Best Grill Reviews – Buyer’s Guide for 2019
Having a grill around the house is always a good idea because let’s face it, everyone likes BBQ!It doesn’t matter if you’re an experienced barbeque chef or a complete beginner, choosing the right grill for your needs is easier said than done. The market is full of brands and models all claiming that they are better than the others, promising all kinds of benefits, but most of them are not that great.So, if you are one of those people that don’t know where to look first, we’ve done some rigorous testing and wrote reviews on the best grills money can buy.
Below you will find only the products we think perform best, and also those who are made to last for decades. The selection is narrowed down to the best in their classes, but what they have in common is the quality and ease of use.
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Weber 22″ KettleDurable, easy to use, and a decent cooking area – what more do you need? The Weber 22″ Kettle is one of the most recognizable grills and like all products made by this company – it’s made of premium materials. Features
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TOP PRODUCTS AND WINNERS FROM EACH CATEGORY
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Things to Consider When Best Choosing a Grill or Griddle
Temp. ControlTemperature control is crucial for any grill or griddle. Gas or Charcoal, if your grill can’t hold a constant temperature, it’s a waste of your time and money. Inversely, if your griddle cooks with hot spots, again it’s useless. Constant temperature means even heat. Even heat means adequately prepared food. |
CostOf course, you want to get the best grill for your money. That being said, you don’t want a poor quality grill or griddle. We only review the BEST products, with excellent warranty policies, and the absolute best value. Your HARD EARNED money is important, don’t waste it on anything less than quality. |
Preferred FuelYour fuel defines your flavor. Period. On one side of the spectrum, there are easy to use gas grills which produce a seared flavor. On the other side is charcoal, which creates a smoky flavor. Picking the right grill will depend on your need. Charcoal grilling in the right hands can be as easy, if not easier than using a Gasser. |
Ease of UseHow easy your grill or griddle is to use will determine how often you use it. We like to barbeque all year long on our Weber Kettle Grills because they are a good product and are easy to use. Your lifestyle will determine which grill or griddle you pick. Combined with a grill that’s easy to clean, find a model that fits your lifestyle and flavor. |
Best Grill From Each Category
Weber Kettle 22″
Pitmaster Rating: 4.0
The 22″ Weber Kettle is the classic BBQ grill we all know and love. It’s a straightforward charcoal grill made of durable materials, ideal for backyard parties and family gatherings. The grill has many useful features that make grilling and maintenance simple and easy. The grill has 363 square inches of cooking area that can hold up to 13 burgers at a time. The griddles are made from durable stainless steel so that they can withstand high temperatures for a long time.
The One-Touch cleaning system allows you to clean the ash after every use quickly. The porcelain-enameled lid is great at heat retention, and it speeds up the cooking time significantly. It’s also resistant to rust and peeling. It also has built-in wheels so you can move it easily.
The handles are covered with a heat shield, so you won’t get burned when lifting it. The Weber Kettle is all you want and need from a high-quality charcoal grill, so if you like the classic BBQ look, this one is all you need.
PROS
- Affordable
- Can be used as a smoker
- Fantastic temperature control
- 10-year warranty
- Easy to use
CONS
- Looks outdated
- Limited Grill capacity
- DESIGN 75%
- FUNCTIONALITY 80%
- PRICE 85%
Char-Broil Tru Infrared
Pitmaster Rating: 4.2
If you are not a huge fan of lighting fires and using coal to fuel your grill, what you need is a gas grill. The Char-Broil TRU-infrared 420 is a fantastic gas grill that offers plenty of cooking space and some handy features. It has a 155 square inch porcelain-coated warming rack and a 13,000 BTU side burner. It has 420 square inches of cooking area and porcelain-coated iron grates that can withstand the heat.
The temperature control is excellent, increasing and decreasing heat is done with a single turning dial. The surefire electronic ignition system makes it easy to light the fire with a press of a button. The grill can work with natural gas, but you will have to buy a natural gas conversion kit that’s sold separately.
What makes this grill so popular is the TRU infrared cooking system that speeds up the cooking process and reduces the amount of gas needed to cook the food. It’s one of our favorite gas grills out there.
