Great Outdoor Grills for Every Type of Cookout, According to BBQ Experts
We got the inside scoop on the best charcoal, propane, and portable grills to help you cook outside like a pro all summer long.
Published on 7/2/2020 at 10:17 AM
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We independently source all of the awesome products and experiences that we feature on Thrillist. If you buy or book from the links on our site, we may receive an affiliate commission — which in turn supports our work.If someone ever tells you that grilling isn't for everyone, that person is simply wrong and is not to be trusted. The modest grill is one of the easiest ways to cook up delicious meats, veggies, side dishes, and even things like eggs -- and has been for centuries.
I've been grilling nearly 15 years now -- nothing too elaborate, but grilling nevertheless. But in no way would I label myself an expert. In lieu of this jarring realization, I knew that if I wanted to dutifully tell you all where to begin with grilling, I'd need to bring in the big guns.
So that's exactly what I did. I spoke with grill experts Jonathan Fox (of the indomitable Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q), Elizabeth Karmel (founding chef of Hill Country BBQ & the original Grill Girl), and Ryan Mitchell (renowned pitmaster and BBQ sauce scientist) and got the inside scoop on the best charcoal, propane, and portable grills for your summer barbecuing needs. Weber, perhaps not so surprisingly, was a top contender for both charcoal grilling and gas grilling -- and you don't have to shell out thousands (or even hundreds) of dollars for a good one.
I also had to ask them something that's been on my mind -- and the minds of many a weekend warrior: If you had to choose one pro-grade grill for your home, the Original PK or a Traeger, what would you pick, and why?THRILLIST | EMILY CARPENTERThe Best Charcoal Grills for Your Backyard BBQIf there was one grill everyone agreed on, it was the Classic Weber Kettle. This is likely what you're using to grill right now and is one of the most iconic backyard grills ever made. Fox told me the Kettle is his favorite because of its versatility as a grill and a smoker. Mitchell waxed nostalgic about it, "Not many grills have more memories than the old Weber Kettle. This is grill 101. Quite honestly, the memory maker of backyard BBQ. No intimidating complicated features. Light the coals, load the meat, and figure the rest out as you go."
But, of course, other charcoal grills exist and deserve their time to shine -- quite literally in the sun. Mitchell is hyped about the Char-Griller Outlaw. "We’ve been hosting quarantine smoke outs at home since the pandemic. This smoker has been impressive for all sizes of family gatherings. And we’re just partial to barrel grills anyway,” he said. “It gives us that mini hog smoker look and good capacity. And this one is sturdy enough to handle the heat. I was particularly impressed with the sturdy, removable cast iron grates."
Karmel told me she loves the Weber Summit Charcoal Grill, noting that "it has a generous 24-inch diameter which means that you can grill steaks for a crowd or slow-smoke a whole brisket with ease -- without having to cut the brisket in half to fit on the cooking grate. And the double-wall insulation makes the heat consistent."
Fox also likes the PK Grill & Smoker, a simple yet lauded grill and smoker constructed out of cast aluminum, but reiterated that for price/volume, the Weber Kettle is the deal. But if money is no object and you're looking to get serious about your backyard cooking, Fox tells me the "Big Green Egg is a solid choice for a ceramic smoker/grill." If the price of the BGE has you shook Wayfair has a ton of budget-friendly deals on similar Kamado grills.THRILLIST | EMILY CARPENTERThe Best Propane Grills for Everyday Grilling"Taste the meat, not the heat." - Hank Hill
Propane grills are by far the fastest and easiest way to cook outdoors. Twist the knob on the tank, hit the starter, and voila. Fire. However, most expert grillers stick with charcoal and wood for the added flavor. That isn't to say they aren't fans of the clean, efficient propane methods, though.
“I love my Weber Summit Grill,” said Karmel “The best thing about these grills is that they are engineered to cook with even heat, which is rarer than you think. Many gas grills have hot and cold spots and it is difficult to cook without having to turn your food. They also have heavy cooking grates that deliver great grill marks and the flavorizer bars maximize the smoky flavor while minimizing the flare-ups." For something a little less expensive, check out Weber's Spirit Series.
Fox echoes Karmel, saying "The quality of the build is durable and top-notch. And it's quick to heat up on a weeknight when we have little time to fire up the charcoal grill." You can find a whole lot of Weber Summit & Weber Genesis gas grills here. For Mitchell, The Fuego Professional F24C is the move. "I got this as a gift earlier this year and honestly it’s been absolutely amazing. I couldn’t believe how quickly it got hot and the footprint is incredibly efficient on the patio,” he said. “The cooking surface is top notch. It'll cook anything from pizza to steaks and chicken. You can turn any patio into a professional kitchen in minutes and it makes 5-star meals."