In the market for a modern grill cooker?
Grills are great for making everything from hot dogs and burgers to vegetables and kebabs. But buying a grill isn’t always an easy choice, since there are so many options to choose from. You can find indoor grills, outdoor grills, electric grills, gas grills, propane grills, solar grills, and so on.
With so many choices, it can be hard to choose which one is best for you.
In this article, we’ll go over features, benefits, pros, and cons, so you can make an informed decision before you purchase a modern grill cooker.
Power: Electric vs. Gas vs. Charcoal vs. Others
Each power source has benefits and drawbacks. Electric grills can be plugged into the wall, charcoal grills require briquettes, and gas requires a constant source of fuel. Here are the pros and cons of each:
Electric Grills
The biggest benefit of electric grills is their ease of use. They can be plugged into any outlet, “fired up,” and put to use. Cleanup is usually not too difficult – simply wipe them down and some hot water. And they are very compact and easy to store.
You can buy electric grills in various sizes, which may feed anywhere from one to more than a dozen people. There are indoor and outdoor versions available, each with their own pros and cons.
One big drawback is the lack of “authentic” flavor. That is, electric grills won’t be able to sear food or impart additional flavors, which can be done with other types of grills. Also, continual basting may be more difficult, depending on the design of the grill.
Gas Grills
Gas grills require a fuel source, such as gasoline or propane, which can be stored in a tank or supplied through a fuel line. These grills are very popular, especially with steak houses, because industry-grade gas grills can create very high heat. High temperatures are required to sear meat, which is why so many steakhouses produce such dark, delicious steaks.
While the typical home-bought gas grill doesn’t achieve those temperatures, it does have other benefits. Cleaning is very easy, and since they can reach high temperatures, they often produce a better flavor than electric grills. Their temperature range, of course, depends on the make and model.
Charcoal Grills
Charcoal grills use briquettes, usually made of charcoal, as a heat source. They can achieve temperatures that are typically higher than many backyard gas grills, so they are better for searing. Also, the smoke from the briquettes imparts additional flavor into the food, making it the grill of choice for many home grillers.
Also, flavored wood chips or briquettes can also be tossed into the mix, adding even more flavor to the final product.
There are downsides, however. They are messier and take longer to cleanup, since it’s necessary to dispose of all the remaining charcoal and ash. The charcoal bed itself often needs cleaning from time to time, as do the grills themselves.
Flareups and smoke inhalation can be a potential health hazard, but if you’re careful, these can be avoided.
Other Modern Grills and Cookers
There are alternative grills on the market.
Pellet grills are similar to charcoal grills, but use hardwood pellets, so it also shares features with campfire cooking. Pellets come in a variety of flavors and can add a strong accent to any meal you cook. These grills have a fan base of their own, but they aren’t as widespread as the more common gas, charcoal, or electric options. In general, wood pellets are more expensive than other grill fuels.
It’s also possible to find solar-powered grills and solar cookers, though these are also not as popular as the grills mentioned above. In recent years, some brands and companies have made major technological advances in this area. However, though they may be effective, these cookers won’t be able to achieve the same temperatures that gas or charcoal grills can. And solar cookers, of course, won’t be able to sear meat.
Other outdoor cooking options include outdoor stoves. These can be electric powered or gas-powered, and offer many of the same benefits as a stove. They aren’t grills, per se, but if you want a versatile outdoor cooking option, they may be worth considering.
Also, for a really compact option, consider buying a griddle for your stove. There are inserts that can fit both gas and electric stoves. However, these inserts have much in common with electric stoves, both in terms of temperature and cleaning.
Finally, there are even “stove top grill” pans, which are steel or iron pans that include a grill insert. Like regular pans, they pull heat directly from your stove, but the grill insert gives you many of the same benefits of a grill. These also offer similar benefits to electric grills, in terms of cleanup, temperature, and taste.
What to Ask Yourself When Buying a Modern Grill Cooker
There are a few things to think about:
- Where will you use it? Electric grills or grill inserts for stoves are the obvious choice for indoor use. Since other common types of grills generate smoke, they must be used outdoors. Also consider what type of outdoor environment you’ll be cooking in. If you have your own yard or back porch, you have plenty of options. If you live in a dense urban environment, you may want to consider how smoke would affect your neighbors before making a purchase.
- What will you be cooking and what taste are you looking for? Grills are fantastic for both vegetables and meat. But, as mentioned, certain types of grills can’t sear meat, which is the flavor that many grill enthusiasts go for.
- Do you have any space restrictions? Size can be a factor, which is one reason many people choose electric grills. They are compact, portable, and easy to store.
- What is your budget? Electric grills are the cheapest, followed by gas, charcoal, and pellet grills. Other types of grills and cookers vary.
Before researching the purchase of any modern grill cooker, make sure you ask and answer these questions thoroughly. When you do, you’ll stand a better chance of purchasing a grill that meets your needs and helps to create the great flavor you’re looking for.