Learn about the different types of grills available and how they compare.
The aroma of chicken, vegetables, and hamburgers tossed on metal tines is unsurpassed.
It becomes even more thrilling when you light a grill outside and enjoy the lovely weather with warm air and sunshine.
If you want to grill some food, you might wonder which grill is best for you.
You could feel overwhelmed and perplexed when choosing one type, given the variety available.
We’ve compiled a list that emphasizes the benefits and drawbacks of each type of grill and the distinctions between them to assist you in choosing the grill that best meets your needs.
There are dozens, if not hundreds, of different grills around the globe, and they may all be categorized in various ways.
For example, charcoal grills, wood-burning grills, and gas grills might all be grouped based on fuel.
You could arrange them according to their origins, like the South American or Southeast Asian grills.
However, from a griller’s perspective, the most useful method is determined by how the fire is set up and where you will place the food to cook.
This sets the temperature and rate of grilling for the dish. Your ability to regulate and understand these factors will greatly influence your success as a grill master.
Here are some of the different types of grills.
1. Charcoal Grills
The first grill that comes to mind when you think about barbecue grills is a charcoal grill.
It is the most conventional kind and uses charcoal briquettes and an ignition source like lighter fluid.
The typical smokey flavor that elevates the meal’s aroma is the primary fascination with charcoal grills.
They can be converted into vintage improvised smokers and are distinguished by their high-heat cooking methods.
The substantial fuel consumption of charcoal barbecues is a problem. When having lengthy cookouts, you could become frustrated by how rapidly you exhaust your supply of charcoal.
As a general guideline, you should always keep additional charcoal on hand. However, you will learn grilling skills over time, allowing you to cook effectively and use less fuel.
2. Standard Charcoal Grills
Standard charcoal grills have a rectangular form and several heat zones, so you can cook various foods simultaneously.
This type of grill has cast-iron grates that provide excellent searing and durability.
It is available in a box or barrel shape and is made of stronger gauge metal to provide a tight seal.
One can argue that a standard charcoal barbecue is too large for a few kebabs, steaks, or hamburgers.
However, they’re a great option if you require a larger cooking surface. This is one of the different types of grills.
3. Charcoal Kettle Grills
One of the most well-known varieties of charcoal barbecues is the kettle grill.
They are basic kettle-shaped appliances that only have a rounded bottom, a secure, detachable lid, a stand, and grill grates.
Charcoal is placed at the bottom of the grill to ensure a uniform airflow over the coals and allow ash and other cooking waste to fall freely away from the heat source. It is raised on a little grate.
This is one of the different types of grills; portability is one of its key advantages.
Grills for kettles are normally composed of metal and are just slightly heavy.
Although they exist in various sizes, they are usually portable and use less charcoal than other fuel types.
4. Kamado Grills
The kamado grill has substantially increased in popularity during the past ten years. A kamado grill is a more advanced variation of a charcoal barbecue.
It is sometimes referred to as an egg grill or a ceramic smoker. Although it has a more elongated, egg-like shape than a kettle grill, it performs the same functions.
Kamado grills are substantially heavier than kettle grills because they are often built of a thicker ceramic substance.
The ceramic material is ideal for year-round BBQ primary grills since it can maintain temperatures under challenging situations.
These grills can weigh anywhere from 150 to 500 pounds depending on size.
Although little adjustments in a kamado grill can cause big temperature changes, the airflow regulation and temperature controls work similarly to those in kettle grills. This is a result of its thermal bulk and designed design.
Due to the grill’s weight and thickness, its heavy-duty, spring-loaded hinges that secure the lid to its base prevent it from being removed. This is one of the different types of grills.
Furthermore, the kamado grill uses hardwood lump charcoal as a heat source, which creates less ash than manufactured charcoal briquettes.
This hardwood lump charcoal is regarded by many as having the greatest flavor.
