The Ultimate Guide to Different Types of Grills

There are a few popular types of charcoal grills.

1. Kettle grills get their name from the shape. They tend to take up less space than larger grills and work well in small spaces. The grill well tends to be deep and can hold a fair amount of charcoal.
2. Barrel grills are drum-shaped with large cooking surfaces that hold more food than kettle or kamado grills. They’re great for smoking, too. Because of their size, they’re usually attached to a wheeled stand for easy mobility.
3. Kamado grills, egg-shaped grills made of a ceramic shell, are high-end models that circulate and retain heat better than kettle and barrel grills. They’re great for grilling, smoking, roasting and baking.

Other things to consider about charcoal grills:

• Sizes range from small models, great for tailgating or camping, to large grill-smoker combinations.
• Available features, such as temperature gauges, shelf space, tool hooks, lid rests and wheels, maximize convenience.
• Higher-end charcoal grills have air vents or dampers to control cooking temperatures and igniters to eliminate the need for lighter fluid.
• Most charcoal grills are metal, but ceramic is also an option. Ceramic grills provide greater temperature control and moisture retention, which help produce tender and juicy food.

Pellet grills are a great alternative to gas and charcoal grills and offer the additional capabilities of a smoker.

• These grills are powered by electricity but fueled with specialty pellets made of compressed sawdust.
• Pellet grills are a good choice for cooks of any culinary level and come with advantages and disadvantages. Overall, their performance is excellent. To learn more, see our Pellet Grill and Pellet Smoker Buying Guide.

Electric grills offer quick, long-running operation but must plug into a power outlet.

• Electric grills have no open flames. Instead, they have grates that heat up — and quickly — when the grill is turned on.
• The higher the wattage, the more powerful the electric grill and more evenly distributed the heat will be. The wattage should be relative to the size of the cooktop.
• If you live in an apartment or an area that can't accommodate charcoal or gas, you can still cook out with an electric grill.
• Some electric grills offer infrared cooking that uses radiant heat to eliminate flare-ups and prevent hot or cold spots on the grill.
• For easy cleanup, look for grills with removable or dishwasher-safe grates.

Infrared burner grills cook food with radiant heat rather than the rising hot air (convection) used in standard grills.

• This method heats the food directly and helps keep it from drying out.
• Some infrared grills have specialized, closed grates that act as emitters for the heat.
• There are no cold or hot spots with this system, so the food can cook evenly.
• The infrared grill design prevents flare-ups — and the resulting burned food — caused by fat dripping onto the burners.

Cooking utensils like spatulas, tongs and basting brushes are necessities for grilling and outdoor cooking. Shop for them individually or consider grill tool sets that include the most common tools.

The best barbecue accessories for convenient cooking and cleanup are dishwasher safe and equipped with long, heat-resistant handles that are easy to grip. Also look for loops to hang them for quick access.

• The best grill spatulas or turners easily slide under a burger and have a head that allows you to maneuver food even on a crowded grill. Look for a multifunction spatula with features such as a built-in tenderizer and a serrated cutting edge.
• Grill tongs shouldn't require too much effort to close and should give you good dexterity and a solid grip with different sizes of food items. Look for tongs that lock in the closed position to make storage easier.
• A meat fork lets you get a solid grip on food, like steaks, to turn them.
• A basting brush lets you apply sauces to your food. Silicone bristles tend to last longer, are easier to clean and resist odors.
• Chopper/scrapers allow you to dice foods on the griddle but also clean the cooking surface.
• Burger presses and meat presses make outdoor cooking easier. A burger press makes it simple to form the perfect patty. Look for models that can create two burgers at once or function as stuffed burger presses. Meat or griddle presses help keep foods firmly pressed to the griddle for even cooking.
• Meat claws or pulled pork claws make handling large items, such as a turkey or brisket, easier to lift and move. They're also designed to shred cooked meats like pork for barbecue.
• A good meat thermometer helps ensure food is cooked to the perfect temperature. Remote Bluetooth thermometers allow you to check the status of your food from your phone or a wireless device. For the best grilling experience, look for programmable alarms, a back-lit digital display, a good temperature range and a fast read time.
• Grill gloves and grill mitts protect your hands while cooking. Some are designed to simply protect your hands from burns while using grilling tools or adjusting your grill, and others are designed so you can handle food directly and avoid piercing meats with utensils and losing the savory juices.
• A good grilling apron protects your clothes and keep tools and utensils in easy reach. Look for pockets, adjustable straps and machine-washable fabrics.
• Make sure the grill cleaning tools are compatible with your grill grate. If you use a wire brush or scrubber, be sure to wipe the grate down with a wet cloth to ensure no bristles are stuck to the cooking surface.
• To protect your investment, one of the best grill accessories you can have is a grill cover. A grill cover protects the grill from the elements and helps prevent rust and corrosion, keeping it looking good and extending the life of the grill.