The 13 Best Grill/Charcoal Grills of 2024

When hanging out with family and friends in any outdoor space, you will need good food to tie the sessions together. For the best experience, do the food preparation. By preparing the food, you will start a bonding session. You will also be sure that you are preparing the right thing for your family and friends. But to prepare the best meals, you will need the best grills of 2020. That is particularly if your goal is to roast part of your foodstuff.

The market offers tons of grills options, which range from gas to charcoal grills. Mostly, the many models will make your selection work hard and if you do not know the features to look for, you are likely to go home with the wrong product. For that reason, we chose to help you buy the best grills for 2020 only. The following list will help you narrow down your choices when shopping for a grill to use in your backyard. We have also prepared a buying guide and FAQ section.

Best Overall: Weber 45010001 Spirit II E-310 3-Burner Liquid Propane Grill

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Weber is widely known for producing high-quality backyard grills. The Weber 45010001 Spirit II E-310 3-Burner Liquid Propane Grill uses an effective GS4 grilling system, which is designed to offer the best grilling experience. The grill features a reliable infinity ignition system, which the producer backs with a 10-year warranty. You should expect the grill to ignite the first time.

Its burner tubes ensure even cooking of foods from the front to the backside and the propane gas flows consistently on the grill to allow even heating of the cooking grate. The flavorizer catches all the drippings and the grease and vaporizes them to offer an additional smoky flavor. Furthermore, the liquid propane grill has a grease management system to help reduce flare-ups risks. The flavorizer bars will funnel any extra grease into the disposable drip tray situated beneath the cooking box. When the drip tray is full, remove it and replace it with a new one.

The Spirit 11 E-310 also features small touches that help make the grilling experience more enjoyable. The cooking grate is suitable for both the thick sears and delicate food. Its open cart design and the folding side tables offer more storage for the grilling tools. Finally, the warming rack and the fuel gauge are more convenient. The three burners will provide 30,000 BTU s of heat.

Best Charcoal Grill: Weber 14501001 Master-Touch Charcoal Grill

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The Weber 14501001 Master-Touch Charcoal Grill comes with many helpful features. First, it features Weber’s Gourmet BBQ System with a removable round center section that you can replace with any of Weber’s custom accessories such as work, pizza stone, griddle and others. The large charcoal grill comes with an easier to clean system, built-in thermometer and roll-top lid.

In addition to the built-in thermometer and large ash catcher, the product features a rollaway lid holder to allow sliding off the grill and Gourmet BBQ System cooking grates. The main reason people are choosing this version of the Weber Kettle Charcoal Grill is the many accessories. If you are planning to do more than grilling, buy the pizza stones to experiment with less smoking.

Best Electric Grill: George Foreman 15-Serving Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill

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The George Foreman 15-Serving Indoor/Outdoor Electric Grill offers 240 square inches of circular grilling surface. It features George tough non-stick coating that makes the cleaning part easy and makes the product more durable. With the feature, you do not need any butter or oil when cooking your food.

The outdoor and indoor removable stand allows grilling of food including in those windy days. When you feel like grilling indoors, you will only need to take the electric grill to your kitchen countertop and switch it on. You will love the temperature control feature, which allows you to select one of the 5 heat settings for even food cooking.

The best thing about this product is that it is fully electric. You do not need charcoal or propane to fuel the grill. The durable grill plate is not only easy to remove but it allows faster clean up. The drip tray will collect the excess grease and fat, which will drip through the sloped grilling surface.

Best Built-In: 40″ 5-Burner Built-In Gas Grill by Blaze Grills

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When designing your outdoor BBQ area, one of the things you must do is select a good built-in grill. The 40′ 5-Burner Built-in Gas Grill by Blaze Grills is a great addition to any outdoor space. Built-in gas grills are a perfect choice for individuals planning for a permanent outdoor cooking space. After anchoring them into place, they complete the outdoor kitchen space perfectly.

