Types of Grills: A Guide to Gas, Propane, Charcoal, and More

Looking for that perfect grill? Check out our handy guide of the best options available to help you satisfy all your grilling wants and needs.

Marty Baldwin

Gathering around the grill is a summertime tradition but how do you know if the grill you've got is the right one for you? There are several things to consider when choosing a grill. The right grill has capabilities that can enhance the flavor of meats, veggies, and fish. Also, the grill has to burn clean enough that guests aren’t shrouded in smoke, and the grill master doesn’t spend the entire next day scrubbing grease. When it comes to grills, there are many choices, including versatile gas, propane, pellet, and griddle grills. Here’s everything you need to know to find the best choice for your family.

Related: The 10 Best Grills to Up Your Backyard Barbecue Game

Blaine Moats

If you are looking for that traditional, smoky flavor look no further than charcoal grills. Direct, high-heat settings make them perfect for searing and charring meats or roasting vegetables. But they can also be used for indirect grilling for slower cooking.

These grills come in barrel, kettle, and egg (also called “kamado”) shapes. Depending on your outdoor space and the average size of your outdoor parties, one may fit better than others on the deck or patio. Charcoal grills have at least one inner shelf, but often have more than one, as well as a removable ash catcher for easy clean up after use. Some have a gas starter, but others may work best with an electric charcoal starter. This is not ideal if you are looking for quick heating, but the flavors are distinctly worth waiting for. Fuel levels, airflow, and charcoal usage also need to be monitored, so novice grillers may take some time to get used to each new grill they encounter.

Jacob Fox

Convenience and quick startup time make gas grills a popular choice. Gas grills tend to be more fuel-efficient compared to charcoal grills. They are also user-friendly, with easy-to-operate knobs and burners for effortless grilling sessions. They ignite with the push of a button. The temperature and heat can be precisely regulated, and the cooking surface has even heat distribution, ensuring that food is cooked uniformly. They are often equipped with multiple burners that can be individually controlled. This allows grillers to create different heat zones to cook different types of food simultaneously. Some gas grills have additional features, like side burners, rotisserie attachments, or smoke boxes to expand cooking options. Removable drip pans help collect grease and hasten clean-up.

Critics of gas grills complain that they don’t reach the same searing temperatures as charcoal grills. Thus, food cooked on a gas grill has a milder flavor. While gas grillers can add flavorizer bars or lava rocks to enhance the smoky aroma, barbecue pros can taste the difference between food cooked on a charcoal grill and a gas one.

Gas grills are typically larger and less portable than charcoal or electric grills. They also require a direct connection to a natural gas line. The initial cost of the grill itself, along with additional components like gas lines or propane tanks make for a sizable investment. To prolong the life of a gas grill, be sure to check regularly for gas line leaks and parts replacements (mainly burners or igniters).

Marty Baldwin

Propane grills can save you the stress of having access to a gas line. Propane grills are gas grills, but they are self-fueled using liquified gas stored in a metal tank. They are designed for portability, making them great for camping trips, picnics, and tailgating. Propane also tends to burn more cleanly and evenly than other fuels. However, you must ensure you have an extra propane tank, so you don’t run out of fuel in the middle of cooking.

Propane grills can have a higher initial cost than charcoal grills. Additionally, propane fuel can be more expensive than other fuel sources, such as charcoal or natural gas. Over time, the cost of purchasing propane tanks or refilling them can add up. If you’re on the go, charcoal grills are still the easiest to travel with, but propane grills are a close second runner-up.

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Pellet grills use wood pellets as fuel which are fed into a firepot by an electric auger. Electric fans circulate heat and smoke for even cooking. Digital controllers maintain precise cooking temperatures so, whether you are a seasoned cook or a novice, you can set it and forget it. The most common size fits a small tabletop, but you can find up to large commercial sizes. Grilling, smoking, baking, roasting, and even braising are all on offer with this grill. It operates more like an outdoor convection oven. It gives a smoky flavor without an open flame. There’s low risk of blackened or charred food.

While pellet grills are known for their ability to provide consistent low-and-slow cooking, they often take longer to reach high temperatures compared to gas or charcoal grills. It’s best to preheat for 15 minutes. A pellet grill is not the best option for quick searing.

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Griddle or “flat top” grills have a flat cooking surface for consistent heat and uniform cooking. Some require professional assembly, while others are compact and easily portable.

Griddle grills are great for meat and veggies, as well as traditional breakfast foods, like pancakes and eggs. They are primarily designed for cooking flat items meant to spread with cooking, but they often have removable drip drains or pans to facilitate easy clean-up for any runoff. Similarly, these grills often have a removable lid and wind guards to block breezes from the side but facilitate cooking access from the top and front for frequent flips or rotations.

People love them for their wide surface area. You can cook large quantities at the same time. They are ideal for large families or friend-filled gatherings. Grilling experts will also appreciate the Maillard effect—the searing or browning of meat—that is much easier to achieve with a griddle grill. Also, if cleaning up ash or scrubbing down grills is not for you, a griddle is your best option.

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