A backyard grill is a staple for the perfect summer. Whether you plan to host weekly barbeques or incorporate grilled veggies and meats into your daily dinner menu, the right grill will go a long way. Follow along as we compare and contrast all the major types of grills.

Grill Designs & Fuel Options

Gas Grill
Charcoal Grill
Wood Pellet Grill
Electric Grill
Kamado Grill
Smoker

Gas Grill

Best for: efficiency and ease.

Skill Level: Gas grills require a bit of know-how, but are still relatively easy to use. Once you figure out how to check the temperature and adjust the temperature controls to maintain an even cook, the process will become a breeze.

Price Range: Gas grills typically range from $100-$300, and you need to consider whether to purchase propane refills or connect to the natural gas line, depending on your home’s availability.

Fuel Needs: There are two types of fuel available: liquid propane and natural gas. Propane is the more popular option, as most consumers don't have a natural gas supply available to tap into for their grilling needs. Most propane tanks can provide fuel for up to 25 hours – that's a lot of BBQ time! However, if your home does have a natural gas line, it can be more convenient to get a natural gas-fueled tank rather than refilling or repurchasing propane tanks, since your fuel will be pumped straight from the natural gas line for no extra cost. Or, you can use a conversion kit to pump natural gas to your propane tank.

Cook Time: Gas grills heat up quickly and provide a fast cook time at high heat. This is ideal for afternoon barbecues or a quick round of burgers for dinner. Cleanup is also relatively easy – all you have to do is brush the grate.

Flavor Profiles: In terms of flavor, gas grills produce the classic, charred flavor we associate with burgers and hot dogs straight off the grill, with room for any seasonings you want.

Versatility: Some gas grills can function as smokers when specified, and some come with cooking burners so you can boil or sauté as you flip burgers grill-side.

Tip!

New to the world of gas grilling? Get all the information you need to find the right one in our beginner's guide to gas grills.

Charcoal Grill

Best for: getting both the chargrilled and smoky flavors.

Skill Level: Despite the simplistic design, charcoal grilling is an art and usually requires some prior grilling experience. However, the process can easily become seamless once you get the hang of heating charcoal and monitoring the vents for temperature adjustments.

Price Range: Because of their simplistic design and relatively minimal controls, charcoal grills stay on the cheaper end of grill pricing – typically a few hundred dollars or less.

Fuel Needs: As its name suggests, the charcoal grill relies on charcoals and a handy fire starter or matches to heat and grill food.

Cook Time: Cook time is typically longer with a charcoal grill than with an alternative fuel source, since the charcoal can take around 30 minutes to heat before it's ready to grill. Speed up the process with a chimney starter.

Flavor Profiles: Charcoal grills are a perfect way to get an intense, smoky flavor. These grills use charcoal briquettes, wood chips, or a combination of the two to cook food. There are also a variety of fun flavors of wood chips and charcoal that infuse smoky notes with fruity, savory, or herbal notes.

Versatility: With charcoal grills you have control of how low or high the temperature gets, as opposed to other grills with set heat settings. So you can choose to grill and sear steaks, vegetables, or pork chops or choose to keep the lid on and the temperature low for a smoking effect.

Wood Pellet Grill

Best for: versatility.

Skill Level: No fear! Pellet grills, or wood pellet grills are actually extremely beginner-friendly. Once you set the temperature, the grill does the rest. Some models even have more high-tech controls for cooking different meats and timer settings so you can sit back and relax.

Price Range: Because wood pellet grills have so many functions, they typically range from $300 to $3,000 or more, with more high-tech models on the higher-end of the spectrum.

Fuel Needs: Pellet grills require electricity and wood pellets as a dual fuel source. You will need to plug the grill into an outdoor outlet, fill the side chamber with wood pellets, and then set the temperature controls for it to work.

Cook Time: Depending on the size of your wood pellet grill, it may take 10 to 15 minutes to reach the cooking temperature you want. From there, cook time varies depending on whether you're smoking, baking, or grilling.

Flavor Profiles: Like charcoal, wood pellets often come in pre-flavored packs to infuse meats with rick smoky notes of apple, hickory, cherry, pecan, or other desirable flavors, so the possibilities are endless.

Versatility: Wood pellet grills do it all. They combine the best features from other cookers so that you can grill, smoke, bake, and barbecue with precision and ease.

