Traditional Types of Grills: Charcoal
Charcoal grills are the most traditional types. Many people prefer the taste of food grilled with charcoal over gas. It has a smokier flavor and charcoal burns at a higher temperature than propane so it sears well.
One downside to a charcoal grill is that it isn’t as convenient as a gas grill. It takes a significant amount of time to get the coals burning hot, usually at least 45 minutes. After grilling, you’ll spend more time cleaning up the ashes. Also, charcoal is more expensive than propane, especially if you opt for hardwood charcoal.
Propane Grill
Propane grills are the most common types. Most grillmasters don’t think the flavor stands up to charcoal, but many people are won over by the convenience and affordability of fuel. If you don’t have a lot of spare time but love grilling food outside, a propane grill may be the best choice for you. You can also hook most grills up to the natural gas line in your home.
Wood Smoker
If you are serious about barbeque, consider investing in a wood smoker. Smoking meats becomes an obsession for many cooks because of the time and dedication it takes to do it right.
Wood smokers are more of an investment than charcoal or propane grills, and they take more skill and time to use. Smoked meat enthusiasts have strong opinions about their craft and argue that smoking meat with real wood is the only way to do it authentically.
Pellet Smoker
A pellet smoker is a newer option in the world of smokers. They use propane and wood pellets to create heat and smoke and are much easier to use than traditional wood smokers.
Recently, “smart” pellet smokers that can be controlled remotely have emerged as another option. Because smoking meat can be an all-day process, busy people appreciate this new technology that allows them to raise or lower the temperature and monitor the internal temperature of the meat with an app on their smartphone.
Convenient Types of Grills: Propane Flat Top
Another variation of a propane grill is a propane flat top. It is about the same size as its grill counterpart and can be quickly turned on and ready to use in a matter of minutes. Flat tops are easier to clean because there is no grate for food particles to fall through. Instead, the food is cooked on a cast-iron surface. Flat tops have more flexibility for the types of food they can cook, from burgers to quesadillas to hibachi.
These days, you have many options for different types of grills. If you have a lot of outdoor living space, invest in a couple of grills so that you have some variety. For instance, if you have a lot of free time at home, a wood smoker might be right for you. If you need to quickly make several grilled cheese sandwiches for kids, a propane flat top would be another good choice.
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