How to Choose the Best Grill for Your Outdoor Space

Someone always says it “All grills are the same.” They’re not. Not even close. Anyone who’s wrestled with a shaky, smoke-belching grill in the middle of a humid July afternoon knows what real frustration feels like. It’s the kind of moment that makes you question every life choice leading up to it.

The right grill changes that completely. It makes the evening flow, food sizzling, conversation rolling, everything just… easy. The wrong one? Let’s just say dinner turns into a phone call for pizza before the coals even catch.

The Space Thing Nobody Talks About

Start here, seriously. Before diving into brands or fuel types, just look at your space for a second. Got a balcony that barely fits two chairs? A windy terrace that eats napkins for breakfast? Or maybe a backyard that turns into a small pond every monsoon? Those little details matter more than most people admit.

A compact electric outdoor grill is perfect for balconies – no smoke panic, no gas lines to worry about, no angry neighbors knocking. But if you’ve got a wider patio, a built-in outdoor grill can feel right at home there. Just… don’t overdo it. A grill that’s too big starts to feel less like a centrepiece and more like yard furniture that’s judging you.

One designer once joked, “Measure your grill like you’d measure your shoes.” Makes sense. If it doesn’t fit, you’ll feel off every time you use it. Nobody needs that kind of regret on a Sunday afternoon.

Gas, Charcoal, or Electric – Pick Your Chaos

Every griller’s got a story. There’s always that one friend still hanging onto an old charcoal setup from college, says the burgers taste like nostalgia. Down the street, someone else fired up a best gas grill last summer and decided life’s too short for lighter fluid and guesswork.

Here’s the breakdown.

Gas is the reliable one. Quick to start, easy to control, and perfect when half the family’s already asking when dinner’s ready. Turn the knob, light it, and you’re cooking. The best gas grills stay steady even when the lid’s flying open every two minutes.

Charcoal takes patience, no doubt. It’s slower, smokier, and smells amazing. The kind of smell that clings to your hoodie for days… in a way you secretly like.

Electric grills don’t get enough credit. They’re the quiet achievers of the bunch… plug them in, hit the button, and you’re already halfway to dinner. No mess, no smoke, no guessing if the flame’s too high. They’re perfect for apartment balconies or those city zones where open flames are off-limits for the summer. Maybe not the most romantic option, sure, but honestly, on a busy weeknight, practicality beats drama every single time.

Cooking Style Says Everything

Some grillers cook fast, eat faster. Others treat the process like meditation. If the goal is weekday convenience, electric or gas makes sense. If it’s about slow evenings, long talks, and ribs that need hours, outdoor BBQ grills with charcoal win.

A built-in outdoor grill becomes the heart of a backyard—something permanent, even symbolic. People gather there long after the food’s done.

Build Quality (Boring but Very Important)

Everyone loves a shiny grill. But shiny doesn’t always mean it’s strong. The real test? Open it. If the lid rattles, walk away. If it feels heavy, solid, like it’s made to last a few monsoons, now we’re talking.

Stainless steel holds up best. Enamel looks great too, but chip it once and you’ll be cursing yourself every time you see that tiny scar.

And handles, don’t ignore them. They matter more than you’d think. Same for the lid weight. Too light and heat will escape; too heavy and you’ll end up treating it like an arm workout. (It happens more often than people admit.)

The weather will take its shot as well (rain, wind, humidity), but a well-built grill won’t degrade. It ages like cast iron: gets tougher, darker, and somehow better, even when it looks a bit worn.

Features That Actually Count

Every grill comes with a list of “extras.” Most don’t matter. A few actually do.

A side burner, for those last-minute sauces everyone forgets.
A thermometer that gives real numbers, not wishful thinking.
Hooks for tongs, because nobody wants to fish them out of the grass again.
Some space to keep food warm while people argue about who’s flipping next.

The rest? Optional. Wi-Fi controls, Bluetooth thermometers, voice alerts—they’re fine, but let’s be honest, nobody needs their phone telling them the steak’s ready. You’ll smell it.

Cleaning: The Dealbreaker

Ask anyone who’s owned a grill for more than a year, and maintenance decides whether it gets used. Gas and electric? Easy. Charcoal? Messy, but honestly, very satisfying.

A removable drip tray is very helpful. So does a cover that actually fits. A few people try to skip cleaning after “just one quick meal.” That mistake turns permanent so fast you won’t be shocked.

Matching the Grill to the Griller

People say grills have personalities. It’s true. They do.

The precise, rule-following cook loves the best electric grills – predictable and calm. The bold, fire-loving type sticks with outdoor BBQ grills, chasing smoke rings like trophies. The social type? They go all in on built-in outdoor grills, because half the joy is having everyone gathered around with plates in hand, waiting for the food to be ready.

At the end of the day, it’s not just heat, it’s habit.

Price Isn’t the Real Question

The “most expensive” doesn’t always mean “best.” Some mid-range top BBQ grills last a decade, and then others cost double and rust in two years. The warranty tells you everything. So does the weight of the grill; cheap models feel light, like they’d fly away in a breeze. Just saying, they won’t fly away. BUT they will get damaged fast.

Setting the Scene

Placement can make or break it. You have chosen the perfect grill, but placed it wrong. It will give you more hassle instead of enjoyment. You should keep some space from the walls or furniture. And watch where the wind usually blows; nobody likes a smoke cloud drifting into the seating area. You have got to be extra careful regarding the place if you have decided to go with a built-in grill, as once it’s in place, it will stay there. You know, since it’s built in.

Also, you can place a soft light, a prep table nearby, maybe a few herbs growing within reach. That’s enough to make the space feel intentional. Not designed, just lived in.

The Not-So-Final Word

Choosing a grill shouldn’t only be based on specs or fuel charts.. You should also take into account the kind of evenings you want to have. Fast meals or slow evenings. Noise or quiet. Once that’s clear, you’ll know your grill the moment your eyes land on it.

Explore our latest lineup of top BBQ grills, from the best gas grills to electric outdoor grills and built-in outdoor grills, built for every kind of cook and every kind of space. Add quality BBQ accessories, and make the next meal outdoors feel a little more like an event.