Best Grills for Beginners
It is not a secret that food prepared on fire tastes exceptional. Therefore, more and more house owners pay special attention to the grills. Whether you have a backyard or not, there are different grill types even for balconies. Also, you may find a grill for all cooking styles and experiences.
This article is written to make the grilling process pleasant for every meat or burger lover. First, based on our experience, we will propose the three best grills that will be compared in detail. Then, this review contains the nine most popular grills for beginners of every taste and wallet size. Finally, you will find tips and advice on buying a grill and the crucial factors to consider. So, Let’s start!
Comparison table of the best grills for beginners
We will review nine grills that are the best grills for beginners. You definitely will love the grilling process as it will not require much effort during cooking and later for cleaning. But among these nine, we want to highlight three as the best solution in categories: the most affordable, the most functional, and the easiest in operation. Please check below detailed technical parameters of these grills.
Review of the most popular grills on the market
The choice of grills nowadays is surprising, and not limited to the already reviewed three grills. To understand better about different types please read reviews of charcoal, gas, and electric grills with different prices. Maybe the first three do not fulfill all your requirements, and you will choose another one.
Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill – the Best Design
Weber for more than 70 years produces high-quality grills. This small one-touch charcoal grill has superior heat retention, a simple cleaning system and a spacy porcelain body to find up to 13 burgers. The body diameter is 22 inches, enough to place one 363 sq inches cooking grate made from plated steel. The lid height is 7.5 inches allowing you to prepare a whole chicken or a large brisket. Its straightforward construction and perfect heat distribution allow every beginner to prepare a delicious dinner!
The Weber grill has precision temperature control with an aluminum damper on the lid, which you can partly or fully close to control oxygen content in the grill. In addition, the thermometer in the top lid helps to control internal temperature. If you want to add charcoal during grilling, you can take off the lid, hang it on a special hook on the side of the grill, and lift part of the cooking grate. You can arrange charcoal on the fuel grate in two ways – for direct and indirect cooking.
Original Kettle Weber Grill is easy to move with two durable all-weather wheels and easy to clean. All ash and debris are collected in a removable ash catcher below the body. As a nice bonus on one of the glass-reinforced nylon handles, two tool hooks are made for hanging tongs or spatula. 22” grill is available in three colors: black, copper, and green.
- Easy cooking and maintenance
- Direct and indirect mode of cooking is possible
- Fully removable lid for easy cooking and cleaning
- One-touch cleaning system with ash catcher
- Porcelain body retains heat and does not rust
- Possibility to add charcoal during cooking
- Built-in thermometer to control internal temperature
- Light model (32.3 pounds)
- Only one cooking grate (363 sq inches)
- Only one aluminum damper
- Large turkey does not fit the grill
- No side tables and shelves for storage
- Not a cheap solution
Weber Spirit II E-310 3-Burner Liquid Propane Grill – the Most Convenient
Another simple in-construction grill is from Weber. This grill can be bought with different fuels – natural gas or liquid propane. This grill puts your cooking experience to the next level. It has more cooking space than the previous model, as it has two cast iron cooking grates – a primary cooking grate (424 sq inches) and a warming rack (105 sq inches). That is why you can fit 15 burgers there already!
Three stainless burners (GS4 grilling system) allow cooking on direct and indirect heat. Each burner has separate infinity ignition and can be covered with porcelain-enameled glamorizer bars. The grease runs down on these bars into the grease management system. The grease is collected in the disposable aluminum dip tray under the cook box for easy cleaning. You need to replace it from time to time to reduce flare-ups.
On the right side of the grill cart is a fuel gauge for the liquid propane tank (the 20 lb. tank is sold separately), allowing one to check how much fuel has left. The tank is easily mounted, fully accessible, and easy to remove. In operation, this grill is also easy as the previous model. You can control the temperature using a fuel gauge and burner knobs; the lid has a built-in thermometer.
If you prefer all tools nearby, a storage shelf below the burners and two folded side tables will be appreciated. Side tables also have six integrated hooks to access your grill tools within arm’s reach. The grill is available in three colors – red, black, white, and blue.