The model comes with many features to make your outdoor grilling hassle-free and more fun. Its flame-stabilizing grids reduce flare-ups for your safety when adding unique flavors to your food. Grilling will never be messy, thanks to its full-width drip tray, which will catch the fat and grease.

Blaze 5-Burner Built-in Gas Grill offers a big cooking space of around 915 square inches. Each of its cooking zones offers a specific temperature to facilitate better cooking of different foods. All you need to do is choose the right setting for every type of food. The automatic ignition system on each of the five burners allows faster and hassle-free ignition. Together, the product can produce around 80,000 BTUs of heat output, which is enough to cook your food evenly.

Best Design: Broil King Regal S420 Pro 4 Burner Propane Gas Grill

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Apart from being something of beauty that strikes up occasional conversations at your family cookout, the best gas grill for 2020 should also be a good cooking companion. It should allow you to prepare various dishes conveniently. The Broil King Regal S420 Pro 4 Burner Propane Gas Grill ticks off all the boxes and it is durable. Its cook box and lid are made of high-quality cast aluminum and stainless steel. Its knobs have illumination that will come on immediately the sun goes down. The cabinet base is fully enclosed to secure the propane tank and the other gadgets you use, without any fear that rainwater will infiltrate.

The four propane burners are independently controlled and they feature linear flow burner valves. Each of the elements has 120 ports that release efficient heat. The product is capable of producing around 50,000 BTUs of heat at full roar. It also boasts Flav-R plats under its grill grates to vaporize the drippings instantly for an added smoky flavor.

Made of porcelain-coated cast iron, the grates are sculpted to feature two different shapes. They are printed on one side to make appealing grill lines. It is curved on the other side to hold the natural juices closer to the meat and to double continuous basting. Broil King supplies stainless steel grill grates too, which they make with heavy-duty rods for adequate heat retention.

The Broil King Regal S420 Pro 4 Burner Propane Gas Grill features a rotisserie to allows the user to cook a broiler-fryer chicken or Cornish game hens slowly. The side burner, which is hidden in one of the grill’s side tables, allows users to prepare basic side dishes without running back and forth between the kitchen and grill.

Best Value: Weber 46510001 Spirit E310 Liquid Propane Gas Grill

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The Weber 46510001 Spirit E310 Liquid Propane Gas Grill is the right size for most occasions, BBQs with small crowds or large family get-togethers. If you are a serious griller, you will find numerous things to love on this product. First, it boasts a grease collection feature along with hooks to hold your grilling tools. The other more convenient features on the product include caster wheels and side tables that allow for fast change of locations when that is necessary.

The built-in thermometer eliminates guesswork when it comes to maintaining the right temperatures. With this feature, you will always set the right temperature depending on the type of food you are preparing. Again, it boasts a fuel gauge feature to eliminate the chances of the fuel running out when cooking. You will always know the right time to change your propane gas tank depending on the amount of food you are preparing.

Its side tables hold condiments and the serving trays for better organization of your cooking. When it comes to the flavor bars, they will help distribute the heat evenly in the firebox and vaporize the drippings faster to eliminate the chances of flare-ups. They also prevent debris from reaching the tubes and clogging them to protect the burners. Best of all, they vaporize the grease to add flavor to the meat you are cooking.

Napoleon TQ285X-BL Portable Propane Grill with Cart

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The popularity of gas grills has been growing rapidly due to the minimal cleanup and the ease of use. The Napoleon TQ285X-BL Portable Propane Grill with Cart is thoughtfully engineered and designed for outdoor use. The product is durable and stable, meaning that it will fit in your deck or any other outdoor cooking space properly. It provides large side tables to hold enough serving platters and for basic prep.

The Napoleon TQ285X-BL Portable Propane Grill with Cart folds up easily for compact storage and easier transportation. After folding it into the scissor cart, it will roll comfortably on the all-terrain wheels. Its two stainless steel burners produce 12,000 BTUs of heat and the cast iron wave style grill grates are coated in durable layers of non-stick porcelain to help retain heat to provide superior sear. When loaded, the product can grill 18 hamburger patties at once.

