Best Grills of 2021 – Complete Review

A barbecue is perhaps one of the oldest traditions man has ever known. Today, with so many options, choosing the perfect grill would be a wild and enduring search.

From traditional charcoal to modern-day gas grills, there are just too many to choose from.

For your convenience, we have searched the ends of the web to find you the best of the best. In search of the ultimate grill? Take a look at our fine selection.

Comparison of the Best Grills

Are All Grills The Same?

All grills are not made equal, and there are quite a few obvious differences between the different makes of grills available.

Size

This is one of the most notable differences between the grills out there available for the home cook. It is mostly meant that the cooking space of one grill is larger than that of another grill.

Burners

All gas and fuel grills make use of burners to carry the heat to your food for a quick heating up. They also come in a variety of styles, and they may have a different quantity of burners for larger and smaller grills.

Fuel

Not all grills use the same type of fuel to produce heat for the cooking of your food. Some grills may use electricity to produce the heat for cooking and are for indoor use mostly.

Other grills make use of charcoal or wood pellets to be burned to produce the heat to cook the food. Then there are the ones that use gas for cooking the food also in many different cooking methods.

Some gas and electric grills also make use of infrared technology to create heat for cooking.

What to Look For When Buying a Grill

Here are a few things to look for when you want to buy a grill.

Price

Most of the time, it is the more pricey grills that are of the best quality and have the most features. So it is essential to decide what you want from the grill before you fork out the money for it.

Fuel

This is one of the main factors to look into when you are out buying a grill for home and camping use. Electrical grills will always need an electric outlet for it to be able to work, and that makes them not very portable.

Charcoal grills, as well as pellet grills, are very easy to carry around and take with you on a camping trip. The charcoal grill is the easiest and the cheapest of this type of grill, and they are very portable.

Grills that work with gas or propane are also portable, but you still need to carry propane or other fuel tanks along. These types of grills also have the most features to them and come with lots of extras.

Size

The size of the grill is also a factor, and it depends on the number of people you want to cook for.

Review of the Best Grills

This review will compare and show the differences between a couple of good grills for home use that are available.

Types of Grills

There are several types of grills available on the market. Choosing which to support is not the easiest thing to do. There are plenty of benefits and negative points for each type. Determining the best that suits your needs would require a little investigation.

Charcoal Grills

The original idea of the grill in its earliest form. The most common fuel for charcoal grills is briquettes or coal lumps. The preparation and time-consuming method of grilling is the greatest known difficulty. It is still considered the most affordable and entertaining of all. 

Electric Grills

Electric grills would make use of heating devices such as elements to cook the meat. The most significant benefit is that it is both convenient and quick. One has precise control of the heat, and it is fueled by the cheapest source. However, cooking the perfect flavor requires painstaking practice.

Gas Grills

The control can be precision handled, and it cooks in half the time of traditional grills. Mastering the flavoring poses some difficulty, but with enough practice, it will become easier. Gas grills are ideal for indoor and outdoor grilling, and the fuel source is affordable and sustainable.

Pellet Grill

Instead of burning coal, pellet grills burn up pellets of pressed wood, often soaked in water or vegetable oil. The pellets are stored and burned in a firebox placed at the bottom of the grill. In general, pellets have varieties to choose from. Pellet grills are rich in flavor and can cook at sheering temperatures. 

Propane Grill

Propane gas is an alternative to Natural gas grills. It works and is designed in mostly the same way as other gas grills. The only components that need changing are the burners and regulators. Propane is, however, the more efficient fuel.

Types of Grill Grates

Choosing the proper grate, available in plenty of variations, is very important. After all, even with the fire, you need a surface to grill on. A grate or grid that evenly distributes the heat is the most ideal. The best surfaces are made of stainless steel, porcelain-coated metals, or cast iron.

Stainless Steel vs.Cast Iron

Of all the materials, stainless-steel is considered the best choice. It is the longest-lasting, can endure high heat, is easy to clean, and regulates temperature brilliantly. Overall, stainless-steel is the better choice but is produced under high costs. 

However, it is well worth it. Cast iron is a very effective choice, and due to both availability and cost efficiency is the mass choice. Cast iron is traditional to use and the safest option, since it distributes heat evenly and can endure high temperatures. But it will not last as long as stainless-steel options. Cast iron should also be treated against rusting.

Stainless Steel vs. Porcelain Coated Grill Grates

The next best choice, second to stainless-steel, would be porcelain coated grids. Grates made from metals like cast iron can be improved by coating it with porcelain. In fact, the best choice among coated metals is cast iron. 

