The 6 Best Outdoor Grills For Your Backyard (or Balcony)
Pros:
- Large, flat cooking surface
- Under $500
- Built-in grease trap
- Dual prep stands
Cons:
- Some customers say assembly is tricky
The Blackstone Flat Top Griddle Grill is essentially a flat-top griddle similar to the ones you see in old-timey diners, though some people liken it to a hibachi table on wheels. The point is you can cook anything and everything on this large grill station—from pancakes to burgers and everything in between. More than 800 5-star Amazon reviewers have used this for tailgating or entertaining in their backyards.
At under $500, the Blackstone costs around the same as more traditional outdoor grills with some added benefits, such as the grease trap that collects all the fat from your food in an easy-to-reach container. Learn how to clean a flat top grill.
What to Consider When Buying an Outdoor Grill
The most important things to keep in mind when buying an outdoor grill are space, budget, and fuel source. Space, as you’ve probably guessed, refers to how much space you have for your outdoor grill; the budget is also self-explanatory; and fuel source refers to how you’re going to heat your grill.
Outdoor grills are commonly fueled by propane but can also be powered by electricity, a gas line (check with your local government agencies to ensure this is legal in your area), or wood pellets and charcoal.
Types of Outdoor Grills
- Propane outdoor grills are fueled by propane that is lit inside the grill. Propane tanks are commonly found at most home improvement and grilling stores.
- Electric outdoor grills are fueled by electricity, and as a result, cannot get as hot as fuel-powered grills.
- Charcoal outdoor grills are old-fashioned grills that are heated when propane is lit under the grill grate.
How We Found the Best Outdoor Grills
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject-matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
FAQ
What is an outdoor electric grill?
An outdoor electric grill is a grill fueled by electricity, rather than by propane, charcoal, or other fossil fuel-based sources. Electric grills typically can’t get as hot as propane-powered grills and have less temperature control.
What size gas line do I need for an outdoor grill?
For propane-powered grills, you’ll need a ⅜-inch diameter gas line. Natural gas grills require a ¾-inch line, though depending on the distance between the gas meter and your grill, you may have to use a 1-inch line.
What do I cook on an outdoor flat-top grill?
Literally everything. Pancakes, bacon, quesadillas, peppers and onions, Cuban sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, sausages, eggs, hash browns, Philly cheesesteaks, fried rice, hibachi dishes, chicken…we can keep going but our hands would get tired from typing.
