What’s the smell of summer? For many of us, it’s the smoky, mouthwatering aroma of a backyard barbecue firing up. Nothing beats gathering friends and family around the grill for good food and great times. But let’s be honest: picking the perfect barbecue setup can feel like a serious challenge.
The market is packed! You face a maze of charcoal versus gas, smokers versus simple grills, and deciding which size fits your patio. Choosing wrong means frustrating cookouts and wasted money. You want that perfect sear, but you might end up with uneven heat or a grill that rusts after one season.
Don’t let grill confusion ruin your cookouts! This guide cuts through the noise. We will break down the essential features, explain the differences between common types, and show you exactly how to find the grill that matches your cooking style and budget. Get ready to become the undisputed grill master of your neighborhood.
Top Backyard Barbecue Recommendations
- One 10.45 oz Banquet Backyard BBQ frozen meal
- Classic and delicious backyard BBQ frozen meal
- Frozen dinner with a ribbed shape patty, mesquite barbecue sauce, mashed potatoes and corn
- Prepare frozen BBQ microwave meals in 4 to 4 1/2 minutes and let stand for 2 minutes
- This frozen meat meal makes a delicious and satisfying dinner any day of the week
- Bold BBQ flavor: the ultimate flavor of a barbeque – smoky, spicy, tangy, and sweet
- Kettle-cooked: incredible tasting potato chips with a hearty crunch
- Our natural promise: non-GMO project verified, certified gluten-free
- Authentic recipe: made with high quality ingredients for the best BBQ flavor
- Party size: 13-ounce bag of chips are great for parties, tailgates, and other gatherings
- SMOKY BBQ POTATO CHIPS: Kettle Brand Backyard Barbeque Kettle Potato Chips have a taste everyone loves – smoky, spicy, tangy and sweet
- KETTLE COOKED: Cut perfectly from whole potatoes, these BBQ kettle chips deliver the hearty crunch you crave
- GLUTEN FREE AND NON-GMO: All of our kettle cooked potato chips are Certified Gluten Free and Non-GMO
- PANTRY-SIZE BAG: This 7.5-ounce bag contains about 8 servings and is great for stashing in your pantry to satisfy your cravings for bold, spicy snacks
- THE PERFECT SIDEKICK TO SANDWICHES: Enjoy these barbeque chips on their own or as a side with sandwiches, burgers and more
- Assortment may vary
- Includes 40 individually wrapped Barbecue snacks: (8) Lay’s Barbecue, (7) Fritos Twists Honey BBQ, (7) Fritos Chili Cheese, (6) Baked Lay’s Barbecue, (8) Lay’s Kettle Cooked Mesquite BBQ, (4) Doritos Sweet & Tangy BBQ
- Get Backyard BBQ ready with all of your favorite barbecue themed Frito-Lay snacks in one convenient variety pack
- Makes for a quick and convenient snack box for work snacks, road trips, school snacks, or lunch snacks. Can also be sent as a surprise for snack food gifts or as a gift basket. Help your friends stock up on pantry staples!
- Individual portions are perfect for snacking on-the-go
- Bold BBQ flavor: the ultimate flavor of a barbeque – smoky, spicy, tangy, and sweet
- Kettle-cooked: incredible-tasting potato chips with a hearty crunch
- Our natural promise: non-GMO project verified, verified gluten-free
- Authentic recipe: bold BBQ made with premium ingredients
- Individual size: 1.5-ounce snack bags of kettle cooked chips are great at home or on-the-go
- [Budget-Friendly]: Cifaisi 38pcs convenient grill tools set comes with all the essentials you need for backyard barbecues and camping cookouts. It includes long-handled grill tongs, spatula, fork, meat knife; basting brush, grill cleaning brush, 2 grill mats, meat injector, meat thermometer, 2 meat claws, pepper & salt shakers, 8corn holders, 8 skewers, grill glove, small knife & fork, kitchen shears, grill tongs, corkscrew, aluminum case.
- [Exceptional Quality]: These bbq tools and grill accessories are made of extra-thick solid stainless steel that offers excellent durability and rust resistance, which means no more rusting, bending or breaking. They can be safely tossed into the dishwasher and more sturdy and safe than wood or silicone-handle tools as they will not crack or melt after extended use.
- [Unique Design]: The 16’’ long-handle grill tools with solid elongated handles allow you to reach every corner of the grill while keeping a safe distance from the flame or hot surface. Its heat-resistant stainless steel handles also coated a sturdy wood grain coating that won't fade, peel, or crack through extended field use and provide a additional comfortable non-slip grip.
- [Versatile Cooking]: Besides the commonly found versatile tools, this kit comes with many useful items. It includes an instant read thermometer for preventing people from over-cooking their meat; 2 grill mats for cooking delicate meats like fish while preventing food from sticking to the grill; a bbq brush for cleaning the grill after it has cooled down; a meat shredders claws for grabbing large chunks of meat from the grill, separate the meat from bone or tear it.
- [Organized Storange & Portable]: For convenient storage and portability, The included aluminum storage case has latches lock and hook-and-loop elastic belt to secure the grilling tools in place and the hanging loops on the long-handle bbq tools offer space-saving and organized storage. It is a great bbq gift set for any occasion, perfect for father’s day, birthdays, Christmas, and valentines day gifts for him.
- Superior Construction - The Gas On barbecue grill charcoal features a 14-inch / 150-square inch cooking surface which is spacious enough to prepare steaks or vegetables but compact at the same time to ensure even heat distribution and uniform cooking
- 3-Point Locking Lid - Our bbq grill charcoal is equipped with a special lid designed with a 3-point locking system that helps trap the heat and cook your food uniformly like in a smoker or oven. Also, this locking design ensures easy and safe transportation
- Excellent Ventilation - This charcoal grill portable features a dual ventilation system whose role is to provide a constant air flow to keep the fire going and ensure optimal temperature for perfect cooking!
