Weber Smokey Joe Premium Barbecue
Best portable BBQ
Cooking area: 42 x 37cmWeight: 1kg
Perfect for taking on the go Fire-resistant lid handle
Reasons to avoid: Not ideal for at-home use
If you want a barbecue that isnt consigned to your garden alone then the Weber Smokey Joe Premium could be just the one for you. This combines quality craftsmanship and cooking ability with portability that lets you turn any park, field or beach into a bbq party.
The 37cm cooking area of the Smokey Joe is a nice balance between portability and space which is enough for around three people. But if you want to do more just crack open another bag and coals and keep cooking. The porcelain-enamelled and rust-resistant lid and bowl mean even being out in the elements is no issue for this bbq.
Ideal Home rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Best Overall: Camp Chef 36
With so many amazing grills out there, its a losing battle trying to name the best one around, because not everyone will agree. So, after much deliberation, we awarded the Camp Chef 36-inch Wi-Fi Woodwind Pellet Grill & Smoker With Sidekick as the best overall grill. We selected it because of its versatility and performance. Being a pellet grill, you have the option of infusing your food with smoky flavor as with a charcoal grill or smoker. You can also grill with almost the same speed and intensity as a gas grill. It has a slide and grill flame management system, which under a direct flame will produce temperatures of up to 650 degrees Fahrenheit .
The included sidekick, including a cast-iron griddle , also cooks with actual gas and is a handy tool for achieving heavy sears, toasting bread/buns, or any other type of cooking you might need a flat top for. It has a chamber capacity of 7,000 cubic inches and a cooking rack area of 1,236 square inches. It has a straightforward digital control panel for selecting your temperature and smoke levels. Finally, the icing on the cake is the four-probe Wi-Fi-enabled smart grilling system that allows you to monitor your meats temperature through the control panel or a smartphone app. On top of everything, the stainless steel design makes this beautiful grill easy on the eyes.
Features To Look Out For
If you havent looked for a new grill in some time, you might be surprised at how attractive the entry-level models can be. Many of these are now available in stainless steel, which gives your backyard a more modern appeal. If you buy one of the latest models, you can also benefit from some of the new features on offer.
Some grills come with built-in containers to hold your wood chips and on occasion, a smoke chamber. You might also come across sear stations, rotisseries, side burners and built-in thermometers, all of which have their uses. Like many other appliances, grills are getting smarter too with some offering Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity. With this, you can get notified when its time to flip the burgers, baste your dish or serve up. It can even let you know when its running low on gas.
Be on the lookout for hooks on which to hold your tools as well its a simple, but useful addition which you can find regardless of the price. Side tables are convenient as well for placing dishes. Removable ash catchers and drip pans are also good to have as they help with cleaning up.
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Cynthia Lawrence specialises in Homes ecommerce, covering all things homes and garden-related. She has a wealth of editorial experience testing the latest, must-have home appliances, writing buying guides and the handy how to features.
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Traeger Pro 575 Pellet Grill
Best pellet grill
Reasons to avoid
Traeger Pro 575 Pellet Grill makes the process of smoking pretty much stress free. You add hardwood pellets to a hopper, set a target temperature, and the grill does the rest. It has an electronically-controlled thermostat that works like the one in your indoor oven. The only caveat is that if the temp you want is super-hot to get a steak browned and crusty on the outside and rosy on the inside, you wont be getting it from this grill which tops out at 500°F.
If you want to go about your yard work, or even just loll in a hammock while your ribs are smoking, you can connect the Traeger to an app which will let you know when its time to baste, raise the temp to finish them off, or alert you that theyre ready to serve.
Reasons to avoid
Instead of grates, the Blackstone 36″ Griddle Cooking Station has the kind of large flat cooking surface you see in diners. That gives you room for 28 burgers at once, and means your hot dogs and shrimp wont fall through the slats.
Underneath are four burners that you can set to different temperatures, so you can keep garlic bread warm on low while simultaneously searing some steaks. Just keep in mind that you wont get grill marks, and wont be able to smoke ribs or brisket.
Natural Gas Vs Propane Grills
Gas grills run on two types of fuel, either propane and natural gas. The fuel type is not interchangeable: a propane grill cannot run on natural gas or vice versa.
- Propane gas comes in refillable tanks, with a 2-pound propane tank providing about 25 hours of grilling time.
- Natural gas costs less than propane and avoids the inconvenience of replacing tanks. Natural gas grills require the up-front installation cost of a natural gas line from your house to the grill, which limits the grills mobility options.
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Best Gas Grill Under $250
- Goes out of stock somewhat regularly
Cooking Space: 430 square inchesGas Type: Propane Max Temperature: ~600° F
If you just want to cook and dont give a damn about looks, this is the gas grill you want. Its exterior is cheap-looking, but its guts are equivalent to high-dollar competition. The interior is rust-proof cast aluminum and its fitted with H-shaped burners instead of the usual straight-line design, a change that delivers more heat to more areas of the grill, and improves its capacity for low heat cooks. As with most grills, ignore the built-in temperature reader completely its always wrong.
