For many homeowners, grilling is a fundamental part of summer — or any other time of the year. Whether you're building an outdoor kitchen or just want the option to prepare your favorite meals outside, adding a grill to your backyard is a must.  

With so many models on the market, choosing a grill that meets your needs and looks nice in your space can be a challenge. Plus, there's a wide variety of optional features and accessories you can add to enhance your cooking techniques.  

We've created a comprehensive guide to grills to help you find the right style, size, and accessories!  

Table of Contents

Fuel Types

• Gas Grills Overview
• Natural Gas
• Propane
• Charcoal
• Pellet
• Kamado
• Electric
• Hybrid

Grill Configurations

• Built-In
• Post-Mount
• Freestanding/Cart-Mount
• Portable/Tabletop

Grill Sizes

• Small
• Medium
• Large/Extra-Large

Upgrades & Accessories

• Side Burners
• Infrared Burners
• Rotisserie Kits
• Thermometers
• Charcoal Trays
• LED Lighting
• Covers

Find the Best Fuel Source

Gas grills are convenient and easy to operate. Since they receive a constant flow of fuel, you won't have to wait for charcoal or briquettes to preheat before you start cooking.  

They have built-in ignition systems that allow them to start and stop instantly. Instead of using a match or lighter to manually ignite your gas grill, you'll simply turn a knob to switch it on and off.   

Gas grills operate with Natural Gas or Propane. Both fuel types will cook your food the same, so your decision comes down to what fuel is available on your property.  

Keep in mind, you can only use one type of fuel for your gas grill. For example, if you purchase a Natural Gas model, you cannot use Propane as your fuel source. You'll also need to hire a licensed gas professional to install a Natural Gas line, if don't have one already.    

Natural Gas grills become a permanent feature in your outdoor living space. They require a Natural Gas line but receive a constant flow of fuel. That means you can cook as much as you'd like, without worrying about running out of gas.  

Propane grills are perfect for properties that can't accommodate Natural Gas lines, like apartments and condos.

Though you will need to swap out your Propane tank when it’s empty, you can find standard, 20-lb. tanks at your local grocery or hardware store.    

Using Propane also makes your grill mobile, so you can move it around your backyard with ease.   

If you enjoy cooking, then you probably like to experiment with different flavors. Gas grills are easier to operate, but charcoal grills deliver more flavorful meals.  

Using various wood and charcoal, you can infuse your food with that charred, smokey taste many barbeque-lovers crave.  

Charcoal grills are classified by their shape, which dictates how the heat is concentrated and diffused.

Barrel-style charcoal grills are rectangular and have a slim coal bed, while kettle-style charcoal grills feature a round, tapered shape and a deep coal bed.

Most barrel charcoal grills use up more coals than kettle grills. However, kettle grills allow you to build a deeper coal bed for prolonged cooking. 

Pellet grills use small pellets of wood or charcoal that burn much longer than traditional charcoal. They're equipped with a large metal bin or "hopper" that holds the pellets. An electrical system ignites each pellet as needed, so you don't have to wait for your grill to preheat. They also feature thermostats, so you can adjust the heat to a precise temperature. 

Like a convection oven, a pellet grill lets you smoke, bake, and braise food. Purchasing one allows you to create a more diverse outdoor menu.  

Kamado grills are round, ceramic units fueled by charcoal. They have thick, insulated sides that absorb a lot of heat to cook your food evenly.  

You can prepare standard meals, like steaks and burgers, or you can turn it into an outdoor oven or smoker.    

Electric grills offer an eco-friendly, healthy alternative to traditional gas models. If you live in a place that doesn't permit gas or charcoal, then an electric model is your best option.  

These modern units require little to no preheating, use less energy, and emit fewer carcinogens than other types. They also don’t produce open flames or smoke, which eliminates the risk of a fire.   

We understand the dilemma of deciding between charcoal and gas. On one hand, gas is the most user-friendly, but on the other, charcoal creates so much flavor.  

Hybrid models offer the best of both worlds with versatile designs that accommodate gas, charcoal, pellet, wood, and Propane.  

Some hybrid grills have two separate fireboxes, while other models allow you to swap fuel sources whenever you'd like.  

Choose Your Configuration

After you determine which fuel you’re going to use, you’ll need to choose a grill configuration. You have the option between a built-in or freestanding model.    

Charcoal, pellet, gas, and electric grills come in built-in and freestanding configurations. Kamado grills are only available as freestanding units.    

If you’re building a custom outdoor kitchen, then a built-in configuration is the best option.  

Also known as grill heads, built-in gas grills are permanently installed into a kitchen island or counter. They're often available with a full line of matching outdoor components to offer a uniform look for your space.  

Post-mounted models are perfect for compact patios. They offer a permanent solution for homeowners who don't want an entire outdoor kitchen island.  

