Best grill for backyard

10 Best Outdoor Grills of 2023, Tested and Reviewed by Experts

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Best Overall Grill

Weber Genesis II EX-335 Natural Gas Grill

Best Overall Grill

Weber Genesis II EX-335 Natural Gas Grill

Shop at Amazon$1,239 at Home Depot

Credit: Weber

Pros

Heats evenly
Includes many features like built-in temperature probes, various lights for grilling in the dark and plenty of storage room

Cons

Though chicken was still tender and juicy, fatty thighs caused small flare-ups on medium heat

Weber grills consistently rise to the top in our outdoor grill tests. They have solid builds with porcelain-enameled cast iron grates that heat evenly and create nice grill marks. This Genesis EX-335 Smart Grill toasted bread the most evenly in our gas grill test and made a delicious steak with beautiful grill marks, a juicy pink center and no flare-ups. It has top-of-the-line features, including two temperature probes so you can monitor the internal temperature of food directly on the control panel or via the Weber Connect app.

In addition to being a smart gas grill, it's loaded with other standout details like a flashlight that attaches to the lid handle; knobs that illuminate when they're in use; large, sturdy side shelves and plenty of storage space. It has three burners, a searing section and a side burner. If you can do without the smart features and are looking to spend a bit less, consider the Weber Genesis E-335 which also performed well in our tests.

Type of grill	Gas
Dimensions	47" x 59" x 29"
Cooking surface	669 sq. in. of total cooking area (513 sq. in. of primary cooking area with tuck-away warming rack that provides 156 sq. in.)
Cooking grate material	Porcelain-enameled cast iron

Best Value Grill

Nexgrill 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill

Best Value Grill

Nexgrill 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill

$349 at Home Depot

Credit: Nexgrill

Pros

Minimal flare-ups
Budget friendly

Cons

Gets hot quickly, so keep a careful eye on food

It can be tough to find a great quality grill for under $500, but the NexGrill 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill is an A+ choice for the price tag. In our tests, it showed an impressively even heating pattern and was excellent at searing steak. It delivered perfect grill marks with no noticeable smoking or flare-ups.

It earned top scores for ease of use with its two side shelves, hidden storage space and convenient access to both the propane tank and grease drainage system. It includes a side burner as well and has a gleaming stainless steel exterior.

Type of grill	Gas
Dimensions	46" x 51" x 24.75"
Cooking surface	626 sq. in.
Cooking grate material	Stainless Steel

Best Charcoal Grill

Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill

Best Charcoal Grill

Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill

$219 at Amazon$219 at Home Depot$219 at Dick's Sporting Goods

Credit: Weber

Pros

Large, comfortable stay-cool handle
Sturdy

Cons

Minimal under-grill storage

This Weber kettle is iconic in the industry and well-loved by consumers, so it's not surprisingly a best-seller (and its slightly less expensive version, which has an exposed ashtray, has more than 1,400 five-star reviews on Amazon). It's powered by charcoal and features an enclosed ash collector below the grill that makes cleanup easy; just use the lever to swipe the ash into the metal bin. The structure is sturdy but still lightweight, with solid accessories and a removable lid that can be rested on the side of the grill, and it can be rolled around easily for storage. In our tests, the handles stayed cool during cooking and it was easy to load and maintain the charcoal during the cooking process.

Type of grill	Charcoal
Dimensions	39.5" x 27" x 22.5"
Cooking surface	363 sq. in.
Cooking grate material	Plated steel

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Best Propane Grill

Weber Spirit II E-310 Propane Grill

Best Propane Grill

Weber Spirit II E-310 Propane Grill

Now 14% Off

$549 at Amazon

Credit: Weber

Pros

Produces great results
Minimal flare-ups

Cons

Takes a long time to assemble

When it comes to cooking, this three-burner stainless steel grill is just about perfect. In our test, it turned out steaks with gorgeous grill marks that were beautifully rare and juicy. Chicken came off the grates golden brown, moist and tender — and all this with barely any flare-ups. After using it for more than two years, it still heats quickly and evenly and has stood up to the New York City elements.

We appreciate the many features that make it pleasant to use like sturdy side shelves, tool holders and a shelf to stash extra items. We also appreciate the propane tank holder that lets you know how much gas is left in the tank (a feature on many Weber grills). It comes with porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates.

Type of grill	Gas
Dimensions	44.5" x 52" x 27"
Cooking surface	529 sq. in.
Cooking grate material	Porcelain-enameled cast iron

Best Grill for Beginners

Char-Broil Commercial Tru-Infrared Gas Grill

Best Grill for Beginners

Char-Broil Commercial Tru-Infrared Gas Grill

$399 at Lowe's

Credit: Char-Broil

Pros

Easy to start
Created no flare ups

Cons

Tru-Infrared technology doesn't allow flames to touch food; some users may miss the charred taste

This Char-Broil grill heated quickly and evenly in our tests and didn't flare up once, which makes it great for beginners. It turned on with no effort at all and got hot enough to sear steak and chicken without burning them. This model features Char-Broil's Tru-Infrared technology, which is basically a large metal plate that sits below the cooking grates and traps the food's juices as it cooks. Once the juices hit the plate, they steam and infuse the food with more flavor. This design also helps prevent flare-ups since the burners themselves are shielded. Results were juicy and not dry, though some testers missed the charring from the direct flame.

In addition to the Char-Broil's cooking performance, we liked the simple, two-knob design that quickly responded to adjustments. When you're done cooking, the entire grill is easy to move and store away.

Type of grill	Gas
Dimensions	47.2" x 46.8" x 22.5"
Cooking surface	325 sq. in.
Cooking grate material	Porcelain-coated cast-iron

Best Electric Grill

Weber Pulse 2000 Electric Grill

Best Electric Grill

Weber Pulse 2000 Electric Grill

$840 at Amazon$849 at Home Depot

Credit: Weber

Pros

Can be used in areas where charcoal or propane grills are not allowed
Digital temperature control
Dual grill zones

Cons

Requires proximity to an electrical outlet

For locations that may not allow a traditional outdoor grill, this Weber electric grill is the next best thing. Simply plug it in and turn it to the desired temperature using the digital precision temperature control. It works with the Weber Connect App to remotely monitor the grill and food temperatures. It also has dual cooking zones to simultaneously grill two different foods at different temperatures. Take note that you’ll need to wait for it to preheat, but thanks to the digital thermometer, you’ll know exactly when it reaches the right temperature. It can be used as a tabletop grill or with a grill cart (sold separately), and the control panel comes off so it can be stored in a case indoors while the rest of the grill can remain outside.

In our tests, we found the grill to be easy to use, and it cooked a strip steak with beautiful sear marks to 145ºF in about 8 minutes. Chicken thighs came out juicy and golden, too, in under 30 minutes.

Type of grill	Electric
Dimensions	15" x 28" x 23" (with cart 42" x 44" x 24")
Cooking surface	278 sq. in.
Cooking grate mateiral	Porcelain-enameled cast iron

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Best Small Grill

Permasteel 2-Burner Gas Grill

Best Small Grill

Permasteel 2-Burner Gas Grill

$350 at Amazon

Credit: Permasteel

Pros

Small, cute design
Food seared nicely with limited smoking and flare-ups

Cons

Didn't get as hot as other grills as quickly

Not only is this grill cute and compact, but it performed great in our tests. It heated bread evenly with only a few light spots on the very edge of the grill. Plus, it seared a juicy steak and made tasty chicken with limited flare-ups. While it didn't get as hot or heat as quickly as other grills we tested, we appreciated that we didn't have to worry about burning during cooking or too much smoking.

The folding side shelves offered ample space to store trays, and the gas tank and grease tray were easy to access. The small footprint and lightweight construction of the grill made it easy to roll away for storage. It's the perfect grill for small spaces or someone on a budget who doesn't want to sacrifice quality. It comes in two other colors (black and a camel-colored brown.)

Type of grill	Gas
Dimensions	21.5"D x 43.2"W x 47.8"H
Cooking surface	360 sq. in.
Cooking grate material	Cast iron

Best Portable Grill on Wheels

Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill

Best Portable Grill on Wheels

Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill

$399 at Amazon$399 at Home Depot$399 at Dick's Sporting Goods

Credit: Weber

Pros

Sturdy, especially for a portable grill
Reaches high temps

Cons

Pricey for its category

This portable grill is good enough to stand in as your full-time grill. It has a solid and sturdy build that can stay put year-round, but it's still easy enough to fold up and light enough to roll around. We love that it has a latch that locks the lid in place when it's in the folded position for easier movement. It has a porcelain-enameled cast iron grate that can fit up to 15 burgers and reaches full heat in less than 10 minutes.

In our tests, steak and chicken got beautiful sear marks, and we didn't experience any flare-ups. It lights with the press of an igniter button and uses a one-pound propane tank (or you can purchase an adaptor hose that allows it to be used with a full-size propane tank). It uses a disposable drip tray, which isn't common among the portable grills we tested and makes cleanup easy.

For a portable grill without wheels, consider the Weber Travel Q, which scored high marks in our portable grill test.

Type of grill	Portable gas
Dimensions:	37. 2" x 43.6" x 23"
Cooking surface	320 sq. in.
Cooking grate material	Porcelain-enameled, cast-iron

Best Kamado Grill

Kamado Joe Classic Joe II 18-in Red Kamado Charcoal Grill

Best Kamado Grill

Kamado Joe Classic Joe II 18-in Red Kamado Charcoal Grill

$1,199 at Lowe's$1,299 at Home Depot

Credit: Kamado Joe

Pros

Large with plenty of cooking space
Can smoke using low temps or grill up to 750ºF

Cons

Requires a learning curve to master

This grill from Kamado Joe is our pick for the best overall Kamado grill. It has thick ceramic walls that retain heat well and can withstand temps up to 750ºF. It's loaded with accessories like a built-in thermometer, side shelves, an ash removal tool, a pull-out ashtray and more. It also comes with a two-tier grilling grate so you can better control your grilling experience.

Kamado grills use charcoal to heat and can be used to smoke at low temperatures or grill at moderate to high temperatures. You can also make pizza at high temperatures — one of our favorite uses. The wheeled stand is helpful for moving it around, as it's very heavy. Little details that set it apart from its competitors include a seal around the lid to allow for a soft close and markings on the vent to better control the temp and smoke levels.

Type of grill	Kamado
Dimensions	26.4" x 26.4" x 36"
Cooking surface	256 sq. in.
Cooking grate material	Stainless steel

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Best Pellet Grill

Traeger Pellet Grills Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker

Best Pellet Grill

Traeger Pellet Grills Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker

$1,500 at Amazon$1,600 at Home Depot

Credit: Traeger

Pros

Strong and durable
Easy to program and keep track of cooking process

Cons

Grill warned us hopper was low when there were still plenty of pellets left in hopper

Pellet grills are excellent for slow-cooking meats, fish and veggies at low temperatures using smoke. This one from Traeger is one of the brand's most popular models. It's made from heavy-duty stainless steel and feels as sturdy as it looks. It has a temperature range from 165ºF to 500ºF, and you can program it right from the control panel or from the connected app that monitors the entire cooking process.

In our tests, it made some of the best brisket we've ever tasted; it cooked overnight and turned out juicy with a good bend that didn't fall apart (the sign of a good brisket that's tender but not overcooked). It also made fall-off-the-bone ribs and tender chicken. Compared to other pellet grills we tested, it seemed to cook gently and consistently. None of the foods we cooked ended up too soft or dry.

Type of grill	Pellet
Dimensions	53" x 27" x 47
Cooking area	885 sq. in.
Grill grate material	Porcelain

How we test grills

In the Good Housekeeping Institute, we've tested more than 80 grills since 2011, including gas grills, charcoal grills, Kamado grills, pellet grills, electric grills and portable grills. (And that number doesn't even include indoor grills!) To determine which new grills to test, we first scour the internet and popular retailers for newcomers, keep our eyes peeled at industry trade shows like CES and the Builder's Show and communicate with brands to learn about their latest models and innovations. From there, we request samples to test and either put them together ourselves or hire an outside company to help. When we assemble the grills ourselves, we take notes on how easy or hard it is and record how long it takes, but we don't score the process since it's easy enough to buy grills pre-assembled (which we recommend!) and everyone's skill level (and patience level) is different.

When we test grills, we assess performance and ease of use. For gas grills, we cover the surface with sliced white bread to determine how evenly the grill distributes heat. We cook steak and chicken to evaluate how quickly they cook with the least amount of flare-ups. We cook steak and chicken on charcoal grills as well, but we weigh ease of use more heavily since it's harder to control charcoal as a variable. When we test pellet grills, we cook steak, chicken and ribs.

In terms of ease of use, we value clear instructions, labeled parts and simple assembly. We also consider helpful accessories like shelves, side tables, tool holders, built-in thermometers, wheels, types of igniters and more. After we complete our testing, we compare all of our notes to determine which performed the best.

What to look for when buying the best grill

✔️ Fuel type: The first thing to consider is what type of grill you'd like. The two main types are gas and charcoal. Gas is easy to use while charcoal is trickier to master but delivers a smokier taste. There are also Kamado grills that use charcoal and pellet grills that use wood pellets. (More on the pros and cons of each below.)

✔️ Size: Once you narrow down the type of grill you'd like to buy, think of how much room you have to use and store it, as well as how many people you're cooking for at a time. Three-burner gas grills are ideal for families of four or fewer but can still handle the occasional party. A 22-inch diameter is common for charcoal grills. If you don't have a lot of room, consider a portable grill that's typically much smaller but does the trick in terms of turning out a delicious meal.

✔️ Accessories: While side shelves and tool holders may not seem important, they make the overall grilling experience smoother. We also like shelves underneath the grill for storage, a quality set of wheels, tank holders for gas grills and more.

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What type of grill is best?

When buying a new outdoor grill, the two biggest players are gas and charcoal, but electric, Kamado and pellet grills are also fair game. When selecting what type of grill to buy, consider how often you'll be grilling, the amount of space you have for storage, what flavors you prefer and the amount of time and attention you'll want to spend cooking. Here are the basics on each:

✔️ Gas grills are popular for good reason. They offer excellent temperature control, plus they ignite with the push of a button, heat up quickly and are easy to clean. It's the go-to option for no-fuss grillers who plan to barbecue frequently. Just keep in mind that you'll need fuel from a propane tank or natural gas line on your property.

✔️ Charcoal grills use briquettes or lump charcoal as fuel. Charcoal is more hands-on and takes time to heat up and cool down, but it imparts a better, smokier flavor than gas because it often gets hotter. It's best for grilling purists.

✔️ Kamado grills use charcoal to heat but are often made of ceramic and have thicker walls than classic charcoal grills. They can reach very hot temperatures, like a pizza oven, and they retain heat well for low-and-slow smokes.

✔️ Electric grills plug in and can't be beat for ease of use or convenience — especially grills that can be used indoors. Just don't expect steaks or burgers cooked on an electric grill to taste like the ones from a real BBQ.

✔️ Pellet grills are a growing category. They use electricity and hardwood pellets made out of wood scraps to heat. Pellets provide a delicious, authentic hardwood flavor to food but can be costly.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Nicole Papantoniou is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliance and Culinary Innovation Lab, where she oversees all kitchen appliance content and testing. This is her fourth season testing grills for Good Housekeeping, and she has had her hands on 40 grills and counting. She's a trained cook, recipe developer and grilling aficionado.

Nicole Papantoniou

Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab Director

Nicole (she/her) is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she has overseen content and testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances, tools and gear since 2019. She’s an experienced product tester and recipe creator, trained in classic culinary arts and culinary nutrition. She has worked in test kitchens for small kitchen appliance brands and national magazines, including Family Circle and Ladies’ Home Journal.

Best grills of 2023: for outdoor living and entertaining

(Image credit: Traeger)

Buying the best grill will give you the freedom to make the most of your yard when the summer hits. Creating a central space for you to entertain or simply prepare your meals al fresco, the best grill will be easy to assemble and clean, and most importantly, deliver on those classic flame-grilled flavors no matter what fuel you opt for.

In our best grills guide, we have analyzed and tested products from brands such as Weber, Traeger, Char-Broil, Z Grills, Everdure and Kamado Joe, covering an array of different designs, sizes and functions to suit any gathering.

If you are a newcomer to the grilling game, key things to consider include: the space you have available and what size grill will fit best, your chosen grill fuel type – our guide to the best gas grill has more on this.

Don't wait until summertime to purchase a new grill, ensure you do your research and purchase one of the best grills with plenty of time to spare – and make the most of the sales when they come around!

Best grills 2023:

You can trust Homes & Gardens. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing the latest products, helping you choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Best grill you can buy

(Image credit: Weber )

1. Weber Genesis II E-310 Gas Grill

The best grill overall

Specifications

Cook surface: 660 sq-in

Dimensions: 29 x 59 x 47 in

Fuel type: Gas

Best for: Grilling meats and vegetables

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

Easy to set up

Easy to use

Best burgers on test

Best chicken on test

Reasonable price

Reasons to avoid

Small side rack for propane

Wide grills for thin-sliced foods

Plastic control knobs

Why you should buy it
This is the best grill on the market.