Weber One Touch E4710
Best charcoal BBQ on a budget
Type of BBQ: Charcoal
One of the cheapest on the market Easy cleaning system
Reasons to avoid: Lacking a sturdy frame
The Weber One Touch E4710 is an iconic charcoal BBQ that delivers big flavour without the high price. When its in stock its always a fast seller, with shoppers easy to pick up a BBQ with the Weber name that will fit in even small gardens.
Reasons to love include the ash catcher, rust-resistant design and all-weather wheels. The Weber One Touch E4710 also has an in-built thermometer and can be used for smoking thanks to the high lid and heat-resistant handles that will hold up well over time.
The kettle offers a hinged stainless steel lid for easy access to check and turn your food. In real-world use that means a hand free rather than holding the lid while you sort the grill invaluable stuff. Close that down and youve got a thermometer to keep an eye on the cooking heat so you stay in control throughout the process.
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Best Gas Grill Under $500
- Wheels feel a little cheap
Cooking Space: 450 square incheszGas Type: Propane Max Temperature: ~725° F
Char-Broils mid-sized, mid-market grill is an all-arounder. You get the shiny, stainless look of the high-end grills in the $1,000-plus market for half the price, plus plenty of storage and a sauce burner on the side. Plus, it comes with all-important infrared tech, which raises its temperature ceiling substantially. The budget infrared grill uses perforated steel sheets over the super-charged burners to increase the max temperature to around 725 degrees. The biggest downsides are assembly, which is a bit of a buzzkill at worst, and, again, cast iron grates that aren’t necessary at all. The grill hits the 600 degree mark before turning on the infrared burner that’s plenty of heat to achieve a brown crust before overcooking a piece of meat. The wheels also felt cheap, though they could likely be replaced without much issue.
Best Gas Grill: Weber Genesis Ii E
The Weber Genesis II-315, 3-Burner gas grill is the gas grill that wont break the bank. This model comes in both propane and natural gas models and offers smart technology with the iGrill 3 smart accessories . It has 513 square inches of grilling area for ample cooking space, and the tuck-away warming rack is a thoughtful design feature. It packs a powerful 39,000 BTUs of grilling power that can provide a heavy, crisp sear in minutes. The cabinets conveniently provide storage for cooking supplies, as the propane tank is tucked behind a separate outer shield with a gas gauge to let you know when you need to refill.
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Weber 2840301 Summit S
- Company: Weber
- Gas Type: Natural Gas or Liquid Propane
- Rating: 4.4 / 5 stars
- Price: $$$$
Thinking of making a bit of an investment into a grill that has pretty much everything , a grill that will be the last grill youll need to buy? This Weber Summit is one such grill, available in liquid propane or natural gas options. The Summit Line is Webers crown jewels if you want the best, these are they!
This grill is nice and big! The cooking area is It claims to be able to cook for 8-10 people with ease, and because it has the handy side burner , you can cook your full meal at the grill with ease!
One of the things youll love on this grill is the full rotisserie system! It comes with a flip-up motor and separate spit and fork, has storage in the enclosed cart, and can be tucked completely away out of the way when you arent using it!
This grill includes all of the standard awesome Weber goods and then some!
- SS Flavorizer Bars, 4 SS burners, grease management system, 9mm Stainless Steel cooking grates
- Extra burners: a sear station, smoke burner, and rear-mounted Infrared rotisserie burner
- Center mounted thermometer built into the hood
- Enclosed tank storage area for the LP models
- Large prep areas made of stainless steel
- Grill-Out handle light and control knob lights for night time grilling ease
- Snap-Jet igniters for each burner, letting you do direct or indirect heat per your preference
This grill certainly has it all! Check out this video for some extra details!
When To Replace Your Grill
Most brands will offer two kinds of warranty: one will cover labor, which typically lasts for up to two years, and a secondary warranty for parts, which will usually last much longer. This coverage can last for the lifetime of the grill, and will cover all of the essential parts, such as the burner, cooking grids and the housing. Your grills lifespan will also depend on how well you take care of it.
First of all, you should keep it clean, which means covering it when its not in use and sheltering it from the elements. If you opt for a grill which is made of durable materials, such as cast iron or stainless steel, these can last for as long as 20 years. We dont recommend buying an extended warranty because these tend to cost more than any potential repairs during the grills lifetime.
If any repair costs are half the value of a new grill, we suggest buying a replacement. Similarly, if you notice any rust or cracks in the firebox, youre better off investing in a new grill. If cracks appear in the gas hose and regulator, then youve got a potential gas leak on your hands, so you should at least replace those parts before using your grill again.
