Best Grills
In order to make sure that you get the best out of the summer season, you need a grill, and not just one for the outdoors, as all of us aren’t blessed with spacious backyards or patios. So, my research led me to find the best grills for outdoor and even indoor use. Go ahead and choose whichever appeals to you the most so you can enjoy the summer with smoky, hot and delicious food with your family.
Our Best Grills In 2020
PRODUCT |
FUEL TYPE |
BEST FOR |
HIGHLIGHTED FEATURES |
|
Electric | Best Overall | · Temperature control probe
· Non-Stick coating · Removable grill plate · Fat removing slope · Dishwasher safe drip tray · Removable stand |
|
Propane | Best for Outdoor | · 4 solid stainless steel burners
· Electric push-button igniter · 4 caster wheels · 2 cantilevered shelves · Folding legs |
|
Charcoal | Best Budget Pick | · Porcelain-on-steel finish
· Nickel-plated steel grate · Aluminum dampers · Glass-reinforced nylon handle · 3 aluminum legs · Aluminum ash catcher |
|
Charcoal | Best For Tailgating | · Porcelain-enameled lid
· Precision heat control · One-Touch cleaning system · Heat shield for handle · Angled lid hook · Durable wheels |
1. George Foreman Electric GFO240S
Highlighted Features
- Temperature control probe
- Non-Stick coating
- Removable grill plate
- Fat removing slope
- Dishwasher-safe drip tray
- Removable stand
George Foreman Electric Grill not only serves the needs of your family but also helps in entertaining the guests quite efficiently with its diverse features. Indoor/outdoor cooking has never been so much fun!
Construction: The grill consists of a domed lid, non-stick coated grill, drip tray, removable stand, and plug-in temperature control probe.
Cooking surface: The spacious cooking surface lets you prepare 15 servings at a time. It is durable as it has a tough non-stick coating.
Energy efficiency: This grill doesn’t need any propane or charcoal as it runs on electricity. Hence, it is environmentally friendly.
Heating capability — uniform and high heat: The grill heats up fairly quickly and provides even heat while cooking. However, heat control is a bit difficult although a temperature probe is available. Plus, it also does not sear the meat that well.
Safe to use: It is pretty safe to use indoors or outdoors, but there is always a danger of flare-ups. So you need to be careful while cooking indoors.
Ease of usage, storage, and cleaning: It is pretty easy to use whether you want to cook a variety of stuff like meat, veggies, kabobs, and much more in outdoors/indoors. You get 15 servings at a time to comfortably manage a family dinner or a small gathering of friends. The domed lid helps to cook larger items. However, the lid doesn’t always remain fixed at its place and there is always a danger that it may fall down. With the temperature probe, you can adjust the heat to precisely cook the dishes you want by the simple dial provided on it.
You can take this compact grill anywhere you want as the stand is removable plus the grill isn’t that heavy. Moreover, you can store it comfortably by covering it with the lid. Cleaning is super easy too as the grate is non-stick so it does not require much elbow grease. The drip tray is dishwasher safe so you can place it in the dishwasher and clean it easily.
Pros
- For indoor/outdoor cooking
- Compact and portable
- Spacious cooking surface
- Cooks 15 servings at a time
- Temperature adjustment
- Easy to store
- Easy cleanup
Cons
- Be careful of the flareups
- Does not sear meat too well
- The lid does not remain fixed in place
2. Blackstone 1554 Outdoor Flat Top
Highlighted Features
- 4 solid stainless steel burners
- Electric push-button igniter
- 4 caster wheels
- 2 cantilevered shelves
- Folding legs
Blackstone Outdoor Flat Top gas grill griddle station has a stunning modernist appearance and attractive design that exhibits the comfort of cooking anything quite amicably.
Construction: Blackstone has sturdy construction with a black powder-coated steel frame, thick rolled steel surface, and 4 solid steel burners. Besides, it has pretty strong caster wheels made of industrial-strength steel, 2 cantilevered shelves, folding legs, and electric push-button igniter.
Cooking surface: The cooking surface is made of steel so it is long-lasting and durable. There are 4 burners that provide 4 adjustable heat settings to cook several items simultaneously at varying heat. The cooktop is so spacious that you can easily cater to the needs of many people if you are holding parties or any other catering event.
