There are many different types of barbecue grills available on the market today. You can choose to cook with charcoal, gas, or pellet smokers. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks. Before you jump into buying a new grill, it’s important that you understand what exactly each type of grill does and how they differ.
You should also consider the size of your budget, as well as where you want to place your grill. For example, if you live in an apartment complex, you may not be able to have a large outdoor barbecue area.
If this is the case, you might consider purchasing a pellet smoker instead. Pellet smokers will allow you to cook food indoors without having to use any other equipment. This makes them ideal for apartment dwellers, but if you do plan on using it outdoors, then you may need something bigger.
Charcoal Grills
Charcoal grills are typically made from cast iron. They are used primarily outdoors because their heat source is wood. The biggest downside to a charcoal grill is that it takes some time (and fuel) to get going. To start cooking, you’re going to have to light a fire. Once the fire is hot enough, you can add the food you want to eat. Charcoal grills also require regular maintenance. After you finish cooking, you’ll have to clean out the coals and put them back in.
A charcoal grill allows you to cook with a variety of foods. It works best for meats like chicken, ribs, pork, and fish. You can even make sous vide items with this type of grill.
The major benefit of a charcoal grill is that it’s inexpensive. Another reason charcoal grills are popular is because they don’t require much maintenance. If you’re looking for something that won’t take up too much space, then a charcoal grill could be just what you need.
Gas Grills
Gas grills are great because they are very easy to operate. Many people prefer these grills because they don’t require constant attention or maintenance. Gas grills also work well with a variety of foods. These grills can handle a lot of pressure when compared to charcoal grills.
Gas grills come in two main sizes:
Portable grills –
A portable grill can fit on top of a picnic table, deck, or patio. Portable grills are lightweight and easy to transport. However, since they are designed to be portable, they have limited features.
Built-in grills –
Built-in grills can be found inside homes, apartments, condos, and offices. While built-in grills aren’t exactly portable, they provide more features than portable grills.
Some examples of things that you can cook with a gas grill include burgers, steaks, corn, vegetables, and pizza. You can also use it to smoke certain foods. Gas grills tend to heat up quickly, so you shouldn’t use them for long periods of time.
Electric Grills
An electric grill uses electricity to create heat. There are many advantages to using an electric grill, including:
No mess –
No matter which type of grill you own, there will always be grease left behind after cooking.
Convenient –
Electric grills are easy to use and maintain. You simply plug it in and turn it on. There’s no need to light a fire before you can cook.
Easier to clean –
A built-in grill requires little to no maintenance. If you forget to clean out the coals, it’s a simple job to replace them and begin cooking again.
Easy to store –
An electric grill doesn’t take up much room in storage. You simply plug it in every night and leave it where you keep your cooking gear.
Cheap –
Since electric grills use electricity, they’re cheaper than most other kinds of grills. Most models cost less than $500, making them affordable for anyone who wants to enjoy their barbecue.
One of the main disadvantages of an electric grill is that it will only produce about 180 degrees Fahrenheit. In order to reach higher temperatures, you’ll need to connect it to an external heater. Some grills come with a heating element attached to the side, while others require you to purchase one separately.
Pellet Smokers
Pellet smokers are similar to electric grills in that they use electricity to create heat. However, pellets are used to create the heat, rather than wood. Because they are powered by electricity, pellet smokers don’t smell like burning sticks of wood. This means they are perfect for home cooks who don’t want to deal with smoke.
Pellet smokers are also known as “smokeless grills” because they don’t require you to light a fire. Instead, you simply load up the unit and start cooking. You can select from different racks, grids, and shelves that help you arrange the food you’re cooking on.
Another big advantage of using a pellet smoker is that you can control the temperature of the meat you are cooking to ensure that it’s done correctly. Pellet smokers come with several accessories, including a temperature gauge, a digital thermostat, and a griddle rack. Some models even come with infrared probes that allow you to monitor the internal temperature of the item being cooked.
While they are more expensive than other kinds of grills, pellet smokers have many additional features that make them worth the price tag. They also tend to last longer than other grills because they don’t generate as much heat.
