5 Best Grills for Summer
Best Grills of Summer, for Outdoor BBQ or Indoor Party - Gas, Electric and Charcoal...
Nothing says summer like grilling up easy summer recipes with a perfect char. Of course, you'll need the right grill to make the job quick, easy, and low-mess. We looked at more than a dozen grills to find you the best models with even heating, excellent searing skills, and minimal flare-ups and smoking. Then we considered helpful extras like side tables, tool storage, concealed gas tanks, wheels for portability, and more.
Whether you're a beginner looking to master the basics or a professional pining for the next best by upgrading your backyard model. From saucy, fall-off-the-bone ribs that rival your favorite BBQ joint to flavorful, fork-tender veggies that even the kids would eat, take your cooking skills outside with one of the best outdoor grills. These are the best grills you can buy in 2021:
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Best Value Grill: NexGrill 4-Burner Gas Grill
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Best Gas and Charcoal Grill: Char-Griller Double Play Gas and Charcoal Grill
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Best Outdoor Electric Grill: Weber Q 1400 Electric Grill
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Best Pellet Grill: Traeger Pro Series 575
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Best Flexible Mini Grill: Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill
What Type of Grill is Right for You?
When buying a new outdoor grill, the two biggest players are gas and charcoal, but electric and wood pellet grills are also fair game. When selecting what type of grill to buy, consider how often you'll be grilling, the amount of space you have for storage, what flavor you prefer, and the amount of time and attention you'll want to spend cooking. Here are the basics on each:
1. Gas grills
Gas grills are the most common type. Gas grills are great because they offer excellent control over cooking temp (the ability to adjust the burner knobs makes it less likely that you'll end up with burnt brisket!), plus they ignite with the push of a button, heat up quickly, and are easy to clean. It's the go-to option for no-fuss grillers who plan to barbecue frequently. Just keep in mind that you'll need fuel from a propane tank or natural gas line on your property.
Our Recommendations
Best Value Grill:
Nexgrill 4-Burner Gas Grill
$ 299.00
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It can be tough to find a great quality grill for under $500, but with its gleaming stainless steel, the NexGrill 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill with Side Burner is an A+ choice for the price tag. It delivers perfect grill marks, a side burner, and space for 28 burgers. On the side, there's a burner for heating beans or sauce. And best of all: We saw no smoking or flareups when cooking.
2. Charcoal grills
Charcoal grills require briquettes or lump charcoal to ignite. Charcoal is more hands-on and takes time to heat up and cool down but imparts a better, more barbecue-y flavor than gas because it often gets hotter. For grilling purists willing to work for it.
Our Recommendations
Best Gas and Charcoal Grill:
Char-Griller Double Play Gas and Charcoal Grill
$ 348.00
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If you’re looking to combine the quick convenience of gas with the familiar smoky flavor of charcoal, this dual-functioning outdoor grill can do both. On one side, a gas grill features three main burners with heat tents, a side burner for stovetop cooking, and electronic ignition, while on the other, a charcoal grill offers an easy-dump ash pan and adjustable height grate for customizable temperature control.
3. Electric grills
Electric grills plugin and can't be beaten for ease-of-use or convenience — especially the grills that can be used indoors or at apartment complexes that don't allow grills —just don't expect steaks or burgers "browned" on an electric grill to taste like the ones from a real BBQ.
Our Recommendations
Best Outdoor Electric Grill:
Weber Q 1400 Electric Grill
$ 279.00
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One of the best electric grills you can buy today is the Weber Q1400 Electric Grill. It has a sleek exterior design featuring a cast aluminum lid and body, as well as a large grip handle and control knobs and ergonomic side handles. You can adjust the inner temperature via the infinite heat control settings, and the porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates will put a delicious sear on your food. Overall, with its sleek design and performance of this electric grill, it is ideal for those looking to save space.
4. Wood pellet grills
Wood pellet grills are another great option for those who are willing to go the extra mile for flavor. They're powered by hardwood scraps for a slow-smoked taste and a low-maintenance set-it-and-forget-it-type cooking process that doesn't require constant monitoring.
Our Recommendations
Best Pellet Grill:
Traeger Pro Series 575
$ 799.99
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Traeger is known for its wide assortment of large pellet grills designed to grill and smoke a lot of meat at once at a precise temperature. They heat up more quickly than charcoal grills and require less prep work (no fussing around with coals that won't light or are hard to spread out). They work by first plugging them into and outlet and allowing the inner mechanics to move pellets from the hopper into the "fire pot" where they're heated. A fan moves the heat and smoke into the grill to cook food from there. This Traeger pellet grill has a temperature range of 165ºF to 500ºF, which means you can use it for everything from smoking and braising to searing and grilling. It also connects to a recipe app that allows you to program and monitor the cooking process, a useful tool because foods could take hours to cook.
5. Flexible mini electric grills
Flexible mini electric grills for some folks who have a very small space available for grilling. Perhaps you have a small patio or balcony? Or, maybe you only cook for one or two people and don’t need a large grill? Perhaps you travel a lot and spend time camping or RVing. We also find the two best mini tabletop grills to fit your needs.
Our Recommendations
Best Mini Grill:
Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill
$ 64.99
homedepot.com
If the weather’s not playing ball, you still want to grill but have no outdoor cover, then an indoor tabletop grill is your option. And that’s where this Hamilton Beach indoor tabletop grill comes in. This grill provides is easily enough to cook a full meal for 2, or steak, burgers or hotdogs for 4 to 6. One of the best features of this indoor grill is the ease with which you can clean it. The hood, drip tray, and cooking grate are all easily removable and dishwasher safe. This is great because when things are easy to clean, you are more likely to make more use of them.
