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What is the best barbecue to buy


10 Best Outdoor Grills 2022

We updated this article in August 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive testing done by the Good Housekeeping Institute. We added a kamado grill recommendation as well as updated our picks for portable and tabletop grills.

Nothing says summer like grilling up quick summer recipes. And to turn out delicious food with perfectly charred results, you need the right grill (and grill accessories from grill tongs to grill baskets!) to make the job quick, easy and low-mess.

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab, we've tested more than 65 grills over the years to determine which are the best you can buy, including gas grills, charcoal grills, kamado grills, pellet grills and portable grills. We've cooked more than 70 steaks and 280 pieces of chicken to determine how well each grill sears, while keeping an eye on smoking and flare-ups. We've also toasted more than 1,000 pieces of bread on the gas grills to see how evenly they heat. In addition to performance, we assessed helpful extras like side tables, tool storage, concealed gas tanks and wheels for portability.

You can read more about how we evaluate outdoor grills in our tests — plus everything you need to know to shop for the best grill you can buy — at the end of this guide. Looking for more ways to make the most out of grilling season? Check out our guides to the best grill cleaners and the best grill thermometers for your money, plus our favorite grilling recipes of all time.

Best Overall Grill

Weber

Genesis II EX-335 3-Burner Natural Gas Smart Grill in Black

Weber

$1,699 AT HOME DEPOT

Best Value Grill

Nexgrill

4-Burner Propane Gas Grill

Nexgrill

Now 13% off

$349 AT HOME DEPOT

Best Gas Grill

Weber

Spirit II E-310 Propane Grill

Weber

$639 AT AMAZON

Best Grill for Beginners

Char-Broil

Commercial Tru-Infrared Gas Grill

Char-Broil

$429 AT LOWE'S

Best Charcoal Grill

Weber

Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill

Weber

Best Pellet Grill

Traeger

Pro Series 575 Grill Black

wayfaur

Best Kamado Grill

Kamado Joe

Classic Joe II

Kamado Joe

Best Stand-Up Portable Grill

Weber

Traveler Portable Gas Grill

Weber

Best Tabletop Grill

Coleman

Roadtrip 225 Tabletop Grill

Coleman

Best Electric Outdoor Grill

Weber

Pulse 2000 Electric Grill

Weber

How we test grills

In the Good Housekeeping Institute, we've tested more than 65 grills over the years, including gas grills, charcoal grills, kamado grills, pellet grills, portable grills, indoor grills, electric grills and more. To determine which grills to test, we scour our data to determine which grills seem the most interesting and popular. We also communicate with brands to learn about their latest models and keep an eye out for innovations and new technology.

When we test all types of 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, and we cook steak and chicken to evaluate how quickly they cook with the least amount of flareups. We cook steak and chicken on charcoal grills as well, but we weigh ease of use more heavily since charcoal can vary in terms of distribution and heat retention.

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

Hearst

A small sampling of the grills we tested

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, which use charcoal, and pellet grills, which 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 and can still handle the occasional party. A 22-inch diameter is common for charcoal grills: Any larger is ideal for cooking more at once, and smaller is better for storage. 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 smooth. We also like shelves underneath the grill for storage, a quality set of wheels, tank holders for gas grills and more.

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 the most common type. They're great because they offer excellent control of the heat (the ability to adjust the burner knobs makes it less likely that you'll end up with burnt brisket!), 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 require briquettes or lump charcoal to ignite. 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 really for grilling purists.

✔️ Kamado grills use charcoal to heat but are often made of ceramic and have thicker walls than 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 the grills that can be used indoors or at apartment complexes that don't allow charcoal or gas grills. 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 that use electricity and hardwood pellets made out of wood scraps to heat. Pellets provide a delicious, authentic hardwood flavor to food but are costly.