Energy efficiency: It uses propane gas as a fuel plus it does not have a cover so it may use a little more energy than a usual grill.
Heating capability — uniform and high heat: It uses electric ignition start to function and it has 4 burners, so you can cook for one person or several persons depending on your requirements. You can even turn on a single burner to cook food for yourself only. Plus, since the grill is provided with adjustable heat settings, you can vary the heat of all four burners to cook different types of food at different heats simultaneously.
Safe to use: It is pretty safe to use in the outdoors. Two of the wheels can be locked to secure the position of the grill. However, since it is using gas so you need to always be careful while cooking.
Ease of usage, storage, and cleaning: This propane grill is not for barbecuing only. You can use it for cooking anything for your breakfast, lunch, dinner or parties. Whether you want to sear a steak, cook chicken & fish or stir fry the vegetables, this griddle station would not disappoint you. Since the cooking surface is flat, all the flavor and juices are retained in the food you cook. However, with varying heat options, you can get the crisp factor on the food if you want. Portability is not an issue either due to 4 sturdy wheels that can take it anywhere you want.
For storage, the griddle top can be lifted off easily and put in the storage bag when you need to put it away. The legs can be folded easily for storage. Make sure that the griddle station is thoroughly cleaned and oiled before keeping it away for storage as it is essential for maintenance.
The drip tray is there for catching the grease & debris but some of the dripping slides down the legs. Plus, when you cook burgers or bacon, lots of crumbs clog the grease drip. It would be better to cut a hole in the drip tray so that the grease and debris reach the container rather than clogging the grease drip hole. Besides, it is easier to clean the cooktop while it is warm. You need to scrape off the loose material, scrub it, set it on high heat, rinse with water, and then wipe it clean. You should season it well, preferably with flax oil, before storing it.
Pros
- Durable cooking grate
- Spacious cooking area
- Adjustable heat settings
- Portable
- Retention of delicious flavor
- Safe to use
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Grease drip gets clogged
3. Weber 10020 Smokey Joe, Black
Highlighted Features
- Porcelain-on-steel finish
- Nickel-plated steel grate
- Aluminum dampers
- Glass-reinforced nylon handle
- 3 aluminum legs
Weber Smokey Joe is your most suitable buddy-time companion that would provide a perfect hangout opportunity with just a few of your intimate friends to spend a wonderful time together with delicious, barbecued cuisine.
Construction: The grill has the most powerful construction and it is quite well-built. It has an inside & out porcelain finish, nickel-plated steel cooking grate, porcelain-enameled lid, and glass-reinforced nylon handle. Plus, it has rust-resistant aluminum dampers, 3 aluminum legs, and an aluminum ash catcher
Cooking surface: The compact cooking surface is spacious enough to cook 5 burgers simultaneously. Besides, the steel grate is good at heat retention so you can cook your food evenly. However, while it is extremely efficient for cooking a single person’s meal, it does not maintain the performance if it is overloaded.
Energy efficiency: It runs on coal so it may not be the most environmentally-friendly option but it surely saves electricity. So, it can be said that it is energy-efficient since it does not use too much coal for cooking your food either.
Heating capability — uniform and high heat: Since the cooking grate is made of steel, it heats up quickly and provides even heat.
Safe to use: Pretty safe to use with air vents with dampers made of aluminum that are rust-resistant. Hence, there are no flare-ups so you can safely cook your food outdoors/indoors.
Ease of usage, storage, and cleaning: The grill is compact so you can take it anywhere for enjoying family time or a friends’ gathering. Hence, if it is a road trip that you are taking, or there is a beach party, picnic, or tailgating, Weber will make it the most memorable time for you. You need to add charcoal, light it up, cook meat on it, and get a wonderful, smoky flavor. The grill can accommodate 5 burgers at a time plus they are cooked perfectly. This little grill is perfect for cooking steaks, chops, vegetables, chicken, or small roasts.
Heat can be managed due to the dampers in the air vents that can be used to release extra heat, maintaining the temperature. Plus, there is a glass-reinforced handle for carrying the grill or covering it while cooking without scorching your hands. The lid is quite useful when transporting it but for cooking, it would not be an option as the heat is reduced when you place the lid on.
