Ready for Summer Cooking? These 8 Grills Will Have You Sizzling in No Time

Propane grilling is a crowd favorite for a reason: It’s easier to get started than charcoal and it doesn’t usually require an electrical outlet, so it can be used in more locations. For propane grilling, we think the best option for a classic grill comes in the form of this Weber Spirit E-425C. This model has all your basic needs well covered, with four burners, more than 400 square inches of cooking surface area (good for about 18 burgers), and the ability to boost two burners to create a searing zone. The porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates clean up easily, and there are some useful add-ons you can get from Weber to complement this no-frills option.

I tested this grill in my own backyard, and the solid construction, heavy-duty racks, and optional add-ons really make a difference, compared with using my own grill, which is very similar in size. I found that the Weber is easier to clean, holds its temperature better, and feels sturdier. While the side tables don’t have the additional burner I’m used to, if I’m being honest, I never really used it anyway and would rather use that space for some of the drop-in accessories that can be added to make it more functional for tool storage. We’ll be using this grill all year, and I can see myself purchasing the griddle insert and rotisserie accessory to add some cross-functionality too.

If you can’t make up your mind whether to go for gas or charcoal, this multi-fuel option from Oklahoma Joe’s doesn’t force you to choose. This grill has three chambers: one for propane grilling, another for direct charcoal grilling, a third for smoking, plus a gas burner on the side. Coming in at about 70 inches wide, you’ll want to make sure you have enough space for this beast, but its size also lets you cook up to two pork shoulders, 12 burgers, and 15 wings simultaneously. There are multiple temperature gauges, so you can keep an eye on all cooking areas, and dampers that let you regulate heat. Cleanup is also made easier with the removable ash tray, and storage is built in with a shelf on the base.

Registered dietitian SaVanna Shoemaker tested this grill, and her family appreciated “the build quality, that it’s all-in-one, [and that it] holds temp really well — good offset.” While this is a large grill, since it’s all-in-one, you may end up saving space overall, compared with a separate charcoal grill or smoker. Shoemaker’s verdict? “This is a great grill that’s well-made and versatile ... it’s nice to have all of those (grill and smoker) in one.” 

Having the ability to take your grill with you can really enhance any outdoor experience, from a camping trip to a day at the beach, and the Q1200 Gas Grill from Weber is designed to make that even better. It weighs about 30 pounds, so you can bring it with you fairly easily, and you can still cook a full meal on the 189-square-inch cooking space. The two built-in side tables give you room to hold necessary accessories (or a beverage for the grill master), and they fold down for easy storage and transport.

Catherine Brown, a natural wellness expert and writer, says, “I can use this on my porch or patio, or easily throw it in my trunk for grilling at the park or the beach. I live in Michigan and do not keep the grill outside year-round, and this one is ideal for throwing in the basement or a tool shed, and it does not take up much storage space when not in use.” She also found that it heats quickly, and she feels like it’s a great price for the quality. While there are certainly other portable grills you can choose from, this one has Weber’s signature solid construction, plus enough thoughtful design elements to make it convenient, and we think it’s well worth the cost if you grill on the go. 

Ideal for urban environments where you want to maximize space and functionality, the Weber Lumin Electric Grill is a flame-free, tabletop-style grill that can still feed a crowd. Reaching temperatures of more than 600 degrees F, this grill can handle everything from high-heat searing to grilling, smoking, and even boiling, and it can also keep food warm, thanks to its oven-safe dishes and versatile cooking grates. The modern design is sleek and comes in attractive colors, so there need be no concern over appearance or functionality, whether you use it to cook for guests or want to leave it out year-round.

Fitness and sports product tester Zak Slavik gave the Lumin a look for us and says, “I liked the all-in-one functionality. You didn’t need three separate appliances to grill, smoke, and steam. I liked that you could use multiple features in the same cook, and that cooking was even throughout, in comparison to a gas grill — no hot spots.” He also noted that while this grill also holds heat really well, “it’s important to set the temperature correctly for what you are cooking and even a bit lower than you think, because once it’s rolling, it’s fantastic.” While the price point is higher than what you might expect for a grill of its size (though its nearly 250 square inches does accommodate a lot), Slavic says, “This lives up to the Weber brand for the quality, you can tell it’s durable and long-lasting after lots of cooking, as long as it’s taken care of.” In other words, it’s a bit of a “you get what you pay for” situation.