PROS
- 420 Square inches of cooking space
- Even heat
- Electric ignition system
- Made from durable materials
- Large storage cabinet
CONS
- NG converter sold separately
- Hard to clean
- DESIGN 74%
- FUNCTIONALITY 77%
- PRICE 70%
Weber Genesis ii E-310
Pitmaster Rating: 4.5
Buying a grill these days is complicated, especially if you want to make sure you get a high-quality gas grill. Well, you just can’t go wrong with the Weber Genesis ii E-310! This BBQ grill has everything you need, it looks great, and it’s easy to use and clean. After all, most of Weber products are the best in their class.
This particular model has a GS4 grilling system that comes with three amazing stainless steel burners. The grease management system reduces flare-ups, but it also makes it easier to clean the grill. You’ll love the Weber Genesis the moment you see it. The overall style is fantastic, and you get two side tables on both sides of the 513 square-inch cooking space.
The 156 square inches tuck away warming rack above the grates is such a useful and helpful feature as you can keep the already grilled food nice and warm. The three burners are controlled by separate dials, and the easy ignition system lights the fire in seconds.
PROS
- Three high-performance burners
- 513 Sq. in. of cooking area
- 156 Sq. in. of storage area
- Premium materials
- Built-in side racks
CONS
- The assembly is hard
- The lid prevents you from keeping an eye on the cooking
- DESIGN 60%
- FUNCTIONALITY 90%
- PRICE 77%
The Holland Apex Grill
Pitmaster Rating: 4.1
The Holland Apex gas grill is a device designed for all those who take their grilling seriously. It is a heavy-duty grill that comes with a drip pan, a cast iron burner, and beneficial features like the condiment tray and a built-in thermometer. The 14,000 BTU burner provides even heat on all 440 sq.in. of the cooking area. This model is quite large and heavy, so it’s not that easy to move.
If you love the taste of smoked food, this model will make you happy because it can be used as a smoker too. The aluminum drip pan will capture all the drippings and grease, so you can quickly clean the grill after you’re done. That effectively eliminates flare-ups making sure you always get the best possible results.
The entire grill is made from stainless steel, making it very durable and resistant to rust. It also has two side shelves for extra storage space.
PROS
- Large cooking area
- Durable
- Can be used to smoke food
- Aluminum drip pan prevents flare-ups
CONS
- Heavy
- No temperature settings
- DESIGN 70%
- FUNCTIONALITY 90%
- PRICE 65%
Tips and Tricks
Becoming a master BBQ chef will require some effort and experimentation, but here are some tricks that will help you get there easier!
Charcoal grill top tips
Tip 1 – Keep it closed!
If you’re lookin’ you aren’t cooking! The number 1 reason for flareups on a charcoal grill is too much oxygen. Every time you open that lid, you let heat escape, and air to flow in. This will create a hotter cooking environment prime for flare ups. Don’t be tempted. Set your vents, and keep the lid closed until your meat is done. You’ll be happy you did.
Tip 2 – Aluminum foil for easy cleanup
Cleaning a charcoal grill is messy, and it’s easy to get ash all over yourself. Try placing a couple of sheets of aluminum foil on the bottom of your grill before throwing the coal inside. That will make the cleaning quick and easy.
Gas grills top tips
Tip 1 – How to make perfect sear marks
Sear marks make your meat look great, but they also make it taste better. Right? We eat with our eyes! The trick is to pre-heat the grill to the maximum temperature and then place the meat on it. Go for it, Fire it up!
Tip 2 – Proper maintenance is the key
Gas grills are a little more complicated to maintain, but you have to clean them after every use. Otherwise, the grease buildup clog the gas ports over time, so the fire doesn’t burn right, and that causes all kinds of problems. Igniters can also stop working due to a build-up of grease, so clean them up regularly as well.
Conclusion
Grilling food is something that brings friends and family together. The feeling of standing next to a fire and the strong smells coming from the grill is something that many of us enjoy doing on a hot summer day.
However, before you buy a grill for your home, you need to know what to look for and what the benefits of each type of grills are. We’ve done the testing, and we’ve selected the best products we could find. Think about what features you need, do you want to cook food on a classic charcoal BBQ, or are you looking for a modern gas grill?
We tried our best to give you all the necessary information on how they work, how much they cost, and of course, the ease of use. You will find all of the best grills on this list, all you have to do is pick one after taking all of the factors into consideration. It looks like you’ll have a lot of fun grilling food this summer!