Buying the right grill is essential for getting the most out of your barbecue. Considering the dozens of different options on the market, choosing the best grill may not be as easy as it seems. Between gas, charcoal, and electric grills and smokers, you’ll have to evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of each grill to determine which one is right for you.
If you’re brand new to grilling, it’s important to determine what kind of taste you want out of your barbecue. Different types of grills produce different tastes, and although griller enthusiasts will swear by their method, the fact of the matter is that each grill type has its own pros and cons.
Check out our breakdown below:
Pros:
Electric grills can be used both indoors and outdoors, making them extremely versatile in urban environments that may have special restrictions for charcoal and gas grills.
In general, electric grills are easier to use. You don’t have to worry about a leaky gas line or fumble with lighting coals.
Most electric grills take significantly less space than gas or charcoal ones, making them ideal for those who live in apartment buildings or have limited storage space.
Because the heat is evenly distributed onto the grill through the electric coils, you’ll be able to get a consistent cooking surface while grilling, unlike with charcoal grills.
Cleaning and maintaining an electric grill is generally much easier because there are very few moving parts, and you don’t have to worry about any residue on the grill.
Cons:
If you’re looking for that distinct charcoal taste for your barbecue, you won’t get it with an electric grill.
Electric grills take a while to heat up, and it’s harder to sear meats because the electric coils continuously turn on and off to maintain a consistent temperature.
Pros:
Gas grills come in many sizes and form factors, allowing you to find one that is ideal for the number of people you would typically grill for.
While not as good as charcoal, gas grills do provide a more distinctive barbecue flavor than electric grills.
Gas grills heat up much quicker than charcoal grills, and are better at maintaining even temperatures across the grill’s cooking surface.
Propane is much cheaper than charcoal, and gas grills are generally easier to clean than charcoal grills.
Cons:
Gas grills are generally more expensive to buy than charcoal grills.
Gas grills have more parts than charcoal or electric grills, and they are more expensive and take more time to maintain.
Pros:
Charcoal grills provide the most authentic barbecue taste.
Generally cheaper than electric or gas grills, you can often find a decent charcoal grill for less than $100.
Searing steaks is much easier on charcoal grills as they are able to maintain temperatures in excess of 500 degrees.
Cons:
Charcoal grills are messy and time consuming to clean.
Coal costs more than propane, and you have to replenish coals roughly every hour of grilling.
Learning how to maintain steady temperatures takes practice.
Pros:
Smokers provide a rich and smoky flavor. Smoker enthusiasts consider smokers to provide the best tasting barbecue flavor.
Smokers require very little interaction once the smoker has been fired up to the desired temperature.
Smokers may also be used to preserve meat for periods of up to 10 months.
Cons:
Because they operate at a much lower temperature than gas or charcoal grills, you’ll have to set aside several hours for your barbecue to get thoroughly cooked.
Like charcoal grills, you’ll need more time to clean a smoker than you would for electric or gas grills.
Once you’ve settled on the type of grill you want to buy, you’ll want to consider how much money you want to spend on your grill. Cost is a big factor that will determine the size, durability, and type of grill you’ll purchase.
Lower-end models tend to feature a lot of nuts and bolts that may compromise the structural stability of the grill, whereas the higher-end ones will have welded joints. Other niceties like an electronic ignition, side burners, and heavy-duty grates will also factor into the price of a grill.
Grills also come in many sizes and form factors, and you should decide on which grill to buy based on how many people you intend to grill for. According to Amazing Ribs, you’ll want to allocate about 72 square inches per person (roughly the size of a dinner plate), so if you’re generally going to be grilling for six people, you should be looking at a grill that has a cooking area of more than 432 square inches.
Generally, it doesn’t hurt to have extra cooking space, especially when considering that certain food types like chicken will take longer to cook than burgers and sausages, which are generally grilled in batches.
Below you’ll find our grill recommendations for beginner-level grillers to those who want to take their grilling to the next level.
