The weather is warming up, and that means it’s time to welcome some outdoor fun. Say goodbye to huddling around an outdoor heater, and hello to outdoor firepits and, of course, the best grills to smoke, char and impress all your guests with.
Since grilling is no joke, The Post decided to tap into great chefs and our team’s first-person reviews to get the lowdown on everyone’s favorite grills and griddles. Plus, their best tips or hacks to make your at-home barbecue smokin’ hot and better than ever before.
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When you’re on the hunt for a grill, there are a few key things to think about. First off, you want to make sure it cooks your burgers and steaks evenly – nobody likes a half-charred, half-raw dinner. Also, check out the materials and construction to ensure it’s sturdy and great at holding onto heat.
And size matters! You don’t want a monster grill taking over your patio, but you also don’t want one so small you can’t keep up with demand at your BBQ bashes. So, consider how much grilling space you’ll need for those epic backyard cookouts.
We also looked into some bestselling options rated number one by reviewers like you to find options from Weber to Traeger that fit every budget. No matter your need, we’re ready to serve you some hot-ticket grills to pair with your kitchen gadgets, outdoor pizza oven, and mouthwatering meat subscriptions.
- Best Charcoal Grill: Weber Original Charcoal Grill
- Best BBQ Grill: Primo Grills All-in-One Oval XL 400 Ceramic Kamado Grill
- Best Pizza Grill: Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Charcoal Grill
- Best Gas Grill: Weber Spirit S-315 Gas Grill
- Best Portable Gass Grill: Q 2800N+ GAS GRILL (LIQUID PROPANE)
- Best Propane Grill: Coyote C-Series 28-in. Propane Gas Grill
- Best Splurge Gas Grill: Lynx Sedona 36 Inch Built-in Gas Grill with ProSear Burner
- Best Portable Pellet Grill: Ninja OG701 7-in-1 Outdoor Electric Grill & Smoker
- Best Traeger Grill: Traeger Timberline
- Best Smoker: Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 36-Inch Pellet Grill
- Best Budget: George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill
See below for the best charcoal, gas wood-burning grills, portable, and more to turn your backyard patio sets into your own five-star restaurant, as recommended by chefs and reviewers.
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Best charcoal grills
Best Charcoal Grill: Weber Original Charcoal Grill
Pros:
- Oval shape allows room to bake several items at once
- Made from premium-grade ceramic
Cons:
- The price might be a barrier for some to buy
For a classic outdoor grill that comes with a charcoal taste and an expert recommendation, look no further.
“I am a big fan of Weber products and [have owned] a Weber charcoal grill for more than five years,” said Kardea Brown, a contemporary Southern cook of Gullah Geechee descent and host of both Food Network’s “Delicious Miss Brown” and “The Great Soul Food Cook Off.”
“Weber stands out amongst their competitors because they have a proven track record for making quality grills,” Brown said.
If you love the sound of a sizzling grill and low prices, head over to Weber where this grill awaits.
Best BBQ Grill: Primo Grills All-in-One Oval XL 400 Ceramic Kamado Grill
Pros:
- Excellent for smoking brisket and BBQ
- Features split, reversible cooking grids for added versatility
Cons:
- The price might be a barrier for some to buy
Melissa Cookston, a seven-time World BBQ Champion and member of the BBQ Hall of Fame, is head-over-heels for the only American-made ceramic Kamado grill, and so are we.
“Round Kamado grills are built for consistent heat, and they are amazing,” said Cookston. “The Primo will put in heat deflectors and cook an amazing pork butt or brisket over eight hours. Or, put in a firebox divider and reverse-sear steaks or grill burgers with a finishing zone.”
Best Pizza Grill: Char-Griller Akorn Kamado Charcoal Grill
Pros:
- Comes with a warming rack
- Works great for meat, veggies, and pizza
Cons:
- None that we can find
If you have the gift of grilling and patience, this one is for you.
The Char-griller Akorn is a powerhouse for flavors and a dream come true for those with little outdoor counter space, as it comes with two side panels for the ultimate grilling station. It also comes with a glowing recommendation from a James Beard Award-winning chef.
“My favorite home grill is the Char-griller Akorn. It’s great for smoking short ribs, cooking pizza, or charring cauliflower because it holds heat incredibly well,” said Justin Smillie, renowned chef at Il Buco Alimentari Market. “That’s why it’s also important you don’t open and close your grill too many times while cooking. Just be patient.”
