Buying Guide: 12 Grills For Every Backyard Scene
As the weather warms up in most parts of the country, the clock starts ticking on outdoor grilling season. This means one thing: If you don't already have a beautiful hunk of metal in your yard (or on your fire escape), it's time to find the grill that's right for you. This guide, covering 12 grills for 12 grilling personalities, might just help.
1. The Urban Dweller [electric]
Maybe your vision of The Great Outdoors is limited to a rusty fire escape or pint-sized patio. This is more certainly OK with the electric Weber Q 1400. Its surface area is large enough to cook up to four steaks, and there is never a need to tend to coals. Naysayers say that fire-free cooking leaves certain flavors to be desired, but a smoking gun will solve the problem in a flash. $249, weber.com
2. The Caveman [charcoal]
Modeled after the kamado, an ancient Japanese cooking vessel, the extra-large Big Green Egg is ideal for smoking and cooking Flintstone-sized racks of ribs over coals. Ceramic construction provides excellent heat retention, and a cast iron cooking grate leaves perfect cross hatch marks on your meat. It's pricey, but grill aficionados swear that this unit will unleash your inner BBQ beast. approximately $1,000, biggreenegg.com
3. The Tailgater [gas]
The king of cookouts requires two things in a grill: portability and enough workspace to feed a small army of game-goers. The Brinkmann Tailgate fits that bill. The gas unit pumps out 48,000 BTUs—enough to heat an ample 496 square inches of grill space—and its collapsible construction allows you to set-up and break down with ease. $299, basspro.com
4. The College Kid [electric]
Even the young and the hopeless can channel their inner gourmet chef with the Cuisinart Griddler. This plug-in, counter-top model doesn't provide the same primal feel of cooking with fire, but it does a perfectly acceptable job of grilling burgers, steaks, and fish—all while sparing you the sweat or smoke. $99, cuisinart.com
5. The Food Serious [charcoal]
Designed for Japanese yakitori (meat on sticks) this small tabletop unit by Korin is an exotic alternative to a standard, clunky charcoal grill. A tightly meshed grill grate adds extra caramelization (read: flavor) to your meat's surface area, while its minimalist shape will satisfy your inner design snob. A hundred dollar bag of Japanese charcoal is optional, but adds to the highbrow mood of cooking with this device. $169, korin.com
6. The People Pleaser [charcoal, gas]
Avoid any debate over the superiority of gas versus charcoal with the Char-Griller Duo. Fire up the charcoal half for low and slow heat—perfect for ribs—and employ the propane side for searing meat at higher temperatures. Add the side fire box (sold separately) for smoking your meat, and you have a complete, all-in-one dream machine. $299, lowes.com
7. The Rich Guy [gas]
The luxury of a large and lovely yard requires a cooking unit to match. The Luxor 42" Freestanding Grill is a handsome, all-stainless steel gas grill with over 1,000 square inches of cooking space. Use the smoker box to add depth of flavor to brisket and ribs, or skewer chicken and legs of lamb on the mechanical rotisserie and let your dinner cook itself. $5,549, bbqguys.com
8. The Highbrow Homesteader [wood-fired]
Hunting animals and splitting logs may be a primal pastime, but preparing one's catch should be a more civilized affair. The Grillworks 36 Asador Heavy Duty Rotisserie is an ideal solution for the 21st century hunter-gatherer. It's the Cadillac of grills—sturdy, timeless, and built to last. An adjustable rotisserie spit can spin up to 80 pounds of protein at a time, and a hefty stainless steel body can handle wear and tear better than the competition. However, given the price, we suggest that you have a serious passion for pig roasts before committing to the purchase. $7,375, grillery.com
9. The Aspiring Pitmaster [wood-fired]
The Memphis Pro multi-purpose outdoor grill could keep a cook busy all summer long. Fueled by hardwood BBQ pellets, it can grill, bake, roast, and smoke. A single push of a button can produce a rack of ribs one minute and a tray of cookies the next. It's a great pick for barbecue aficionados who want to experiment with recipes without having to buy a grill and smoker separately. $2,749, williams-sonoma.com
10. The Starter Home Owner [gas]
Consider the Minden Master a grill that Goldilocks would love. It's not nearly as small or cheap as a picnic grill, but it's also far less ostentatious than the built-in monstrosities found in the backyards of McMansions; it's just right. This compact and colorful unit is a nice fit for a small family with limited outdoor space. An attached prep surface and 1,000 square inches of cooking space are ample enough to make dinner for four. $449, outdora.com
11. The Brand Name Guy [gas]
George Foreman may be a two-time boxing Heavyweight Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist, but he might be better known to today's generation for his eponymous fat-reducing grills, which have sold over 100 million units. This 15-serving gas grill is suitable for both indoor and outdoor usage and its small size and high-domed lid make it ideal for convection-type patio grilling. $129, georgeforemancooking.com
12. The High-Tech Guy [hybrid]
"Look how cool this is." "Just see what happens when you press that button." Yeah, we all have that friend. Claiming to have created the first, best and only true hybrid grill design, Kalamazoo makes devices built for a pretty badass grilling experience (be sure to check out their pizza ovens, too). Cook with gas, charcoal or wood on the K500HT Freestanding Grill and wow your buddies with your knowledge of its advanced heating dynamics, which include additional space within the grill that facilitates a convection effect for roasting and smoking. Their grills come built-in, as well. $11,795, kalamazoogourmet.com
Try out these Grilling Month recipes on Food Republic: