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Lindsey Lanquist is an accomplished writer and editor specializing in health, wellness, fitness, fashion, lifestyle and beauty. You can find her work at Real Simple, VeryWell, SELF, StyleCaster, SheKnows, MyDomaine, The Spruce, Byrdie and more.
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While you can cook your favorite picnic dishes on the stovetop or in the oven, these appliances aren’t the best tools for the job. To perfectly sear burgers, coat ribs with a smoky flavor, or roast deliciously charred vegetables, you need a grill.
To find the best grill, we consulted three grill experts: Jake Wood, owner and chef of Lawrence Barbecue, Christy Vanover, founder of Competitive Pitmaster and Girls Can Grill, and Ray Rastelli Jr., butcher and president of the Rastelli Foods Group. We also spent hours studying the best grills, evaluating their size, cooking options and ease of use.
“When buying a grill, think about what you’re grilling and [how many people you're grilling for," Wood said. "[And] make sure you feel comfortable with [your grill].”
Our premium Weber’s Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill makes grilling delicious food easy with a beginner-friendly design and a built-in thermometer in the lid. Our top-of-the-line gas grill, the Weber’s Spirit II E-310 Gas Grill, features three burners and plenty of cooking space – handy when you’re grilling for a crowd.
Who’s it for: Grillers of all skill levels who want an easy way to cook flavorful meals for a crowd.
Want to taste the real taste of BBQ? “A charcoal grill provides an authentic grilling flavor compared to a gas or electric grill,” Vanover says. “But it requires extra cleaning because ash is generated after every use.” Charcoal grills also tend to be cheaper, and the premium Weber Original Kettle charcoal grill is a good option. Small, light and portable, this grill is ideal for beginner grillers and makes it easy to prepare delicious meals.
At 27 inches high, 22 inches long and 22 inches wide, this grill doesn’t take up much space, but it has enough cooking space to feed a group. The 363 square inch grill grate can handle 13 hamburgers at the same time. While this grill has little space for cooking, it comes with storage hooks to keep your grilling tools close at hand.
What do we like most about this grill? It’s really easy to use. Since the grill grate is hinged, you can easily add charcoal to the grill while cooking, and the thermometer on the outer lid will help you keep an eye on the grilling process even when the lid is closed.
In addition, the grill has a built-in ash catcher that collects all the debris on the grill in one place. Since charcoal grills are notorious for leaving a lot of ash behind, this game-changing feature makes grilling a pleasure from start to finish.
Gas grills are classics for one reason: they are fast, powerful and easy to use. “Gas grills start instantly and heat up quickly, [and] heat up and cool down faster than charcoal grills,” Rastelli said. “[However] compared to charcoal grills, they can be more expensive.” Because the Weber Spirit II E-310 Liquid Propane Grill is a powerful yet easy-to-operate top-notch grill, this is your upgrade. invest while frying the game.
At 52 inches high, 44.5 inches long and 27 inches wide, the Webb grill is the largest on our list. While this size may seem intimidating, it gives you tons of room to cook. The grill has three burners and a 529-square-inch grate making it easy to handle multiple foods at once, and even if you end up cooking differently, you can use the built-in heating grate to keep food tasty and toasty. .
To make cooking easier, the grill has plenty of cooking space. It has two side tables for plates, drinks and toppings, handy hooks for all grilling tools and an open shelf perfect for overflow storage.
If you look under the grate, you will also find a removable grease trap. This handy addition is a classic feature on gas grills, but still worth mentioning as it reduces the buildup of sticky grease, making the grill crispy and easy to clean.
Who it’s for: Experienced grillers who love the smell of smoked grilling and don’t mind a slower grilling process.
“If you want a grill that can be used to smoke things like brisket and pork chops at a low, slow speed, you should consider a pellet grill, but be aware that grilling high-temperature foods can be tricky.” Vanover says. . Pellet grills use the burning of wood pellets to cook food evenly and give dishes a smoky flavor. While the Traeger Grills Pro 575 is the most expensive grill on our list, it will give you a slow cooker that rivals the pros.
At 53 inches high, 41 inches long and 27 inches wide, the grill may look intimidating, but it’s surprisingly easy to use. Just fill the grill’s “hopper” with your favorite wood pellets, turn it on and turn it up to the desired temperature – the grill takes care of the rest.
The grill has two racks, giving you 575 square inches of cooking space. That’s enough to cook 24 hamburgers, five ribs, or four whole chickens, so you can definitely feed a crowd. Unfortunately, there isn’t much space for cooking: while you can place small items on top of the grill bin, most of your preparation needs to take place elsewhere.
One of the best things about this grill? You can control it from a distance using the Traeger app. The app lets you set timers, change temperatures, and check food so you can exit the slow cook process without forgetting to eat.
Best for: Grills that cook omelettes, pancakes and other foods that go through a standard rotisserie grill and grills that need a portable grill.
If you prefer melted patties over hamburgers, breakfast sausages over hot dogs, swap out the classic grill for the Blackstone Flat Top Gas Grill. The flat grill plate makes it perfect for pancakes, omelettes, quesadillas and more, and the dual burner design makes it super easy to use. “Flat top grill pans are a great backyard addition because they are so versatile,” Vanover says. “You can make a dinner-style breakfast with pancakes, eggs, and bacon, or [you can] pretend to be a hibachi chef and make steak, shrimp, chicken, and fried rice.”