The propane coupler handles the small 1.2-pound propane canisters, suitable for camping or tailgate parties. Moreover, you can use it as your daily grill after connecting your large propane tank. Its Jetfire ignition system allows faster lighting of burners without fiddling around with matches or lighter.

Weber 57060001 Q3200 Liquid Propane Grill, White

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The Weber 57060001 Q3200 Liquid Propane Grill, White is another perfect choice for camping and tailgating enthusiasts. The Weber Propane Grill does not require you to do any pre-assembly when planning to go out or to camp. All you need to do is fold it out and use the screws. It is a good choice when preparing food for a few friends or your family during those small gatherings.

Apart from offering hooks for your cooking tools, it lights up perfectly in the dark spaces. Everything is porcelain-enameled to make the cleaning and maintenance part easy. Due to the friendly electron ignition, beginners find it easier to use. You will find most of the features helpful.

Char-Griller E3001 Grillin’ Pro 40,800-BTU Gas Grill

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Next on our list of the best grills of 2020 is the Char-Griller E3001 Grillin’s Pro 40,800 – BTU Gas Grill. When buying kitchen appliances, including barbeque grills, one of the things you should never forget is the aesthetic aspect. The Char-Griller E3001 Grillin’s Pro 40,800-BTU Gas Grill offers a differentiated industrial look and sleek design.

Due to the heavy-duty steel construction, the product is durable and may last for a lifetime. Its wheels are sturdier than the small caster on many other models that break easily. Moreover, its porcelain-coated grill grates are made to last.

Only a few grilling appliances will compare to the Char-griller’s cooking surface, which is around 630 square inches and the warming rack offers 192 square inches surface. With the side shelf, you can prepare all your meat before grilling it.

The three stainless steel burners will generate around 40,800 BTUs of heat across the grilling surface. Speaking of the side burner, it provides 12,000 BTUs of heat. The features make the grill a good choice for large family and friends gatherings. The switch-on is easy, just press the electric ignition button and the grill will warm up within a short time.

Weber 51060001 Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill

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Two of the attractive features you will love about the Weber 51060001 Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill is the portability and design of the grill. It boats foldout worktables and a sturdy frame to allow for durability. With around 189 square inch porcelain-enameled cooking grates, the product offers enough space for meal preparation, whether you are planning to entertain many guests or to prepare meals for your family. The light-up process is fast and after the grill heats up, the heat will be evenly spread across its cooking surface for even cooking.

The attractive compact grill will match most of your grilling needs. As you would expect from the Weber brand, the product comes with an electric ignition system that is easy to use. The ignition system enables fast lighting and better control of the burner.

With the burner control features, you can vary the temperature to match the instructions of your food preparation. Again, you can place the grill on top of your table without having to worry about any excess heat damaging your tabletop. Use disposable LP cylinders, which are available in two sizes 16.4 ounces and 14.1 ounces. Lastly, its cook boxes are durable and they require minimal maintenance.

Expert Grill Heavy Duty 24-Inch Charcoal Grill

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The Expert Grill offers all the features people who enjoy grilling would want. The 24-inch grate space is the first feature that you will love about this product. The large space can hold around 20 burgers at a time. In other words, it allows the preparation of big meat cuts or dinner for your whole family. The upper rack, which sits on the main grate, offers enough space to help prepare foods that require lesser heat or long cook times.

When it comes to heat adjustment, the grill provides many options. You can adjust the charcoal pan to set the charcoal further or closer to the food. To allow more airflow and to add charcoal, you do not need to lift the cooking grate. Open the door situated on the front side of the grill and add the charcoal or increase the heat. The high-visibility temperature gauge situated on the charcoal grill will tell you what is happening inside. For the food to cook evenly, leave the lid closed. Furthermore, the powder-coated exterior will eliminate the chances of heat loss.