Stainless steel variations are available but are more expensive and not suitable for searing. The endurance, as well as the evenness of the heat spreading, is improved with a porcelain coating. Note that it is more expensive than traditional cast iron.

Popular Grill Brands

Searching the web for the finest grills, we have come upon several names and brands. All of them are the top producers and manufacturers, leading the industry with their products and innovation. Take a look at what is considered the people’s favorite brands.

Green Mountain Grills

Green Mountain Grills are driven by their love for the barbecue. With passion in mind, and in search of the finest flavoring, Green Mountain develops pellet grills. Their grills are extremely popular and made with intricate care. Their love for the barbecue is clearly expressed in their products.

Camp Chef Grills

Inspired by the needs of outdoor adventurers and campers, Camp Chef created its first line of products in 1990. Since then, they have innovated and advanced the barbecue, creating a legend still spread among campers. Their grills are designed to meet the needs of every barbecue chef.

Z Grill

Z Grill takes pride in creating the wildest dreams of both customers and employees. Z Grill is considered among the leaders of modern manufacturers. They produce the next generation of pellet grills that are ideal for the barbecue or regular use. Z Grill aims to please its customers with every creation.

Traeger Grills

Traeger Grills are made with the intent to save time, money, and effort. It is made with the initial vision to focus more on the preparation of the food than tending to the grill. With that in mind, their first grills were introduced to the market.

Napoleon Grills

Napoleon Grills is one of the more exquisite brands on the market. Their vision is to inspire the good memories of the barbecue by innovating and advancing the comforts of the grill. Their products have been rewarded with plenty of trophies and are of the highest standards.

Weber

No list is without the original creation, the Weber grill. Previously known as Weber-Stephen, it was one of the first mass-produced grills to appear on the market. To this day, Weber continues to innovate and advance the grill.

Char-Broil Grills

Char-Broil is a division of W. C. Bradley Company that manufactures all kinds of grills. They are a trusted brand, driven to deliver performance. They have been innovating the grill since day one, and their products have driven the demands of the people.

Cuisinart Grills

Cuisinart is an American company owned by Conair Corporation. Cuisinart develops special appliances for the kitchen, aiming to produce top quality. They design and make some of the world’s best grills and fryers and other appliances. They are driven by culinary expertise and intend to spread the art of grilling.

Comparison vs. Snapshot

If you need more info to see what makes a certain grill a better option than another, here, you’ll get that. We’ll discuss the different features, and you can decide which is best for your needs.

Charcoal vs. Gas Grills

The argument is widely diverse. It all comes down to personal preferences. However, if the authenticity of a barbecue taste is not as desired, the efficiency of gas is very appealing. With a gas grill, it is easier to accommodate larger groups and functions.

Electric vs. Gas Grills

Electric grills are very versatile and can be minutely controlled. They are also safer than gas and work with a more convenient heat source. However, at a campsite, the electric grill would be impractical. Unless you have a generator, leave it behind and bring the gas along.

Griddle vs. Grill

Preferences between griddle and grill would be a personal decision. It is widely argued but yet to be settled which is best. A griddle offers a flat, even surface for cooking, which is very effective. It does, however, eliminate authenticity by reducing the smoking and the grilled char lines.

Propane vs. Natural Gas

Propane is by far the more practical choice. If you have a natural gas pipeline feed, you are free to grill. You should know, though, that propane is the more efficient fuel. Propane delivers better BTUs than Natural Gas, and it consumes less volume per hour too.

Smoker vs. Grill

Smokers are unique ways of experimenting with the finer tastes of grilling. It adds plenty of flavors and offers an abundance of exotic tastes. If you prefer the plain old traditional, then grilling is the better option. If, however, you need a little extra spice, try experimenting with different smoking techniques. 

Pellet Grill vs. Propane

Propane is the outdoor dweller’s budget favorite. However, for the connoisseur of the barbecue, experimenting with all the pellet flavors is a must-have. Both are ideal for outdoor use, but pellets are more expensive fuel. If you would rather have the grill and keep your wallet, go for propane.

Green Mountain Grill vs. Traeger

Green Mountain Grills are known to be the more affordable option than Traeger. However, if a broader selection with better, modern innovation is your preference, Traeger is the ideal option. If on a budget, though, and looking for a close competitor to Traeger, try Green Mountain.

Camp Chef Pellet Grill vs. Traeger

Between Camp Chef and Traeger, the first is the most expensive of the two. However, the design and intentions of each manufacturer vary. Camp Chef offers a variety of grills and Traeger only pellet grills. Traeger is the leading competitor on the pellet front, but Camp Chef has plenty to choose from.

