Nothing says summer like a quick summer recipe for the grill. To create perfectly charred, delicious food, you need the right grill (and grill accessories from grill tongs to grill baskets!) ) to make the job quick, easy and mess-free.
At the official Wayfair website Kitchen Appliance and Cooking Innovation Lab, we’ve tested over 65 grills over the years to determine the best grills you can buy, including gas grills, charcoal grills, kamado grills, pellet grills, and portable grills. We’ve cooked more than 70 steaks and 280 chickens to determine the level of char on each grill, while keeping an eye out for smoking and emergencies. We’ve also cooked more than 1,000 slices of bread on the gas grill to see how evenly they heat up. In addition to performance, we evaluated useful extras such as side tables, tool storage, hidden fuel tanks and wheeled portability.
Spirit II E-310 Propane Grill
Spirit II E-310 Propane Grill
Material:Porcelain-enameled, cast iron cooking grates
Color:Black
Finish Type:Painted
Item Weight:114 pounds
Product Dimensions:52 x 27 x 44.5 inches
Spirit II E-310 Propane Grill:When it comes to cooking, this three-burner stainless steel grill is almost perfect. In our tests, the results proved that the steaks came with gorgeous grill marks that were very rare and juicy in our tests. The chicken came off the grate golden brown, moist and tender – all this with hardly any sudden attacks. After more than a year of use, it still heats up nicely and quickly and has withstood the elements in New York.
Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill
Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill
Material:Aluminum
Color:Black
Item Weight:32.3 Pounds
Finish Type:Rust-resistant
Model Name:WEBER
Product Dimensions:22.5 x 22.5 x 27 inches
Item Weight:32.3 pounds
Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill:This Weber kettle is an industry icon and a consumer favorite, so it’s no surprise that it’s a best seller (its slightly less expensive version has over 1,400 five-star reviews on Amazon). It is powered by charcoal and has an enclosed ash collector under the grill for easy cleanup; simply use the lever to sweep the ash into the collector. Sturdy construction with sturdy fittings and a removable lid that sits on the side of the grill and can be easily rolled for off-season storage.
Kamado Joe KJ23RHC Grill
Kamado Joe KJ23RHC Grill
Material:Stainless Steel, Ceramic
Color:Blaze Red
Finish Type:Powder Coated,Rain
Model Name:Classic Joe II
Product Dimensions:18 x 18.11 x 36 inches
Item Weight:250 pounds
Kamado Joe KJ23RHC Grill:This kamado grill from Kamado Joe is our best overall kamado grill. It has thick ceramic walls that retain heat well and can withstand temperatures up to 750ºF. It comes with a built-in thermometer, side racks, ash removal tool, pull-out ashtray and other accessories. It also comes with two grill grates so you can have better control over your grilling experience.
Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill
Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill
Product Dimensions:42.72 x 43.6 x 37.2 inches
Item Weight:49 pounds
Country of Origin:China
Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill:This portable grill is a good enough replacement for your full time grill. It has a sturdy construction that stays put all year long, but it still folds easily and is light enough to roll. Our pros love that it has a latch that locks the lid into place when the lid is in the folded position. It has a cast iron grate that holds up to 15 burgers and reaches full heat in less than 10 minutes.
Roadtrip 225 Tabletop Grill
Roadtrip 225 Tabletop Grill
Material:Blend
Color:Black
Frame Material:Cast Iron
Item Dimensions:28.81 x 18.31 x 10.63 inches
Item Weight 25.59 Pounds
Roadtrip 225 Tabletop Grill:This portable tabletop grill is small but mighty. It has a cast iron grate and 225 square inches of cooking space; it uses up to 11,000 BTUs for cooking. It uses a one-pound propane tank that attaches easily and securely to the attachment on the back of the grill. It starts with the push of a button and has two dials that heat the inner and outer rings of the burner. It has sturdy and balanced feet that allow one person to easily carry the grill. The grease collection tray is located inside the grill body and can be emptied and then cleaned with soap and water in the sink.
On the official Wayfair website, we’ve tested over 65 grills over the years, including gas grills, charcoal grills, kamado grills, pellet grills, portable grills, indoor grills, electric grills, and more. To determine which grills to test, we searched the data to determine which grills looked the most interesting and popular. We also communicate with brands to learn about their latest models and keep a close eye on innovations and new technologies.
When we test all types of grills, we evaluate performance and ease of use. For gas grills, we cover the surface with sliced white bread to determine how evenly the grill distributes heat, and we cook steaks and chicken to evaluate how quickly they cook with minimal bursts. We also cooked steak and chicken on a charcoal grill, but we placed more emphasis on ease of use because charcoal can vary in distribution and heat retention.
Our ease of use evaluation begins with assembling the grill. We value clear instructions, labeled parts and simple assembly. We also consider useful accessories such as shelves, side tables, tool holders, built-in thermometers, wheels, igniter types, etc. After completing the test, we compare all notes to determine which performs best.
Gas grills are the most common type. They’re great because they offer excellent heat control (the ability to adjust the burner knob makes it less likely you’ll end up with a burnt brisket!) ), and can be lit with the push of a button for quick heating and easy cleaning. This is the preferred choice for simple grillers who plan to grill often. Keep in mind that you’ll need to get fuel from your property’s propane tank or natural gas line.
Charcoal grills require briquettes or charcoal briquettes to ignite. Charcoal is more practical and takes time to heat up and cool down, but it gives off a better smoky flavor than gas because it usually gets hotter. This is really for the barbecue purists.
Kamado grills are heated using charcoal, but are usually made of ceramic and are thicker than charcoal grills. They can reach very hot temperatures, such as a pizza oven, and they hold the heat well for low and slow smoke.
Electric grills are easy to use or convenient when plugged in, especially ones that can be used indoors or in apartment buildings where charcoal or gas grills are not allowed. Just don’t expect a steak or burger cooked on an electric grill to taste like a real barbecue.