For the cleaning of charcoal, remove the used charcoal by spreading a newspaper on the grill and spilling the contents on the newspaper. Then roll out the newspaper and discard the used charcoal. For the grate, it is better to clean it while it is hot. Scrape off the loose material, scrub, rinse with water, season it, cover it with a lid, and then store it.
Pros
- Durable construction
- Sufficient cooking area
- Provides even heat
- Energy efficient
- Dampers for heat management
- Easy to use and transport
Cons
- It doesn’t maintain the performance if it is overloaded
4. Weber Original Kettle Premium, Black
Highlighted Features
- Porcelain-enameled lid
- Precision heat control
- One-Touch cleaning system
- Heat shield for handle
- Angled lid hook
- Durable wheels
Weber Original Kettle Premium is a classically-designed everyday grill that will give you perfect cuisine on a daily basis without much inconvenience.
Construction: The grill has a porcelain-enameled lid with an angled hook, grate that is made of plated steel, durable wheels, heat shield for the handle, and an ash catcher. Besides, it has a built-in thermometer, dampers for precision heat control, and a one-touch cleaning system.
Cooking surface: The cooking grate is made of plated steel and has the capacity to hold 13 burgers. Plus, the grate is hinged for easy addition of coal while grilling.
Energy efficiency: It uses a nominal amount of charcoal for cooking several dishes. It can become even better if you get a chimney as it ensures that you use a minimum amount of fuel for burning the coals.
Heating capability — uniform and high heat: The grill provides uniform heat so that the food is cooked evenly.
Safe to use: Though it is safe for use in any kind of weather, the heat guard has sharp edges that may be dangerous.
Ease of usage, storage, and cleaning: The grill has quite sufficient space for cooking the food and the lid helps in retaining the heat. Plus, the lid is sturdy as it is porcelain-coated and it would not rust either. There is a lid hook for hanging the lid instead of placing it on the floor. The built-in thermometer lets you know the temperature that is being maintained within the grill. The dampers in the air vents assist in managing the heat as well. The cooking grate can be easily lifted, even while cooking, to add coals.
It has a one-touch cleaning system so you can easily clean it by removing the ash-catcher that collects all the ash. The grate can be easily scrubbed and rinsed too. Besides, it is compact so it can be easily transported. The wheels can roll on any surface easily so it can be transported anywhere quite conveniently.
Pros
- Attractive, black design
- Generously spacious cooking area
- Dampers for heat management
- High capacity ash catcher
- Hook for hanging lid
- Wheels for transportation
- Easy cleanup
Cons
- Sharp edges of heat guard
5. Cuisinart CGG-180 Petit Gourmet, Red
Highlighted Features
- Stainless steel burners
- Twist to start electronic ignition
- Precision temperature gauge
- Integrated lid lock
- Spill-resistant drip tray
- Briefcase-style carrying handle
- Foldable legs
Cuisinart Petit Gourmet grill is perfect for outdoor cooking whether it is a party or a family outing. The grill provides the convenience of cooking a variety of stuff for quite a number of people.
Construction: The grill consists of stainless steel burners, porcelain-enameled cooking grate, integrated lid lock, briefcase-style carrying handle, legs that can be folded, electric ignition start, spill-resistant drip tray and temperature gauge for maintaining temperature.
Cooking surface: The cooking surface, although compact, can hold a large amount of food at once like 8 steaks, 8 hamburgers, 6 – 10 chicken breasts, or over 4 pounds of fish.
Energy efficiency: It is energy efficient as it does the work of a full-sized grill but uses much less gas in comparison.
Heating capability — uniform and high heat: It heats up pretty quickly and the porcelain-enameled cooking grate provides uniform heat for cooking the food. It cooks as efficiently as a large grill.
Safe to use: The grill is quite safe to use. There is always a chance of flare-ups and you’ll need to be careful regarding that.
Ease of usage, storage, and cleaning: This gas grill has an electric ignition start so it is pretty easy to start. The burners heat up the cooking grate that provides uniform heat. The temperature gauge helps in maintaining the temperature. With the spacious cooking surface, you can serve 4 to 6 people at a time. Besides, the grill is so designed that its height can be adjusted according to your convenience whether you want to keep it freestanding or as a tabletop grill. Also, the lid can be locked perfectly in place with the integrated lid lock and the legs fold up for transportation.
