Types of Grills: How to Choose the Right One For You
Make the most of your outdoor space this summer and get grilling.
A backyard grill is a staple for the perfect summer. Whether you plan to host weekly barbeques or incorporate grilled veggies and meats into your daily dinner menu, the right grill will go a long way. Follow along as we compare all the major types of grills.
Types of Grills
Grill Designs
Fuel Types
Grill Surface Material
How to Measure for a Grill Cover
Types of Grills
Gas Grill
Best for: efficiency and ease.
A gas grill uses natural gas or propane as a fuel source to cook food. Gas grills heat up quickly and provide an even cooking temperature. Cleanup is also relatively easy – all you have to do is brush the grate.
In terms of flavor, gas grills produce the classic, charred flavor we associate with burgers and hot dogs straight off the grill, with room for any seasonings you want.
Some gas grills can function as smokers when specified, and some come with cooking burners so you can boil or sauté as you flip burgers grill-side.
Tip!
New to the world of gas grilling? Get all the information you need to find the right one in our beginner's guide to gas grills.
Charcoal Grill
Best for: getting both the chargrilled and smoky flavors.
This type of grill uses charcoal as its fuel source. These grills have a high heat output and often add a smoky flavor to food, which is great for searing meat. They do require some prep and skill to use, but become easier once you get the hang of heating the charcoal and monitoring the vents for temperature adjustments.
Cook time is typically longer with a charcoal grill than with an alternative fuel source, since the charcoal can take around 30 minutes to heat before it's ready to grill. Speed up the process with a chimney starter.
Wood Pellet Grill
Best for: versatility.
These grills use wood pellets as its fuel source. However, they also require electricity, so you will need an outdoor outlet to use it. The pellets are typically made from compressed sawdust and come in a variety of flavors, such as hickory, mesquite, and applewood. The pellets are fed into a hopper and automatically ignited by an electric heating element. The grill has a digital control panel that allows users to set the desired temperature and monitor the cooking process. Wood pellet grills are known for their ability to maintain a consistent temperature and produce a smoky flavor in the food being cooked.
Depending on the size of your wood pellet grill, it may take 10 to 15 minutes to reach the cooking temperature you want. From there, cook time varies depending on whether you're smoking, baking, or grilling.
Tip!
Leaning toward a pellet grill? Read our guide to get a more in-depth look at how pellet grills work.
Electric Grill
Best for: portability or grilling inside.
This type of grill uses electricity to generate heat and cook food. These grills are often used indoors and are a popular option for people who live in apartments or do not have access to a patio or backyard. Electric grills produce a neutral flavor since they don't have a flame or use materials like charcoal, so you'll need to amp up your food’s flavor with some seasonings. They are generally easy to use and clean, making them a convenient cooking option for many people.
Electric grills can preheat within minutes so you can get grilling, electric or gas grills fast. In the case of electric grills, the electricity produces an instant, steady heat source. The fact that electric grills don't require flames also speeds up the process, as you don't need to battle natural elements like rain or wind to heat up your grill. Cleanup is also a breeze, as there are no charcoal or pellets to remove.
Tip!
Check out our electric grill guide for more information the help narrow your search.
Smoker
While this isn't an actual grill, smoker do cook meat and other food using heat. If you want a grill and a smoker, choose a grill/smoker combo.
Best for: smoking meats.
Smokers come in a variety of fuel types, like charcoal, electric, or gas. Very similar to wood pellet grills, smokers rely on a combination of water to create steam and charcoal or wood to create heat. Smokers can produce a wide variety of flavors when you choose charcoal packs with infusions. These range from nutty pecan to hickory to herbal blends of sage and basil. These flavors in combination with the smoky flavor produce a mouthwatering taste and smell.
Smokers fall into the pro skill level of grills because people use them to smoke meat over long periods from hours or days. Throughout the smoking process, you need to check the interior temperature and feed fuel into the side chamber when it dips below the desired cooking temperature for the type of meat being cooked. Luckily, the result is deliciously tender and flavorful – well worth the effort.
Tip!
Want to invest in a smoker but don't know where to start? Check out our beginner's guide to using a smoker to boost your confidence.
Grill Designs
Freestanding
Freestanding grills are solitary appliances that don't need to be installed or attached to anything. They often have wheels for assistance when moving them, but they are not always portable and are not necessarily lightweight. Freestanding grills come in all fuel types.
Built-In
This is the ideal option for people looking to create an outdoor kitchen. These grills are designed to be built into a kitchen island or outdoor counter cutout. Make sure to read the product specifications to determine which category your built-in grill fits into.
On-Post
This is a more permanent design option. These grills are held up by one post and they are not easy to move as they are often bolted down to a deck to keep them stable. On-post grills are typically fueled by gas. Before buying an on-post grill, we recommend checking the product information to ensure that it has all the accessories needed for propane- or natural gas-installation.