- Easy in cooking and cleaning
- Two folded side tables
- Separate control for each of the three burners
- Fuel gauge for LP grills
- 6 integrated hooks
- Open cart for tools storage
- Cast iron porcelain-enameled two cooking grates
- Direct and indirect cooking is possible
- Infinity ignition works from 1 AA battery
- LP tanks are sold separately
- Painted finish type (not porcelain)
- Expensive model
Z GRILLS ZPG-450A 2022 Upgrade Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker – the Best Wooden Flavor
Other top-rated manufacturers with a long history produce excellent grills for beginners – ZPG-450A 2022! This grill has another type of fuel (wood pellets) and construction that makes it multifunctional (temperature range 180-450 F). You can BBQ, braise, smoke, grill, sear, char-grill, roast, and roast in it! Moreover, with the wood pellet grill, you will get a unique wood flavor that you will never get with a gas or charcoal grill (unless you use special devices).
The grill is spacious; it has a 459 sq in the cooking area that fits 18 burgers, or 3 chicken or 4 rib racks. The size is perfect for a small family. With the PID digital controller you can set the temperature and forget about the grill. On the other side of the hopper below the stock small side table is installed for putting small plates and grill tolls. Also, in front, there is a foldable front shelf for food cutting.
To start this grill, you only need to put pellets into a 15 lbs hopper and set the temperature. 20 hours the grill can work from one fill of pellets. The auger ensures the delivery of pellets into the firepot. The hot rod in the pot automatically ignites the pellets and the grill starts to warm. The venture-style burn out helps evenly distribute heat around the grill chamber and to complete the combustion of wood pellets. All grease is collected into a drip tray and then goes to the grease bucket without the possibility of reaching the fire. The grill is available only in bronze color.
- High-quality easy cooking with a convection heating process
- Unique wood flavor for all food
- Possibility to choose wood pellets with different tastes (oak, apple, cherry, hickory, etc.)
- Multifunctional grill (8 in 1) versatility
- Digital temperature control
- One side and one front folded tables
- The free grill cover is included in the package
- Heavy (84 pounds)
- The hopper (15 lbs) is not fit one bag of wood pellets (20 lbs)
- No built-in thermometer on the lid
- No port for meat probe installation
Kamado Joe BJ24RHC Big Joe II – the Most Expensive
This Kamado grill is a premium model of the charcoal grill for beginners who want to start from the most efficient and convenient model. Its remarkable design will make the grill the centerpiece of your patio. Even though the cooking grate has a decent size of 450 sq inches, it is enough for 22 burgers, 8 chickens or 5 port butts.
The ceramic body evenly distributes heat, and the heavy-duty top control fan provides precise temperature control (it has several positions). The temperature ranges from 225 F to 750 F. The powder-coated cast aluminum with a top fan gives the grill versatility; you can smoke and sear there. The thermometer is installed in the top lid to show internal temperature.
The grill has a ball shape and consists of two parts connected with a double-thick fiber-glass mesh gasket sealing two parts, locking heat, smoke, and moisture inside the grill (air-tight seal). This gasket works 10 times longer than standard industry ones. With an airlift hinge, the top part helps to open the grill with one touch. Two black side tables are installed on both sides of the grill in contrast to the main blaze-red color.
The cooking system is a multi-leveled cooking grate with a half-mood design; you can prepare different food simultaneously at different temperatures. The grill chamber is equipped with patented Sloroller technology to optimize airflow and create waves of smoke. The advanced multi-panel firebox allows charcoal to provide heat for hours and prevents body deformation due to temperature differences with ambient air. The cleaning procedure is organized with a slide-out ash drawer at the bottom of the grill.
- Easy grilling and cleaning procedures
- Multi-leveled cooking grate
- Special charcoal flavor
- Ceramic body with even heat distribution
- Top lid with air lift
- Versatility grill
- Top vent for airflow management
- Two side tables
- Very expensive
- Very heavy (332 lbs)
- No storage shelves or cabinets
- No digital control
PIT BOSS PB440D2 Wood Pellet Grill – the Most Versatile
This Pit Boss grill may remind you of the Z Grill wood pellet model. But this deluxe grill has the most significant temperature range for cooking (180-1000 F), combining top materials (heavy-duty steel) and one of the most extended warranties in the industry – 5 years. The heat is achieved with patented Flame Broiler Level for a direct flame. Also, this model has a slightly bigger cooking area – 465 sq inches main and upper racks made from porcelain-coated steel. You can prepare 20 burgers on this grill.
The grill has a black chamber covered with a high temperature coat finish and with a lid colored in mahogany finish. In the lid, the thermometer is mounted. The hopper is installed on the left and on the right there is a removable side shelf. The shelf has two handles and three hooks and can be used as a serving tray or for tool storage as well. To simplify moving in the patio of the 96 pound grill the cart has two large wheels. Below the service tray, a bucket is located for collecting grease from the grease management system. On the bottom of the cart, the shelf is located for pellet storage.