Once the coal is in place and you are ready, the kamado grill will pre-heat for around 45 minutes to bring the walls to your chosen temperature.
5. Propane Grills
Propane gas, used in propane barbecues, has a higher energy content than natural gas.
They provide significant power and heat up quickly, promising a far more effective grilling and barbecuing procedure.
They offer various cooking options, including indirect heating and cooking in various zones, and they are also simple to use.
The grill will begin heating up as soon as the dial is turned. However, although propane gas can be more expensive than natural gas, there is rarely a shortage, so you don’t need to worry.
Especially compared to charcoal grills, propane grills are simpler to clean. This is one of the different types of grills.
6. Natural Gas Grills
Natural gas grills are identical to propane barbecues, with a few trade-offs. They use natural gas, of course, and have several advantages over propane grills in terms of efficiency and ease.
The BTUs may be lost in the winter when tanks become chilly. The unit of measurement used to calculate how much work is needed to heat one lb. of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit is called a BTU (British Thermal Unit).
However, this is not a problem with natural gas grills because the decrease in BTUs turns the propane from a liquid to a gaseous form.
Grills using natural gas also burn fuel quite efficiently. You may use a natural gas barbecue for long cookouts without refilling.
Contrary to popular belief, charcoal, and propane grills require refilling when fuel supplies run out. However, the primary issue with a natural gas grill is that once it is placed, it will be there.
7. Infrared Grills
Despite their futuristic-sounding name, infrared grills use traditional grilling methods dating back to the 1980s.
It uses a radiant heat source instead of hot rising air to cook food. Infrared grills require less time to heat up and cook the food quickly, thoroughly, and uniformly while preventing flare-ups.
Some infrared grills have infrared burners. However, the majority have electric burners. Infrared grills produce too much heat to grill fish or vegetables, but they are perfect for cooking thick cuts of meat.
Infrared grills are the ideal choice for foods that must be cooked quickly at a high temperature.
Additionally, these barbecues save the effort of managing charcoal or wood chips; cleaning them is a breeze. This is one of the different types of grills.
8. Dual Fuel/Hybrid Barbecue Grills
Dual fuel or hybrid grills have the same appearance as gas barbecues but also have the appealing smokiness of charcoal. These grills resolve the numerous issues with charcoal-only grills.
The gas starter in these grills works exceptionally well to heat the charcoal and keep it burning, eliminating the unpredictability of attempting to light and manage charcoal briquettes.
So, with these barbecues, grilling is made simple without sacrificing the smoky aroma of charcoal. This is one of the different types of grills.
9. Pellet Grills
A pellet grill combines the best aspects of a grill with a smoker, providing two outstanding cooking capabilities.
Due to its practicality and flavor, it has developed into a popular grilling item in the last five years. It consists of food-grade wooden pellets inserted into a burn pot using a grill from a hopper.
The burn pot and thermostat on the grill use electricity to maintain the temperature within a few degrees of what you set it to.
You don’t need to worry too much about setting up an electronic thermostat because it regulates the temperature and keeps it within the specified range.
Pellet grills offer convenience by avoiding the necessity for frequent checking on foods like ribs, pig roasts, and briskets that demand longer cook times.
It’s a wrong choice for outdoor use because it uses electricity and needs to be connected to a power source the entire time it’s used.
Furthermore, it’s a common misconception that pellet barbecues don’t brown meat, unlike other grills.
However, some vendors have changed how people view them by developing meals with incredible grill and char markings.
10. Portable Barbecue Grills
Many of us are concerned with grills’ mobility and functionality. Some active fans prioritize mobility above all else when choosing a barbecue.
Even though most barbecues are heavy, several excellent portable grill options are on the market.
Grills are no longer necessary to leave behind while going camping, tailgating, or to the beach.
These grills have a variety of heat sources, including charcoal and gas.
However, due to their modest architecture, they cannot prepare huge portions of meat or accommodate large gatherings.