Why we love it
This grill is everything you need for a family barbecue. It has a large cooking area, is easy to set up and use, and most importantly, it produced the tastiest food on test. It does all this and more at a very reasonable price.

What I love most about this grill is that it it's unfussy and straightforward. Where lots of grills are marketed to 'pit bosses' and need hours of training to make the a simple meal, the Spirit II is fast and simple. It has handy side tables with hooks for your utensils, and a responsive thermometer. It's easy to move around your backyard thanks to big, sturdy wheels. You hardly need to think while you're cooking on this grill. Ignite it and you'll have burgers and sausages ready to go in minutes. It's as simple as that.

These burgers were delicious - the whole team agreed that they were the best on test. They were perfectly seared and picked up a delicious char, but were still juicy on the inside. It was a similar story when we grilled vegetables. We also made an unbelievable spatchcock chicken. Smothered in barbecue sauce, this chicken had delicious crispy skin with succulent, juicy flesh grilled to perfection. It was easily the best chicken we made in the latest round of testing. What's more, the cooking area is huge for a relatively compact grill. If you're smart about it, you could turn out dozens of burgers without much effort.

Good to know
The side rack for holding propane is quite small, so if you're cooking off a 30 or 40lb tank it might be hard to hide. The grills are also quite wide - we found that thin slices of vegetables like zucchini easily slip through the gaps. We also felt that the plastic knobs feel a little cheap, but these are minor quibbles rather than serious problems.

The best premium grill

(Image credit: Weber Genesis II EX-335 GBS)

2. Weber Genesis II E-335

The best premium grill

Specifications

Cook surface: 513 sq-in

Dimensions: h57 x W59 x D29"

Fuel type: Liquid petroleum gas

Best for: Unparalleled smart features

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

Generous cooking area

High quality side burner

Good warranty

Smart technology included

Reasons to avoid

Assembly takes a while

Why you should buy it
A professional grill loaded with bonus features

Why we love it
If you're looking to step up your grilling game, Weber's Genesis II E-335 is a good place to start. It won't be for everyone, but it's a mighty grill that's up to just about any task you could throw its way. This high-tech grill can be paired with your smartphone for remote monitoring. We were able to pair the probe with our smartphone, and set it to monitor for a specific type of meat and preference in cooking.

This means incredibly performance when cooking backyard staples like burgers or chicken. We also used it with the side burner on this grill, making a delicious steak. That's because the smart tech in the grill us when the meat was at the perfect temperature for juicy, medium-rare steak, taking away all the guesswork.

Good to know
At nearly 190lbs, there is no denying that this is a hefty grill. If you've got a small garden it could dominate your space., Assembly took a while too, but once we had everything set up and ready to go, it was more than worth the trouble it took to assemble. You can monitor the grill from your phone but you cannot change the temperature or control it, so keep this in mind when slow cooking your meat. While we love all the functionality, bear in mind that this grill is $1000 more expensive than our #1 pick.

Best portable grill

(Image credit: SharkNinja)

3. Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill

Best portable grill

Specifications

Cook surface: 141 sq. in.

Dimensions: 13.31 in x 18.58 in x 23.62 in

Fuel type: Electric, woodfire pellets

Best for: portable smoking

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

Portable and compact

Cooks faster than estimated times

Seven different cooking functions in one

Includes an air fryer basket and two wood pellet bags

Reasons to avoid

Lacks a thermometer

Doesn’t include a grill stand

Why you should buy it
A portable grill that's as good as a full-sized smoker

Why we love it
You might be surprised to see a portable grill so far up the list, but the Ninja Woodfire passed our tests with flying colors. This portable electric grill has seven different functions, offering grilling, roasting, smoking, frying, baking, dehydrating, and broiling. While it can't match the cooking area of a full-sized smoker, this grill is perfect for small families and camping trips, offering fast, simple, and delicious smoked foods.

The standout feature, however is the smoker. The Woodfire uses a box of wood pellets to infuse your dishes with delicious, smoky flavour. While the flavor's not the same as the smokers on bigger grills, it's still as good. We used it to make an incredible smoked pork tenderloin in just 45 minutes, and a neighbour we shared it with though it was the best tenderloin they'd ever had.

Good to know
It offers incredibly quick cooking. We had a joint of salmon ready in only 7 minutes, and if anything, it was almost too quick. The handy smart display will tell you when it's time to flip your food, but we recommend keeping an eye on it anyway, as this grill is so efficient that it will cook faster than the given recipe times.

Alex's full Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill review has all the detail.

Best large grill

(Image credit: Weber)

4. Weber Genesis SPX-435 Smart Gas Grill

The best large grill

Specifications

Cook surface: 994 sq. in.

Dimensions: 27 in. (D) x 68.5 (W) x 48.5 in (H)

Fuel type: Propane

Best for : Advanced gas cooking

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

Prep tables and grill locker

Sear burner and side burner

Expandable top cooking grate

Reasons to avoid

Can't adjust temperature remotely

Why you should buy it
The best grill for big gatherings

Why we love it
This is really straightforward: the Weber Genesis SPX-435 Smart Gas Grill is huge. We found that it has nearly a thousand square inches of grilling area, not including the side burner. If you've got a big, hungry family, this will cater for everyone. It's more than double the size of some of the other grills on test. It fits forty burgers. That's enough to feed an entire football team, let alone a family.

That's before you get into the extras. We're big fans of the sear station, which is designed to leave those classic charred lines in your steaks and burgers for maximum flavor by creating an intense heat zone. There's also a side burner that can be used to prep side dishes or cook off smaller items that can't go on the main grill.

There's also a foldable warming rack that can be used to heat up burger buns or keep hot dogs warm when they're done cooking, which will allow you to prep your meals at different timings, but with the same serving time. All of this can be monitored by an app.

Good to know
Unlike the Weber SmokeFire below, you can't adjust the temperature of this grill via an app. You'll need to run it off an outlet, and it's the most expensive grill on test.