Tip!

Leaning toward a pellet grill? Read our guide to get a more in-depth look at how pellet grills work.

Electric Grill

Best for: grilling on the go.

Skill Level: Electric grills are probably one of the most beginner-friendly grills on the market. There's no need to nurse flames or stoke a fire – all you need to do is plug it in and set the temperature you want. If you're new to the world of grilling, electric may be the way to go.

Price Range: Electric grills can be a bit more expensive, depending on the size and technological capabilities included. They range from $200–$300 all the way up to $1,000 or more. As a general rule of thumb, the larger a grill is and the more features and built-in technologies it has, the higher the price – but the better the experience.

Fuel Needs: As implied by the name, electric grills run on electricity. This means no fuel materials or flames to worry about. Since electricity is used to power this type of grill, it must be placed near an electrical outlet. Extension cords may be necessary if a power source is not nearby.

Cook Time: If you're looking for a grill that can preheat within minutes so you can get grilling, electric or gas grills work best. In the case of electric grills, the electricity produces an instant, steady heat source. The fact that electric grills don't require flames also speeds up the process, as you don't need to battle natural elements like rain or wind to heat up your grill. Cleanup is also a breeze, as there are no charcoal or pellets to remove.

Flavor Profiles: Electric grills produce a neutral flavor since they don't have a flame or use materials like charcoal, so you'll need to amp up your food’s flavor with some seasonings.

Versatility: Electric grills are the perfect solution if you are looking for a portable grill. This type of grill is generally more compact than charcoal or gas models, making it ideal for small outdoor spaces or transporting. Its flameless operation also makes it an ideal choice for controlled environments where large open flames are not allowed (like apartment buildings).

Tip!

Check out our electric grill guide for more information the help narrow your search.

Kamado Grill

Best for: compactness.

Skill Level: Kamado grills fall in the mid-level skill category as there are so many ways to use them, from conventional grilling, smoking, braising, or baking.

Price Range:Because of their versatile functions, kamado grills sit on the higher end of grill price spectrum, ranging from around $500 to $1,000 or more, depending on the size of the grill. However, there are also compact kamado grills and models with more simplistic designs that cost under $500.

Fuel Needs: Most kamado grills use charcoal as a fuel source, but some can be gas or electric. They are ideal for smoking and grilling because their insulation maintains both very low and very high temperatures, so you get a consistent smoke.

Cook Time: Kamado grills are quick to preheat and stay hot, which creates an efficient environment for quick grilling and pizza baking. If you're using your kamado grill as a smoker, the cook time may be longer, but the result will be worth it.

Flavor Profiles: Kamado grills infuse meats and other barbecue food with a delicious charred flavor like that of charcoal grills. You can also elevate the flavor with pre-infused charcoal options featuring notes of maple, basil, garlic, hickory, or apple.

Versatility: With a traditional pod-shaped Japanese design, Kamado grills are known for their high efficiency and excellent insulation, making them ideal for smoking, grilling, and even baking. Their design is more compact than traditional gas grills, so they are also an excellent option if you are tight on space.

Tip!

Learn more about kamado grills and their benefits in our kamado grill guide.

Smoker

Best for: smoking meats.

Skill Level: Smokers fall into the pro skill level of grills because people use them to smoke meat over long periods from hours or days. Throughout the smoking process, you need to check the interior temperature and feed fuel into the side chamber when it dips below the desired cooking temperature for the type of meat being cooked. Luckily, the result is deliciously tender and flavorful – well worth the effort.

Price Range: Smokers have a wide price range, with compact models coming in under $100 and larger, more high-tech models coming in above the $1,000 mark,so there's plenty of options that could fit your budget.

Fuel Needs: Smokers come in a variety of fuel types, like charcoal, electric, or gas. Very similar to wood pellet grills, smokers rely on a combination of water for steam and charcoal either manually lit with a fire starter or by an ignition switch that produces a flame through gas heat or electricity.

Cook Time: The process of smoking meat relies on a lengthy cook time (from hours to days) at a low, steady temperature. This makes them the best choice for smoking big racks or cuts of meat for a mouthwatering meal that's well worth the wait.

Flavor Profiles: Smokers can produce a wide variety of flavors when you choose charcoal packs with infusions. These range from nutty pecan to hickory to herbal blends of sage and basil. These flavors in combination with the smoky flavor produce a mouthwatering taste and smell.