Royal Gourmet CD1824A Charcoal Grill

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If you have been looking for the best outdoor cooker offering a large grilling compartment, Royal Gourmet CD1824A Charcoal Grill might be the best choice. The charcoal grill provides both main and secondary cooking areas in addition to a working table. The features make it a fully-fledged cooking place. Its adjustable charcoal pan and removable ashtray allow better tuning of heat. What’s more, you will have a heat gauge to help regulate the grilling temperatures.

Royal Gourmet BBQ Charcoal Grill

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The Royal Gourmet BBQ Charcoal Grill is another charcoal grill that comes with many helpful features. You can use it as an offset smoker or charcoal grill depending on your needs. One of the things you will identify the first time you come across it is that it has the shape of a barrel that allows it to stand alone. It is made of outstanding iron and steel material, so you can believe that its quality is very high.

All grill producers know that you need a place to store your cooking tools. Royal Gourmet offers a mesh front shelf to hold your necessary items. The offset smoker allows the preparation of delicious marinates or side dishes. In the end, you will have the best tasting meat. You will have 420-square inches for traditional cooking and 180 square inches for offset warming.

Best gas grills buying guide

Here are the factors to consider when buying a gas grill.

Beyond the burgers

The best gas grills are designed for cooking hot dogs and burgers. Grills with higher scores are likely to cook a wide range of food. If roasts or ribs are part of your menu, you will need a grill that will do well in indirect-cooking tests. Indirect cooking allows better slow cooking of the large or tough cuts. Grills with indirect cooking features allow you to place the meat near the fire not over it and close the rid to eliminate chances of heat loss.

Bringing the heat

British thermal units per hour (BTU/hr) tells you the amount of gas the grill you intend to buy uses per hour and the amount of heat it will generate. However, it will not tell you how the model will sear your steaks or how fast the cooking surface will heat up. BTUs do not guarantee the preheating speed or best cooking. Instead of checking the BTU, consider the preheating test scores.

About burners

When buying a gas grill, you should keep in mind that you are likely to replace the burner more often. Burners last for 2-10 years and most distributors will provide a 10 years warranty. The burners with a guarantee are likely to last longer than those without.

Ignore infrared

Infrared burners on gas grills are meant to sear chops or steaks with intense heat. However, you should ignore the grills with the infrared feature during your purchase. The infrared burners do not sear meat in a better way than the typical gas burners. Temperature-range scores will help you select the right model one that will reach the right searing temperatures and low temperatures to allow indirect cooking.

Look for solid construction

During your purchase, you should never forget to check the construction of the gas grills. Test the stability, the carts, wheels, firebox and the lid. A stainless steel cart with seamless construction and properly welded joints will be sturdier than a properly painted steel cart joined with bolts and nuts. However, that should not apply for the charcoal models because they are not made to last for many years. Caster or wheels on all legs or four corners will allow easier maneuvering of the grill. Wheels with a full axle are better than the versions bolted to the frame individually.

Recipe for safety

Sturdy grills should not only be made to last several grilling seasons. They should also be safe to use. Grill stability prevents tipping and, therefore, you should check for it first. Avoid the gas grills with sharp metal edges and corners. Ensure that your fingers and knuckles are far from the hot lid when testing the handle. Some flame flare might be normal but the sustained flare-ups will be few if the distance between the burners and grates is large.

The features to consider when buying a gas grill

Some features might help you select the best grill. They include the high-end features like gliding drawers to allow storage of condiments and utensils and pull out grease trays that make the cleanup and grilling process easy. Here are some of the other features to look for during your shopping.

Heavy-duty grates:

Stainless steel or porcelain-coated cast-iron grates are easier to maintain and sear.

Igniters: electronic igniters are easier to use and more reliable than the push-button or rotary igniters are.

Side burner:

A side burner will allow you to keep your baked beans warm or cook some corn while grilling the other food. Some of the side burners are designed as searing burners.

