Saban of grills.

Well, it's just me and the old lady, but we do like having people over. Especially during football season

Those are badass. The price tag is too.

Weber kettle. Less than 100 bucks and I've grilled and smoked everything on it

If you are serious about grilling the Holland grills UAbasspro posted are awesome but the price tag refelcts it. Green Egg, best there is but cost a fortune. There are grills at lowes for 200-300 that are perfect for just pulling out on a Saturday and cooking a little. If you want a top flight grill that lasts a long time, and cooks great, then you need to double your budget.

Here is an option that sounds like what you are after:

I have a large green egg. It was a gift and is as awesome as all say. That being said, I kept my little Weber Spirit 2 burner gas grill. It was about 400 bucks and stunned me at how good it is. It will hit almost 700 degrees, which means great steak searing. In fact, I now sear them on it, and put them on the egg to finish. I've had every kind of outdoor cooking contraption, and can tell you that anything Weber should last a good, long time. I also recommend cast iron cooking grates.

I have a traeger wood pellet grill and love it. But they are more than $500.

My last couple have had cast iron bu they are a bit of a pain to maintain. Has anyone tried the porcelain coated cast iron?