The grilling season is in full swing, and if you’re looking for a new barbecue, you have a lot of choices. These outdoor cookers can handle any job, whether it’s a pellet grill, a traditional charcoal type, or a gas grill. When choosing a grill, you must consider the fuel type, size, pricing, style, and other amenities.
All of this can be daunting, so we’ve compiled a list of our top ideas for selecting the perfect fit for your patio, which we update on a regular basis. Here are some crucial features to think about.
Type of fuel
There are hundreds of grills available, and reducing your choices down might be difficult. Choosing the appropriate fuel for your fire is a good place to begin.
What is the best grill for you? The answer is contingent on your desired cooking style and level of convenience from your grill. Each type has advantages and disadvantages, so understanding their major traits will help you choose a barbeque match made in heaven.
Gas
One of the most frequent types of fuel is gas. Gas grills with carts use either a liquid propane tank or natural gas via a conversion kit that connects the grill to your home’s natural gas supply line.
The dispute over whether to use natural gas or liquid propane is raging. Natural gas emits fewer greenhouse gases, is less expensive to use, and eliminates the need to refill propane tanks. However, because your grill is attached to a gas line, you won’t be able to move it. The more popular and portable fuel option is liquid propane. It’s also more expensive and requires more frequent replenishment. The good news is that many gas grills can handle both, so you don’t have to make a decision right immediately.
You’ll have more control over the heat and how it’s distributed throughout your cooking area with a gas grill. Gas grills, like the Char-Broil Commercial 3-burner, allow you to switch between high heat for searing and low heat for consistent cooking. A charcoal barbecue, pellet grill, or smoker, on the other hand, will produce superior results when cooking meats like whole chickens or racks of ribs over long periods of time.
Charcoal
Charcoal grills provide the classic smokiness that most people associate with grilled food. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including the original Weber Kettle, which pioneered the modern charcoal grill design. However, charcoal grills have their own oddities, so be prepared to put in some effort if you go this route.
Charcoal grills use briquettes or lumps of charcoal to burn. The smokey flavor originates from this source. When compared to a gas grill, you’ll need to spend a bit more time igniting the briquettes and preheating the grill. After you’ve finished grilling, clean the grill and dispose of the charcoal ash.
When it comes to cooking, charcoal grills may not be as accurate or adaptable as gas grills, but they offer a distinct flavor and are the most cheap alternative. Small, portable charcoal barbecues can be found for as little as $50.
Grills for pellets
Pellet grills, such as the Traeger Timberline 850, use wood pellets and an integrated microprocessor to heat up to your preferred temperature and give your meal a smokey, wood-fired flavor. Pellet barbecues produce delicious meat, especially when cooked slowly, but pellets are more expensive and difficult to come by than propane or charcoal. Prepare to make a few phone calls or place an online order.
Pellet grills have a side hopper that holds food-grade wood pellets. After you’ve turned on the grill and set the temperature, a spinning auger connected to the hopper moves the pellets into a burn pot. Pellet barbecues are available in barrel or cart designs, with prices ranging from $350 to $1,300.
Size
Consider the size of grill you’ll need once you’ve selected which fuel type is best for you. If you’re only cooking for four people or less on a regular basis, most small to medium charcoal grills and two-burner gas grills will suffice. The Weber Spirit E-210 is an excellent example of a two-burner barbecue with plenty of cooking area. In most cases, grills are measured in square inches. Most people can use grills that are 400-500 square inches in size.
Consider a larger model with four, five, or even more burners if you’re the center of the neighborhood barbeque scene or have a large family. You’ll need at least a three-burner gas grill if you want to cook meats like whole chickens or racks of ribs with indirect heat.
Additional characteristics
A grill should, at its most basic level, simply cook well. Aside from completing the proper measures to prepare your grill, there are a few more elements to look for that will improve your experience. A side burner, for example, is an excellent place to heat sauces or sides without rushing between the kitchen range and the patio.
If you want to move your grill about during the season, be sure it has wheels on all four legs and the ability to lock them.
You can even add intelligence to your grill. The Weber iGrill 3 is the third iteration of the Weber iGrill system. The Weber iGrill app, probe device, and iGrill compatible Weber grill, such as the Weber Genesis II E-335 in our gas grills best list, allow you to monitor the internal temperature of your food. With the touch of a button, you can adjust the temperature of your Traeger grill, set timers, and view recipes.
Getting outside with friends, family, and food, regardless of which grill is suitable for you, is one of the best ways to spend a weekend.
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Arden Mitchell, a writer who is always looking for new ways to push the limits of what's possible with my words. I believe that writing is not just about expressing oneself, but about pushing the boundaries of what's possible and exploring uncharted territories. I strive to create work that is both ambitious and thought-provoking, that challenges readers to think differently and to question their assumptions. I believe that writing has the power to change the world, and I am honored to be a part of that tradition.
