Get Ready for BBQ Season with GRIPmitt: Different types of Grills

April 22, 2024

Whether you are a grill beginner and want to set up your first BBQ station or you are a BBQ enthusiast, selecting the right grill is essential for elevating your BBQ game! In this article, GRIPmitt will walk you through everything you need to know to choose the perfect grill for your grilling adventures. 

Know Different Grill Types

The primary determinant of your grill choice hinges on the fuel type you intend to utilize. There are several major options: gas grill, charcoal grill, pellet grill, electric grill or flat top grill. The gas grills typically use liquid propane in a reusable gas tank that is affordable and convenient. Charcoal grills use hardwood lumps or charcoal briquettes which can be quite expensive when you are grilling a lot. The same applies to the pellet grills that are running on compressed hardwood pellets. Electrical grills are obviously the cheapest and the most convenient option when it comes to fuel. But let’s take a look at some other pros and cons of these types of grills.

Gas Grills vs. Charcoal Grill

Most of your grill enthusiasts in your life probably have a strong opinion on what’s the better option. So will you be a team gas grill or team charcoal?

Gas grills are very easy to use, you can simply operate each burner separately, customize the heat up and down and therefore grill different things with different heat requirements at the same time or even cook a sauce on the pan. Even though you should allow some time for your grill to heat up, it will take only about 15 minutes. So the gas grill allows you to prepare your food quickly. An indisputable disadvantage is the purchase price. The price of a gas grill starts at about $200 but to get a higher quality grill in durable stainless steel, it’s more likely to cost you at least $500. The gas grills are also quite big and requires more room for the BBQ station.

On the other hand, the charcoal grill is in most cases portable, so if you like to grill when camping or tailgating, it might be a good choice for you. They are also more affordable options with prices starting at about $100.

The charcoal grill can also reach higher temperatures than the gas grill which allows for better searing but that will of course cost you some more time, it takes about 35 to 45 minutes to fully heat up.

However, it also imparts that rich, smoky flavor to food that many BBQ enthusiasts love.

Pellet, Electrical and Flat Top Grill

Pellet Grills differ from most other grills not only in fuel source but also in how they create heat. They require an electronic heat source to burn wood pellets that create smoke and heat. Therefore they are not portable. The pellets that fuel the grill infuse the food you grill with a smoky flavor as the hardwood pellets burn. You can choose from a wide variety of natural flavors, such as cherry, apple or pecan. Moreover the main source of fuel – pellets are more sustainable than charcoal because pellets come from renewable resources. If you are thinking about to getting the pellet grill, you should consider the high initial costs and also the costs of fuel.

Electrical Grill are great for beginners in outdoor cooking and they are perfect for complexes where landlords don’t allow other types of grills that involve fire as the electrical grills are very safe. They usually come in different shapes and sizes and use electricity to heat the system that cooks the food. They don’t require that much effort to turn on, use or clean compared to other types of grill but the flavor won’t be the same as you get from charcoal or pellet grills. 

Outdoor flat top grills feature flat metal grilling surface with a heat source (in most part coming from the gas) that is hidden below the surface. The grill with grates is great for all-time good classics, such as hamburgers, hot dogs, steak and more. But the flat top grill is great for endless variations of food such as stirfry, hash browns, fried rice and other food that would normally fall through the grates. If you are thinking about this option, don’t forget the flat-top grill requires frequent re-seasoning so there will be some maintenance involved.

How to Choose the Right Type for me?

You should consider several factors when you choose your new grill – how much money you want to invest; where you want to set up your grill station; if you are insisting on the smoky flavor or if you want to take your new grill to camping trips.

Once you have your new grill station set up, it is time to get all the necessary grilling tools including GRIPmitt, a BBQ silicone mitt and fire your grill up!

---

Also in News