You want a new grill that you can use to make food that packs a punch and scores you brownie points with your friends and family. With such a large variety of BBQs available out there, it can be difficult to decide what BBQ Pit is best for you and your grilling needs.

Having suitable tools and equipment for your skills is the key to becoming the ultimate grill master. In this article, we will talk about all the types of BBQs and how to choose and maintain the right one for you!

Types of BBQ

Let’s start by looking at some types of BBQs that may be a great choice for your pit!

Charcoal Grills

• Features: The charcoal grill is a classic grill that is loved by many grilling enthusiasts. You can get a large variety of charcoal grills, including ceramic and portable. This BBQ uses charcoal briquettes or lump charcoal to build a fire that sizzles your food on a grate above the flames.
• Pros: Some benefits of using a charcoal grill include high heat for searing, affordability, and versatility. It also gives your food a nice, smoky flavor.
• Cons: A downside to owning a charcoal grill is that it requires a lot more maintenance to keep a consistent temperature. It can also take more time for your grill to heat up. If it’s not managed properly, it can be a fire hazard.

Gas Grills

• Features: A gas grill is another popular type that usually has multiple burners and is fueled by propane or natural gas. Aside from its multiple burners, a gas grill often includes warming racks, rotisseries, and storage cabinets, which provides you with convenience and versatility.
• Pros: This grill is easy to use—you just need to press a button! You can also control the temperatures, which allows you to cook all your food thoroughly without burning it.
• Cons: Unfortunately, gas grills can be a more costly option, especially compared to charcoal grills. It can also be an ongoing cost, as you need to keep purchasing gas to cook with, depending on how much you use for each BBQ.

Electric Grills

• Features: Electric grills come in both indoor and outdoor models, depending on your preference.
• Pros: It’s low maintenance, easy to use, and heats up quickly.
• Cons: Electric grills require access to an electrical source, which can be limiting for your backyard space. They also don’t reach very high temperatures like your charcoal or gas grill, which can limit your grilling techniques.

Pellet Grills

• Features: A portable pellet grill is a great option if you need something to take on your travels or BBQs in the wilderness!Pellet grills are a small, compact version of a grill and a smoker combined, with a digital thermostat controlling the heat.
• Pros: You can take this grill anywhere in the world, and its compact size means that you aren’t limited to your backyard.
• Cons: It is smaller and has limited space on the grates. It may not fill up your pit or provide you with the most aesthetic BBQ experience, but it has all the right qualities to have a successful BBQ.

Smokers

• Features: A smoker is a large type of grill designed to cook low and slow.
• Pros: It gets your BBQ meat juicy and tender with a smoky flavor.
• Cons: It takes up a significant amount of space, and cooking takes a long period of time.

Gourmet Grill

Want a luxury grill that is a real show-stopper in your backyard? A gourmet grill is a great option.

• Features: Gourmet grills are built from heavy-duty, high-quality materials, making them long-lasting and durable. They have advanced features and technologies such as high heat output, multiple burners, rotisserie systems, and infrared technologies.
• Pros: It has a variety of cooking and control options that allow you to cook with precision. It has an enhanced user experience and great safety features. You can even get design and customized options for the best aesthetics in your home or backyard.
• Cons: As one might imagine, these luxury gourmet grills can be expensive, but they are worth the investment.

After reading through these popular grill types, which one would make a great addition to your backyard?

How to Pick a BBQ Pit That Suits Your Needs

Consider the following grilling-related questions to determine what would work best for you and your needs:

• What is my cooking style? How you like to cook your food on a grill and how you want it to taste are big deciding factors. If you want a grill that can smoke your meat and give it a delicious, smoky flavor, you should choose a charcoal grill. If you value quick, efficient, and controlled cooking, an electric or gas grill is more suitable.
• How much space do I have available? If you’re getting a grill for the pit in your backyard, you need to think about how much space you have. For smaller outdoor spaces, you should opt for charcoal and electric grills. A pellet grill is perfect for really limited space. If you have unlimited space and you want a show-stopper in your BBQ pit, a smoker is a great way to go!
• What is your budget? Your budget is a huge deciding factor when it comes to buying a grill. You want to choose a reliable, high-quality option, but you don’t want to break the bank while doing it. If you are looking for something more affordable, a basic electric or charcoal grill would be the best option for you.

These main questions can help you identify what works best for you. Choose a grill that stands out to you and ticks all your boxes!

Tips for Maintaining a BBQ Grill

These following tips will help you look after your chosen grill so it has a long life of tasty BBQs:

• Clean the grates of your grill with a brush and soapy water to remove all food residue.
• Use mild detergent and a soft sponge to clean kamado/ceramic grills because they can crack and be damaged easily.
• Store your more delicate grills, like ceramic and electric grills, somewhere dry and safe to prolong their lifespans.
• Empty the ash from your pellet and charcoal grills regularly.
• Regularly clean the interior of your smoker to prevent grease and soot buildup.
• Clean the drip tray of your electric grill after each use to prevent buildup.

Bonus Recipe—BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Now that you have a better idea of what type of grill you’d like to purchase, what is the first meal you’ll be cooking? Here is a fresh and tasty recipe for BBQ pulled pork sandwiches that will make you popular at your next BBQ:

Ingredients

• 4-5 lbs pork shoulder cut up into medium-sized pieces
• 1 cup of apple cider vinegar/ white vinegar
• seasonings (1 tablespoon chili powder, 2 teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper)
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• BBQ sauce of your choice
• burger buns
• toppings of your choice, e.g., pickles, coleslaw, or tomatoes

Instructions

1. In a bowl, add all your seasonings together. Rub this mixture onto your pork pieces, fully coating them.
2. Preheat your grill to about 375-400 °F. A charcoal grill or smoker will give you the best smoky flavor, but any other grill will work as well.
3. Place the pieces of pork on direct heat for three to four minutes to sear them.
4. Keep one burner or side of your grill heated and place your seared pork on the non-heated side to cook all the way through. Cook your pork on indirect heat for 30 to 40 minutes.
5. Make your BBQ sauce by adding the chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, BBQ sauce, and apple cider vinegar.
6. When the pork is done, shred the pork into smaller bite-size pieces.
7. Add the pork to your BBQ sauce until well-coated.
8. Toast the burger buns on the grill with some butter and assemble your BBQ pork sandwich, adding a generous amount of pork and your optional toppings.

Final Thoughts

Each grill has its own benefits and unique features, so it’s important to consider what works best for you and your cooking techniques. You can check Amazon’s variety of grills to find the most suitable one for you.

Who knows, with the right equipment, you could be the next best grill master. Do your own research, so you can invest in a high-quality, versatile, and durable grill that provides you with many flavorful BBQs.

Check out more of my content to learn more about grilling and how you can master it!