Which Is The Best Type Of Grill?

In the realm of outdoor cooking, the plethora of grill options can be overwhelming.

Among the myriad choices, tabletop grills, kamado BBQs, barrel BBQ grills, and pellet grills stand out as popular options, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Here in this quick guide, we'll delve into the pros and cons of each type, helping you make an informed decision and deciding which is the best type of grill for you.

Pros:

Portability: Tabletop grills are lightweight and compact, making them ideal for picnics and camping trips.

Space-saving: Perfect for small patios, balconies, or apartments with limited outdoor space.

Quick heating: Tabletop grills typically heat up faster than larger models, allowing for quicker cooking times.

Easy to clean: Their smaller size makes them easier to clean and maintain compared to larger grills.

Cons:

Limited cooking surface: Due to their compact size, tabletop grills have limited cooking space, making them less suitable for large gatherings or parties.

Less heat control: Some tabletop models may lack precise temperature control, limiting your cooking options.

Limited features: They often lack additional features like side burners or smoker boxes found in

Pros:

Versatility: Kettle BBQ’s allow various cooking styles, such as grilling, smoking and even baking.

Portability: Compact and lightweight, perfect for camping or at home.

Affordability: Great option for the more budget conscious, offering excellent performance and durability.

Easy to Use: Simple design and intuitive operation, the kettle BBQ is easy to use, even for beginners. Lighting charcoal and controlling temperature are straightforward processes, allowing you to focus on cooking.

Iconic Flavour: The combination of charcoal, wood smoke, and open-air cooking creates a unique and irresistible taste that is difficult to replicate with other methods.

Cons:

Limited Cooking Space: While kettle BBQs are versatile, their cooking surface is relatively small compared to larger grills. This limitation may pose challenges when cooking for large gatherings or preparing multiple dishes simultaneously.

Longer Cooking Times: Unlike gas grills, which offer instant heat, kettle BBQs require more time to reach the desired cooking temperature. If you're short on time or prefer quick meals, this aspect of kettle BBQ cooking may be a drawback.

Maintenance: While kettle BBQs are relatively easy to use, they require regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance and longevity. Cleaning the grill grates, removing ash, and occasionally replacing charcoal grates are essential tasks that can be time-consuming. Failure to properly maintain your kettle BBQ can lead to diminished cooking performance and potentially shorten its lifespan.

Weather Dependence: Wind, rain, and extreme temperatures can impact cooking times and temperature control, requiring adjustments to achieve desired results. Prolonged exposure to the elements can cause wear and tear on the grill's components, necessitating more frequent maintenance and potentially reducing its lifespan.

Learning Curve: User-friendly overall, but mastering techniques such as temperature control, indirect grilling, and smoking requires practice and experience.

Pros:

Versatility: Kamado grills excel at both grilling and smoking, allowing for a wide range of cooking techniques.

Excellent heat retention: Their ceramic construction retains heat exceptionally well, resulting in consistent temperatures and efficient fuel usage.

Superior flavour: Kamado grills impart a unique smoky flavour to food thanks to their efficient airflow control and use of natural lump charcoal.

Durable: Built to last, kamado grills are often prized for their longevity and ability to withstand high temperatures.

Cons:

Price: Kamado grills tend to be more expensive upfront compared to other types of grills.

Heavy: Their ceramic construction makes them heavy and difficult to move, limiting portability.

Learning curve: Mastering the nuances of temperature control and airflow may take some practice for inexperienced grillers.

Fragility: While durable, the ceramic shell of kamado grills can crack or break if mishandled.

Pros:

Large cooking surface: Barrel grills typically offer ample cooking space, making them suitable for hosting large gatherings or events.

Affordability: Compared to kamado grills, barrel BBQs are often more budget-friendly, providing good value for money.

Charcoal flavour: Like kamado grills, barrel BBQs impart a delicious smoky flavour to food, enhancing its taste.

Easy access: Many barrel grills feature hinged lids or doors, allowing for easy access to the cooking surface.

Cons:

Size: Barrel BBQ grills can be bulky and may require significant outdoor space for storage.

Temperature fluctuations: Achieving and maintaining consistent temperatures can be challenging due to their design.

Cleaning difficulties: The large size of barrel grills can make cleaning and maintenance more cumbersome compared to smaller models.

Limited portability: While not as heavy as kamado grills, barrel BBQs are still relatively heavy and may be difficult to transport.

Pros:

Precise temperature control: Pellet grills offer precise temperature control, allowing for consistent results every time.

Versatility: With the ability to grill, smoke, roast, and bake, pellet grills are incredibly versatile and suitable for a wide range of cooking styles.

Easy to use: Pellet grills feature user-friendly controls and automated pellet feeding systems, making them accessible to novice grillers.

Clean burning: Pellets produce minimal ash and smoke, resulting in cleaner and more efficient combustion.

Cons:

Price: Pellet grills tend to be more expensive than traditional charcoal or gas grills, with higher upfront costs and ongoing expenses for pellets.

Reliance on electricity: Pellet grills require electricity to operate, limiting their use in areas without power sources.

Complexity: The automated features of pellet grills may be overwhelming for some users, requiring a learning curve to fully utilize.

Flavour differences: While pellet grills impart a delicious smoky flavour, some purists argue that it differs from the authentic taste produced by charcoal or wood-fired grills.

As you can see, when it comes to outdoor cooking, choosing the right grill is a matter of personal preference, budget, and lifestyle.

Tabletop grills offer portability and convenience, Kettle BBQ's offer  ease of use and value for money,while kamado BBQs provide versatility and superior flavour.

Barrel BBQ grills offer ample cooking space at an affordable price, while pellet grills excel in precision and ease of use.

By weighing the pros and cons of each type, you can make an informed decision that suits your grilling needs and preferences.

To find out more about which is the best type of grill for you, we offer a wide range of these, from Tabletop, Kettle, Kamado, Barrel and Pellet Smokers, offering something for all cooking needs and budgets.

See below for more details.