When summer is in full swing, there's nothing better than having a get-together with friends and family to celebrate the incredible weather. And what goes better with incredible weather than freshly cooked food straight off the grill? Meats and vegetables take on completely new tastes when cooked over the perfect grill outside, bringing out the best way to enjoy summer weather. To make sure you're enjoying the best quality cook available, it's important that you pick the perfect outdoor grill for you.
An outdoor grill is a cooking apparatus used to cook things like meat and veggies on a metal frame over an open fire. There are different varieties of grill like electric, charcoal, and gas, depending on whatever style you prefer to prepare you food and your price range. Some grills can be exceptionally hefty and others can be a more convenient size, so make sure you know how much space you want your grill to occupy before deciding exactly which one you think is best. Be sure to read all safety instructions that come along with your grill so you know how to keep it in optimal condition to continue churning out amazing food with minimal hassle for years to come.
One of the highest rated models on Consumer Reports as well as a Consumer Search favorite, the Weber Spirit E-210 Liquid Propane Gas Grill is a great option for anyone looking for a high-performance gas grill that won't take up too much room outside. It comes with two power-packed burners that keep the grill at even temperatures across, making cooking a much more pleasant experience. This particular model has received high praise for its even distribution of temperature in the grill making indirect cooking (cooking something while it's not directly over a flame) a breeze.
The E-210 comes with some fold-down tables on the sides for some extra preparation space, but other than that, this grill is less about looking fancy and more about quality of performance. The only scattered complaint about this model is that because it is not as powerful as others it takes some extra time to preheat the surface. Other than that, the Weber Spirit E 210 has been consistently praised as a great product for anyone who loves to grill outside but is looking to save on space and get bang for their buck.
With a little more space than the first grill on this list, the Char-Boil TRU-Infrared Gas Grill is a true contender for purchase with its competitive price and infrared technology. Unlike direct gas grills, infrared grills have a layer between the flame and the grill itself to use radiant heat rather than hot air to cook the food, sometimes making it more juicy than a standard gas grill. With excellent ratings in performance on both high and low temperatures as well as indirect cooking, this grill's three burners and small footprint make it perfect for cooking for a crowd.
The high quality performance this grill delivers might take some getting used to from grillers who might not be accustomed to such high temperatures, but it is well worth the effort for the consistent deliciousness the Char-Broil Tru-Infrared Gourmet provides. The only complaints about this grill seem to be it can rust sometimes and that it feels slightly less durable than other models. Still, for the excellent price and amazing results, the Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Gourmet might be the perfect grill to keep your summers ablaze with great food.
If you aren't committed to buying a gas grill and are looking for something a little more cost-efficient but still exceptional, the Weber One-Touch Charcoal Grill is worth a look. It is kettle shaped and much smaller than the last two grills on the list, making it a great option if you are tight on space. Rated one of the best charcoal grills on Consumer Search, it provides ease of installation as well as great flavor to everything it cooks. Many customers have praised this particular grill for its durability multiple years after purchase with no complaints of breakage or rust.
The "One-Touch" part of the name comes from the ash catcher at the bottom of the grill where sweeping away the coals into the ash pan, but this process can cause ashes to fly up, so tread with caution. Consumers also say the single handle can get really hot when cooking so make sure to take care when trying to move the grill after using it. However, these safety bugs are only mentioned in a few accounts, giving the Weber One-Touch Charcoal Grill overwhelmingly positive feedback as a great grill for a great price.
If your goal is to have a grill that you can use anywhere, especially on the go, then the propane-using Coleman Roadtrip LXE Grill has you covered. If you're looking for a grill to fit your patio or take with you on a picnic (or both!) the Coleman RoadTrip LXE is perfectly designed to be simply set up and taken down to fit all your travel-based grilling needs complete with wheels and a handle to help you maneuver it around. It comes with space shelves and tool hooks to keep your extra space needs accounted for and provides exceptional heat for something designed to be a primary or portable grill.
When it comes to cooking, the Coleman RoadTrip LXE receives mostly high praise, but there are the occasional complains of hotspots that can result in uneven temperatures and uneven cooking. It is essential to clean this grill after each use because the build-up can be extremely hard to clean if left unattended for too long. But even with its minimal flaws, the Coleman RoadTrip LXE makes a great addition to the porch or camping gear when you want to save some money but get amazing deals on portability and power.
Many people look to gas grills when trying to find high-performance cooking, but the Weber Performance Platinum proves that charcoal grills can produce great results, too. Called the top performer in this class of grills, the Weber Performance Platinum is praised for its gas-powered ignition system, making lighter fluid a thing of the past. With this convenient system, lighting the coal briquettes is now a simple action of turning the gas on and then off, meaning you can get to cooking much faster than with a regular charcoal grill.
This model also comes with a charcoal bin for storage and plenty of workspace to keep everything you need at hand while grilling. It comes with a digital timer as well, though some customers don't find it necessary. Cleaning is easy and the charcoal will extinguish completely after use before turning into ash thanks to a very sturdy lid that seals exceptionally well. While this model may be a little higher in price, it is absolutely worth the extra money to get such a dependable, high-performing charcoal grill.
And those are our recommendations for the best outdoor grills. As always, be sure to check Wise Bread's Buying Calendar to learn when and how to buy just about anything!
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