Discover the top five outdoor grill types essential for BBQ enthusiasts, including open flame, smoker, covered, rotisserie, and vessel models. Each offers unique features suited for different cooking styles—from quick searing to slow smoking—helping you choose the perfect grill for your backyard. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pitmaster, understanding these options enhances your grilling experience and meal quality.

Top 5 Types of Outdoor Grills Every BBQ Lover Should Know

Choosing the right outdoor grill depends on your cooking style, heat source preference, and design. The market features various options catering to different grilling needs, from classic open-flame models to advanced rotisserie setups. Knowing these types helps in selecting the ideal grill for your backyard gatherings. Here are five popular outdoor grill types, classified by their grilling technique, to guide your purchasing decision.

Open Flame Grills
The most straightforward outdoor grills, open flame models, consist of a simple metal or stone box with a heat source underneath. They typically run on charcoal, wood, or propane, making them perfect for direct grilling of small cuts of meat, vegetables, or seafood. Foods are cooked directly over the flame for quick, tasty results.

The smoker grill is known for adding a rich smoky flavor to dishes. Renowned brands like Traeger, Weber, Pit Boss, and Oklahoma Joe’s produce these models. They excel in slow, low-temperature cooking, making them ideal for ribs, briskets, and other smoked meats requiring indirect heat and flavor infusion.

Covered Grills
Enclosed grills feature tall lids, allowing for indirect cooking and smoking. They are suitable for thicker cuts like steaks, pork, or chicken, promoting even heat distribution and the ability to prepare larger quantities. These versatile grills combine direct and indirect cooking methods.

Rotisserie Grills
This method uses a rotating spit to cook meat uniformly, resulting in a crispy crust and juicy interior. Ideal for whole chickens, roasts, and pork shoulders, rotisserie grills deliver tender, flavorful results. Top brands include Traeger, Napoleon, and Broil King, known for their quality rotisserie features.

Vessel Grills
Vessel grills are multi-purpose ceramic units suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. They utilize radiant heat from the sidewalls and direct heat from charcoal, making them excellent for kebabs, flatbreads, and roasted dishes. Their design ensures high heat retention and consistent cooking.