Which outdoor grill is best

Before you decide which grill is right for you, there are several factors you need to consider. First, you need to decide which fuel-type is best for you.

You should also think about which style of grill you want. Once you've made up your mind, you can narrow down your options based on the best features and overall design. Here are some guidelines to help get you started. Propane Gas: A popular option because it's easy to light, quick to heat and simple to clean. Whether you're cooking on a high temperature or need a slow burner, propane gas will produce good results. If we're being picky, some say it doesn't produce as much of a barbequed flavor as charcoal grills, but it's the best for convenience.

Generally, it's good to use for grilling all year around. Most gas grills will be hooked up to a tank of liquid propane gas. If you already use a tank to fuel your kitchen range, then that can also be connected to your grill, meaning you would never run out of gas! Some models can also be connected to the natural gas line in your home.

Charcoal: These grills require effort to light, control, and clean up. But hands down, they give the smokiest flavor. Charcoal grills may use standard briquettes or the more expensive hardwood lump charcoal, but both types have their advantages. Charcoal grilling is also more time consuming than using gas, since charcoal requires 15 to 20 minutes of burning time before reaching cooking temperatures, and has more involved cleanup when you're done.

Pellet: Using hardwood pellets, this type of grill produces distinctive deep smoky flavor. Kettle grills take up the least space and lets you build a deep bed of briquets to hold in heat. That makes it good for longer cooking items like chicken or ribs as well as for searing steaks and burgers. Barrel grills are, you guessed it, like a barrel lying on its side.

Kamado grills look a bit like traditional kettle models, but are made of heavy ceramic instead of lightweight sheet metal. The kamado design was popularized by the Big Green Egg brand, but similar ceramic designs are now offered by several companies. Do you like pizza? Check out our Ooni Fyra 12 review , as well as our Breville Pizzaiolo review. Regardless of what type of fuel you use or style of grill you prefer, there are other things to look for in any grill you might consider buying, from the overall quality of construction to convenience features that make grilling safer and cleaning up easier.

A thicker material will also hold in heat better. Wheels or Casters: At least two wheels on a grill make it easy to move it from place to place.

Most brands will offer two kinds of warranty: one will cover labor, which typically lasts for up to two years, and a secondary warranty for parts, which will usually last much longer. This coverage can last for the lifetime of the grill, and will cover all of the essential parts, such as the burner, cooking grids and the housing. If you opt for a grill which is made of durable materials, such as cast iron or stainless steel, these can last for as long as 20 years.

If any repair costs are half the value of a new grill, we suggest buying a replacement. Many of these are now available in stainless steel, which gives your backyard a more modern appeal. If you buy one of the latest models, you can also benefit from some of the new features on offer. Some grills come with built-in containers to hold your wood chips and on occasion, a smoke chamber.

You might also come across sear stations, rotisseries, side burners and built-in thermometers, all of which have their uses. Like many other appliances, grills are getting smarter too with some offering Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity. Side tables are convenient as well for placing dishes. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn a commission. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.

This means the focus is on grills yet again, similar to the steady and regular increase in interest we saw last summer around grilling accessories. If you plan on spending quality time grilling this summer, it might be the right time to consider upgrading your wares — or investing in a new model.

From charcoal to wood and pellet grills, it can be daunting to know which direction to go. But gas grills are fairly common and could be an option for your outdoor space. Gas grills dominate the backyard barbecues game not only because they can be portable and easier to operate with the click of a switch, though. Gas grills are just so easy to manage consistent heating.

Before setting out to buy a gas grill, the first thing to know is that there are two types of gas grills:. Most shoppers want at least two burners so they can set up different heat zones.

This way, meat can be cooked on the highest heat while veggies are grilling on a medium zone, and maybe buns get thrown to the lowest zone, if possible. He also recommended paying attention to the material of the burners. Another consideration, he noted, is how a gas grill starts: There are two types of ignition used in gas grills: electronic and piezo. Pushing the button pumps gas into the burners until a spark ignites but the longer this takes, the more gas that's released. The Big Green Egg comes in several sizes and is designed to be supported by a separately sold holder or built-in unit.

Three stainless steel burners instantly ignite, while cast-iron cooking grates and a porcelain-enameled lid help evenly distribute heat and keep it retained internally. Also handy, a warming rack keeps food at the right temperature until you're ready to eat, and can be tucked away when not in use.

Flavorizer bars vaporize a portion of the drippings that collect while cooking, and the remainders are collected in a removable catch pan away from the burners to prevent dangerous flare-ups. Great for organization, its two stainless steel side tables are perfect for prepping and assembling meals, while tool hooks keep cooking utensils within arm's reach.

Underneath, ample enclosed storage ensures that all grilling essentials stay in one convenient place. An enhanced version of Weber's iconic Original Kettle Charcoal Grill, this premium upgrade features all of the same offerings as its classic counterpart—like excellent heat retention and precise temperature control—with the addition of a refillable ash catcher underneath and a convenient hinged grate to add more charcoal while grilling.

Its removable porcelain-enameled lid features a built-in thermometer that clearly displays the internal cooking temperature, and when you're ready to check up on the progress of your contents, an angled hook securely and sanitarily holds the lid on the side of the grill to keep it off the ground. If you're looking to combine the quick convenience of gas with the familiar smoky flavor of charcoal, this dual-functioning outdoor grill can do both.

On one side, a gas grill features three main burners with heat tents, a side burner for stovetop cooking, and electronic ignition, while on the other, a charcoal grill offers an easy-dump ash pan and adjustable height grate for customizable temperature control. You can use both sides at the same time for an impressive 1, square inches of total cooking space and even add on a separately sold firebox for savory BBQ-style slow-smoked meats.

This new-age charcoal and electric combo is a competitor in the outdoor grilling space for more than just its minimalist design. Perhaps the brand's most unique feature is its proprietary charcoal Briq that quickly lights to infuse every hamburger and hot dog with that distinct smoky taste you simply can't get from propane.

Plug the Spark One into a standard three-prong outlet and slide the Briq into a perforated cast iron drawer, and it'll preheat within just a few minutes for quick and convenient weeknight use. It gives you precise temperature control up to degrees Fahrenheit—in fact, it's the very first charcoal grill with that capability—so you can really get creative with how and what you cook. When you're ready to power it down, the grill's no-mess ash disposal takes care of clean-up.

If you plan on using your grill for gatherings, consider investing in a larger model. Some grills have tables, baskets, or hooks for extra storage space. You can usually find grill sets that include these items in addition to other tools, such as barbecue forks, basting brushes, and skewers.

Your grill should be at least 10 feet away from any structure on your property, including your house, garage, and shed. 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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