You may cook with direct and indirect heat using fan-forced convection. The cooking process is as simple as for Z Grill; you need to fill the hopper with wood pellets (Pit Boss also produces natural pellets with various flavors), plug the grill into electricity, and heat the grill in the smoke mode, set the temperature on the digital controller and relax. This versatile grill has no difficulties in use and allows cooking in all types and styles (smoke, bake, roast, char-grill, grill, braise, sear, barbecue).
- Easy settings and cooking with digital control
- The controller can be connected to a smartphone
- Large cooking area (465 sq inches)
- Sear temperature up to 1000 F
- 2-in-1 a side shelf and a serving tray
- 8-in-1 versatile grill
- Digital controller with and LED read-out
- 5 years warranty
- Not cheap
- Heavy (83.3 lb)
- Not big enough to prepare turkey
Royal Gourmet CC1830SC Charcoal Grill Offset Smoker with Cover – The Most Affordable
Royal Gourmet CC1830SC is one of the most affordable grills on the market, with functionality as luxury models. It has a large cooking area – 811 sq inches consisting of 443 sq inches of the porcelain-enameled wire cooking grate, 184 sq inches chrome-plated warming rack, and 184 sq inches offset smoker. The warming rack can be used for vegetable preparation or meat defrosting.
The assembling process consists of 18 steps in 40 minutes and requires only a Phillips screwdriver and a wrench. The assembled grill has on the left side a separate smoker where you can use pellets or another type of wood. The smoke is connected to a main barrel, so all smoke flow goes from it as well to the vent stuck. You can grill and smoke at the same time. The airflow is controlled with a slide air vent on the smoker.
The lid has a built-in thermometer for controlling internal temperature. Charcoal should be filled in a special pan where all ash is collected. The pan has two handles to extract it for cleaning from ash. Also, it has a 2-level adjustable height for better temperature control. You can fill the barrel with up to 4.4 lbs of coal.
The grill is equipped with plenty of storage space: a side shelf table with three “s” hooks, a front table, and a wired bottom shelf. The unit has two durable wheels to move around the patio. The Royal Gourmet is made from thin black alloy steel, you can’t expect this grill to last for long, but definitely, it is a good cheap choice for beginners to try tasty food.
- Cheap
- Easy cleaning with a charcoal pan
- Charcoal pan has 2 height levels
- Separate smoker
- Large cooking area – 811 sq inches
- Two durable wheels for transportation
- Plenty of storage space (side, bottom, and from shelves)
- Not heavy duty model as made from thin alloy steel
- The wire shelf is only for 20 lbs
- Only two cooking styles are available (grill and smoke)
- No accessories in the package
Traeger Grills Pro Series 575 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker with WiFi – The Smartest
The Traeger is the first grill in this review with WiFIRE technology, allowing you to remotely monitor and control grill temperature from your smartphone using the Traeger application. In addition, the application has numerous built-in receipts that automatically change the temperature during the cooking process to achieve the best food taste.
The package also includes a meat probe for precise temperature control. Another fantastic feature of this grill is TurboTemp technology, it speeds up the startup and quickly improves the temperature after lifting the lid. All these features give excellent cooking results, even for a beginner.
You can prepare food with different pellets; the hopper is equipped with a trap door for a quick change. All grease is collected as usual for these grills into a bucket. The porcelain grate is easy to clean. That is why Traeger Pro Series 575 is one of the best-selling grills. Traeger grill is available entirely in black color or with a bronze barrel lid.
- Durable high-quality stainless steel
- WiFiRE technology for remote control
- Magnetized hopper’s trap door for quick change
- The porcelain coated cooking area in 575 sq inches
- Included a meat probe
- 3-years warranty
- Easy to move with all-terrain wheels
- Heavy (124 pounds)
- Maximum temperature only 500 F
- The hopper is only 18 lbs, not enough for a full pack
- No storage shelves
Napoleon P500RSIBPSS-3 Prestige 500 RSIB Propane Gas Grill – The most functional
This Napoleon Prestige P500 grill is another luxury model, but compared with Kamado it is a propane gas grill. It is a high-performance grill with large cooking surfaces for outdoor grilling, two side tables, and a spacious cabinet with doors. In the cabinet is enough space to install a propane cylinder and to store grilling tools. You can purchase this model on a propane or natural gas, in silver or black color.