Instead of the classic grill, this one has a flat-top grill: a 470-square-inch surface that can hold 44 hot dogs at once. Because the pan is flat, it’s perfect for dishes that would fall off a standard grill, such as omelettes, chopped vegetables, and grilled meats. But it can still handle classic picnic foods like burgers, hot dogs, and steaks.
Thanks to the fold-out side table and built-in storage shelf, this grill has plenty of space for cooking. It’s also easy to turn on: just press the grill’s ignition button and the pan heats up instantly.
What else do we like about this grill? You can take it with you. The grill is equipped with wheels, so it is easy to roll around the yard or patio. And thanks to its foldable legs, you can compress the 69-pound grill to a fraction of its size, toss it in the trunk of your car, and take it with you wherever you go.
Perfect for: Beginner grillers, budget shoppers, and those with limited grill space.
Not for the crowd: You want a larger, more powerful grill that cooks food with a smoky flavor.
An electric grill is one of the best options for beginners. “Electric grills are easy to use, but they need to be connected to the mains, which limits their portability,” Rastelli said. “Electric grills [also tend] to be cheap and small, making them portable [and handy] for small spaces.”
The grill is small, just 13 inches high, 22 inches long and 18 inches wide, so it’s a great option for smaller spaces. But don’t be put off by its low profile: there’s plenty of room on the grill for cooking. Its 240 square inch grate can handle 15 hamburgers at once, and its features make grilling an easy task.
The adjustable grill temperature control gives you five settings to choose from, helping you get just the right amount of heat every time. It also has a handy non-stick coating that makes cooking and cleaning easier, prevents food from sticking to the grill, and reduces the mess you’ll have to clean up later.
In addition, electric grills are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, making them ideal for year-round use and hassle-free placement. You can use the grill on a detachable stand on your balcony, porch, or patio, or store it on your countertop for cooking in the kitchen. Since the grill only weighs 21 pounds, it is easy to carry from one place to another. Remember it’s electric, so you’ll need an outlet to turn it on and run.
Looking for an easy way to barbecue for a crowd? Our premium Weber’s Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill is here to help. This charcoal grill is very easy to use thanks to convenient features such as a thermometer built into the lid and a hinged grate. Although there is very little space on the grill, it can cook 13 burgers at a time.
If you prefer a gas grill, we recommend the Weber’s Spirit II E-310 Gas Grill, which is powerful and labor intensive to use. This grill has plenty of cooking space, boasting three burners, a 529-square-inch grill, and a built-in heat rack. Since it’s full of cooking space, it cuts down on trips to the kitchen – everything you need to grill is stored in one place.
The first step you should take when choosing a grill is to figure out what type you need. “The type of grill you choose should be based on your personal needs and experience,” says Rastelli. “You also need to decide what you like to bake, how much time you have to prepare and cook food, and a convenient place where you cook it, and then adjust your purchases according to those needs.”
There are three things you should consider when it comes to grill size. “First, you need to choose a good neighborhood,” Wood said. “Your backyard will dictate what you buy.” Is the grill the right size for your space? If the grill is not suitable for where you plan to use it, look for smaller options. Second, how much cooking space does the grill provide? Pay attention to the size of the hob and also pay attention to the cooking space. 3. Is the grill portable? If you want to take the grill with you, you may want a smaller and lighter option – the wheels make it easy to move the grill.
When you buy a grill, consider how many people you like to cook for. “Think about how much food you are likely to make at one time,” Vanover says. “Would you fry a hamburger for two or feed a softball team?” If you enjoy throwing big parties or grilling for a large family, look for one with enough cooking space to feed a crowd. Check the size of your grill or pan and look out for handy features like built-in grills. Also pay attention to the preparation of the room. Grill with built-in shelves and hooks makes it easy to organize plates, tools and ingredients. “It’s also nice to have a side shelf for groceries and a bottom shelf for cleaning supplies and tools,” Vanover says.
Our experts agree: electric grills are best for beginners because they are affordable, safe, and easy to use. “[Electric grills] are easier to operate and require less cleaning and maintenance, making them ideal for beginners,” says Rastelli. “Start small and don’t jump on those big grills with loads of accessories until you know you need them.” But if you want to get a little creative, our experts recommend trying a small gas grill or a grill shelf with a charcoal kettle.
“For beginners, the best grill types are charcoal grills and electric grills because they are inexpensive and easy to learn,” Vanover says. “A 3-burner gas grill [is also] a good investment for the beginner griller who has more money to spare.”
To clean your grill, follow three simple steps: fire, clean and season. “Always turn [the grill] on when you’re done cooking to burn off any [leftover] that [is] left,” Rastelli says, recommending turning the grill on “high” for about five minutes. (Your grill may be smoking, if you have one, keep it covered.) “After five minutes, turn off the heat and brush the grill with a long-handled brush,” he says. “[Then] brush a clean pan with a little oil.” This will season the grill grates and prevent rust.
Grills have different lifespans and this lifespan can vary depending on the type of grill you have and how well you take care of it. “The average [stainless steel] grill will last 3-5 years, [and] cast iron and ceramic grills will last 10 years or more,” Rastelli said. “It’s all about maintenance and care.” Keep your grill clean, dry and covered. And practice proper grilling techniques to keep your grill looking its best.
This article was written by Real Simple writer Lindsey Lanquist, who has seven years of lifestyle writing experience. To find the best grill, Lindsey researched dozens of the best options and ranked them based on size, culinary ability and ease of use. For advice on what to look for when buying a grill, she turns to three grill experts: Jack Wood, Christy Vanover, and Ley Rustley Jr.