While it’s not the cheapest option, its high-quality construction and advanced features justify the investment. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, the Dual Fuel Combination Charcoal/Gas Grill is a great choice. It has a cooking surface area of 557 square inches and offers both charcoal and gas options, making it versatile and convenient. PIT BOSS PB1230 is a great choice for gas and smoker as it has a wood and gas grill combo. Both are able to operate independently, giving you two units in one.
Michael Sullivan has been a staff writer on the kitchen team at Wirecutter since 2016. Previously, he was an editor at the International Culinary Center in New York. He has worked in various facets of the food and restaurant industry for over a decade. Since 2022 we’ve relied mainly on market research to update this guide, with visits to examine the main contenders at Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Bering’s in Houston. At the 2017 Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Expo, we interviewed senior product managers from almost every major grill maker in attendance.
While the Z Grills 700D ($500 at Home Depot) offers consistent heat, making it suitable for baking or smoking, its upper-temperature limit of 450°F doesn’t translate into a good sear. The Char-Griller Wood Pro Pellet Grill ($500 at Sportman’s Guide) also had a maximum temperature of 450°F, so searing was a challenge. We found multiple hot spots throughout the grill, and temperatures fluctuated during cooking. It doesn’t offer the bells and whistles of app connectivity or a range of temperature controls, most notably.
However, it lacks some of the versatility—and heat output—of our other picks. The Weber Genesis E-325s is a whole foot longer than the company’s Spirit II E-310, with 20% more cooking area. It also puts out more heat per square inch than our top pick, thanks to a fourth burner—placed between the middle and right-side burners—that creates what Weber dubs the Sear Zone. The Genesis E-325s also has roomier side tables, including one big enough to fit a half sheet pan. Beyond your own eating habits and schedule, understanding the many styles of outdoor grills and what each can do for you is crucial. Check out these videos or visit a local Ace store for knowledgeable advice on how to choose the right barbecue grill for your lifestyle and needs.
To consistently serve a crowd, we recommend upsizing to a 36-inch model. Our premium wood pellets are made from 100% natural, cooking quality hardwood. Traeger pure wood pellets grant the perfect burn for optimal wood fired flavor. Made in the USA and overseen from sawmill to shelf, we provide the most trusted fuel source available with endless flavor combinations.
Of course, charcoal grills can be more than glorified fire basins. Masterbuilt’s Gravity Series elevates ol’ school briquette burners to a whole other level. It uses smart technology and automatic fans to remove the guesswork out of cooking with charcoal. Just load Grills Portable Grills up the hopper with lump charcoal or briquettes, light it, and set the desired temperature via the digital, WiFi-enabled screen. It heats up to 700°F in just 15 minutes, and maintains a constant temperature for perfectly grilled food, no matter what’s cooking.
Learn the ins and outs of outdoor grills and what each kind can bring to the table. Then, browse our wide selection of BBQ grills and outdoor gourmet grills, read customer reviews and compare different features to find your perfect match. The time it took the Yoder to reach temperature (less than 12 minutes) and recover heat outpaced most models reviewed here.