For those who are interested in getting into grilling, we recommend choosing between an electric, gas, or a charcoal grill. Understanding that beginners may not necessarily be willing to spend big bucks on a grill, we limited our recommendations to those under $200.
Char-Broil - Patio Bistro Electric Grill ($142)
The Char-Broil Patio Bistro Electric Grill features an infrared cooking system that evenly distributes heat across the cooking surface. The powerful 1750 watt burner comes with a precision dial as well as an exterior temperature gauge, giving you full control over your grilling experience.
Char-Griller Grillin-ft Pro Gas Grill ($169)
This affordable gas grill has a generous 630 square inch cooking area, which is enough space to simultaneously grill 30 beef patties. Other niceties include an electric ignition, a temperature gauge, a side burner, and a warming rack that can be used for melting cheese.
Weber Original Kettle Charcoal Grill ($79)
This traditional charcoal grill from Weber includes all the basics you need to achieve that rich, smoky barbecue taste. The durable porcelain-enameled lid and glass-reinforced nylon handles guarantee a long lifespan for the grill, and the one-touch cleaning system makes it easy to clean.
If you’ve grilled before and feel comfortable operating mid- to large-sized grills, you may want to consider upgrading your grill. Mid- to high-end grills offer abundant cooking surfaces, powerful burners, and advanced features like rotisserie burners, welded joints, and a stainless steel construction.
Weber Q 2400 Electric Grill ($300)
In addition to having a decent 5-year warranty, the Weber Q 2400 has a tough-as-nail glass-reinforced nylon frame and a cast-aluminum lid and body. The most intriguing feature on this electric grill is the infinite heat control setting, which allows the grill to reach high enough temperatures to sear a steak.
Kenmore 6 Burner Gas Grill ($493)
This large grill from Kenmore has a generous 685 square inch cooking area with multi-zone grilling, allowing you to grill different foods like vegetables, buns, and meat at the same time. Other features include a powerful side burner that is ideal for cooking side dishes The attractive stainless steel construction features three cabinets for storage as well as a drawer, allowing you to keep all the cooking items at arm’s length.
Weber Performer Platinum Charcoal Grill ($456)
With a unique electronic gas ignition system and a backlit LCD cook timer, the Weber Performer is a sophisticated grill that offers charcoal grillers extra control over their barbecue. The heavy-duty steel cart frame is complemented with a removable ash catcher, a weather-protected storage container, and durable all-weather wheels complete with wheel hubs.
If you’ve been grilling for years you probably think of it as more of a lifestyle than a way to make food. Getting that perfect barbecue taste is something you think about quite often, and chances are that you’ve owned several grills over the course of your hobby. Here are our top recommendations for high-end grills.
Big Green Egg Large Kamado Grill ($850)
Expert grillers love the versatility of a grill that combines the benefits of a smoker and a charcoal grill into one attractive package, which is why ceramic kamado grills have garnered a devoted fanbase over the years The Big Green Egg is a popular choice among ceramic kamado grillers, who love the advanced ventilation controls and its tough ceramic exterior.
Camp Chef Pellet Grill and Smoker BBQ ($700)
Many grilling enthusiasts believe that smokers produce the best tasting barbecue, and for good reason: smoking meats and vegetables often take hours to cook, giving them a unique smoky flavor that’s hard to achieve with a traditional gas or even charcoal grill.
With 560 cubic inches of cooking space, the Camp Chef Pellet Grill and Smoker BBQ is great for those who want to invest in a heavy duty smoker. Additional niceties include digital temperature control system to a drop down cleaning system that allows you to clean your smoker without taking it apart.
Genesis E-330 Gas Grill ($800)
The Genesis E-330 is one of the most popular gas grills on the market, and it’s not hard to see why. The dedicated sear burner allows you to sear a steak at a temperature of 900 degrees. With a total of 637 square inches of cooking space, a grease management system, and 2 stainless steel work surfaces. The Genesis E-330 provides ample room to prepare and grill barbecue.
