Types of Grills

Grills today are made in just about every shape and size. From portable tailgating and camping grills to large commercial grills, there are so many sizes and shapes of grills that can be overwhelming to the average consumer. This section will teach you the pros and cons of each type of grill so you can make an informed buying decision. Just remember that you may never be satisfied with one grill and may need to buy different grills in order to serve different purposes. The selection of grills and all of the accessories can make grilling an expensive hobby.
Charcoal Grills - Charcoal grills are the second most popular models purchased. Many grill masters love their charcoal grills because they provide a flavor that can't be replicated by the gas models and they are easier to double as a smoker. Charcoal grills come in all kinds of shapes and sizes ranging from small portable grills to large commercial smoker grills. The only cons that charcoal grills have is they can be hard to keep hot in extremely cold temperatures and they take 30 minutes to get the charcoal lit before you can begin cooking. Purchasing the charcoal can also be a little more costly than a tank of propane gas used for a gas grill.
Gas Grills - Gas grills are the most popular grills sold in the US. It is no wonder they sell more gas grills than any other type. With their quick heating and adjustable temperature features to the efficiency of the propane gas prices, gas grills are a convenient alternative to charcoal for those with a busy lifestyle. You can simply turn a switch and have the ability to adjust the heat up and down quickly on a gas grill. Gas grills are also great for electric spinning rotisserie rods. The only con on a gas grill is that windy days can blow out the burners making it hard to cook large pieces of meat. Gas grills are also not great for doubling as a smoker.
Natural Gas Grills - Natural gas grills share all of the features and benefits available to gas grills. The only difference is these are typically built in instead of the portability of gas grills. The great thing that sets natural gas grills apart is the convenience of not having to refill propane tanks or running out of gas during cooking. A natural gas line is hooked straight into your grill and is billed to your monthly gas utility bill instead of making a separate trip to the store.
Ceramic Grills - Ceramic grills are a modern style of grill that is becoming more and more popular. These grills are simply amazing at holding the temperature steady for extremely long periods of time. These are hands down the most efficient grills for holding the heat in and cooking large pieces of meat. The first time you see a whole beer can chicken cook on a ceramic grill, you will have to have one yourself. The con for ceramic grills is they are expensive because they are not as mass produced as some other grill models and they cost more to manufacture due to their parts.
Electric Grills - Electric grills are great and simple to operate. You can literally just plug it in to the wall and start to grill. Electric grills have actually gained popularity in the last decade with new indoor models like the George Foreman and apartments that have banned the usage of gas and electric grills. The con for electric grills is they do not have the same flavor profile that grilling  with charcoal has. They are also reliant on having an outlet handy, so they are typically used indoors and are not what you want for camping or tailgating.
Wood Fire Grill - When most people think of a wood fire grill they assume these are camp fire grills because they are so rarely used for consumer purposes. It is a shame that these are not more commonly used because wood fire grills have a deep history and were actually the first grills used in ancient times. Today, wood fire grills are typically open grills without a lid and are used for direct grilling. They usually have a crank mechanism on the side that allows you to move the grill grates up and down to manually adjust the heat. Wood fire grills also provide a great smoky taste and is truly a hybrid of grilling and smoking.
Portable Grills - Portable grills can actually come with gas or charcoal heat sources. These grills are great for tailgating and camping trips. Portable grills are typically very small and don't allow for cooking large cuts of meat or for large groups of people.
What Are The Most Purchased And Popular Grills?
A 2008 consumer sales in the United States reported that over 16 million grills were sold in one year alone. Of the 16 million grills, the types of grills were broken into 3 different categories by heat source. Gas grills were the most popular followed closely by charcoal grills. Electric grills are not nearly as popular but still have a place in the world of grilling.

Popularity of Types of Grills Purchased:
58% Gas Grills
40% Charcoal Grills
2% Electric Grills