Best wood pellet grill

(Image credit: Traeger)

5. Traeger Grills Ironwood 650 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker

The best wood pellet grill

Specifications

Cook surface: 650 sq-in

Dimensions: 46 x 27 x 47 in

Fuel type: Wood pellets and electric outlet

Best for : Grilling and smoking meats

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

Achieves ultimate wood flavoring in meats

Built-in meat probe and WiFi capabilities let you control the grill on your phone

Super Smoke Mode with a push of a button

Reasons to avoid

Must be plugged into an outdoor electrical outlet

Why we love it
A wood pellet grill with unbelievable capacity.

Why you should buy it
Traeger revolutionized the grilling game when they introduced the world to wood pellet grills over 30 years ago. Rather than the searing heat of charcoal or gas grills, pellet grills cook at a much cooler 450°F. This imbues your food with a fantastic smoky flavor, and the Ironwood 650 takes this to extremes, with a Super Smoke mode that ensures your food is cooked 100% hardwood smoke.

We found that this grill has a jaw-dropping capacity. Its 650 square inch volume means you can fit eight whole chickens, six pork butts, or five rib racks at a time. That's more than enough to feed even the biggest families.

The technological features of this Traeger Ironwood 650 are also truly impressive. For instance, once you've set the temperature, the grill maintains that temperature for you, saving you all the hassle. It's also outfitted with WiFi and a built-in meat probe, so you can monitor the internal temperature of the food and the grill all on your phone.

Good to know
The smart tech in this grill means that you have to have electric power as you use it. That could be an inconvenience if you don't have an outlet in your yard. The huge capacity is great, but it means it'll take up a lot of space in your yard.

Best smoker grill

(Image credit: Weber)

6. Weber SmokeFire EPX6 STEALTH Edition Grill

The best smoker grill

Specifications

Cook surface: 1,008 square inches

Dimensions: 47”H x 55.5”W x 33”D

Fuel type: Wood Fired Pellet

Best for : Easy smokey flavor

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

Large hopper capacity

Smart self-feeding design

Temperature ranges from 200-600°F

Reasons to avoid

Needs to be connected to electricity

Why you should buy it
A smart smoker that's great for slow-cooked meat.

Why we love it
Another pellet grill, our tests found that Weber SmokeFire EPX6 STEALTH Edition Grill is an excellent smoker that excels with large cuts of meat.

The smart dial can be turned from 200-600°F degrees, allowing you to cook at high heat but also to smoke and roast at the lower end. It will also keep itself running for hours with little-to-no maintenance, and you can control it remotely using the Weber CONNECT app, which also allows you to check the probe and adjust the temperature for easy pre-heating. Unlike the Traeger Ironwood above, you can adjust the temperature in the app.

Under the hood, you'll find enough space to cook quantities of food for a large family. Our expert tester Millie Fender used it to make a succulent shawarma shoulder of lamb and barbecue ribs, as well as 8 steaks and chicken kebabs.

Good to know
Just like the Traeger above, it needs to be connected to electricity to work, so ensure to place it somewhere with easy access. You're also at the mercy of the software - Millie's grill shut itself down for a software update in the middle of grilling when she had some guests due to arrive any minute. Admittedly, this was just after the launch of the grill, so there were some bugs to work out, but it demonstrates a wider weakness of WiFi-enabled grills. It also has a smaller capacity than the Traeger Ironwood, with 432 square inches to the Traeger's 650.

Best charcoal grill

(Image credit: Kamado Joe)

7. Kamado Joe Classic II

The best charcoal grill

Specifications

Cook surface: 510 sq in

Dimensions: 26.4 x 26.4 x 36 in

Fuel type: Charcoal

Best for: Grilling, searing, and smoking meats and vegetables; option to use as rotisserie or pizza oven

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

Effcient cooking

Versatile

Looks great

Reasons to avoid

Takes a lot of getting used to

Low-down build may be a hazard

Price

Why you should buy it
The best charcoal grill you can buy

Why we love it
Kamado grills are high-end charcoal barbecues with ceramic plates. These heat-efficient plates makes them versatile, handling simple grilling, roasting, smoking, and slow cooking all in one grill.

The Joe II is incredibly capacious. We tested it on a single chicken but you could easily grill two at once. It's great for catering to big family parties. The ceramic plates make it incredibly efficient, reaching a blistering 750°F, so it's a good choice for quick cooking too. While we love a good gas grill, there's something about the smoky flavor of cooking on charcoal that gas simply cannot recreate. The burgers we made on this outperformed all of their gas competitors.

We also loved the design of the Joe II. It will look incredible in almost any garden, a large, modern appliance with a eye on tradition. The bright but sophisticated glazed red shell makes it a great focus point for a social area or kitchen garden. We also love the small touches that elevate it from a basic kettle or drum grill, such as the soft-open on the lid.

Good to know
This grill is a great choice for dedicated grilling enthusiasts, but that means it takes a lot of getting used to. Because it's so efficient, it's easy to overcook your food. We're also concerned about the heat at the base of this grill. It's low-slung so it's not the safest grill if you've got small kids or pets around. It's also very pricey for a charcoal grill.

Best looking grill

(Image credit: Everdure)

8. Everdure FORCE

Best looking grill

Specifications

Cook surface: 378.2 sq in

Dimensions: 42.1 x 46.3 x 29.2in

Fuel type: Gas

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Reasons to buy

Looks beautiful

Easy to set up and use

Great results on taste test

Reasons to avoid

Basic

Tricky to clean

Why you should buy it
The best looking grill you can buy

Why we love it
Even our favorite grills are pretty ugly. If you're proud of your garden, it can be heart-breaking to have perfected your patio only to ruin the design with an ugly metal grill that looks completely out of place. Not so with the Everdure Force. This beautiful grill looks at home in any backyard, and every detail on this grill feels high-quality. Even the control knobs are sleek, polished chrome, and the bright, modern lid comes in several striking colors. We might be appliance nerds who get a little overexcited at new products, but there were gasps when we had this bright orange grill fully assembled. After a couple of days of looking at the same boring gray and black grills, this was a breath of fresh air.