LED-Lit Controls:

Igniters will come in handy when grilling after dusk. They will light up your grilling surface while illuminating the knots or control panel.

Fuel Gauge:

The fuel gauge will indicate the amount of propane you have left in your small tank. If your gas grill does not feature a gauge, buy one separately.

Pullout Tray to hold the propane tank:

A pullout tray will make it easier to turn the tank on/off. It also simplifies the changing of the tank when the gas runs out.

Natural gas conversion kit or dual fuel valves:

The price of conversion kits ranges between $50 and $100. After hooking it to the natural gas line in your home, you will never worry about the fuel or refilling the propane tanks. Unfortunately, your gas grill will be immobile and you will require the services of a professional to the new gas line. Some brands offer natural gas grills versions for some models.

Best charcoal grills buying guide

Here are the factors to consider when buying a charcoal grill.

Airflow

To regulate the heat in your charcoal grill, you have to vary the airflow. The fire burns hotter when more air moves over the coals. By limiting the airflow, you will just keep the coals lit. Search for the models with tight-fitting lids and solid vents or dampers because they will be more helpful when slow cooking.

Accessible coal bed

When cooking for prolonged periods, you will need to add more coal from time to time. The charcoal will take around 20 minutes for its temperature to peak after lighting and it will start dying off dramatically after around 90 minutes. So, buy a charcoal grill featuring a dedicated door for coal addition. Alternatively, go for one featuring hinged grates to allow sneaking in of more coals or rearrangement of the coal while cooking.

Grill shape and size

Charcoal briquettes burn at the same temperature, the shape and size of the grill will dictate the concentration of heat diffusion. Wide models, which include most barrel grills, will cook a large amount of food at the same time, but over a thin coal bed. They are a good choice for bratwurst and burger cookout. Kamado and kettle grills are usually deep.

Adjustable cooking grates and coals

Any food near the coals will sear faster but it will also be more prone to burning before it cooks through. When shopping, search for charcoal grills with cooking grates or coal beds that you can lower or raise with a crank. With such a product, you will easily control the heat and tame the flames.

The main features to look for when buying charcoal grills

Even though extra features are important, they might break or make the experience when grilling with charcoal. Charcoal grills are more about controlling the coals. Therefore, you should focus more on the ease of use when buying one. Here are some of the features to consider when shopping for a charcoal grill.

Adjustable height cooking grates

Adjustable height cooking grates allow you to lower and raise the food when cooking, it is equivalent to turning down your burner when using a gas grill. For searing, you just need to lower the cooking grates closer to the coals. When slowing coking your chicken breast you can raise it higher to avoid charring the skin.

Easier to clean ashtrays

Your cooking can easily get messy when using charcoal. The residual coal, ash and food drippings might collect at the grill bottom making the cleaning work hard. For easier cleaning, choose a charcoal grill model featuring a removable ash pan.

Easy to open grates

Charcoal reaches the peak temperature in less than 20 minutes after lighting. To maintain the right temperature, you will have to add coal and control the airflow properly when cooking. A charcoal grill with grates or coal door that slide open will allow easier addition of charcoal without removing the cooking grates or moving the food.

Multiple dampers or vents

To control the heat in your charcoal grill, you will have to increase or reduce the amount of airflow or coal. More airflow will fuel the burning coal, therefore, increasing the temperature. Grills with more than two vents are more flexible and allow better control of temperature.

Wheels for the legs

Charcoal grills are not as sturdy as gas models are. Those featuring a caster or wheel for every leg are more portable. You can take them to any part of your patio or deck. Unfortunately, they will bend when moved.

Best Pellet grills: factors to consider

Pellet grills offer the benefits of charcoal grills and smokers with gas grill convenience. The grills available in the market have a similar appearance and they feature large metal bins or hopper to which the users add pellets made of flavourful woods compressed sawdust. Some of the flavourful woods include oak, mesquite and hickory and they are available in hardware stores or home centers.

