Different Types of Grills

Outdoor cooking is a timeless tradition, where friends, family and neighbors would gather to enjoy each other's company and some really good food—there's nothing quite like the taste of a grilled steak, hot dog or burger enjoyed under a sky.

These days, there are so many different types of grills to choose from, and if you're unfamiliar with any of them, it can be tough to pick the right one for the job. We've summarized the most popular types of grills to compare and contrast the benefits, so you'll know you're making the right choice.

We've broken the grills down into three basic categories based on their fuel type: Gas, Charcoal and Electric. Within each of these three fuel types there are several different styles, so you're sure to find exactly what you need.

Gas Grill

Whether propane or natural gas, gas grills provide the convenience and affordability most of us are familiar with. Most gas grills are designed to run on a portable 5kg lpg tank, but there are also natural gas models that can be hooked up to a home gas line.

Benefits of a Gas Grill:

Convenience – Gas grills ignite quickly, heat up quickly and are ready to use quickly.

Affordable – Whether propane or natural gas, this fuel type burns efficiently and is typically cheaper to use than charcoal

Easy to Use – With simple control knobs, gas grills allow a wide range of temperatures with control right at your fingertips.

Versatile – Different types of gas grills include different features like side burners, rotisserie kits or outdoor storage to offer the utility to suit your needs.

Charcoal Grill

Charcoal grills are a classic, the original design for lovers of outdoor cooking. These grills burn charcoal briquettes, natural hardwood, wood chips or some combination of the three in order to produce the familiar smoky flavor we all love from good BBQ.

Benefits of a Charcoal Grill:

Flavor – The classic smoky taste and aroma produced when using a charcoal grill is unmatched by any other fuel type, and different types of charcoal and wood can provide wide ranges of flavors.

Versatility – With innovations to classic models, charcoal grills offer added versatility for both grilling and smoking.

Natural – Use natural hardwood lump charcoal to ensure a natural cooking process with no additives or chemicals for clean, delicious BBQ.

Electric Grill

Generally compact in design and sleek in appearance, electric grills (like the tabletop model from Weber) run on electricity to provide a high heat, low maintenance alternative to gas and charcoal. Electric grills are great for circumstances where a traditional grill may be difficult or dangerous to use, such as a small space or in high winds.