Best Outdoor Grill Reviews for a Fun BBQ!
A great way to spend a sunny weekend with your family is by having a barbecue and lots of delicious food. This is actually an American tradition that millions of people enjoy, with good reason as it gets family and friends together, gets them outdoors, and undeniably, cooking is a great way to unwind and relieve stress.
It is important to really weigh your options when purchasing a grill. Consider what level of power you want and portability. This will help you to make the right purchase for your particular needs.
Table of Contents
- Best Outdoor Grill Reviews for a Fun BBQ!
Outdoor Grills Buying Guide
It is essential that upon your first grill purchase, you shop with more than functionality in mind. In fact, you should be shopping with appearance in mind and how it will enhance the look of your backyard.
The problem is, there are so many different choices in grills that it will make your head hurt when shopping. You have different varieties, stats and different configurations and options it can leave even the most experienced griller confused.
To simplify things, you should have a basic understanding that there are really three types of grills with different fuel options which are charcoal, gas, and electric grills.
Exploring the gas grills, these come with natural gas or propane. They are most popular in the United States and are safe.
It is fairly easy to find fuel for these types of grills as most grocery and convenience stores stock the tanks and they are very portable.
You can see our list of the best gas grills under $200 here. Or if you have a few extra dollars, our picks for the best gas grills under $300 here.
With the electric grills, however, you run them through the use of electricity. Obviously, these types of grills are less portable and can only be run next to an electrical outlet unless you have a portable generator.
Therefore, it can be a bit challenging to use them outside. But, for those who enjoy indoor grilling, these make the perfect alternative.
Speaking of electric, check out our top picks for the best electric smokers to really add some flavor to your BBQs!
The purist at heart typically lean towards the charcoal grill. These grills add a nice smoky flavor to your food. Although it can be a bit tedious grilling experience, it is worth the effort due to the amazing BBQ taste afterwards.
Due to having to regulate the heat by adding more or less charcoal on the grill, these grills can be a pain to keep consistent temperature, so charcoal grills are best used by experienced users.
When purchasing your grill, you will want to spend some extra money on a good grill cover. This is important because it will protect your grill from any type of damage like dirt, dust, and poor weather conditions.
In addition, grill covers make it easier for you to blend your grill in with your backyard decor.
Weber Genesis E-330 Liquid Propane Gas Grill Review
Grilling does not come much easier as it does with the Weber Genesis E-330 Liquid Propane Gas Grill. The front-mount control knobs are a wonderful feature similar to the ones found on the Weber Summit. You get total heat control with the control knobs as well as two large tables made of stainless steel.
The cooking performance of this grill is outstanding and it even has a powered Sear Station Burner which gives you perfect steaks every time.
You get maximum heat without compromising your grill space and the sear burner easily steps up your heat right on demand when you are in need of searing. You can easily multi-task during grilling with the flush mounted side burner. This grill has an electronic ignition system that provides you with reliable and quick ignition.
Plus, you know how much fuel you have at all times due to the precision fuel gauge. Sear your food perfectly with even heat through the upscale cast-iron, porcelain enameled cooking grates.
Product Features:
- Includes electronic ignition system and a front mounted control panel equipped with 3 burners made of stainless steel.
- You get 637 sq. inches of overall cooking space and a 130 sq. inch warming rack.
- Includes cart with steel doors, handles of stainless-steel, cast-iron, porcelain enameled grates and a shroud with a thermometer that is porcelain-enameled.
- Comes with heat deflectors and flavorizer bars both porcelain-enameled and 6 tool hooks.
- Comes with 2 back swivel casters, 2 front locking casters and 38,000 BTU per hour input.
Final Analysis:
Pros: This is an incredible grill with it being made of a solid, quality old fashioned design just like the simple Weber go anywhere grill. It holds its temperature perfectly with no flare ups and you can even grill in cold temperatures with no problem.
Both the side burner and sear burner work great and the grill heats up fast and cooks evenly. The Sear Station is a must have if you like grilling juicy steaks.
