Types of Grills: Gas and Charcoal

Posted: June 9, 2021

Are you looking to find the perfect grill so you can host your own backyard barbecues? There are quite a few options to choose from, and each one has its own distinct advantages that you should explore before you make your purchase.

To get you up to speed with the different types of grills available to you, we’ve created this quick and easy two-part guide. Part one (i.e., this article) covers both gas grills and charcoal grills, and part two covers infrared and pellet grills. Be sure to read them both so that you understand all your options for buying barbecues.

Gas Grills

Gas grills are most likely what comes to mind when you picture a mid-July backyard BBQ. They’re perhaps the most popular grill style around, and for excellent reason. Ever heard anyone say, “now we’re cooking with gas”? These propane-powered outdoor cookers have several advantages that make them a highly desirable grilling tool.

One of the best attributes of gas grills is their intuitiveness. These gas-fueled grills are incredibly straightforward and user-friendly. Simply turn the gas on, hold down the igniter, and turn the dial, and you’ve got a nice steady flame that can easily be controlled and doesn’t require any further maintenance.

Gas grills can also bring a ton of versatility to your backyard BBQ. Whether you’re looking to take a low and slow approach to your grilling, or you need to crank it up to high heat, gas grills give you the power to do both. 

Our Gas Grill Recommendation: Weber Grills

If you’ve already heard all you needed to, and you’ve determined a gas BBQ is the choice for your backyard, then you can’t go wrong with a Weber product. Weber grills are some of the best on the market, and you don’t necessarily have to break the bank to afford one. Of course, some high-end models, like Weber Smart Grills, cost a bit extra.

Are you worried about burning your food? Do you wish you could watch your grill and the food on it no matter where you were at your backyard BBQ party? Well, with Weber Smart Grills, now you can.

If you buy a Weber Smart Grill, grilling will be easier and more precise than ever before. Just connect to the grilling assistant hub and receive notifications directly to your smartphone when it’s time to flip those burgers. The perfect burger at your fingertips!

Charcoal Grills

The backyard BBQ purists will tell you that all grilling must be done on charcoal. While that is more a matter of opinion than anything else, charcoal grills certainly have their advantages.

Despite being less costly, charcoal grills can reach significantly higher temperatures than most gas grills. With that increased temperature comes enhanced flavor, which is perhaps the most significant benefit of charcoal grills. The incredible smokiness of something cooked on charcoal is what grilling is all about—score one for the purists in that department.

The flavor of the food your grill produces is obviously one of the most critical factors in helping you decide which grill type is best for you. That said, one thing that’s probably more significant than the flavor is your budget, and charcoal grills offer you some real bang for your buck.

Chargrills are the most affordable type of grill out there, and when you consider what they offer in the flavor department, it makes for an undeniably enticing sales pitch. If you’re looking for a powerful, portable, affordable grilling experience, charcoal grills are probably the choice for you. 

Our Charcoal Grill Recommendation: The Big Green Egg

If smoky flavor is your number one priority, you can’t go wrong with a Big Green Egg charcoal grill. These beautiful ceramic grills are a step above anything else you’ll find on the market. The Big Green Egg is the most versatile, simple to use cooker available, offering more cooking options than all other conventional cookers combined. They’re available in seven different sizes, so they can suit all of your grilling needs, whatever they may be.

In the Market for a Grill?

No matter what kind of outdoor cooker you want for your backyard barbecue, we can help you out. Just contact your nearest Aqua Quip location to learn more. And if you’re looking for information about a certain type of grill, you can schedule a BBQ Virtual Demonstration, or you can hop online and Ask a Pro.