Post-mounted grills can be bolted into a wooden deck or concrete slab. You can hire a gas professional to route a Natural Gas line, or you can use a Propane tank.    

Looking for a more portable cooking setup? Freestanding grills come on mobile carts with enclosed storage areas for your Propane tank and cooking accessories.  

This streamlines the look of your space, while keeping your utensils and ingredients close at hand.  

Portable and tabletop grills give you the freedom to take your cooking station with you wherever you go. Think of cookouts on the beach, tailgating at a stadium, barbecues in the park, and home-cooked meals at a campsite.    

They're small enough to sit on a kitchen counter, making them ideal for areas that can’t accommodate a full-sized grill.  

You can also find electric tabletop units that are safe to use inside, so you can enjoy barbequed food in the colder months.    

Get the Right Grill Size

Your grill size and the number of burners it includes will dictate how much food you can make at once and which cooking techniques you can use.  

Grills come in a wide range of sizes, from small, two-burner models to large units with several burners and storage space. It's tempting to go for the fancy Goliaths of the grill market, but if you buy a model that's too large, you'll end up spending too much on fuel.  

When choosing your grill size, ask yourself the following questions:    

• How often do I grill?    
• How many people do I regularly cook for?    
• What is the maximum number of people I anticipate cooking for?    
• Do I like to prepare simple meals or spreads with elaborate side dishes?

Small grills typically have two burners and a cooking surface of 300-500-square-inches or less.    

If you’re a casual griller who occasionally cooks for fewer than four people, a small grill is the best choice.  

The A30 Post-Mount Gas Grill from PGS features a compact, 24-inch design and 330-square-inch surface. It also has two built-in side shelves, giving you extra room for chopping veggies, storing ingredients, or setting out condiments. 

Medium size grills range from 500-700 square inches and come with two to four burners.    

More burners allow you to prepare side dishes as you grill up the main course, because you’ll have more than one heating zone.    

The 30-inch Ranch Pro Built-In Gas Grill from Wildfire can cook several dishes at once with two, heavy-duty cast stainless steel burners, a 685-square-inch cooking surface, and an optional rotisserie kit for large cuts of meat, like chicken, ham, turkey, and prime rib. 

If you regularly host friends and family, look for a large grill with a 700-800-square-inch surface and four or more burners.    

Summerset’s 32” Sizzler Built-In Gas Grill has four burners and a generous 795-square-inch cooking surface. It also includes a stainless steel U-tube burner to ensure there are no cold spots. You can customize the Sizzler with a rotisserie kit, a heat-trapping liner, a built-in cover, and a sear burner. 

There are even extra-large grills with up to eight burners and cooking surfaces that range from 900 to 1,000 or more square inches.    

Extra-large models usually include luxurious upgrades, like side burners for simmering, high-temperature infrared burners for searing, rotisserie systems, built-in smokers, LED lighting, storage space, and more.   

The 51” T-Series Cart Mount Commercial Grill from PGS features a massive, 960-square-inch surface, up to 90,000 BTUs of raw cooking power, and a battery powered electronic ignition system. It also has a built-in automatic shutoff timer that turns off your gas after one hour of inactivity. 

Upgrade Your Grill With Accessories

When you’re looking for features to upgrade your grill, consider what kind of cooking you currently do and which techniques you might like to try in the future.    

Side burners provide an extra cooking surface for foods that don't require direct heat or must be cooked at a lower temperature. Adding a side burner lets you prepare the whole meal right at your grill, so you won’t have to make any trips inside to tend to your side dishes.   

Often used by restaurants, infrared burners achieve extremely high temperatures for searing, browning, and caramelizing. The best way to prepare a steak Gordon Ramsey would approve of is by quickly searing the outside to keep all the juices locked in.   

A rotisserie kit evenly cooks large foods, such as whole poultry. It includes durable, rotating prongs to hold your food in-place as it cooks.   

A thermometer will continuously monitor the internal temperature of your grill, so you can make sure your meals are always cooked perfectly.   

You can easily transform your gas grill to charcoal or change the taste of your meals with a removable charcoal tray. Ideal for low-and-slow cooking, charcoal trays infuse your food with a robust, smokey flavor.   

LED back-lit control knobs and internal lights add an eye-catching element to your outdoor space and keep the kitchen open long after the sun goes down.  

We always recommend putting a cover over your grill when you aren’t using it. A fitted, weather-resistant cover will protect it from harsh weather conditions and prolong its lifespan. 

Our Most Popular Grills

We're Here to Help    

Have more questions about grills? We'd love to help! Call our team of NFI Certified experts at 800.919.1904. 

More Resources  

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Keep your outdoor kitchen in tip-top shape throughout the harsh winter months with these important tips.