You also have to ask yourself what type of grill you want. Will you be entertaining a large group of people, or just for your family?

Do you want a quick burger or pork chop once in a while, or are you planning to use your barbecue frequently throughout the summer?

There are many kinds of grills out there.

Some of them are as little as one hundred dollars, and others can cost thousands.

Here’s a breakdown of the different grills that are available. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages.

What are the different kinds of BBQ grills?

There are five major categories to think about:

You’ll want to consider cost, size, and versatility when deciding on a style of BBQ that works for you and your family. You should also consider what aspects are crucial to you. Everyone uses grills differently, and the variety can be overwhelming. All the more incentive to do your homework before making a purchase.

Traditional Charcoal Barbecues

Dedicated users will feel this is the only grill to use when barbecuing. Inexpensive and portable, a charcoal grill cooks great food.

Your meats will have a delicious, smoky taste that will delight your guests, and you can add some wood chips to experiment with different flavors. Mesquite and hickory are the best choices for steaks, while apple and cherry are more suitable for pork.

There are some drawbacks to charcoal grills:

  • Charcoal is messy! There’s lots of soot, and the bags are heavy. You’ll have to put up with smoke when barbecuing, which can be a hassle. Therefore, buying one of these grills wouldn’t be practical if you live in an apartment building.
  • It takes half an hour to forty-five minutes for the grill to get hot. If you want to cook something in a hurry, this can be a problem.
  • If you’re cooking for a dozen people or more, you’ll need a bigger grill, which means more charcoal — and more smoke.

Should You Buy a Gas Grill?

Natural gas and propane BBQs will deliver very similar results, so we’ve combined them here.

The biggest advantage is that a gas grill will be ready to cook when you are. All you have to do is turn it on, and it gets hot quickly. Expect to pay more than you would for the charcoal varieties, but at least there wouldn’t be much for you to clean up afterward. Using a natural gas grill is a great choice. It will never run out of fuel when connected to your home’s gas line. It’s cheaper too.

Drawbacks of a gas grill

However, there are a few things about gas grills that could make them less desirable:

  • Gas grills can’t burn wood or charcoal, so the smoky flavor people love about barbecued foods will be lost.
  • If your grill runs on propane, the tank will have to be refilled when it’s empty. This could not be very comfortable if you’re in the middle of a dinner party.
  • Unless you have a gas line conveniently located in your house, a natural gas grill will require a new line to be installed. Don’t try to do this alone. You’ll have to call the gas company and get them to do it for you.
  • Gas grills are easy to store, but they are not so portable.

Using an Electric Grill

This grill can solve some of the problems with charcoal and gas grills. No fuel is needed, there’s no smoke, and it’s quick and easy to cook. What could be better than preparing a meal on an electric grill and having to do minimal cleaning after you’re finished?

Plug it in, turn it on, and you’ll be all set. They are great if it’s raining because you can cook inside. You can’t do this with a charcoal or gas grill.

Electric grills can be less ideal for other reasons:

  • You can’t take them to the beach because there are no electrical outlets.
  • These grills are much smaller, and cooking for lots of people isn’t a simple task.
  • Electric grills are not as easy to find in stores.

Wood pellet grill for more versatility

A wood pellet grill is an outdoor burner that uses wood pellets as fuel and is powered by electricity. It imparts wood-fired flavor to your food while circulating heat and smoke for balanced cooking.

A pellet grill is ideal for low and slow cooking of meats over indirect heat, which means the food does not come into direct contact with the flame. A wood pellet grill is mid-priced. It is also the most versatile: you can smoke, roast, grill, or bake it. And, it’s really easy to use: Pour wood pellets into a hopper and push a few buttons.

Drawbacks of a pellet

  • Unless you have a gas-pellet combo grill, you can only use it for indirect heat, which is a slower cooking method.
  • It’s big. A typical wood pellet barbecue weighs more than 100 pounds.
  • It necessitates the use of an electrical source.
  • The flavor may be too faint for smokers.
  • It necessitates additional upkeep and ash removal. A shop vacuum will come in handy.

Kamado Grill for uniqueness

The Kamado is a Japanese ceramic grill. It’s oval or egg-shaped, and it works similarly to a high-end charcoal grill, but it’s known for being considerably better at circulating and retaining heat. They’re absolutely one-of-a-kind and adaptable. I’d equate it to a premium charcoal kettle grill, but you can cook for a little longer because it’s insulated.

Because it’s insulated, you can cook various foods under one grill, from grilled meat to cold-smoked sausage to pizza. It’s more durable than your average charcoal or gas BBQ.

And probably the smallest design compared to other grills out there.

Drawbacks of a Kamado

  • It was not cheap. A nice self-standing kamado barbecue may be purchased for around $1,000.
  • It’s frequently heavy. A typical family-sized model weighs 250 pounds.
  • You must still deal with soot and ash from the charcoal.
  • Like other charcoal grills, it takes longer to light than a gas grill.
  • Because the insulation takes longer to cool down, you can’t cook numerous things simultaneously.
  • You will need to devote more effort to properly learning how to use it.

What effect will the power source have on my choice of barbecue?

The power source will influence mobility, installation, flavor, cook time, and pricing. Those buying a wood-, charcoal-, or pellet-burning barbeque can select fuels with built-in flavor options. Certain woods have distinct flavor characteristics.

What size grill should you buy?

  • Standard grills: A two-burner gas or charcoal barbeque with a grill area of roughly 40 x 45cm should be enough for a group of four to six persons. These are the most frequent and usually the cheapest alternative, but they are limited if you intend to organize larger gatherings.
  • Large Grills: If you’re cooking for more than eight people, you’ll need a three-burner or four-burner gas grill or a larger charcoal barbeque, such as an oil drum or half a barrel. These barbecues are more expensive and consume a lot of fuel, so you should shop around before you buy.
  • Portable grills: If you want to take your grill camping or to the beach, a portable barbecue can be a convenient and versatile solution that allows you to take your grilling pleasure wherever you go. A small cooking area is standard, so don’t expect to cook for more than three or four people at a time, and prices vary substantially.

What size grill do I require?

The cooking area is the most important consideration in deciding grill size. The cooking area is measured in square inches. A normal three-burner gas grill has 450-500 square inches of cooking space, which is more than enough for the average household. People who entertain frequently or have large families may prefer a grill with five or six burners and 550-650 square inches of cooking space.

Aside from cooking space, the footprint of a barbecue should be addressed. Most barbecue barbecues have removable or collapsible side shelves. Manufacturers suggest the grill be placed 2-3 feet away from the home and other combustible items as a safety precaution. Before purchasing, ensure your deck or patio can fit the wingspan of your new barbecue.

A range of accessories is available to expand a grill’s cooking area without increasing its footprint. By adding another level to the cooking grid, a half shelf, for example, can provide up to 50% extra cooking space. Another example is a warming rack that hangs from the grill’s hood. This rack is perfect for toasting food at lower temperatures because it is situated further away from direct heat.

What additional features do barbecues have?

Barbecues have a wide range of accessory options that may be built-in or added on, including hardwood shelves, counters, and auxiliary grills like a sear burner for pellet burners, which are notorious for not getting hot enough.

Consider the following factors:

  • weight
  • indoor/outdoor use
  • maximum temperature
  • speed of preheating
  • ease of mobility
  • ease of assembly
  • resistance to wear-and-tear
  • fingerprints (less likely on stainless steel)

Choose your grill carefully and have a great time barbecuing this summer.

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