With so many grills on the market today, it can be a little confusing when you're ready to buy one. We understand. That's why we put together an easy-to-read guide for you can compare the the most popular grilling methods. In the end, it's all about helping you find the grilling style that's right for you.
What's the best grill for you?
That depends on what's most important to you. Generally, it should be a grill that satisfies your taste, lifestyle and falls within your budget. Whatever you decide, happy grilling!
Gas Grills Pros
If convenience is a priority, then a gas grill may be your best choice. It's the most common grill and offers multiple burners, warmers, side shelves and a number of accessories briquette for specialty cooking like rotisserie attachments. Start up and shut down is quick and temperature control is easy with a low cost per use. Cleaning is fairly easy, although cast iron grates require a little more care. Gas grills are attractive and come in a variety of stainless steel designs. A good quality gas grill will cost $500-$1,500 and upwards of that for commercial outdoor versions.
Cons
As convenience goes up the flavor goes down. You will sacrifice some level of taste by using gas, because the grilled taste can only come from the vaporized drippings of the food. Space is another consideration if you have a small patio or deck. Also, you may unknowingly run out fuel in the middle of cooking if you don't check your tank prior to cooking. All metal grills become very hot while grilling, so they pose a burn hazard. The real drawback to metal grills is that they radiate great amounts of heat, which pulls the moisture from food very efficiently. It's likely that the driest chicken breast you ever ate came from a gas grill.
Briquette Charcoal Grills Pros
These grills offer a good charcoal taste and are generally inexpensive compared to other grilling styles-as low as $20 with average pricing of $75-$150. Briquette charcoal is widely available and is offered in a variety of brands and features such as mesquite flavored and "ready-to-light" versions. They typically have a large grilling area for direct and indirect grilling and you can even use them as a smoker on a limited basis by controlling the air vents. They are also a good choice if you have limited space.
Cons
Briquette charcoal grills typically take 20-30 minutes or more for start up. There is no thermometer on basic models so these grills take quite a bit of guesswork when it comes to temperature. Once again, all metal grills pose a burn hazard, and they radiate great amounts of heat which pulls the moisture from food very efficiently.
Kamado Charcoal Grills Pros
If you are a serious outdoor cooker and put a priority on taste, then a Kamado-style grill is likely your best choice. These grills use a combination of ceramic shell, natural lump briquette charcoal and air flow to offer a superior charcoal taste and the ability to cook food at high temperatures and have it retain its moistness. You can cook as low as 225°F or well over 750°F, so you can use it as an oven, a grill or a smoker. They have a small footprint and costs range from $850-$1,000. A wide range of accessories are available. Kamado grills are ready to use in 15 minutes.
Cons
Kamado grills have an initial learning curve when it comes to adjusting the airflow to achieve the desired temperature. The weight of these grills averages around 150lbs, so you may need help placing it in the cart or moving it up stairs to a raised deck or balcony. Kamado grills are ceramic and while not fragile, they are susceptible to chipping or breaking if dropped or hit with significant force.
