Grills make it so simple to create great food. They’re a sociable and convenient way to provide cuisine for get-togethers with family or friends, but they can be a fabulous alternative for everyday meals as well. Cooking this way can give food a taste boost, turning staples into something special. Take a look at the best grills around in our guide.
Blackstone 1554 outdoor griddle station
Easy to position
This restaurant-grade griddle lets you grill for a crowd with this propane-fueled design that features a 36-inch flat top and four burners. The burners offer low to high temperature settings to cook and keep food warm before serving.
Pros:
- Even heating and cooking
- Four individual heating units
- Large cooking area
Cons:
- No utensil storing
As you cook, the Blackstone grill collects grease in the back, so it's out of the way as you cook. It has four wheels that make this grill easy to move around your yard. Two of these are lockable. It runs using a 20-pound propane fuel tank and has tank storage to hold it tightly in place and out of your way. There are tables on either side of the grill to hold utensils and serving trays. It is missing hooks for storing cooking utensils or even a magnetic strip. Also, because this is a griddle you won’t get the legendary char marks that comes from cooking directly on a grill.
Cuisinart CCG190RB portable charcoal grill
Take it anywhere
This Cuisinart grill weighs just 2 pounds and will easily fit into the trunk of your car for cookouts at the beach or the park. The grate has 150 square inches of space for preparing four to six burgers at once.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Portable
- Dual vents
Cons:
- Not side tables
- Grill grate doesn’t fit securely
There’s an ash catcher to make clean-up easy and three lid locks for safe transporting. There are two vents in the lid to help you control the internal temperature of the grill. The grill is made from a steel alloy and coated with an enamel finish to protect it from rusting. There have been complaints about the top grate not fitting securely inside of the firebox. Also, because this grill is designed to sit on a table there aren’t side tables or utensil holders.
Weber Original Kettle grill
Good smoky taste
The Weber Original Kettle grill is deep to hold plenty of charcoal or wood chips to give your food the perfect, smoky taste. It easily holds up to 13 burgers at once and features an easy cleaning system for removing and disposing of ashes.
Pros:
- Won’t rust or corrode
- Hold 13 burgers
- Easy cleanup
Cons:
- No side tables or storage spaces
The entire lid and bowl are made from alloy steel, so everything heats up evenly and keeps it hot inside. It is coated with an enamel finish to prevent rust and corrosion. There is a vent in the lid for helping you increase or decrease the internal temperature and wheels on the stand to position it where you need it. There aren’t any side tables, nor is there any place to store or hold cooking utensils.
Char-Broil 463377319 Performance gas grill
Good looking
This stainless steel liquid propane Char-Broil grill offers four burners with a push-button electric ignition. There are four burners including a side burner with a lid. It also has a warming rack that runs the length of the grill.
Pros:
- Non-stick grates
- Four burners
- Push-button start
Cons:
- A little flimsy
- Assembly required
The porcelain-coated cast-iron grates resist rust and help prevent food from sticking. This grill uses a standard 20-pound propane tank and comes with a hose and regulator. It isn’t the most sturdy grill. There is a weight limit to what the shelves and side tables will hold. The maximum recommended weight is 10 pounds, but many users indicate it is much less than this. Also, you will be required to assemble this grill before using it, and it does come with several pieces.
Kamado Joe KJ15040921 Classic III charcoal grill
Multilevel cooking
This 18-inch ceramic grill both barbecues and smokes so you can create your favorite flavors. The multilevel grill allows you to cook different foods at different temperatures simultaneously. It comes with a galvanized steel rolling cart for easy positioning, which is helpful since this grill weighs an impressive 286 pounds.
Pros:
- Barbecue and smoker
- Three-level grate
- Some utensils are included
Cons:
- Expensive
- Heavy
On either side of this kamado grill are tables for holding tools and serving platers. There are hooks for hanging utensils and the accessories that come with this grill, including a stoker. There is a pressure and temperature gauge on the lid as well as a vent to help you control the temperature inside. The only real downside of this grill is that it is much more expensive than most other grills we evaluated.
Our verdict
Why you can trust Gardeningetc Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Gather everyone around for a cookout and provide a meal grilled meat and fish fans (as well as vegetarians) will relish. The Blackstone 1554 outdoor griddle station has a sizeable 36-inch flat top to help you easily fill plates. It’s also simple to move around with four caster wheels, two of which lock.
If you’ve fallen for the idea of a kamado-style grill this time around, take a look at the Kamado Joe KJ15040921 Classic III charcoal grill. It can be transformed into a smoker and be used for searing and grilling. Want to barbecue away from home? The Cuisinart CCG190RB portable charcoal grill is light, easy to put in the car, and can cook enough for a couple or a small family.
Why trust us?
At GardeningEtc, we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously — testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible.