The grills feature an electronic ignites that draws out the pellets and lights them to make smoke and heat that adds flavor to your food. And because pellet grills come with a thermostat, the user can adjust the heat to the needed temperature. That is hard to achieve with charcoal or gas grills. The price of the available models ranges between $600 and $1,200.

• Hopper: The size of the pellet grill hopper determines the number of pellets the grill will hold. It also determines how long you will wait before adding any more fuel. A long hopper will allow you to cook from one load.
• Temperature range: Search for pellet grills with broad temperature ranges. Most of the products in the market offer a temperature range between 160 degrees Fahrenheit and 600 degrees Fahrenheit. Models with a wide temperature range are more versatile because they can slow-smoke food at very low temperatures or sear the steaks at very high temperatures.
• Smoking: Generally, smoking your foods can be as easy as filling the pellet grill’s hopper with your favorite pellets and dialing in the temperature, preferably less than 225 degrees Fahrenheit. The process is easier than you expect when fine-tuning your charcoal or gas grill.
• Searing zone: Most pellet grills come with heat deflectors to prevent flare-ups and burning. However, the deflectors can make searing of food hard. The heat will be indirect and it will not produce any distinct grill marks. For searing, go for the models with dedicated searing zones, such as those that allow removal of the heat deflector.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much will I spend on a good grill?
A: The price of the best charcoal grills range between $100 and $300. The old reliable, versatile, capable and indestructible Weber Kettle will cost you less than $100 while a gas unit will cost you between $200 and $400. Keep in mind that quality does not increase with the price.

Q: How much will propane grill cost?
A: Average propane gas grills for backyard cooking will retail at a price between $100 and $400. One such unit is the Char-Griller 3001 Grillin’ Pro, which comes with three burners, a wheeled cart and 438 square inch grilling area in addition to a warming rack.

Q: Which are better: cast iron or stainless steel grill grates?
A: Cast iron grates are known to last for many years. They also retain more heat and offer good non-stick properties. Stainless steel grates are rust and corrosion-resistant. In other words, they are easier to clean. If you find it hard to choose between the two types, buy both for your smoker or grill and stick to the one offering great results.

Q: When should is the best time to buy grills?
A: The best time to buy a charcoal grill is generally early summer or mid-summer but you will also find many good deals in September. In the last few years, the best deals have been in May, June and July.

Q: How long will a gas grill last?
A: In reality, gas grills can last between 5 and 15 years. That will highly depend on the level of care you take in maintaining your grill.

Q: Will a grill fit in my vehicle?
A: Yes, you can install one in your vehicle or pay to have one assembled. Some of the cheap grills will have many parts that you will have to put together. But regardless of the grill you select, ensure that it will fit in your vehicle.

Q: Are rusted grates good for grilling?
A: Grills rust. Keep in mind that grills with loose rust are not safe. Rust will stick to your food. If the grilling grate has minor surface rust, clean and treat it before you start your grilling task. Ingestion of rust might not cause any immediate problems, but continuous ingestion will cause intestinal tract problems.

Q: Do porcelain grill grates offer better results than the stainless steel grill grates?
A: Porcelain-enameled cast-iron grilling grates generally retain heat longer and better than the other types of grates. For that reason, they are a good choice for people who need bold sear marks. Stainless steel grilling grates will last for many years if maintained properly.

Q: Should I cover my grill?
A: By covering your grill, you will manage to keep it looking new for many years. Cover the grill after every single use, but allow it to cool down first.

Q: Will a stainless steel grill last for many years?
A: Stainless steel grills last longer but they will not hold more heat as cast iron grills do.

Conclusion

A grill will be important when preparing your meals, particularly if you are a barbeque lover. Grills are simple implements that are easy to operate. When cooking outdoors, you will have adequate time to bond with your family and friends. Above, we have provided a long list of the best grills of 2020 in addition to the features and factors you need to consider during y our shopping. Ensure that the product you purchase is easy to use, durable and offers additional features like a heat gauge.