Top 5 Grills
Best Propane Grill: Weber Spirit II Three-Burner Liquid Propane Grill Best Charcoal Grill: Kamado Joe Classic I Charcoal Grill Best Electric Grill: Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill Best Natural Gas Grill: Weber Genesis II Three-Burner Natural Gas Grill Best Pellet Grill: Z GRILLS Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker
Best Propane Grill: Weber Spirit II Three-Burner Liquid Propane Grill
This porcelain-enameled grill has a GS4 grilling system that includes several improvements in the burners, infinity ignition, and grease-management system. It also has a clip for securing a 20-pound canister of propane fuel to heat its 529 square inches of cooking space.
Key Features
Propane gas fuel source 20 pounds 529 square inches of cooking space Heat output of 30,000 British Thermal Units Two wheels Three burners Two side tables and a bottom table 10-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Satisfied customers liked this grill’s even heat distribution and excellent temperature control. Other reviews noted that the grill heated up quickly. Unsatisfied customers said that their Weber grill rusted quickly.
Best Charcoal Grill: Kamado Joe Classic I Charcoal Grill
This classic charcoal grill has a dome design that holds charcoal on the bottom to give your food a smoky taste. The grill also has a top vent for controlling airflow and four wheels for moving its heavy body around your yard.
Key Features
Charcoal fuel source 188 pounds Temperatures between 225 and 750 degrees Fahrenheit Four wheels Two tiers of cooking grates Two side tables Lifetime warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Positive reviews highlighted how this grill’s compatibility with many Kamado Joe accessories made it more versatile when it came to grilling and searing. Customers also pointed out that it was sturdy and had solid temperature control. Negative reviews mentioned the grill arriving without all of its parts and the company having poor customer service.
Best Electric Grill: Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill
This stainless steel grill is meant for indoor use because of its electric fuel source and small size. The Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill also has a built-in viewing window so that you can watch your food while it cooks without lifting the lid and releasing heat. Additionally, its large drip tray catches any juices that run off of your meat for easy cleaning.
Key Features
Electric fuel source 8.14 pounds 118 square inches of cooking space Temperatures up to 450 degrees Viewing window Dishwasher-safe parts One-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Satisfied customers praised this electric grill for its ease of cleaning and handy drip pan. Many customers noted that it was an ideal grill for couples or small families. Some reviewers said that they were concerned about their smoke alarm going off. Negative reviews also criticized this grill for not searing their food as well as they wanted.
Best Natural Gas Grill: Weber Genesis II Three-Burner Natural Gas Grill
This Weber grill is equipped with a high-performance grilling system and stainless steel cooking grates for superior heat retention. In addition, this natural gas grill has a dedicated sear station to add sear marks to meat and a side burner to simmer sauces or cook sides.
Key Features
Natural gas fuel source 154 pounds 669 square inches of cooking space Two wheels Three main burners One sear station One side burner Two side tables and a bottom cabinet 10-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Many positive reviews mentioned the even heat distribution that this natural gas grill offered. Some also said that it was easy to clean. Negative reviews said that this grill was challenging to assemble and that its metal body was thinner than expected considering its expensive price.
Best Pellet Grill: Z GRILLS Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker
This grill gives your food a smoky flavor by using wood pellets instead of charcoal. It also features PID technology to maintain your cooking temperature for consistent results. Plus, this pellet grill has a foldable working shelf below its chimney to hold spices and other items.
Key Features
Wood pellet fuel source 84 pounds 452 square inches of cooking space Temperatures between 180 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit Two wheels One side table and one front table 15-pound hopper Three-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Satisfied customers praised this Z GRILLS pellet grill for how easy it was to assemble and use. Many pointed out that this pellet grill had excellent temperature control and reached high temperatures quickly. Unsatisfied customers said that Z GRILLS’ customer support was unhelpful and that they had to monitor their food for fear of it burning.
Buyer’s Guide
Read our buying guide below to learn about important grill factors, such as fuel source and portability.
Grill Type/Fuel Source
Grills are broken into subcategories based on the fuel that powers them.
Propane gas: Propane gas is a popular fuel source for grills because it’s easy to light. With a propane grill, you attach a canister of liquid propane to its hose and light the burners using its knobs. Natural gas: A natural gas grill is similar to a propane grill in terms of how it functions, but its hose is connected to your natural gas line instead of to a tank. You won’t have to worry about refilling the fuel, but you must have a natural gas line. Charcoal: These grills are typically smaller and more difficult to light than gas grills, but they give your food a smokier flavor. Pellet: This type of grill has a compartment called a hopper that you fill with hardwood pellets. Similar to charcoal grills, pellet grills produce a distinct smoky flavor. They’re effective at slow-cooking meat, but they sometimes have difficulty creating grill marks. Electric: Electricity is mostly used for indoor grills, but you’ll occasionally find an outdoor grill that comes with a power cord. These grills are the easiest to use because you just plug them in to start cooking, but they don’t have a large cooking area or produce a smoky flavor.
Material
The best grills have a thick body that’s made of heat-retaining and rust-resistant metal, such as stainless steel.
Portability
If you want to move your grill, look for a lightweight model with wheels.
Cooking Area
The size of a grill’s cooking area varies. If you plan on using your grill for gatherings, consider investing in a larger model. However, if you’re only cooking for a few people, a smaller grill will suffice.
Storage Space
Some grills have tables, baskets, or hooks for extra storage space. Tables provide a place to put your food while you’re preparing it, and baskets and hooks provide storage space for your cooking utensils.
What tools will I need to use my grill?
This depends on the type of grill you have and the type of food you’ll be cooking. In general, you’ll want a spatula, grill brush, and tongs. You can usually find grill sets that include these items in addition to other tools, such as barbecue forks, basting brushes, and skewers.
How far should my grill be from my house?
Your grill should be at least 10 feet away from any structure on your property, including your house, garage, and shed. It shouldn’t be placed under a deck or tree either.
How do I protect my outdoor grill when it’s not in use?
Your outdoor grill could wear out faster if it’s exposed to the elements. You can keep this from happening by covering it with a grill cover or storing it in a garage or shed.
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