The 8 Very Best Barbecue Grills

Whatwe’relookingfor

Size:363 square inches |Material:Steel coated with porcelain enamel|Special features:Ash catcher, wheels

“Webers are my absolute favorite,” chef Ippy Aiona says. “Their ability to create almost a convection-like cooking effect with the dome lid makes them far superior in my opinion.” Plafke is another fan, calling this Weber “a tiny but mighty bad-boy classic” that’s suitable for beginners and pros alike. “For home andbackyarduse, this charcoal grill is incredibly reliable, easy to manage, and can still produce a good amount of barbecue,” she says. “With a little practice, even a beginner griller can make use of the rotational lid/damper and smoke items as well as traditional grilling.”

Durability is also why Strategist kitchen and dining writer Emma Wartzman stands behind the Kettle. “I knew the Kettle was a workhorse because my mom’s had one since I was a kid — she only finally got rid of it this year for a fancier gas upgrade, but not because it stopped working,” she says. Its affordable price and intuitive function were also selling points, Wartzman says, adding that the built-inthermometeron the lid can come in especially handy when cooking foods like chicken thighs where the reference point to an oven temperature can be a guide, Wartzman says.

Size:147 square inches |Material:Steel coated with porcelain enamel |Special features:Compact and lightweight

The Smokey Joe is a slightly cheaper but more portable version of the Kettle above. “It’s the best pick for most people who might grill occasionally given its affordable price tag,” Strategist writer Jeremy Rellosa says. “Plus, with its compact size, there’s the option to take it on the move.” Rellosa says he simply puts his Smokey Joe in his trunk and drives it toparksandtailgates, as well ascampgrounds, where he “can place it anywhere on mycamp-kitchen setup.” And since it doesn’t have long legs like a full-size grill, the Smokey Joe isn’t a pain to store, even in asmall apartment(Rellosa keeps his in hispantry).

In a previous version of this story, the Smokey Joe was named our best-rated (less expensive) grill, with Amazon reviewers praising its portability and ease of use. “I love cooking on charcoal over gas, and these grills make it super easy,” one buyer wrote. “I bought one for acampingtrip so I didn’t have to bring anything big, and this was up to the task. Still big enough to cook tons of food on at once and kept my friends well-fed on our trip.”

Size:1263 square inches |Material:Stainless steel |Special features:side fire box

If you’re looking for a combination charcoal grill and smoker, Tania Apolinar and Giovanni Cervantes, owners of Taqueria Ramirez, bring out this versatile, large-gathering-friendly pick in the summer and fall forupstatebarbecues. “When cooking for a large crowd, we use this as a standard grill on the main grill barrel and love the side fire box to smoke or for making veggies without the worry of them falling through the grates,” they say. “We also love this separate compartment to avoid cross contamination if we are cooking for vegetarians.” The pair say its two wheels and not-so-heavy weight make it plenty mobile, despite its size at 1,263 square inches of cooking space.

Size:424square inches |Material:Steel coated with porcelain enamel |Special features:iGrill 3

“Gas grills like this Weber Spirit reach high temperatures quickly,” Abdoo says. “This model heats up for me in just ten minutes so I can cook faster. It also gets super-hot forsearing.” If you’re looking for an everyday gas grill, Abdoo says this is his go-to for recommendation for its even and consistent heat, and its three burners that allow for zone cooking. This model is also compatible with Weber’s Bluetooth-enabled thermometer system that notifies you on the app when your meat is done.

In a previous version of this story, the Spirit earned the same title, with dozens of Amazon reviewers noting its speed and sturdy build. “I cannot say enough good things about thisgrill; it’s beautiful, well-constructed, starts easily and consistently, and reaches the highest temperature in less than 15 minutes,” one enthusiastic buyer wrote. Another highlighted the easy-to-clean grease-management system and the side tables that help with organization.

Size:458square inches |Material:Stainless steel| Special features:Wi-Fi smart control

The Green Mountain Grills Ledge Prime Pellet Grill also comes highly recommended by Abdoo. “If you’re looking for a ‘set it and forget it’ model (and willing to splurge a little), this pellet grill and smoker offers a fantastic compromise between gas and charcoal,” he says. It features a thermostat for consistent heat and “delivers tons of great flavor from thecharcoaland wood pellets,” Abdoo says.

Two more noteworthy characteristics: its Wi-Fi capability, which Abdoo says lets you keep track of the pellet level and temperature from the accompanying app, and a clever system for cleanup, in which you use a householdvacuumto suction out the ashes through a tube that connects to the base of the burn pot (instead of having to remove individual parts).

Size:884 square inches |Material:Steel |Special features:Dual meat probes, digital temperature controller

“Matty Mattheson and Benny Blanco turned me onto the Traeger ProSeries, which is a wood-pellet grill and smoker you can use for a whole lot,” food stylist and cookbook authorJess Damucksays. With 884 square inches of cooking space, this is the second-largest grill on this list — but despite its ample size, Damuck says the temperature control is spot on. “I opt for this model for its consistency,” she says. “I smoke a hefty brisket for eight hours and don’t have to worry about its temperature fluctuating. Or I throw oystermushroomson there for a few minutes to smoke and then bump up the temperature to get a great sear for the best appetizer ever.” And because it uses pellets, Damuck says, you get “the bonus of the great flavor of cooking with wood.”

Size:447square inches |Material:Triple-wall steel; porcelain coated interior |Special features:Side work stations

Thanks to its double-walled, insulated steel body, this kamado-style grill creates and maintains even, consistent heat for smoking, grilling, orroasting, Abdoo says — ”which is the key to great barbecue,” he adds. (While these Japanese grills are known for their thick ceramic structures that contain heat for long periods of time, the Akorn has a porcelain-coated steel body.) This model also gives you all the perks of cooking with charcoal, Abdoo says, as it can be used as both an indirect cooker and smoker with the option to add wood for flavor.

In a previous version of this story, the Akorn won the same title after thousands of buyers, from seasoned grillers to beginners, gave this unit five stars on Amazon for its “perfect temperature control” that produces “the best meat you’ve ever grilled/smoked in your life,” as one reviewer put it. Another buyer said they prefer the Akorn’s metal construction to the more traditional ceramic because “it’s much lighter and less fragile … and provides great control over temperatures.”

Size:262square inches |Material:Shuttle-quality ceramic |Special features:Temperature gauge; air-tight chamber

“I love my Big Green Egg,” says Courtney Storer, culinary producer forThe Bear. “It was a bit of a splurge but worth every penny. The ceramic core holds heat for many hours, which makes it very versatile forentertainingand cooking at home.” Like the Akorn above, the Big Green Egg is a kamado-style model that’s good for low and slow cooking or smoking meats because its adjustable venting systems can maintain a steady temperature. But while it can crank up to super-high heat levels (and stay that hot), Storer says, it also keeps moisture in as it chars steak and pizza dough without drying it out. Nick Offerman, meanwhile,highlightsthe Green Egg’s meticulous enginerring, calling it “delightful” and a work of art. “I love it so much that I got ones for my dad and my three siblings that all live within a block from him,” he says. “We’ve all become Green Egg devotees.”

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