There are thousands of options available to you when you are purchasing your first grill. It may seem overwhelming, but knowing the difference it each type of grill will help you may an easier decision.
Charcoal Grills
Charcoal grills are one of the most used types of grills. Charcoal grills utilize charcoal and lighter fluid to heat up and cook your food. Charcoal grills come in all shapes and sizes, and vary in cost.
Charcoal requires you to buy charcoal and lighter fluid each time you cook with it. It must also be cleaned out each time.
Charcoal grills come in small sizes, which are ideal for apartment dwellers or people with small homes. Once you have used your charcoal grill, you can clean it, and store it away.
Propane Grills
Propane grills are also useful for someone in small areas, since they can come in smaller sizes.
Propane grills use propane gas to cook your food. If you want to quickly cook foods while still maintaining a grilled flavor, you may want to consider Propane grills.
Natural Gas Grills
Natural gas grills are a little more complicated then smaller grills, so they require more room. Natural gas grills are meant to hook up directly to your home’s natural gas line, and can cook meat in record time.
Smoker Grills
Smoker Grills are used when flavor is the number one priority. Smoker grills use wood to slow cook your meat. Flavor can be controlled by using different types of woods.
Things To Consider When Purchasing Your First Grill
A couple of factors should be consider when you go to purchase your first grill. Remember, each type of grill comes with its advantages and disadvantages, so you must weigh your options and decide what is right for you.
Cost
Barbeque grills can range from extremely cheap to very expensive depending on the type and features available on it.
If you are looking for a cheaper grill, then you should probably consider a charcoal grill. While larger charcoal grills are available, smaller grills can be purchased for as little as $10 to $15 at your local department store. Propane grills are slightly more expensive, starting around $100 dollars. A smoker grill is slightly more expensive then a propane grill at about $130 each. Natural gas grills on the higher end of cost. Typically these types of grills start at about $300. Multiple fuel grills are the most expensive at about $450 and up. Multiple fuel grills allow you to grill using one or a combination of fuels.
Flavor
If you are concerned with flavor, you first choice should be a charcoal or smoker grill. Both of these grills allow you to replicate a true “smoked” flavor. Smokers are especially nice because you can also control the flavor by changing the type of wood or wood chips you use. This is good if you are wanting to slow cook your meat. If you are wanting to cook something a little quicker, you may want to stick with the charcoal grill. A Charcoal grill will cook quickly if you want it too, and it will still provide a good “smoked” taste. Space
Finally, the space you have available should be a consideration. When you grill is not in use, you must have a proper place to store it. Charcoal and Propane grills are ideal for smaller areas such as apartments and city homes. If you have a large amount of space available, then you may want to consider the larger options.
Brinkmann 810-5301-6 Smoke’N Grill Charcoal Smoker and Grill, Black
$59.99
This double grill charcoal smoker and grill comes equipped with two cooking grills to handle up to 50 pounds of food. A heat indicator in the lid eliminates guesswork and the wooden handles stay cool to the touch. This unit also has a front hinged door for easily adding charcoal or water during the smoking process.
Brinkmann 852-7080-V Gourmet Charcoal Smoker and Grill with Vinyl Cover, Black
$89.37
The Gourmet Charcoal is our top-of-the-line double grill charcoal water smoker. It has two chrome plated steel cooking grills for a 50 pound cooking capacity. The smoker body lifts off the base for easy access to an extra-large charcoal pan, and also allows for quick and easy conversion to a waist high barbecue grill. A heat indicator in the lid eliminates guesswork. Features include porcelain coated steel water pan, front hinged door for easy access to water and charcoal pans, and wooden handles that stay cool to the touch. Includes heavy-duty outdoor vinyl cover.
Char-Griller 2123 Wrangler 640 Square Inch Charcoal Grill / Smoker
$109.00
The Wrangler is the perfect size for decks and patios, it has enough cooking space to feed your family and the neighbors. Over 600 sq. in. of total grilling area will let you feed a crowd! Made from heavy guage steel this grill will last for years. The cast iron grates give you an even heat and sears your meat to lock in the flavor. Our adjustable fire grate makes it easy to control the heat, and our easy dump ash pan makes cleaning up a snap. Just think, no more tipping over the grill to clean out the ashes! The heavy gauge steel construction and double bottom will give you years of dependable use. Features a built in heat gauge, airtight flanged hood, and 3 shelves. Rotisserie and Side Fire Box adaptable.Whether you’re a backyard barbecue hero or a professional chef cooking for big events, the Char-Griller Wrangler’s cavernous interior and even cooking temperatures wrangle up large quantities of delicious barbecue for any occasion. The Wrangler features 635 inches of cooking space to feed family, friends and neighbors. Heavy gauge steel and a double reinforced bottom offer years of dependable use. Cast iron grates distribute heat evenly, and sear meat perfectly to lock in juices and flavor. An adjustable fire grate makes it easy to control the heat, and an easy-dump ash pan makes cleaning up a snap. No more cumbersome tipping of the grill to clean out the ashes! A built-in heat gauge and an airtight, flanged hood make it easy to monitor and control cooking temperatures to ensure tenderness. Three handy shelves are great for storing utensils, spices, and sauces. The Wrangler is designed to accept rotisserie and side-fire-box attachments for a wide variety of versatile cooking applications. Large round legs offer sturdy support. A large drawer slides out and let’s you add coals without removing the grate. –Brian Olson
Char-Griller 2137 Outlaw 1038 Square Inch Charcoal Grill / Smoker
$181.11
The Outlaw offers more cooking area that just about any grill on the market. Over 1,000 sq. in. of total grilling area will let you feed a crowd! Made from heavy guage steel this grill will last for years. The cast iron grates give you an even heat and sears your meat to lock in the flavor. Our adjustable fire grate makes it easy to control the heat, and our easy dump ash pan makes cleaning up a snap. Just think, no more tipping over the grill to clean out the ashes! The heavy gauge steel construction and double bottom will give you years of dependable use. Features a built in heat gauge, airtight flanged hood, and 3 shelves.
Brinkmann 810-5030-6 Cook’N Carry Charcoal Smoker and Grill, Black
$50.13
This compact, single grill charcoal smoker and grill has a double latched lid for carrying to your camp or picnic site. Use as a water smoker or a barbecue grill. Great for camping, tailgate parties, and picnics.
Char-Griller 2222 Pro Deluxe Charcoal Grill & Smoker
$162.44
The Pro Deluxe is the grill of choice for professionals and backyard enthusiasts. It has enough cooking space to feed your family and the neighbors. Over 800 square inches of total cooking area will let you feed a crowd! Made from heavy guage steel this grill will last for years. The cast iron grates give you an even heat and sears your meat to lock in the flavor. Our adjustable fire grate makes it easy to control the heat, and our easy dump ash pan makes cleaning up a snap. Just think, no more tipping over the grill to clean out the ashes! The heavy gauge steel construction and double bottom will give you years of dependable use. Features a built in heat gauge, airtight flanged hood, and 2 shelves. Rotisserie and Side Fire Box adaptable.
Brinkmann 810-5301-V Smoke’N Grill Charcoal Smoker and Grill with Vinyl Cover, Black
$69.75
This double grill charcoal smoker and grill comes equipped with two cooking grills to handle up to 50 pounds of food. A heat indicator in the lid eliminates guesswork and the wooden handles stay cool to the touch. This unit also has a front hinged door for easily adding charcoal or water during the smoking process. Includes heavy-duty outdoor vinyl cover.