The grill has a simple control of each burner with knobs and their safety glow function. Each knob is blue while not in use and red when it is working. In addition to four main stainless steel burners, the grill has an infrared sizzle zone on the left side table, a side burner (heating up to 1800 F in 30 seconds), and a rotisserie burner with infrared heat in the main gill grill for roasting and searing. The Jetfire ignition ensures quick and easy start-up every time. No matches are required to start the fire.
The cooking area is presented with 500 sq inches of the main cooking area, 260 sq inches of a warming rack, and 140 sq inches on the side burner. You can prepare 31 burgers at once! Each cooking grid is made from 7.5 mm stainless steel with iconic waves for special sear marks. The cooking temperature range is from 100 to 700 F, which you can check on the built-in thermometer. The lid itself is easily lifted and rolled to save space.
- User-friendly control with safety glow knobs on each burner
- Control knows are illuminated for cooking after night
- Battery-free ignition
- Top-quality SS cooking grids with iconic sear marks
- Side burner with infrared sizzle zone
- Two side tables
- A Rotisserie kit is included
- Huge cooking area (900 sq inches)
- Closed cabinet for cylinder and tools storage
- Very expensive
- A rotisserie basket should be purchased separately
- Heavy (214 pounds)
- The wheels are not suitable for long-distance moving on the ground
Weber Q1200 Liquid Propane Grill – The easiest operation
The model is available in six colors – white, black, blue, green, yellow, and red. It has one stainless steel burner heating 189 sq inches of cooking area, which is enough to prepare 8 burgers. The porcelain enameled cast iron cooking grate consists of two parts providing easy access for cleaning to the cast aluminum body. The cooking grid leaves perfect sear marks, has superior heat retention, and is easy to clean.
The cook box is durable and requires only minimal maintenance. The cook box is made from cast aluminum; the overall grill is black, and only the lid is colorful. The cook box shape ensures proper heat circulation around the food for indirect and direct cooking methods. All juices from the cooking are funneled down into the grease management system – into a grease tray, and into the catch pan. The catch pan is under the cook box and made from disposable aluminum foil.
You can take the grill on all travels. If you purchase a travel cart, the grill height will be convenient for standup grilling. The grill works from 14.1 and 16.4 oz cylinders with CGA#600 connections. The cylinder is installed on the right side, and a knob controls the gas flow. By turning the knob, you control the temperature shown on the built-in thermometer.
- Infinitive control with a knob
- Built in the lid thermometer
- Electronic ignition
- Direct and indirect cooking
- Easy assembling with 3D interactive instructions from the app
- Portable model
- It can be used with 14.1 and 16.4 oz propane cylinders
- For ignition 1 AAA battery is required
- The size of a cook box is not enough to prepare turkeys and whole chickens
- Travel cart is purchased separately
Buying Guide: How to choose the best grill for beginners?
This article already includes a detailed description of nine grills, and you may already realize that grills are different in technical parameters. But how to choose the best grill for beginners, what factors should be considered. So please check the tips carefully and return to our list of the best grills for your perfect model.
Based on the described fuel type, you must estimate how often you cook, what taste you prefer, and how often you want to add fuel. You also need to check the burner’s BTU for the gas grill. A burner with a high BTU value mainly allows for preparation at a higher temperature. Our advice is to start with wood pellets or propane grills.
These tips are simple, and we hope to simplify your research process for the best grill.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hottest temperature that Weber Q1200 can achieve?
Where is the Napoleon Prestige 500 made? Is it a Chinese Brand?
What is the difference between Traeger Pro 575 and Traeger Pro 22?
How long can Weber Original Kettle Grill cook the food with one fill of charcoal?
Can I use PIT BOSS PB440D2 in winter?
Conclusion
It isn’t easy to find the best grill for beginners. But we hope we have helped you in this process and proposed nine models for every budget, fuel preference, and cooking style. All reviewed grills are easy to use and guarantee tasty food even with minimum experience. If you are a fan of smart technologies, choose Traeger Pro 575; in the smartphone application, you may choose the receipt, and the app automatically sets the cooking mode on your grill.
If you are a fan of grilled chicken, then Napoleon Prestige Pro is perfect for you, with an infrared rotisserie kit included in the package. With Weber Q1200 and a small propane cylinder you may be sure about a hot burger in the forest, while Kamado Joe BJ24RHC Big Joe II can become the most luxurious and beautiful grill from our review. So, try your first grilled dinner with any of the grills! You will like the experience!