The grill is easy to clean with a drip tray available that is placed under the grill and catches the spills & other debris. However, the grease drips through a hole in the lid of the drip tray and the lid is not detachable. Hence, getting the grease out of it is a hard task. The cooking grate is removable so you can take it out, scrub it, rinse it, season it and place it back.
Pros
- Unique compact design
- Easy start-up
- Heats up quickly
- Provides uniform heat
- Lid locks for transportation
- Freestanding or tabletop mode
- Serves 4 to 6 people at once
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Hole in the lid is difficult to clean
6. Weber 741001 Original Kettle
Highlighted Features
- Plated steel cooking grate
- Porcelain-enamelled lid and bowl
- One-Touch cleaning system
- Angled lid hook
- Heatshield for the handle
- Sturdy Weber wheels
Weber Original kettle 22-inch charcoal grill provides the most exotic smoky flavor that is expected of a grill. Moreover, the ease and comfort of operating this grill reduces the amount of labor that needs to be put in to relish a perfect barbecued treat!
Construction: The cooking grate of the grill is steel plated, lid and bowl are porcelain-enameled, the lid has an angled hook, heat shield for the handle and the wheels are quite durable. Besides, there are dampers and a one-touch cleaning system.
Cooking surface: The cooking surface is quite large for holding up to 8 -10 burgers pretty easily and can accommodate up to 13 burgers as well.
Energy efficiency: It can cook plenty of food without needing a refill if an appropriate amount of coal is used as fuel.
Heating capability — uniform and high heat: The grill heats up quickly and provides even heat for cooking the food. The heating would also depend on the way you spread the charcoals under the grill.
Safe to use: Though the grill is safe, you need to be extra careful when the vents are open as coal can fall in the catcher, then get blown away by the wind and land anywhere to create a fire breakout.
Ease of usage, storage, and cleaning: The grill is very easy to assemble and use. Place the coals, ignite them, wait for them to heat up, place the food on the cooking grate and you are good to go. It can easily fit 8-10 burgers at a time. So, if you want to enjoy family time or have a small gathering, Weber will make a time of great rejoicing. The lid and bowl help in retaining the heat. Since they are porcelain-enameled they won’t rust and wear off. Plus, there is an angled hook with the lid to hang it rather than placing it on the floor. Dampers in the air vents in the bottom and in the lid help to maintain heat. If they are completely closed, they help in extinguishing the coals as well.
With a one-touch cleaning system, the ash can be disposed of conveniently from the ash-catcher. The steel-plated grate is quite durable and extremely easy to clean. It is advisable to clean it when it is hot.
Pros
- Durable cooking grate
- Holds 8-10 burgers
- Rust-resistant lid and bowl
- Dampers for controlling heat
- Heats up quickly
- Provides even heat
- Efficient ash catcher
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Operate vents carefully
7. Weber 121020 Go-Anywhere
Highlighted Features
- Plated steel cooking grate
- Porcelain-enameled lid and base
- Plated steel legs
- Lid locks
- Convenient carrying handles
- Built-in lid hangers
Weber Go-Anywhere is constructed with such a unique design that you can pack it like a suitcase and carry it wherever you want to go.
Construction: The grill consists of a steel-plated cooking grate, porcelain-enameled lid, and base, steel-plated legs, carrying handles, lid locks, built-in lid hangers, and dampers.
Cooking surface: The cooking surface is not only durable but also quite spacious as it can hold about 6 burgers or 4 medium-sized steaks at a time pretty conveniently.
Energy efficiency: The grill does not use much fuel. Plus, this design is much more efficient in terms of efficient fuel usage than the kettle design as the coals can be spread evenly.
Heating capability — uniform and high heat: The cooking grate being close to the coals ensures quick heat up. The rectangular shape of the grills helps in distributing the heat uniformly. It is pretty easy to sear a steak on this heat.
Safe to use: The Weber is considered pretty safe to use outdoors. However, in order to ensure safety further, you should use a chimney to ignite the coals and be careful in case the flare-up occurs.
