We all know that grilling is an integral part of summertime, and there’s nothing more frustrating than having to deal with a grill that doesn’t work as well as you want it to.
Whether it just doesn’t put out enough heat, or the lid can’t stay up on its own, we’ve all been there. The good news is that you don’t have to suffer through another barbecue season with a sub-par grill – instead, you can upgrade your grilling experience and buy something that actually works properly and gives you the results that you want.
With that in mind, I wanted to share my favorite outdoor grills for upgrading your barbecue setup.
How to Choose the Right Type Grill for You?
This is important because knowing what type of grill you are looking for will help you narrow down the field to just those units that are perfect for your needs. Choosing between gas, charcoal, electric, or pellet grill (or a combination of two) will shape your search and make things easier for you.
Different types of grills will also give your meal a distinct flavor, and you want to ensure that you’re receiving what you wish, without any surprises.
- Charcoal grills – These grills are known for their ability to create that classic smokey flavor that you can’t get from other types of grills. These grills, however, are much more difficult to start up, regulate the temperature, and clean.
- Gas grills – These are the most popular kind of grills due to their convenience and ease of use. All you need is a propane tank or natural gas line, which makes them extremely convenient. The best thing about gas grills is they don’t require a bit of maintenance after each use. It’s also elementary to regulate the temperature via the adjustable burner knobs.
- Electric grills – These units are known for their ability to let you cook a meal indoors, out on your porch, or patio, and allow you the same crisp taste that other types of grills will give you. This type of grill is very easy to use and clean after each use because there aren’t any hard-to-reach places, but it lacks the smoky flavor you get from charcoal or pellet grilling.
- Pellet grills – These are extremely versatile units that allow you to create the smoky flavor that’s characteristic of charcoal grills, but with much more ease, convenience, and speed. These units are especially great for those of us who love cooking in the backyard. Pellet grills are known for their simplicity of use and low maintenance, which is ideal for set-and-forget cooking.
Best Overall
Big Green Egg Kamado Grill and Smoker
The Big Green Egg Kamado Grill and Smoker is one of the best grills to upgrade your summer barbecues.
The majority of families, friend groups, and parties can cook on this barbecue. Reaching for the high-quality, multifunctional cooker will become second nature.
The Big Green Egg offers an outdoor cooking experience unlike any other. It starts quickly and easily, which is great if you’re in a rush. Your meal will taste better since it utilizes only natural hardwood.
There are countless options because it may be used for grilling, baking, roasting, or smoking. Additionally adaptable for weekend cookouts and pizza parties, the Big Green Egg.
Additionally, Big Green Egg provides the best warranty in its category in the business.
Related: The Best Kamado Grill for 2022
Best Gas Grill
Weber Genesis II E-315 3-Burner Natural Gas Grill
You’ve been thinking about upgrading your outdoor grilling experience, but you don’t know which grill to choose? Well, the Weber Genesis II is an excellent choice for those looking for a versatile and durable grill that will last through many years of barbecuing.
The porcelain-enameled cast-iron grilling surfaces distribute consistent heat to the whole grilling surface.
The side tables allow you to keep tools, seasonings, and platters within arm’s reach. Hence, they’re always conveniently close by when needed without sacrificing valuable space on your deck or patio.
Finally, the grill cabinet provides enclosed storage for all of your essential outdoor grilling equipment and accessories.
The Weber Genesis II Gas Grill not only adds great style to your outdoor kitchen but is affordably priced grill under $1000, making it the perfect grill for your summer barbecues.
Best Charcoal Grill
Weber Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill
The Weber Kettle Grill is a classic grill that has been improved to operate even better than before.
It offers a One-Touch cleaning system for easy cleanup after a long day of grilling, and an ultra-durable, porcelain-enameled lid and bowl that won’t rust or peel.
Its large cooking grate holds up to 13 burgers (made with a Weber burger press), so this grill is perfect for both family gatherings and evening barbecues.
The Weber Original Kettle has many features for outdoor grilling lovers who want their cooking experience to be as hassle-free as possible.
The built-in thermometer in the lid makes temperature monitoring simple. The lid hook is an excellent feature. There’s no need to put the lid on the ground while checking the food progress.
For a grill under the $200 mark, the Weber Original Kettle is one of the best charcoal grills out there.
Best Gas and Charcoal Grill
Char-Griller 3-Burner Gas and Charcoal Grill
The Char-Griller 3-Burner Gas and Charcoal Grill is a versatile, dual-function grill that provides many great features and can effectively cook any type of food.
This grill combines both charcoal and gas grilling in one unit, making it perfect for cooking any type of food.
The gas side has three main burners with heat tents to help you cook your food faster. You can also use the additional side burner on the gas side as a stovetop and quickly heat up pans or skillets when needed.
The charcoal side has cast-iron grates with adjustable height which makes adjusting the temperature easier. The ash pan is also straightforward to remove allowing for quick cleanup.
When incorporated both sides of the grill provides 1248 square inches of cooking space which is quite spectacular.
This grill can be upgraded to a horizontal smoker, with a separately sold side firebox, so you can begin doing low and slow smoking that your pals will enjoy.
Best Outdoor Grill
Spark One Grill
Cooking with charcoal can be messy and time-consuming.
The Spark One Grill is a revolutionary new way to cook outdoors that eliminates the need for lighter fluid, chimney starters, or other complicated ignition methods. It’s also easy to use and clean up!
Spark presents to you the innovative BRIQS, which will completely replace the hassle of using charcoal. Put the BRIQ into the special drawer, turn on the grill, and in no time, it will preheat.
This grill can reach temperatures of 900 degrees F, which is quite spectacular for a charcoal grill.
There are different BRIQS depending on the cooking need. For example, the Low and Slow BRIQ will let you cook at 200-300 F for a maximum of 8 hours.
The cooking process is monitored through a special app that allows users to monitor the food and gives you access to exclusive recipes.
The Spark One Grill plugs into any standard three-prong outlet and cooks food just like a stovetop grill would.
Best Pellet Grill
Traeger Grills Pro Series 22
Traeger Pro 22 is the best way to grill year-round, with an outdoor cooking experience that goes beyond anything you’ve ever tasted before.
With Traeger’s innovative wood pellet grills, you can create delicious food without using gas or charcoal.
This grill has precise temperature control for guaranteed precision grilling and provides a smoking aspect like no other. It also features LED controls so you know exactly what your settings are at all times. You can also use your phone app to control all the features without getting off the couch.
This pellet grill is one of the most versatile grills on the market. From quick, hot, and fast grilling to longer low and slow sessions, this pellet grill offers the chance to do everything from smoking to baking, to roasting, braising, and BBQing food.
The next time you’re looking for a new outdoor cooker, look no further than this versatile and powerful machine!
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Smoking with A Traeger Grill
Best Flat Top Grill
Cuisinart 22-Inch Round Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill
The name “Cuisinart” is well-known, as it has been producing high-quality cookware for a long time. To top it all off, the 22-inch Round Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill is no exception.
With two independent burners that are capable of 30,000 BTUs, this grill has a great deal of cooking versatility, allowing you to smoke, roast, bake, or steam.
The folding prep table comes equipped with a paper towel holder for easy cleanup, which is one of the many great features. Cuisinart also introduces a large 360-degree grease pan that automatically funnels the grease to a cup for easy cleanup.
If you are looking for an upgrade to your outdoor cooking, look no further than this outdoor flat top gas grill.
Best Smoker and Grill
PK Grills Original PK Grill & Smoker Grill
PK Grill & Smoker is a product for outdoor grilling. It has many great features that people will find useful.
One of those features is a simple capsule shape and 4 vents that make it possible to grill hot and fast or low and slow. Building a two-zone fire is easy and cooking for large groups is no problem with the generous cooking surface.
PK Grills are built to last, but they’re meant to be used and taken along on any adventure. As a portable smoker and grill, PK Grills are ideal for tailgating, camping, fishing/hunting cabins, and other outdoor activities.
Another feature of this product is cast aluminum construction, making it rust-proof, durable, lightweight, and conducts heat much more efficiently than Steel Charcoal grills.
Best Portable Pit Grill
KUDU Portable Grill
Do you like your food cooked over an open fire in your backyard? Is cooking outdoors something you enjoy doing with family and friends? If so, then this grill is perfect for you!
This grill features two separate surfaces with adjustable height, making cooking more convenient than ever before. Raise or lower them to the desired height to match the type of food you are grilling.
What’s even better about this grill is that if you decide later down the road that grilling isn’t your thing, then you could buy a separately sold fire ring that converts the grill into a burn pit.
You can also buy a separately sold smoker lid that turns this grill into a smoker, allowing you to smoke everything from delicious fish and meat cuts to vegetables and cheeses.
The KUDU Portable Grill is one of the best options out there because it’s lightweight and durable while also having features that make it easy for anyone to cook on.