Cons: Although assembly is not hard, there is a lot of parts to assemble. Some minor things with the assembly needs improvement, but the directions are easy and concise. It is a little challenging to tell if the igniter is working. With many grills, you can actually hear the igniter but not with the Weber Genesis E-330 Gas Grill.
Plus, the knobs turn out rather easily without you knowing it and this can be a potential risk due to gas leakage. You should be very careful to check your grill from time to time to be sure all knobs are off. Overall, the grill performs well and is a great addition to any household.
Weber Performer Charcoal Grill Review (Discontinued)
The Weber Performer Charcoal Grill is the perfect solution for any BBQ or family get-together due to its Touch-N-Go push of the button gas ignition system. You get a charcoal storage container that is weather protected, an attached worktable, a wire bottom shelf and 3 tool hooks which makes for complete organization while grilling.
This grill is made with a heavy duty cart frame, rust free aluminum vent, plated steel hinged grates, nylon handle that is glass-reinforced, 2 wheels that are weather resistant and crackproof and 2 locking casters so it is built to last a very long time. It has a One-Touch cleaning system, including a black aluminum ash catcher that is removable that makes clean up a breeze.
Product Features:
- Comes with the Touch-N-Go gas ignition system for push of a button ignition.
- Has a 363 sq. inch cooking space.
- Comes with a lid mounted thermometer, 3 tool hooks, work table and rolling cart made of steel.
- Includes a charcoal storage holder and 2 charcoal fuel holders.
Final Analysis:
Pros: Assembling this grill is a cinch because the directions include drawings which show you clearly how to put it together. The design and construction of the grill is solid and intelligent.
The ignition system is great and works well and the cook top and prep area makes grilling a breeze. The integrated charcoal bin, although not sealed air tight, keeps your charcoal dry since it can tilt back and forth.
The table gives you ample enough room for spices, utensils and food platters. The grill is portable due to the wheels and casters so you can move it around easily.
Cons: There are some problems with the design of the Weber Performer Charcoal Grill. For instance, because the propane tank hangs below the control panel, it looks kind of cheap. At the price you pay for this grill, you would think the design would be a bit better. The holder for the kettle is rough and made of mostly metal.
After using it for the first time, you will end up small silver scratches on the black lid. The tool holder has only 3 hooks so for the more experienced griller with lots of utensils, this can be a problem. Other than this, the grill is great and does a wonderful job cooking delicious foods.
Weber Q 320 Portable Outdoor Propane Gas Grill Review
With the Weber 586002 Q 320 Portable Outdoor Propane Gas Grill, you are able to cook up to 36 hot dogs, 18 hamburgs or 2 big chickens at a time. This unit is portable and features a 21,700 BTU input, 462 sq. inches of cooking space, dual burners that are stainless steel and a 69 sq. inch warming rack to keep food warm or heating up buns.
You can easily light up this grill with a bush of a button and control the heat with the adjustable burner valve regulator. This grill also includes cook grates made of cast-iron, a cast-aluminum lid and glass-reinforced nylon framed body. Plus it has a catch pan that is removable.
Other features of this grill include lid profile with thermometer, large handle that is weather resistant and a handle light that indicates when the grill is out. You even get two folding worktables that are removable, tool hooks and is bolted into the stationary cart with wheels for portability. You can easily hide the propane tank with the screen included. To top it off, you get a recipe book to get you started grilling immediately.
Product Features:
- Includes 21,700 BTU per hour of input and 2 burners made of stainless-steel.
- You get a 69 sq. inch warming rack and 462 sq. inch cooking space.
- Comes with 2 worktables with took hooks that can be folded, infinite control burner valves and an electronic ignition.
- Grill uses a 20 lb. standard propane tank for fueling (not included) and comes with a recipe book and stationary card.
- Comes with a 5 year limited warranty.
Final Analysis:
Pros: The design of the stationary cart is brilliant. The grill is safe and stable and has a tank storage system where you can easily lock in your propane tank to keep it from shifting or tipping.
The thermostat is easily replaced if their is any type of failure or breakage. You even get a sensor light that when lid is lowered, it shuts it off automatically. This grill is easily assembled by one person and it seems to heat up and cook faster than any of the big box models.
