One of the main necessities of a household, comparable to television (almost), is an outdoor kitchen grill. Why? It is because grilling is a popular cooking choice by American families because it is fun, fast, and creates delicious dishes.
This activity brings friends and families closer together and gives people more time to socialize while keeping their bellies full and satisfied. Parties and social gatherings are not complete without barbecue. Many holidays in America are celebrated with grilling.
It is also cheap and fuss-free. While inviting guests over to dinner may be popular, nothing beats good old backyard barbecue. People love more the smoky and carefree backyard ambiance rather than the stiff, formal dinner.
Because everyone should own an outdoor kitchen grill, we have rounded up the types of grills out there and what each kind brings to the table. To make your search easier and faster, we have also listed products that you may include in your next shopping list.
What are the types of outdoor kitchen grills?
Many would consider outdoor kitchen grills to be the same – they all barbecue great mouthwatering hotdogs and burgers. While that is true, grills differ greatly, not just by price, but also by type and materials. Before your purchase what’s right for your needs and budget, you need to be in-depth with the advantages and disadvantages of these types of grills.
Comparison Chart
Char-Broil 463655621 Performance TRU-Infrared 2-Burner Cabinet Style Liquid Propane Gas Grill, Metallic Gray
Gas Grill – Quite the most popular among backyard grills. This is mostly used because homes are connected to natural gas from their utility provider, which they can just connect to their grills. Bottled propane, which is easy to acquire, is also used to fire up this type of grill. However, if you have already access to natural gas, it is more convenient and cheaper to use that than refilling propane tanks.
Pros: Best used by people who want to immediately start the grill and don’t want the mess caused by the use of charcoal. It doesn’t require too much maintenance unlike a charcoal grill that you have to clean every after use.
Cons: This type of grill is more expensive than its charcoal counterpart. If you are also a big fan of having a smoke flavor added to your hotdog and burger, you won’t get much of that by using this. You may be able to get a tiny hint of smoke flavor but compared to the smoky goodness a charcoal grill may bring, it is nothing. If the smoke flavor doesn’t bother you, and you like your burgers fast, then this grill is for you. Take note however, that because this type of grill comes expensive, the parts for replacement (if it comes to that) are expensive as well.
Char-Broil Performance TRU Infrared Gas Grill with Side Burner and Cabinet
Coleman RoadTrip 285 Standup Propane Grill
Charcoal Grill – This type of grill use charcoal briquettes for fuel and firepower. As previously mentioned, people use this type of grill because it gives out that authentic smoky flavor and aroma to the food, especially when grilled using natural wood. Not only is the grill cheaper than the gas grill, charcoal is also cheap making it the best choice for barbecuing on a budget.
Pros: People who love the added strong smoky flavor will love this grill. It is also great for searing meat because charcoal burns at a higher temperature than gas. It is also great for cooking indirectly. Meaning you can have one side roasting, while the other side can be for heating. Gas grills give universal heat on its entire surface.
Cons: Meat cooked over charcoal takes a while to cook. Not only that, it takes a bit of time just to prepare the charcoal and fire it up, unlike a gas grill that only takes a minute to heat. Prepare at least 45 minutes for starting the coals and heating the grill and another 15 minutes or more to cook the meat thoroughly (it takes more depending on the thickness of the meat).
Char-Griller Pro Deluxe Charcoal Grill
Weber One-Touch Gold Kettle Grill
Electric Grill – This type of grill uses electricity and heated grill plates to cook meat. It requires no fire and comes with indoor and outdoor varieties. Take note, this type of grill doesn’t come close to what a gas or charcoal grill do.
Pros: People who live in the city or condominiums that have strict fire regulations, especially by using gas or charcoal grills. It also saves you a lot of space because of its small size and portability.
Cons: Meat cooked through an electric grill doesn’t taste as good compared to charcoal and gas grill. The smoky flavor is totally gone.
George Foreman Indoor/Outdoor Grill
Meco Deluxe Electric Cart Grill
What are the factors to consider when buying an outdoor kitchen grill?
Price – Gas grills are more expensive than charcoal grills. This is the same for repair and maintenance; gas grills may require more expensive parts replacement than a traditional charcoal grill. Both grills may range from $100 – $1,000 or more. Pick a grill that not only suits your budget but also doesn’t sacrifice quality.
Size – Measure grills by their cooking area. A small grill has room for 10 to 15 hamburgers, while the largest ones can fit 30 or more. Consider the number of guests you invite and how frequent you host barbecue parties.
Material – Stainless steel gas grills last longer, especially in areas where the grills are exposed to rain and snow. Also make sure that the grills are made of durable and heavy steel.
Conclusion
Whatever outdoor kitchen grill you have picked, don’t forget to have fun grilling and barbecuing with your family and friends. It doesn’t matter if you own the most expensive or the cheapest as long as you find the grill that works for you. Also, make sure that your grill not only cooks the best hotdogs, burgers, and steaks, but also safe and easy to use. Happy grilling!