Portable/Tabletop
If you like to bring your grill tailgating or to the park or beach, consider a portable grill. Usually on the smaller side, portable grills are easy to take on the go. Portable grills use an electric or gas fuel source. Make sure to adhere to open flame regulations if you are grilling in public spaces. Because of their compact size, portable or tabletop grills are less expensive than other types and usually come in under $100.
Flat Top
Flat top grills have been the solution for fast, hot, even cooking for decades. They have a long, flat top for cooking rather than a large grate or separate burners, and they spread heat evenly and radially. They are often found in restaurant kitchens because of their consistency in performance and fast cook time.
Kamado Grill
Kamado grills fall in the mid-level skill category as there are so many ways to use them, from conventional grilling, smoking, braising, or baking. Most kamado grills use charcoal as a fuel source, but some can be gas or electric. They are ideal for smoking and grilling because their insulation maintains both very low and very high temperatures, so you get a consistent smoke. Kamado grills are quick to preheat and stay hot, which creates an efficient environment for quick grilling and pizza baking. If you're using your kamado grill as a smoker, the cook time may be longer, but the result will be worth it. Kamado grills infuse meats and other barbecue food with a delicious charred flavor like that of charcoal grills. You can also elevate the flavor with pre-infused charcoal options featuring notes of maple, basil, garlic, hickory, or apple.
Tip!
Learn more about kamado grills and their benefits in our kamado grill guide.
Fuel Types
Liquid Propane: These grills use propane that is housed in a tank to heat the grill. You have to monitor how much propane is left and refill it when it runs out.
Natural Gas: These grills are hooked up to a natural gas line coming from your home. With these, you do not have to worry about refilling a tank or ever running out of fuel.
Grill Features
The right grill features can elevate your barbecue experience, as well as how quickly and efficiently your grill heats up to cook your go-to BBQ food. Here are a few to know and to be on the lookout for when grill shopping:
BTU Levels
BTUs, also called British Thermal Units, determine how much heat you need to increase the temperature of one pound of water by 1°F. As a general rule of thumb, grills need about 70–100 BTUs for every square inch of the grilling surface. This determines the total BTU output of the heat levels for your grill. You can determine a grill's BTU levels by reviewing product information on the product page.
Burners
Some grills come with burners in addition to traditional grilling surfaces so you can cook sauce, boil pasta, sauté burger toppings, or cook up some bacon and eggs. This is a great feature for versatile outdoor cooking.
Thermometer Included: These grills come with a built-in thermometer so you can monitor the temperature inside the grill while cooking. This can be helpful for ensuring that your food is cooked how you want it and prevents overcooking or undercooking.
Warming Rack Included: These come with a secondary rack above the main cooking surface to keep cooked food warm while other food is still being cooked.
Electric Ignition: These grills use an electric ignition system to ignite the gas or charcoal fuel. You don't need to use matches or lighters - making it easier and safer to start the grill.
Drip Tray Included: This grill is equipped with a tray designed to collect grease and other liquids that may fall from the food being cooked. This helps to prevent flare-ups and makes cleaning easier.
Grill Surface Material
Grill surfaces come in a variety of materials that each have their own distinct benefits, durability levels, and conditions. Take a look at these grill surface materials to determine which would work best for you:
Steel or Stainless Steel: Both steel and stainless steel grill grates can resist rust and corrosion when compared to other types of grill grates and have properties that cause them to heat up faster for a quick grilling experience. These grates are also more budget-friendly.
Cast Iron: Cast iron grill grates heat up and keep the heat locked in which means a better heat distribution across the surface. This ensures everything gets cooked evenly.
Porcelain-Coated Grates: Porcelain-coated grill grates have non-stick properties that make cleaning up a breeze and the coated grate material keeps moisture from getting to the base layer (usually made of steel) which protects it from rust.
Chrome: Chrome grill grates not only look amazing but they're also lightweight so you can easily remove it to clean without any problems. They also have rust-resistant properties for long-time use.
Tip!
Get more in-depth information about the types of features your grill can have by reviewing our grill features guide.
How to Measure for a Grill Cover
A grill cover protects your grill when it’s not in use, keeping it dry and free of moisture that could lead to rust or corrosion, so it's important that you get the right size for your grill. Read below for important measurements and tips:
- Measure the grill's height. Place the starting end of your tape measure on the ground and measure from the bottom of your grill to the topmost part. If your grill has a chimney or another feature that protrudes above it, be sure to include this in your height measurement.
- Measure the width of the grill. Measure the width of the grill from the front to the back. Measure from the front edge to the back edge and make note of any grill parts that stick out beyond the frame, like wheels or side compartments.
- Measure the length of the grill. Lastly, measure the length of your grill from one side to the other. If your grill has a side chamber or built-in side tables, make sure you include them when measuring.