- Compact and Portable - The barbeque grill has a compact design that it’s lightweight and easy to carry and move around, so you can take it with you in the backyard, patio, porch, camping, or other outdoor locations and prepare delicious BBQ for friends and family!
- Say Goodbye to Mess - Our portable grill charcoal is designed with a special ash catcher, conveniently placed under the grill to capture impurities, dirt, ash, and residues and prevent any mess around the grilling area
- Main Smoking Area: 443 sq. in. porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates with 184 sq. in. chrome-plated steel wire warming rack offer enough space to cook large cuts of meat.
- Heat Control: Close the side air vent to cut off the oxygen flow, thus to help extinguish coals and adjust the smoke stack for extra heat control.
- Adjustable Fire Grates: Raise or lower charcoal pan to 2 different heights with lifting handles in order to control the distance between charcoal and food.
- Lid-mounted Gauge: Monitor the inner temperature fluctuations and check the timely point to smoke meat and vegetables.
- Easy Dump: The adjustable fire grate is an easy-to-dump ash pan for quick and mess-free cleanup after cooking.
The Ultimate Backyard Barbecue Buying Guide
Welcome to your guide for picking the best backyard barbecue! A great grill makes cooking outside fun. This guide will help you choose the right one for your family and your grilling style.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, look closely at what the grill can do. These features make cooking easier and better.
1. Heat Control and Zones
- Adjustable Vents: Good grills let you control airflow. More air means hotter fire. Less air means cooler fire.
- Multiple Burners (Gas Grills): Having separate burners lets you create hot and cool zones. You can sear steaks on high heat and cook veggies slowly on low heat.
2. Cooking Surface Area
Think about how much food you cook at once. A small family needs a smaller surface. Large parties need a big cooking area. Look at the square inches of the main grate.
3. Ignition System
Easy starting is important. Push-button ignition is the standard for gas grills. For charcoal grills, look for features that help air flow quickly to the coals.
Important Materials Matter
The materials used determine how long your grill lasts and how well it cooks.
Cooking Grates
- Cast Iron: These grates hold heat very well. They create great sear marks. They need seasoning to prevent rust.
- Stainless Steel: This material lasts a long time and is easy to clean. It heats up slightly slower than cast iron.
The Body and Hood
Most good grills use heavy-gauge steel or stainless steel for the body. Thicker metal keeps the heat inside better. Thin metal lets heat escape too fast. Always check the quality of the lid hinges; weak hinges break quickly.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Quality isn’t just about the price tag. It’s about smart design.
Features That Boost Quality
- Heat Deflectors/Flavorizer Bars: These metal pieces sit above the burners. They vaporize drippings, creating smoky flavor. They also protect the burners from direct grease.
- Built-in Thermometers: A reliable lid thermometer helps you monitor the temperature without lifting the lid and letting heat escape.
What Lowers Quality
Watch out for plastic knobs or thin metal shelves. These parts often break first. If the lid feels flimsy when you lift it, the overall quality is usually lower. Cheap paint chips easily, exposing the metal to rust.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you plan to use the grill changes what you should buy.
The Weekend Warrior (Occasional Use)
If you grill once or twice a month, a reliable, smaller charcoal kettle grill works perfectly. They are simple and deliver classic smoky flavor.
The Entertainer (Frequent, Large Groups)
If you host big parties often, choose a large gas grill with side burners. The side burner lets you cook sauces or sides without going inside. Look for storage space for tools underneath.
The Small Space Dweller (Balconies/Patios)
Small electric grills or compact propane units are best here. Make sure these smaller grills still offer good temperature control. Check local rules about open flames if you live in an apartment complex.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Buying a Backyard Barbecue
Q: Gas or Charcoal: Which is better for beginners?
A: Gas grills are usually easier for beginners. They heat up fast and temperature control is simple. Charcoal requires more practice to manage the heat.
Q: How often should I clean my new grill?
A: You should burn off food residue after every use. A deep clean (scrubbing grates, emptying grease traps) should happen at least twice during the grilling season.
Q: Do I need a cover for my barbecue?
A: Yes, a good quality, waterproof cover is essential. It protects your investment from rain, snow, and sun, which greatly extends the grill’s life.
Q: What is the benefit of infrared burners?
A: Infrared burners get extremely hot, very fast. They are excellent for searing steaks perfectly, locking in juices quickly.
Q: Should I buy a grill cart or a built-in unit?
A: Carts are flexible; you can move them around. Built-in units look nicer as part of an outdoor kitchen, but they are permanent fixtures.
Q: How do I know if the metal is high quality?
A: Look for thicker metal walls and stainless steel grades. Higher-grade stainless steel (like 304) resists rust better than lower grades.
Q: Are side burners useful?
A: Yes. Side burners let you multitask. You can heat up barbecue sauce or sauté onions while the main food cooks on the grate.
Q: What size grill do I need for a family of four?
A: You generally need about 300 to 400 square inches of primary cooking space for a family of four. This allows you to cook burgers and vegetables at the same time.
Q: How does a smoker box work?
A: A smoker box holds wood chips or chunks. When placed over a heat source (like a gas burner), the wood smokes, adding a wood-fired flavor to foods cooked on the grill.
Q: Can I use my gas grill in cold weather?
A: Yes, you can. However, you might notice that propane tanks empty faster when it is very cold, because the liquid propane struggles to turn into gas.