Best gas grills
Best Gas Grill: Weber Spirit S-315 Gas Grill
Pros:
- Easy to switch between different levels of heat, like an oven
- The gas keeps your hands from getting dirty shoveling charcoal
Cons:
- Price is on the higher side
A gas grill is another option if you don’t want to dirty your hands with black charcoal. Head to the Home Depot for this Weber model, which has three high-quality burners and can cook up to 15 medium-sized burgers at a time. Make sure to invite celebrity chef Amanda Freitag to your barbecue, as this is her favorite for outdoor cooking.
“The grill I have cooked on the most (being a city girl) is my mom’s Weber propane grill in her backyard,” said Amanda Freitag, a chef and judge on the Food Network show “Chopped.”
“The best part about the Weber grill is that I can create different levels of heat just like I could on the stove. I make a hot spot for searing and getting grill marks, have a medium-low heat for finishing and then move to the upper shelf for holding. You can cook just about anything on that grill.”
Best Portable Gass Grill: Q 2800N+ GAS GRILL (LIQUID PROPANE)
Pros:
- Heat ranges from 250 Fahrenheit to 700 Fahrenheit
- Portable for camping, tailgating, or tucking away on the patio
Cons:
- None we can add
The grill has two burners that allow you to adjust the heat from 250 to 700 Fahrenheit for all your roasting or baking needs. It can sear with all the grill marks one dreams about, resulting in a picture-perfect, mouth-watering burger. With five great selections of colors to choose from, this product offers a variety of options to suit any style.
The portable size does not mean the performance suffers; in fact, it was so impressive that I’d recommend this to home dwellers who want to keep their patio space pristine without a grill centerstage. It’s easy to tuck away out of sight, out of mind. The high-dome lid makes it easy to accommodate small birds and other large foods that require ample space to cook properly. There was also plenty of room to spread 12 burgers across the grill.
Best Propane Grill: Coyote C-Series 28-in. Propane Gas Grill
Pros:
- Propane powered
- Cooks evenly with lots of space to grill
Cons:
- The price might be a barrier for some to buy
Not much is impossible with a great grill and some propane.
“Restaurant Impossible” host and celebrity chef Robert Irvine uses a built-in Coyote gas grill at home and suggests a couple of seasoning tips if you’re cooking meat.
“Add salt and pepper just before grilling, after the steak comes out of the marinade,” suggests Irvine. “Steak doesn’t spend long on the grill, so paprika boosts its open-fire flavor.”
To get in on the grilling action, head over to Amazon and pick one up. Virtually we mean, as you’ll be happy to know the 640-square-inch grill will be safely delivered to your home.
Best Splurge Gas Grill: Lynx Sedona 36 Inch Built-in Gas Grill with ProSear Burner
Pros:
- Easy to use and cleans well
- Cooks evenly
Cons:
- The price may be a barrier to purchasing for some
Break out the cast iron and some of your prime cuts of meat for this high-powered, stainless steel beauty.
Pat LaFrieda of Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors knows a thing or two about cooking up some steaks, so if they say it’s the best grill in the game, we trust it.
“Placing a cast iron skillet on the grill and preheating it allows you to cook steaks and burgers with a great sear,” said LaFrieda, who uses a Lynx gas grill. “If the skillet sizzles when a drop of water hits it, then it’s ready to cook on.”
Other Gas Grills We Recommend
Best Grill: Char-Broil Classic 360 3-Burner Liquid Propane Gas Grill
Pros:
- Plenty of space with 3 burners and 1 side burner
- Comes with a thermometer
- Great value
Cons:
- None we can list
Get double the cooking done with this propane gas grill that includes a side burner. That’s right, you can grill some skewers while you heat up some veggies or whatever side dishes you want to serve up.
Best pellet grills
Best Portable Pellet Grill: Ninja OG701 7-in-1 Outdoor Electric Grill & Smoker
Pros:
- Uses woodfire pellets for a smoky flavor
- Ideal for apartments due to its size
- Easy to clean and maintain
Cons:
- The smoker feature isn’t as efficient as a stand-alone smoker would be
Nothing tastes better than using a woodfire grill. However, if you’re trying to protect the environment or have restrictions on where to cook, this electric grill offers a solution. It allows you to have both experiences with the use of woodfire pellets that smoke your meat and veggies.
Best Traeger Grill: Traeger Timberline
Pros:
- Compatible with smartphones, monitor from anywhere
- Cooks evenly and has a grease catcher
Cons:
- Very expensive
Melissa Cookston highlights the convenience of pellet grills, which allow you to adopt a “set it and forget it” mindset. This is precisely why we adore this Traeger model.
“The Traeger has a fully insulated cooking chamber for heat retention, enclosed grease catcher, downdraft exhaust system that helps keep the temperature consistent throughout the cooking chamber and the best app in the business to allow you to monitor your cook from anywhere,” continued Cookston. “I cook a ton of things on my Traeger, especially when I’m needing to multitask.”