That said, it's not just a pretty face. Co-signed by celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal, the Everdure performed well in our cooking tests, making excellent burgers and a good whole chicken. The clever diagonal patterns on this grill mean that it's hard to drop food between the gaps, which is a great feature.

Good to know
Cleaning this grill is a little frustrating. Because the body is so shallow, any grease that drips from meat dishes doesn't run down to the grease tray, instead sitting under the grill. That makes for a surprisingly gross clean-up compared to other grills on test. It's also pretty basic, lacking a warming rack or a side burner.

Best camping grill

(Image credit: Weber)

9. Weber Q 3200 Portable Grill

The best camping grill

Specifications

Cook surface: 468 sq-in

Dimensions: 55.5 x 50.2 x 30 in

Fuel type: Gas

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Reasons to buy

Folds away

Stand is optional for setting up camp

Comes in a good range of colors

Two side tables for meal prep

Reasons to avoid

Not the best value

Why you should buy it
A good choice for grilling on the go

Why we love it
If you want to grill in the great outdoors, Weber's Q3200 is a safe bet. It can convert from stand on its base to a table-top or portable grill, so it's great for communal cooking on a garden table or for grilling out in the wild (allowing for local fire safety warnings).

it delivered solid results on our taste tests, cooking good vegetables and burgers, and did a surprisingly good job with a whole chicken despite the smaller grill size. That's because you can control the interior and exterior burners independently. This makes easy to create direct and indirect heat, which can be tricky on a gas grill, and impressive for a grill of this size and price point.

Speaking of which, this is also one of the cheaper grills we've tested, a full $1500 cheaper than some of the other grills on test.

Good to know
We think this grill is a smart choice, but it's simply not as good as other grills we've tested. While it's relatively cheap, it's only about $100 cheaper than our #1 pick.

Best side burner grill

(Image credit: Napoleon)

10.

Best side burner grill

Specifications

Cook surface: 710 sq.in

Dimensions: 48.50 x 55 x 25in

Fuel type: Gas

Reasons to buy

Great side burner

Great rear burner

Big capacity.

Reasons to avoid

Austere design

Why you should buy it
This grill is packed with accessory features that elevate it from a simple gas grill.

Why we love it
The Phantom Rogue is a great choice for cooking an entire meal in one go. You can grill burgers, chicken, and sausages on the grill, cook corn on the cob on the warming rack — which has its own dedicated burner, a unique feature in this guide — as well as a side burner for searing steaks. That's great functionality, as it means the cook isn't missing out on the party. You can prep the whole meal at once and get it to the table in one go.

This infrared side burner is exceptional, reaching blistering temperatures that are great for searing. You'll have to watch it, as you could very quickly overcook your food, but it's just right for flash cooking vegetables. On lower temperatures, it's handy for sides like caramelised onions, which is perfect for hot dogs. This grill performed well on test, making good burgers and a good whole chicken.

Good to know
This grill is terrible to assemble. It took me three hours, as there's lots of steps, poor instructions, and fiddly wiring. For most people it'll be three boring hours that you'll quickly forget about once you're up and running. If you have mobility issues like arthritis, however, it will be a significant challenge. We also aren't convinced by the aesthetics. One of my colleagues remarked that it looks like a sports car. If that's the look you're after, then perfect; if not, the hype-masculine all-matte black looks like someone parked a convertible in the middle of the garden. We also found that the light-up control knobs are a gimmick that don't offer much illumination.

Best electric charcoal grill

(Image credit: Everdure)

11. Everdure FUSION

Best electric charcoal grill

Specifications

Cooking area: 248 square inches

Dimensions: 29 x 16 x 35 inches

Fuel: Charcoal, with electronic ignition

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Reasons to buy

Speedy assembly

Easy to clean

Can be portable

Electric ignition

Rotisserie function included

Reasons to avoid

Can't use the lid during cooking

Power cord is a bit short

Rotisserie pole wobbled on highest setting

Why you should buy it
Charcoal grilling without the fuss

Why we love it

A stylish, modern design that fuses together the timeless qualities of cooking on a charcoal fire with innovative, modern technology and the speed of gas, the Everdure FUSION Grill by Heston Blumenthal embodies a truly versatile design. It cooks on charcoal, but a powerful electric fan feeds oxygen to the flames, meaning that this grill reaches temperature in mere minutes, instead of the half-an-hour of a usual charcoal grill.

The grill's fast flame ignition means that the FUSION can be set-up and ready for cooking in less than ten minutes. Featuring a grill-plate as well as a rotisserie function, the design allows for you to cook all manner of meals. Relatively simple and easy to use, the grill has a detachable pedestal and can be adapted into a handy portable design, ideal for use away from home.

Good to know
This grill has a small grilling area, so it might not work for big families. The rotisserie function is a great addition, but it feels flimsy.

What is the best grill in 2023?

Our top pick of the best grills is the Weber Genesis II E-335 . It has everything we love from Weber, including a smart sear station to ensure your steaks and burgers get those classic char-marks. We think the three burners are a good size for most families and would serve well at small-to-medium-sized gatherings.

If you want to step away from gas cooking, the Traeger Grills Ironwood 650 is also a top pick. It runs on wood pellets and has an in-built meat probe to make cooking easier.

How we test grills

We like to get hands-on experience with the products featured in our guides, and the grills are no exception. From Traegar to Z Grills, it's our mission to test as many of these grills in our backyards as possible. Our expert panel combines close-and-personal experience with customer reviews to get the lowdown on these grills' strengths and weaknesses. We assess factors such as the ease of set-up and use, cleaning, maintenance and storage and ultimately, how well each grill cooks.

