It’s Time for a New Grill and Here’s How to Choose the Best One for You

It’s summer and it’s very hot outside, but I doubt that will stop you from planning a barbecue. Summer is the perfect season for family gatherings and if you cook your guests outside, you’ll get great food and save on electricity because you won’t have to heat up your house while you cook.

Whether you’re buying a new grill because your current stove can’t handle the demands of your next feast or it’s simply time for something new, make sure to read our guide to help you find the perfect grill. Once you’ve narrowed down the options to what you need or want, check out all the great deals on many of the best grills to save some money.

For more information, check out CNET’s favorites charcoal grillsgas grills, portable grills, pellet smokers and kamado grills of the year.

What flavors do you want in your food?

Finding the perfect grill for you comes down to a few factors, but the first one you’ll need to answer is what your cooking style is and the level of convenience you expect from your grill. There are pros and cons to each type, so if you know their key features, you’ll be well on your way to a match made in barbecue heaven.

Gas

Gas grills are one of the most common types of fuel. Built in a cart style, gas grills Use a connectable liquid propane tank or natural gas via a conversion kit that connects the grill to your home’s natural gas line.

The debate over natural gas vs. liquid propane is heating up. Natural gas burns cleaner in terms of greenhouse gases, it is cheaper to use, and you don’t have to refill propane tanks.

Read more: How we test grills

You can’t move your grill because it’s connected to a gas line. Liquid propane is the most popular fuel choice and is portable. It’s also more expensive and requires refilling. The good news is that many gas grills can do both, so you don’t have to choose right away.

With a gas grill, you have more control over the heat and how it is distributed across your cooking surface. Gas grills such as the Char-Broil Commercial Three-Burner are great for balancing high heat for searing and lower heat for even cooking. If you are cooking meats like whole chickens or ribs for hours, you will get better results with a charcoal grill, pellet grill, or smoker.

Charcoal

Cooking with charcoal is one of the oldest grilling methods around and is usually what comes to mind when we think of grilling. They come in many shapes and sizes including the original Weber Kettlewho introduced the design that is widely recognized today. As common as charcoal grills are, there are a few quirks to consider when looking at these cooking appliances.

Charcoal grills burn using charcoal briquettes or lumps of charcoal. That’s where the smoky flavor comes from. You have to spend a little more time lighting the briquettes and preheating the grill than you would with a gas grill. You also have to clean the grill and dump out the charcoal ash when you’re done grilling.

Charcoal grills may not be as precise or customizable as a gas grill when it comes to cooking, but they do have a distinct flavor and are the most affordable option. You can find small, portable charcoal grills for as little as $50.

There are also high-quality charcoal grills, called Kamado grillsmade of thick and heavy ceramic. This construction material is perfect for retaining heat, and the iconic egg shape promotes airflow and maximum flavor. All of this contributes to a charcoal stove that can handle both long cooking times and high-temperature grilling.

Grains

Pellet grills, such as the Traeger Ironwood XLburn wood pellets and have an onboard computer to regulate the heat to the desired temperature. These grills can go low and slow to add a smoky, wood-fired flavor to your food or go blazing hot to make the perfect burger. Pellet grills produce tasty meats, especially when cooked slowly, but pellets can be more expensive than charcoal and a little harder to find than propane. Most hardware stores and big box stores now carry pellets.

Pellet grills Use a hopper to hold food-grade wood pellets. Once you turn on the grill with a switch and set the temperature, a rotating auger attached to the hopper moves the pellets into a burn pot. Pellet grills come in barrel or cart styles, and prices range from about $350 to over $2,000.

What size grill do I need?

Once you’ve decided on the type of fuel that’s best for you, you’ll need to think about the size of grill you’ll need. Most small to medium-sized charcoal, pellet, and gas grills with two burners are fine if you’re occasionally cooking for four people or less.
The Weber Spirit E-210 is a good example of a grill with two burners and plenty of space. Grills are often measured in square inches. Grills in the 400-500 square inch range are plenty big enough for most people. A good option to look at for a medium sized pellet grill is the Brisk The Origin 580.

If you’re the life of the neighborhood barbecue or have a large household, consider a larger model with four, five, or even more burners. If you absolutely must have a gas grill but also want to cook meats like whole chickens or ribs with indirect heatthen you need at least a three burner model. If you want smoky goodness from your big stove, then the Recteq Flagship XL is the right way.

What additional features should my grill have?

At the most basic level, a grill simply needs to cook well. In addition to taking the proper steps to prepare your grillthere are a handful of extra features you can look for that will enhance your experience. For example, a side burner is a great place to heat up sauces or side dishes without having to run back and forth between your stove and patio.

If you think you’ll be moving your grill more often throughout the season, check to make sure your grill has casters on all four legs and that you can lock them into place.

You can make your grill even smarter. The Weber iGrill system is now in its third generation with the Weber iGrill 3This accessory allows you to monitor the internal temperature of your food via the Weber iGrill app, the probe device and the iGrill compatible Weber grill such as the Weber Genesis II E-335 to our best gas grills listThe Traeger app lets you remotely control grill temperatures, set timers, and view recipes with the touch of a button on WiFi-enabled grills.

You can even get connected Kamado grills, like the Kamado Joe Connected Joeto monitor the temperature and your food with the integrated temperature probes. No matter which grill suits you best, getting outside with friends and family and eating is one of the best ways to spend a weekend.

Look at this: 4 Unexpected Tricks for a Better BBQ

02:09

For more, here’s How to Grill Like a Pro and How to Clean Your Grill the Right Way . Here’s How CNET Tests Grills to Find the Best of the Best .