Ease of usage, storage, and cleaning: The grill though large is lightweight and can be easily carried around. It has sufficient cooking space to cook a family dinner or host a few friends. The lid and the base are very good at retaining heat. Plus, they are rust-resistant and won’t wear out that easily. The lid hangers help to hang the lid when not in use. The cooking grate, made of plated steel, is quite good at retaining heat and cooking the food perfectly. The dampers in the lid and the bottom help to maintain heat while you are cooking.
Cleaning of the triple nickel-coated steel grate is pretty easy. Use a brush and a sponge, scrub, rinse, season, and store for the next use. But there is no proper system of getting rid of the ash. The steel-plated legs can be folded to secure the lid in place for transporting it or storing it.
Pros
- Unique suitcase design
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Durable cooking grate
- Sufficient cooking area
- Even distribution of heat
- Sears the meat well
- Dampers for maintaining heat
Cons
- Flare-ups may occur
- Legs are not very stable
- No proper ash cleaning system
8. Cuisinart CCG-190RB, Red
Highlighted Features
- Chrome-plated cooking rack
- Dual venting system
- 3 secure lid locks
- Enamel coated firebox
- Mess-free ash catcher
- Tripod legs
- Lid handle
Cuisinart Portable charcoal grill with the stunning red appearance and easy to use features is a perfect appliance for on-the-go grilling expedition of your small family.
Construction: The grill is made up of chrome-plated cooking rack, air vents in the top and bottom, enamel-coated firebox, ash catcher, tripod legs, lid handle, and 3 lid locks.
Cooking surface: The cooking surface caters to the need of preparing a meal of a single person that may include a burger and a few pieces of chicken breast. And it would be large enough to make 4 to 6 burgers as well.
Energy efficiency: The grill is very much energy-efficient for you only have to use a few medium-sized charcoals to make 2 burgers.
Heating capability — uniform and high heat: The cooking rack heats up quickly and distributes the heat evenly.
Safe to use: It is safe to use but the lid handle gets quite hot at high temperatures. Plus, you need to be careful in case flare-ups occur. It would be better to close the lid and open the vents in this case.
Ease of usage, storage, and cleaning: The grill is compact, lightweight, easy to assemble, and use. This little grill can be best for the intimate backyard gatherings, a small family dinner, or even when camping out. The cooking surface adjusts according to the need of 1, 2, or 6 people even. So, you can cook as little as one and as many as 6 burgers on this grill. The venting system helps to maintain the heat while you cook. For transportation, the lid can be locked in place with the 3 locking lids. The handle on the lid can be used to carry the grill wherever needed: to a patio, backyard, balcony, etc.
Cleaning is made easier with a neat ash-catcher placed underneath the grill. The cooking rack is chrome plated so it’s not very difficult to clean. There is no rigorous scouring, a simple soak in soapy water and wiping with a dishrag is all that is needed.
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- Durable cooking rack
- Serves 1 to 6 persons
- Easy to assemble
- Proper heat management
- Distributes heat evenly
- Efficient ash catcher
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Lid locks are not sturdy
9. Weber 49010001 Spirit II E-310
Highlighted Features
- GS-4 grilling system
- Sleek open-cart design
- Folding side table
- Integrated hooks
- Warming rack
- Built-in lid thermometer
- 4 strong wheels
- 4 color options
Weber Spirit Natural gas grill has advanced features and a well-built design to give a powerful performance.
Construction: The grill has a heavy construction with porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates and GS-4 grilling system. There is also a warming rack, folding side table, integrated hooks, open-cart design, built-in lid thermometer, 4 sturdy wheels and a choice of 4 colors to opt from.
Cooking surface: The cooking grate has a thinner side for cooking delicate stuff like shrimp and fish while the wider side can be used for cooking steaks and providing a good sear on the meat. There is an additional rack that can be used for warming the sides or roasting the burger buns while you are cooking the main meal.
Energy efficiency: Since it runs on natural gas with 3 burner tubes, a consistent amount of fuel is provided and is also consumed far less than charcoal.
Heating capability — uniform and high heat: The burner tubes provide uniform heat so you can cook food evenly.