Versatility: Some smokers double as grills so you can determine whether it's a burger and hot dogs kind of night or a rack of smoked ribs.

Tip!

Want to invest in a smoker but don't know where to start? Check out our beginner's guide to using a smoker to boost your confidence.

Grill Configuration Types

There are a variety of grill configurations to choose from, whether you have a large patio, an outdoor kitchen, or only a little yard space but plenty of room on the patio table. Now that you have a better sense of the type of grill you want, take a look at the grill configurations you can choose between:

Freestanding

Freestanding grills are solitary appliances that don't need to be installed or attached to anything. They often have wheels for assistance when moving them, but they are not always portable and are not necessarily lightweight. Freestanding grills come in all fuel types.

Built-In

This is the ideal option for people looking to create an outdoor kitchen. These grills are designed to be built into a kitchen island or outdoor counter cutout. Make sure to read the product specifications to determine which category your built-in grill fits into.

Another permanent grill option includes on-post configurations. These grills are held up by one post. They're not easy to move and can be bolted down to a deck to keep them stable. On-post grills are typically fueled by gas. Before buying an on-post grill, we recommend checking the product information to ensure that it has all the accessories needed for propane- or natural gas-installation.

Portable/Tabletop

If you like to bring your grill tailgating or to the park or beach, consider a portable grill. Usually on the smaller side, portable grills are easy to take on the go. Portable grills use an electric or gas fuel source. Make sure to adhere to open flame regulations if you are grilling in public spaces. Because of their compact size, portable or tabletop grills are less expensive than other types and usually come in under $100.

Flat Top

Flat top grills have been the solution for fast, hot, even cooking for decades. They have a long, flat top for cooking rather than a large grate or separate burners, and they spread heat evenly and radially. They are often found in restaurant kitchens because of their consistency in performance and fast cook time.

Grill Features

The right grill features can elevate your barbecue experience, as well as how quickly and efficiently your grill heats up to cook your go-to BBQ food. Here are a few to know and to be on the lookout for when grill shopping:

BTU Levels

BTUs, also called British Thermal Units, determine how much heat you need to increase the temperature of one pound of water by 1°F. As a general rule of thumb, grills need about 70–100 BTUs for every square inch of the grilling surface. This determines the total BTU output of the heat levels for your grill. You can determine a grill's BTU levels by reviewing product information on the product page.

Burners

Some grills come with burners in addition to traditional grilling surfaces so you can cook sauce, boil pasta, sauté burger toppings, or cook up some bacon and eggs. This is a great feature for versatile outdoor cooking.

Grill Grate Materials

Grill grates come in a variety of materials that each have their own distinct benefits, durability levels, and conditions. Take a look at these grill grate materials to determine which would work best for you:

• Steel or Stainless Steel: Both steel and stainless steel grill grates can resist rust and corrosion when compared to other types of grill grates and have properties that cause them to heat up faster for a quick grilling experience. These grates are also more budget-friendly.

• Cast Iron: Cast iron grill grates heat up and keep the heat locked in which means a better heat distribution across the surface. This ensures everything gets cooked evenly.

• Porcelain-Coated Grates: Porcelain-coated grill grates have non-stick properties that make cleaning up a breeze and the coated grate material keeps moisture from getting to the base layer (usually made of steel) which protects it from rust.

• Chrome: Chrome grill grates not only look amazing but they're also lightweight so you can easily remove it to clean without any problems. They also have rust-resistant properties for long-time use.

How to Measure for a Grill Cover

A grill cover protects your grill when it’s not in use, keeping it dry and free of moisture that could lead to rust or corrosion, so it's important that you get the right size for your grill. Read below for important measurements and tips:

1. Measure the grill's height. Place the starting end of your tape measure on the ground and measure from the bottom of your grill to the topmost part. If your grill has a chimney or another feature that protrudes above it, be sure to include this in your height measurement.
2. Measure the width of the grill. Measure the width of the grill from the front to the back. Measure from the front edge to the back edge and make note of any grill parts that stick out beyond the frame, like wheels or side compartments.
3. Measure the length of the grill. Lastly, measure the length of your grill from one side to the other. If your grill has a side chamber or built-in side tables, make sure you include them when measuring.

Tip!

Get more in-depth information about the types of features your grill can have by reviewing our grill features guide.

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