For further information about how we conduct our reviews and for our product-testing process explained, explore how we test on Homes & Gardens.

Head of Reviews
Millie Fender is Head of Reviews at Homes & Gardens. Formerly our head of all things cooking, she has tested pizza ovens, grills, and even fire pits.
Millie recently finished her Weber SmokeFire EPX6 Wood Fired Pellet Grill STEALTH Edition review, which almost converted her away from the ease of gas grilling.
Contributing Editor
Alex Temblador is a award-winning author and freelance writer based in Dallas, Texas. With an expansive outdoor space for thorough testing, she has tested everything from hot tubs to grills for Homes & Gardens and our sister brand, Gardeningetc.
Alex tested the Weber Genesis SPX-435 Smart Gas Grill, assembling it with the help of her cousin for three hours straight. Once assembled, she was wowed by the quality cooking she was able to achieve with this large and impressive gas grill.
Which type of grill is best?
The most conventional type of grill is a charcoal grill, which will slow-cook all manner of dishes for smoked meat or chargrilled vegetables. Gas grills are loved for their convenience. They are easy to ignite and you can work the burners independently, whether that is at different temperatures or for smaller servings without wasting gas.
More popular in recent years is the smoker grill. Powered by pellets, they often feature intelligent temperature probes and auto-dosing burners to keep your grill cooking for hours on end, even when unattended.
Charcoal grills
Pros: Charcoal grills provide a phenomenal smoky flavor to food, which is especially tasty in meats.
Cons: They take longer to heat up and the temperature can be somewhat harder to control. Even grills that have charcoal boxes that keep the ash contained require some time toward cleaning.
Liquid propane or gas grills
Pros: Gas grills are quick to heat, easy to adjust the temperature, and don’t require a lot of prep or clean-up time. Gas grills are best for those who are new to grilling.
Cons: They may offer great sear and grill lines and have the capabilities to keep your meats juicy and tender, but unless the grill is outfitted with a built-in or separate wood box, you can’t achieve the same delicious smoky flavor that's provided with charcoal or wood pellet grills.
Electric grills
Pros: Some electric grills can be used indoors and others must be used outdoors. They heat quickly and don't require a lot of post-grilling maintenance.
Cons: Indoor electric grills are small. If you have an outdoor grill that needs electricity, like a wood pellet grill, you’ll need an outdoor outlet, which may not be placed in the most ideal (or safe) grilling location.
Wood pellet grills
Pros: Meats come out juicy, tender, smoky, and fully-flavored with a wood pellet grill. Once you set the temperature on a wood pellet grill, the grill maintains that temperature for you, so your attention can be elsewhere. If you like cooking with wood, you'll love the best pizza ovens.
Cons: These types of grills require electricity to function, so you’ll need a good outlet in a safe location outdoors.
Which type of grill is easiest to clean?
All grills need regular care and maintenance in order for them to be working at their best, so learning how to clean a grill and how to clean grill grates is essential.
When it comes to looking at which type of grill is easiest to clean, stainless steel and gas grills often come out on top. Charcoal grills can get dirty very quickly, and require you to remove and dispose of the old ashes – always wait until they are completely cool.
The best tools to use when cleaning a grill include: a wire brush with tough stainless steel bristles for the grills grates, a sponge or cloth for the other grill areas – and some have even learnt how to use an onion to clean a grill!
For optimal food safety, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends, ‘wash work surfaces, utensils, and the grill before and after cooking.’
Which grills are American-made?
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Weber Genesis II E-310 GBS

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Traeger Ironwood 650

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Weber SmokeFire EPX6 STEALTH Edition

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Kamado Joe KJ23RHC Classic II Charcoal

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Weber Q 1200 Portable Grill

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Everdure by Heston Blumenthal Force 2

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Everdure Fusion Grill

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As Head of eCommerce, Alex makes sure our readers find the right information to help them make the best purchase. After graduating from Cambridge University, Alex got his start in reviewing at the iconic Good Housekeeping Institute, testing a wide range of household products and appliances. He then moved to BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, assessing gardening tools, machinery, and wildlife products. Helping people find true quality and genuine value is a real passion.
Which grill to choose for the cottage

Weber grills / Which grill to choose for the cottage: useful tips from experts

Today it is impossible to call a vacation really good and family if there was no signature dish on the table - shish kebab. No holiday in nature is complete without baked vegetables, fish and meat. Therefore, if you decide to finally let the most delicious park cuisine into your life, we will help you choose a device that will become a beloved and faithful friend at every family event. Grill Academy experts answer questions about how to choose a charcoal grill for a summer residence, and why exactly a charcoal barbecue deserves the attention of summer residents.

Charcoal grill designed specifically for summer residents

This is not a loud statement, in fact it is - you can cook only in nature, in the open air and on coal. Only the owners of country houses or country cottages can afford such a luxury. Today there are mobile installations, small in size, which are easy to transport in the trunk of a light car to nature. But in any case, the bulk of buyers are summer residents.

Charcoal equipment has superiority over other types of barbecues, and there are 3 proofs of this:

Cook in any weather and at any time of the season. In autumn, summer, winter, even in the rain - just cover the flame with a lid from precipitation.

Additional functions. This is a brazier for barbecue, and a tandoor for cakes, and a pizza oven. In some models, you can smoke small carcasses of poultry and fish.

Inexpensive fuel, fast ignition and long temperature retention.

Add to this an amazing aroma and rich taste. Once you try a properly cooked charcoal dish, you will never want to come home and cook on the stove again.

How to choose a charcoal grill: check each item

The ideal grill setting does not exist. Every year, manufacturers upgrade devices, improve technology, add nice features - all this seriously complicates the choice, the eyes just run up. But for our customers, we have developed a small checklist that will help you deal with such questions as what diameter of the grill is optimal for giving, why it is more profitable to take an ovoid shape, rather than the usual spherical one, and others. Let's get started:

Size. Equipment by size is divided into 3 categories: for home, private use - small, for large companies or for a large family - medium, for professional cooking - large. The best option is the average, you will never go wrong with the choice. Such structures and functions have more, and the frying surface is more capacious.