Safe to use: The grill is very safe to use. Normally, there is an issue of flare-ups in grills but this grill has minimal to no flare-ups. However, the edges on the underside are dangerous as they are pretty sharp and can cut through your skin if you’re not careful.
Ease of usage, storage, and cleaning: This grill works with a GS-4 grilling system that means it has an infinity ignition start for a quick start and 3 burner tubes for providing uniform heat. It also has 3 flavorizer bars that catch the drippings to vaporize them, produce smoke & give a smoky flavor to the food. The grease management system consists of a disposable drip tray that is placed under the cooking grate. Any of the drippings that flavorizer bars fail to vaporize, slide into the drip tray.
Besides, the open cart assists in placing the grilling tools conveniently. The folding side table can be opened for placing the seasoning or sauces required for the cooking and folded down when not in use. The side table also has hooks that can be used for hanging the grilling tools and reach them easily when you need them. Storing this grill would be a bit of a task as it is quite heavily built. It cannot be moved easily either. Cleaning is simple with the efficient grease disposal and easy to clean porcelain grate.
Pros
- Even heat distribution
- Consistent heat provision
- Spacious cooking area
- Perfect smoky flavor
- Easy access to accessories
- Efficient grease disposal
- Easy cleaning
Cons
- Sharp dangerous edges on the underside
- Huge build — difficult to store or move
10. Char-Broil 463377319 Cart Style
Highlighted Features
- 4 stainless steel top-ported burners
- Swing-away warming rack
- Electronic ignition system
- Stainless steel side shelves
- Lid-mounted temperature gauge
- Removable grease tray and pan
- Two 7-inch wheels
Char-broil Cart style performance gas grill has an elegant stainless steel construction that exhibits finesse and provides a modernist decor to wherever it may be placed.
Construction: The grill consists of a porcelain-coated cast-iron grate, stainless steel burners, lidded side burner, stainless steel side shelves, warming rack, lid-mounted temperature gauge, 2 (7-inch) wheels, and an electronic ignition system.
Cooking surface: The cooking surface is extremely large and can hold almost 20 burgers. Plus, there is an additional warming rack and a side burner.
Energy efficiency: The Charbroil uses 20-pound propane tanks as fuel. You need to refill the tanks for using the fuel.
Heating capability — uniform and high heat: The 4 burners can provide a variety of heat options but with temperature control. So, you can cook different dishes that require low heat or high heat at the same time. It gives a perfect sear to the steak as well.
Safe to use: The grill is sturdy and safe to use. However, since it runs on propane tanks, you need to be careful in handling them to avoid any kind of danger like an explosion or flare-ups.
Ease of usage, storage, and cleaning: The grill has a very modernist stainless steel construction with an electronic ignition start. It has a very large cooking area assisted by powerful burners for providing the heat. The side burner can be used for preparing sauces and side dishes. The warming rack can be used for keeping the sides warm or roasting buns. The side shelves are convenient for holding the seasoning and the sauces. The lid has a thermometer that helps you in keeping track of the temperature of the dish being cooked. The grill can be transported anywhere with the help of 2 (7-inch) wheels. It can also be placed securely with the 2 fixed feet.
Cleaning is fairly easy as there is a porcelain coated drip tray and pan available that collects grease. You can dispose of it easily. The porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates do not rust and clean easily as well.
Pros
- Sleek design
- Generously large cooking area
- Provides a variety of heat options
- Efficient temperature control
- Buns can be roasted
- Burner for preparing side dishes
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Takes time to assemble
- The frame does not seem stable
Things To Look For Before Buying!
Grills come with so many features that it becomes hard to pick one that has all the qualities that one can ask for.
Therefore, I have here some of the important features you should consider while buying a grill:
- Good quality cooking grate
- Spacious cooking surface
- Portability
- Energy efficiency
- Heat-resistant handles
- Easy to use, clean and store
Conclusion
So conclusively, our personal favorite is the George Foreman Electric GFO240S grill that provides uniform heat to the food plus you can easily carry it around with the side handles. Moreover, it’s perfect built-up allows you to take it anywhere you want whether it’s tailgating or cooking delicious food in the backyard or on the roof-top… this seems to be the perfect choice.
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