Choosing the right outdoor grill depends on how you cook, how much outdoor space you have, and how much setup time you are willing to accept. Charcoal grills produce the best flavour but require 30-45 minutes to get up to temperature. Gas grills are ready in 10 minutes. Pellet grills combine smoky flavour with automated temperature control. This guide covers the best options available in the US.
Charcoal Grills
Weber Original Kettle (57cm)
The Weber kettle is the benchmark charcoal grill – used by chefs and enthusiasts worldwide for decades. The dome lid, adjustable vents, and aluminium ash catcher work together to give precise temperature control for a charcoal grill.
At 57cm cooking diameter, it handles a full family meal. The One-Touch ash cleaning system makes post-cook cleanup much easier than most charcoal grills.
Best for: Charcoal cooking quality, durability (Weber offers a 10-year warranty on the kettle), enthusiasts
Landmann Grill Chef Charcoal (smaller budget)
For a budget-conscious charcoal grill, Landmann make functional grills at accessible prices. Available from most US garden centres. Build quality is adequate for seasonal use rather than year-round cooking.
Best for: Budget charcoal, seasonal use, garden centres
Gas Grills
Weber Spirit E-310 (3-Burner)
Weber’s gas range matches the quality of their charcoal grills. The Spirit E-310 has three burners, a 7,650 cm2 cooking area, and precise temperature control from each burner independently. Ready to cook in under 10 minutes.
The construction is heavy-gauge stainless – designed for long-term outdoor use. Weber’s flavorizer bars sit above the burners and vaporise dripping fats, creating the smoke that gives food the char-grilled flavour you lose from a plain gas grill.
Best for: Convenience, families, regular cooking, anyone who wants charcoal flavour without charcoal management
Char-Broil Performance 3-Burner
A step down in price from Weber. Three burners, similar cooking area, adequate construction. A good entry point for gas grilling in the US market.
Best for: Budget gas grilling
Pellet Grills
Traeger Ironwood 885
Traeger invented the pellet grill. Wood pellets are automatically fed from a hopper into a fire pot; a digital controller maintains temperature precisely. The result is low-and-slow smoked food with real wood smoke flavour.
The Ironwood 885 is Traeger’s mid-range model. App control via the Traeger app. Temperatures from 75C (for cold smoking) to 260C. Available from Argos, Currys, and Traeger directly in the US.
Best for: Smoked ribs, brisket, long cooks, enthusiast cooking
Compact and Portable Options
Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill
A portable charcoal grill in Weber quality. Designed for camping, picnics, and small balconies. Two aluminium legs fold up as carrying handles.
Best for: Camping, small gardens, balconies
Cadac Carri Chef 2 (Gas, Portable)
Cadac is a South African brand popular in the US for portable gas grilling. The Carri Chef 2 connects to a standard camping gas canister and accepts multiple cooking accessories (grill, griddle, skottel wok). A versatile portable outdoor cooking system.
Best for: Camping, festivals, caravanning, versatile outdoor cooking
Key Buying Considerations
- Cooking area: For a family of 4, aim for at least 5,000 cm2 of primary cooking area
- BTU (gas): Higher BTU means faster heating. 30,000-40,000 BTU for a three-burner is standard
- Lid/dome: A domed lid allows indirect cooking (acting like an oven) – essential for whole chickens, roasts, and smoking
- Cover: Always buy a cover – US weather will rust any grill left uncovered
Final Thoughts
For most US households, the Weber Spirit E-310 is the most practical outdoor grill – the gas convenience, the quality construction, and the flavorizer bar system that adds genuine smoke character. For charcoal purists, the Weber kettle is unbeatable. Pellet grills for those who want to explore smoking and low-and-slow cooking.