Form. The Grill Academy catalog includes spherical and rectangular Weber devices, and the extraordinary Big Green Egg - both manufacturers make quality products. The choice depends on the compactness and what you plan to cook. Flatbreads and pizzas are perfectly baked in the “egg”, and you can also cook dishes of a more difficult class - soups, shurpa and others. If you plan to often transport in the trunk, focus on the compact and practical Weber models - they weigh much less and are easy to drag. Ceramics will be much heavier.

Thermal regime. Take installations where you can adjust the height of the grille. Then you can play with heat. Shish kebab at the lower height with direct heating will be juicy, with a crust and fragrant.

Trouble-free ignition. First of all, pay attention to the capacity for coal. You can additionally buy a starter for ignition and correct the situation if for some reason it is difficult to start a fire. But it is better to take a closer look at the container in advance, check for ventilation.

The material from which the structure is made. There are 3 types of grills: steel, ceramic and cast iron. Each of the materials has its own characteristics: ceramics are heavy, but keep heat longer than others; cast iron is cheap, also holds heat well, but is difficult to clean; steel is practical, lasts longer, is easy to clean, poorly retains heat, and is mainly used for gas grills.

Mobility. Here it is important to take into account the dimensions of the models and weight. The larger the charcoal grill, the more difficult it is to transport. If you are going to often travel to nature, it is better to give preference to less functional models, but compact ones.

Based on these 6 selection criteria, you will be able to choose the best cottage charcoal grill on our website. If you have any questions, write to the consultant. Let us help you choose your new friend.

How to choose a grill? The best grills on the Village Club blog

If you are thinking about choosing a grill for a summer house, garden or even for home use, this material will help you make a choice, or at least understand the main types of grills.

Charcoal grills
The simplest option and the most popular around the world are charcoal grills. This type of grill was invented by Mr. Weber by cutting a sea buoy into two parts: a barbecue base and a lid. The principle of operation is simple: we fill in the coals, kindle and cook on the grill.

What distinguishes such a grill from the usual brazier, you guessed it, is the presence of a lid. The lid allows you to keep the heat inside the structure and regulate the cooking temperature.

The temperature is controlled by special valves located on both the lid and the base of the grill. By increasing the flow of oxygen (blowing), we increase the temperature inside.

These grills are the most inexpensive and usually last up to 4-5 years. The most popular grills in this category are produced by the American manufacturer Weber, known throughout the world for its excellent quality.

Charcoal smoker grills (smokers)
Another modification of charcoal grills is the barrel grill. This form was invented by port fishermen, having already cut a barrel of Shell oil in half. So the form factor "barrel" (barrel) appeared. Today, this form is not very popular, but is often used in the manufacture of universal grill-smokers, in which you can not only barbecue, but also smoke food in a hot or cold way. Marshall's quality smoker grills are popular with us, distinguished by their durability and excellent workmanship.

Ceramic kamado grills
Finally, the very best charcoal grills are, without a doubt, ceramic kamado grills. According to the principle of operation, they are similar to ordinary metal ones, but the material (ceramics) from which they are made makes the taste of products cooked in ceramic grills incomparable with anything. Ceramics helps to keep juice, freshness of products and eliminates overdrying during cooking.

The principle of operation resembles the well-known tandoor, when all the heat is concentrated under a clay dome. Ceramic grills are used by top restaurants and professional grilling enthusiasts around the world.

A big plus is that you can use kamado grills in winter - the grill hardly loses temperature. In Russia, you can buy American Big Green Egg and Primo grills. These grills differ in the shape of the ceramic bowl and the presence of accessories.

Gas grills
Gas grills continue to gain huge popularity in America and Europe, previously used only by professionals in restaurants.

This is due to many advantages of use: the ability to start the grill instantly and start cooking in 5-10 minutes, the convenience of precise control of the cooking temperature, the huge surface of the grate, thoughtful heat distribution and a variety of grill accessories.

The myth that “charcoal cooking is a completely different matter” will debunk the fact that all steakhouses use gas grills. Gas grills are usually made of stainless steel, differ in the number of burners, build quality and materials, as well as the principle of heating. Manufacturers are constantly improving models and introducing new technologies. For example, the Canadian manufacturer Napoleon is moving towards high-temperature IR technologies: additional SIZZLE ZONE ceramic burners are installed in Napoleon grills, allowing temperatures to reach 800C. Australian BeefEater gas grills offer their own heating method: gas burners heat metal plates above them, there is no open fire. Built-in gas grills can be installed indoors. All lines of gas grills from the best manufacturers Napoleon, Weber, BeefEater are presented in our store.

Wood-fired grills
Wood-burning grills deserve special mention. Typically, these grills are installed in gazebos or outdoor outdoor BBQ areas. You can complement the grill design with an additional chimney and remove the pipe from your gazebo. The principle of operation is similar to coal, only firewood is used as fuel. A small minus is the lack of a lid over the grill, although there is a heat-retaining dome that distinguishes a wood grill from a classic barbecue. Beautiful open flames, warming heat and many additional features make these grills the best for those who like to cook on charcoal for a large company.

If you have any questions, and you certainly do, call us at the Village Club. We have all the quality grills worthy of your attention. We know everything about grills and will always help you with the choice. We hope our article will help you choose which grill is best for you.

Photo taken in the Village Club store. (c) All rights to photographic materials belong to Village Club (TM).

Products from article

Weber GENESIS II LX S-340 GBS gas grill, stainless steel

202 896 rubles 108

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Grill typeCharcoal

Fuel typeCharcoal and briquettes

Width, cm37

Weber Compact Kettle charcoal grill, 47 cm, black

r.
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