Z Grill vs. Treager

Both names are respected among the grilling communities, but Traeger still stands out against Z-Grill. Although Z-grill is more affordable, it is not fully competing with Traeger’s leading models. Compared to Traeger, it leaves plenty wanting, but at least you save a bit of money.

Napoleon Grill vs. Weber

Napoleon is undoubtedly the more refined brand but is, as of yet, not as recognized as Traeger. Napoleon Grills mostly manufacture gas grills, and if you wish to compare the diversity, it will come down to personal preference. Napoleon, though, is the more expensive brand.

Kitchenaid Grill vs. Weber

Weber has been in the grilling business for years, whereas Kitchenaid had only recently expanded to the backyard. Of course, there is a significant price difference, but with Weber, the money is properly invested. If Weber is a little out of reach, then Kitchenaid is a wonderful alternative.

How to Clean a Grill

Cleaning your grill is an essential task. Not only will it promote good hygiene, but will preserve the taste of your food. Often the burned on char can warp the flavors of the meals you are preparing. Depending on what kind of grill you have, the cleaning process would be different. Note a few things. Electric grills should never be submerged in water. 

Cast iron parts should be washed carefully and coated with cooking oil when dry to prevent rusting. The first step would usually be to remove the grate or grill. Soak it in water and scrub with soap until all dirt and char are removed. 

Follow up by cleaning out the ashes. On gas grills, this would require removing the heat shield or briquette rack. Then clean the inside of the grill with a grill cleaner. This can be done with the aid of a wire brush or something similar. 

Once done with the cleaning, assemble the grill and coat the cast iron with cooking oil to let it air dry. Next time you use the grill, fire it up for five minutes to burn away any washing residues. Plain and easy, if you need a visual aid, watch the video provided here.

What Do I Need To Know Before Buying?

When buying a grill, you should obviously keep in mind what your specific needs will be. That will affect what product you end up buying. There are several considerations to remember.

Gas or Charcoal

You should decide whether you want to have a gas grill or a charcoal grill. Charcoal grills will give more flavor to the food that you prepare thanks to the smoke. On the other hand, gas grills are more efficient. 

You’ll buy a propane tank and save on buying charcoal. Take a good look at the grill, though. Some gas options do attempt to give your food that popular smoky taste. A charcoal grill may also take longer to clean, but a good one will heat up quicker.

How Often Will You Use it?

This question will influence how much you spend on a grill. If you will be using it very often, you’ll want to spend some money. If you’re only going to use it occasionally, there’s no point in splurging too much. You also have to make sure you have the right space to store your grill properly. By storing it properly, you’ll extend the grill’s lifetime.

Extra options

Your budget will determine this. Can you afford all those extras if you don’t really need them?

Conclusion

You’ve been given a lot of information to work with. You know all the useful features that a proper grill has, and what some lack. You also know what you can do with the grills reviewed here. From here, you can make an informed choice and choose the grill that suits your needs.

People Also Ask

You may still have some questions about things that aren’t quite as clear yet. Let’s take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions. Perhaps you’ll find your answer and learn something new.

Is Grilling Bad For You?

This depends on how you grill. Grilled meat is tasty and contains less fat and calories, in general. It has been found that sugarless marinade will help reduce heterocyclic aromatic amine (HAA) formation. These are linked to cancer. Also, be careful not to char your meat too much, as this causes the formation of HAAs.

Is Grilling Carcinogenic?

As discussed above, grilling meat can cause 2 types of carcinogens: heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. PAHs are formed when fat drips from the meat into the flames. The chemicals cling to the meat. You can help prevent the formation of these carcinogens by using a marinade without too much sugar.

Are Gas Grills Safe?

Some risks go with using a grill, as with anything that uses fire. In general, gas grills do not burn as hot as charcoal. However, they can explode if they get too hot. If there is a gas buildup, there can also be an explosion.

What is the Difference Between Grilling and Barbecuing?

There is actually a difference between the two, although many people confuse the terms. When you barbecue, the lid of the griller is closed. The food is cooked with hot air. Grilling is about direct contact with the heat, with the lid up.

What’s a Good Grilling Temp?

For the best results, you would want your grilling temperatures to be something around 200°F and 450°F. Anything lower won’t kill bacteria and could cause problems. For low heat, go with 250°F - 300°F, for medium, go to 300°F - 350°F and for high heat, go all the way to 350°F -400°F.