Some BBQ snobs may not view an electric grill as a viable option, as open-flame or charcoal grilling is more desirable, but the Model G Dual Zone from Current Electric is here to change minds (like it did with our tester). This grill is a midsize option with a bit more than 400 square inches of grilling space (enough for up to 16 chicken breasts), and it has an efficient, all-electric design that requires no propane or charcoal and produces no emissions, yet creates precise, even heating across the board. The temperature range holds as low as 200 degrees F and goes up to 700 degrees F, so you can still sear, roast, and even smoke your desired meats if you want. The grill has a manual temperature control, and you can even run it on a standard 120-volt outlet. The system also integrates with an app, allowing you to monitor it remotely.

Health writer Raki Swanson tried this grill on our behalf, and while she originally thought that it couldn’t compete with her existing charcoal grill, electric smoker, and propane grill, the Model G ultimately came to replace all three. Swanson says, “The size is perfect — it seems small and compact, [but] I realized you don’t need a large grill surface to cook things.” She also notes that the Model G is “easy to preheat, easy to control, easy to set the temperature,” and she enjoyed being able to set different areas to different temperatures. She found that it gave foods that desirable grilled smell and flavor as well. This grill is ideal for those in an apartment or condo complex, or those who simply don’t want an open flame and emissions but still want to enjoy perfectly grilled food every time. 

Nothing represents the classic American grilling experience like a Weber Original Kettle grill, with its signature round shape and charcoal-fueled flames. While the setup of this grill is easy, we wouldn’t necessarily call it a beginner option, since charcoal as a fuel source requires more steps and attention than propane, and you can’t expect any of the built-in temperature gauges and flame control (you’ll have to use the built-in dampers and cook by feel). That said, for the simplicity, you also get a more reasonably priced grill, and when you have the skills to grill with charcoal, you can achieve a final product that is just as good (or even better).

Dietitian Alexandra Ginos, RD, says, “This grill is really well made, easy to clean up, and has thoughtful touches, like a hook for the lid and slats for the charcoal ash to fall through at the bottom.” She acknowledges that there is “a big learning curve to charcoal” and that it can be messy, but these things “come with the territory.” Ultimately, she deemed this grill “definitely worth the price point. It’s durable and made to last.” If you’re looking to build your charcoal skills or want a grill that will last for many, many seasons, this is a fantastic choice. 

Grilling shouldn’t just be accessible to those with an outdoor space, and this indoor searing grill from Hamilton Beach is a highly functional choice for those who want to bring grilling inside. This grill is pretty compact, so it stores well, but it still manages a decent cooking surface area of almost 120 square inches, and it not only grills but also does both hot and cold smoking.

Ginos says, “It’s really nice that it’s electric, because I’ve had small grills before that required small propane tanks, and I just didn’t keep up with purchasing them.” Aside from being lower maintenance, when it came to actually cooking, she says that “it seared the chicken well that we cooked on it, and I liked that you can adjust the temperature easily.” Cleanup is a cinch, with Ginos noting that “you can put all the grill parts (minus some of the smoker elements) in the dishwasher.” Overall, it’s a great option for getting that smoky, grilled flavor without needing access to an outdoor area, and it would be great for apartment dwellers, college students, and those who are stuck indoors during the winter. 

Pellet grills have a unique combination of elements that allow you to combine the robust flavors of smoking with the ability to sear as well, and the Recteq Deck Boss 800 is all of that and much more. This pellet grill gets up to 700 degrees F, higher than most other grills of its kind, and it has an immense 810 square inches of cooking space. Two meat probes are included, and that, combined with the smart app integration, means you can monitor your meat and the grill from practically anywhere, so there is no overcooking or dropping of temps.

Veteran product tester and food editor Katie Tuttle says, “We use this grill regularly, especially when we’re cooking cuts of meat that benefit from a smokier flavor (pork, for example). We’ve also used it to smoke honey, which makes a great mixer for lattes or cocktails.” She also finds it useful for entertaining, due to its size, and while she wishes there was more ability to control the smoke levels (as with other pellet grills), overall it’s a “powerful and well-built appliance.”