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Royal Gourmet Gd: Best Gas Grill With Griddle For Tailgate Parties
Reasons to avoid
If youre looking for a portable grill with a greater cooking area than most, Royal Gourmets four-burner gas grill and griddle combo could be the one for you. With almost 600 square inches of hot surface split between grill bars and a substantial griddle and folding legs which allow it to fit into just about any trunk. The Royal Gourmet GD401 4-Burner Folding Gas Grill Griddle is a great choice for setting up a tailgate station, though it does skim the limits of portability in terms of weight.
Theres plenty of heat to offer your food, with four individually adjustable burners, but wed be careful about purchasing this if you dont have an inside space in which to store it as theres no lid to keep the elements off. That also limits its potential in terms of the specific things you can cook – but we dont think anyones going to mind if you just load them up with burgers.
Home Depots user score for the Royal Gourmet GD401 4-Burner Folding Gas Grill Griddle averages at 4.2 out of 5 stars, which isnt bad, though there are a number of negatives regarding the materials prematurely rusting and certain grills having slight quality control flaws out of the box. There are plenty of positives, however – this seems to be a grill users love for its simplicity and versatility, with the two side tables giving lots of options, though you may want to supply your own lid.
Best Travel Gas Grill: Weber Traveler Grill
By looking at this list, you can probably tell that when it comes to dependable grills for any occasion, Weber is hard to beat. The Weber Traveler is a recently released addition to the Weber family of products that will let you achieve high-quality grilling anywhere. With this portable grill, you can easily grill for large groups with its 320 square inches of grilling space, and it flattens down to fit in the trunk of a car and features wheels that make it extremely mobile. You also wont need to haul around bulky propane tanks because this grill optimizes propane usage and is designed to run off of 1-pound cylinders.
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Buying Guide For Best Gas Grills
The grill has become an American icon of outdoor cooking. With your handy backyard grill, you can easily add those glorious hash marks to a Porterhouse steak or give your meal that special smoky touch. Its a portable hearth around which community members can drink lemonade and share stories of the week. This image sends up smoke signals that all is good in the neighbourhood.
Grilling rose to mainstream popularity In the 1950s, when the gas grill, a modern convenience burst onto the scene, It not only brought to market the cart-like styles still prevalent today, but it was the first to use propane as a fuel source.
Gas grills have become increasingly sophisticated in their capabilities, going far beyond merely adding that outdoorsy taste to meat, fish, poultry, or vegetables. Todays gas grills include rotisseries, smokers, and even side burners to allow the barbecue master to cook beans in a pot while the main course sizzles on the stainless steel grates.
Best Grills In : Gas Charcoal And Pellet Compared
Genesis II S-335 Smart Grill
Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill 22-inch
Spirit II E-310 Gas Grill
Deluxe Four Burner Gas Grill
Gourmet CD1824E 23-inch Charcoal BBQ Grill
36″ Griddle Cooking Station with Accessory Side Shelf
Patio Bistro Tru-Infrared Electric Grill
The best grills will cook up succulent, seared meals that will have crisp and tasty results. Be it throwing on some steaks or rustling up a grilled feast for the family to enjoy, the best grill should be powerful, reliable and easy to use. It also needs to suit your cooking needs, lifestyle and budget. But with so many different types of grill available, it can often be tricky to know which one is right for you.
Before you buy, there are some things to consider first. Do you want a gas, electric or pellet grill? What different features does it offer? Finally, what is the price? The best grills can cost from as little as $100 to over $1,000, so you need to factor in your budget.
To help you decide, weve rounded up a selection of the best grills to suit every backyard and budget.
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Cyber Monday Grill Deals: Our Top Picks
The Genesis II E-335 comes with Weber’s smart technology built right in, and can even be paired with your smartphone for remote monitoring. With a 9,000 BTU sear zone burner and a 12,000 BTU side burner, it’s a mighty grill that’s up to just about any task you could throw its way.
What we love
Infinity ignition meant we were able to get the Genesis II E-335 cooking in no time at all. It was ready to cook in just 10 minutes, and the Flavorizer bars are angled stainless steel, which left a classic grid-mark pattern on steaks and vegetables when grilling.
We were able to pair the probe with our smartphone, and set it to monitor for a specific type of meat and preference in cooking. It alerted us when the meat was at the perfect temperature for juicy, medium-rare steak, with no guesswork involved.
Features
At nearly 85kg, there is no denying that this is a hefty grill. Assembly took a while too, but once we had everything set up and ready to go, it was more than worth the trouble it took to assemble.
You can monitor the grill from your phone but you cannot change the temperature or control it, so keep this in mind when slow cooking your meat.
Homes & Gardens rated 5 out of 5 stars
What we love
Features
Weber’s Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill has a 22-inch diameter that can fit a family-sized amount of hamburgers or hot dogs. For parties though, you may struggle with its singular burner.
What we love
Features