Other Pellet Grills We Recommend
Best Smoker: Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 36-Inch Pellet Grill
Pros:
- Can be monitored with smartphones
- Easy to use
- Cooks evenly
Cons:
- Price may be a barrier for some
You can actually control your grill just through wifi — yes, you read that right. Just connect your smartphone or device to the accompanying app and you can do everything from control the smoke and heat to watch the cooking progress, so you get perfectly smoked food every time.
Best Pellet Grill: Victory 35-Inch Wood Pellet Grill
Pros:
- Easy and fast shipping
- Provides a smoky flavor
- Comes with storage shelves for cooking utensils
Cons:
- None that we can list
For any first-time pellet users, this comes with all the basics to get you set up for smoking or grilling. It comes with a versatile temp range reaching up to 500 degrees and there are even handy storage shelves to put all your tongs, brushes, and tenderizers in.
Best indoor electric grills
Best Budget Grill: George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill
Pros:
- Easy to use and clean
- Doesn’t take up much space
Cons:
- Not a fire grill
I’m thrilled with my 15-serving George Foreman electric grill. It’s been a hit on my patio, with friends even getting their own after seeing mine in action!
This grill is spacious enough for my family and can handle up to 15 hamburgers, perfect for any patio gathering. Its quick heating feature (thank you, electricity) means you can start grilling right away, and the top valve allows for easy heat regulation. Plus, the nonstick coating makes cleanup a breeze – either on the grill itself or with a quick wash in the sink if needed. And the fact that it’s often approved by landlords due to its lack of gas or charcoal requirements is just the cherry on top.
Best Electric Grill: Power XL Smokeless Grill Elite Plus Indoor Electric Grill
Pros:
- Easy to store
- Portable
- Price is attainable
Cons:
- None we can list
We’re praising indoor grills for giving us the ability to grill up some steaks, veggie burgers, and more without needing an outdoor space. This smokeless model features a removable grill that’s dishwasher-safe for easy clean-up.
Best Flat-Top Grill: Presto Cool Touch Electric Griddle
Pros:
- Very portable
- Affordable
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- None that we can list for the price
Who says you have to be outside to enjoy that fresh, grilled taste? This indoor model is slim and compact and features cool-touch siding, making moving it from place to place a total breeze. Grease automatically drains into a separate dish, keeping your dishes pristine.
Best Portable Grill: Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill
Pros:
- Easy to clean
- Portable
- Access to fast shipping
Cons:
- None we can list
Even apartment dwellers can enjoy a nicely grilled burger or lightly charred veggies. This mini version of the classic, bulky grill comes with a temp-controlling knob and cover to keep flavors locked in. The stainless steel material also means it’s durable and easy to clean.
FAQ with the top chefs
What are the different types of grills?
Shopping for grills can become overwhelming, as there are so many options to choose from. Luckily, our TV personality, executive producer, author and host of the History Channel series, “Adam Eats the 80s,” Adam Richman, broke them down for us.
- Gas: A gas grill is “pretty much an outdoor version of the burners you have on your stove,” according to Richman. “Turn on the gas, click the igniter and off you go. [They’re] really good grills for beginners or people who just want to get the show on the road.”
- Charcoal: Richamn explains a charcoal grill is “pretty much as it sounds.” Simply light a chimney of charcoal, spread it out over the coal bed and cook “with a very distinct flavor over direct or indirect heat.”
- Pellet: “This grill uses wood pellets made from the sawdust of the classic woods you usually hear used for smoking foods,” shared Richman. You may relate this grill to the flavor of apple, cherry and hickory.
- Electric: “[These have] an electronic igniter to get the party started,” said Richman. “They all have pretty remarkable thermostats that allow you to do everything from smoking, to conventional grilling, to searing.”
What should I look for in a grill?
When it comes to finding your perfect grill, it all depends on what you desire.
“If you want that iconic backyard BBQ flavor, I’d suggest purchasing a charcoal grill,” explained Brown. “If you want more of an even cook and to control your temperature quickly, I’d suggest purchasing a gas grill.”
On the other hand, Cookston always looks for quality, build and lifetime warranties first. Cookston also explains that a good grill will be “air tight,” allowing you to specifically control the amount of air that reaches the fire box.
Lastly, Richman suggests opting for a grill that fits your space and style.
“It’s better to invest in a better quality, smaller grill then to get something gigantic for a flex,” said Richman. “Make sure it fits your space but also gives you ample room to work around it.”
What makes a ‘good’ grill?
When it’s all said and done, a “good” grill is one that fits your needs — and all of our experts agree.
So don’t get caught up in what others have or what others are saying. Opt for a choice that meets both your grilling and space needs.
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