Cons: The instructions were not the best but you can easily assemble it by looking at the pictures. The aluminum drip pan is a weird size so replacements will typically have to be found through Weber, but their replacements are fairly inexpensive.
The plastic shelves were not designed to be folded routinely and the metal brace that supports them dislodges each time you fold the shelves. Other than these minor nuisances, the Weber 586002 Q 320 Gas Grill is fantastic and performs well.
Coleman Road Trip LXE Grill Review
The Coleman 9949-750 Road Trip Grill LXE is the perfect summer must have for your everyday barbecue with efficiency, versatility and convenience. It is not like your typical petite propane grills and tabletops, but rather a large grill that has collapsible scissor legs convenient for travel or countertops.
It features cooking space that is 285 square inches which is great for cooking out for a small barbecue or a day at the beach. Meat is cooked evenly with the two 10,000 BTU burners and it has independent control knobs that enable you to adjust the burners setting temperatures easily.
This grill has two grill grates that are made of cast-iron and porcelain coated for easy cleaning and are warp-resistant. There are two side tables that fit on the sides of the grill that provide more space for preparation and can be stored underneath the grill later on. It features a grease tray that easily catches your drippings and you can slide it out for cleaning.
Product Features:
- This grill is 36 in. and is great for traveling or at home.
- Features cast-iron grates coated in porcelain for easy cleaning and has a cooking space of 285 square inches.
- Includes two 10,000 BTU burners to cook meat.
- Other features include wheels, towing handle and side tables that are detachable.
- Comes with a 5 year warranty.
Final Analysis:
Pros: This grill is easy to clean and any residue easily washes away after being soaked for about 15 minutes in OxyClean. The grills cool down rather quickly. You can easily find the portable propane cylinders anywhere for this grill and it comes with two sliding table surfaces and hooks to store your tools.
The design of this portable grill is intelligent and the grill itself is easy to assemble with clear and concise instructions. The propane cans last for a couple hours and can be purchased at WalMart for around a $1.00. Great looking grill that cooks well.
Cons: Be careful because this grill does get hot. Grill will get messy but this is usually the case of all grills. It can be tricky to move the Coleman 9949-750 Grill once it is set up because it easily collapses. Overall, it is a well performing grill that is convenient and great to have.
The Differences Between Natural Gas Grills vs Propane Gas Grills
Besides for the traditional cooking that we all perform in our kitchens, we are able to add a new and exciting element to cooking and tantalizing our taste buds; this is through grilling. Apart from your normal barbecue grills that are fueled through charcoal, we also have the more popular propane and natural gas grills which more and more buyers are opting for. What exactly sets these grills apart from the more traditional charcoal?
For those who like to grill super fast, the propane grill is a good choice. These types of grills are very powerful, much more than the natural gas grills and will have your food ready quickly. However, even though you have food on your plate super fast, you might also end up with that propane smell in your food as well. This is due to propane giving off more exhaust than other choices. Therefore the natural gas grills that are less powerful will cook slower, but also cleaner.
Should you be a little weary of the cost to operate your barbecue grill, then natural gas grills will probably be a better choice for you. It is much more expensive than the propane selection. When you compare the natural gas to the propane as far as the cost per BTU, it is almost a third of the price. When using the natural gas grills, you will need to have a gas line installed in your home. At first, this can be a little costly, however, it will be worth it in the long run saving you a ton of money, hassles, and time.
When using the propane grills, when you run out of the fuel, you need to run to the store to replenish your tank. This can be a pain because propane tanks do not last that long so you will be making frequent trips. When using natural gas as your fueling option, you will have a continuous supply of fuel that will never run out as it is connected straight from your gas company.
Keep in mind though, there are some dangers and risks when using natural gas. Therefore take caution when using these lines. House fires are easily started from leaking gas lines.
Prior to purchasing your gas grill, educate yourself on the differences of the two grill types. You might pay more for grills that offer more features.
Final Thoughts…
For faster food and more power, propane grills are the way to go although a bit more expensive. Choosing the natural gas grill will give you less power, however your food will be cooked clean without the propane smell, but it is easier on your wallet and you get an endless supply of fuel.
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