By KBC Associate 
When someone asks me, “which grill should I buy?”, I don’t start by naming brands, I ask a few simple questions: How much time do you have to cook? What do you like to cook? Do you have kids? The answers to those tell me way more than any product brochure. I own all three: a propane grill, a pellet smoker, and a charcoal grill. Each one fits a different kind of day, mood, and meal.
Some nights I want fast and easy. Other days I want low-and-slow smoking. And when I really want that flame-kissed flavor, then it’s charcoal time. This article breaks down all three styles to help you answer the big question for yourself: which grill is best for you?
Propane Grills – Fast, Convenient, Clean
If you’re looking for speed and simplicity, propane is your best friend. These grills fire up with the push of a button and heat up fast, perfect for those nights when you get home, the kids are starving, and you just want to throw on some burgers without a big production. No chimney starters, no pellets, no waiting, just fire and food.
Propane grills are great for weeknight meals, quick sears, or anytime you don’t want to babysit the fire. You’ll lose a bit of that deep smoky flavor compared to charcoal or pellet, but you gain total control over the heat and super easy cleanup. And let’s be honest, when dinner needs to hit the table fast, convenience matters.
If your grilling style is more “let’s eat and get back to life” than “I’m crafting a 12-hour brisket masterpiece,” propane’s probably your pick. It’s also great if you’ve got a busy family, limited time, or just don’t want to overthink your cookout. If you’re like me with kids, the sports take up a lot of time, so I don’t have a lot of time to grill. And my kids love hot dogs, like most kids. So the propane is fast and easy.
Pro
- Quick heat-up time – Most propane grills are ready to cook in under 10 minutes, making them ideal for weeknight meals or last-minute cookouts.
- Precise temperature control – Turn a knob, adjust the flame. It’s that simple. No guessing, no stress.
- Clean-burning – Propane burns efficiently and leaves very little residue, so you spend less time scrubbing and more time eating.
- Low maintenance – No ash to dump or pellets to refill. Just keep an eye on the tank and you’re good to go.
- Great for multitasking – If you’re juggling kids, side dishes, and everything else, propane lets you grill without needing constant attention.
Cons
- Less smoke flavor – While you can add smoker boxes or wood chips, propane doesn’t give you that deep, smoky flavor on its own.
- Fuel management – Running out of propane mid-cook is a pain, so it helps to have a backup tank on hand or a built-in gauge.
Best For
- Families who want fast dinners without the mess
- People who grill often but don’t have hours to spare
- Anyone who values consistency and ease over smoky complexity
Propane Reviews
Pellet Grills – Low & Slow With Flavor
Pellet grills are where wood-fired flavor meets modern convenience. These grills use compressed wood pellets for fuel, giving you that deep, smoky flavor you usually only get with offset smokers—but with way less hassle. Most pellet grills are equipped with digital controllers, so you can literally set the temperature, walk away, and let it do its thing. It’s basically a smoker, oven, and grill all rolled into one.
They shine when it comes to low-and-slow cooks—think ribs, brisket, pork shoulder—but many pellet grills can hit high temps for searing too. If you love barbecue and want consistent results without having to babysit your food for hours, a pellet grill is tough to beat. It’s like having a pitmaster assistant that doesn’t talk back.
Pro
- Incredible flavor – Real wood pellets give meat that authentic, smoky depth you can’t fake.
- Set-it-and-forget-it cooking – Digital temperature controls let you dial in the heat and walk away.
- Versatile – Great for smoking, baking, roasting, and even grilling, depending on the model.
- Consistent results – Internal fans and auto-feed systems maintain stable temps for long cooks.
- Clean-burning fuel – Pellets burn efficiently with minimal ash.
Cons
- Slower to heat up – Takes longer to preheat than gas or charcoal.
- Needs electricity – Pellet grills require a power source to run the digital controller and auger.
- More expensive – Generally pricier than standard propane or charcoal grills.
- Pellet storage – Pellets need to stay dry, so you’ll need a sealed container to store them properly.
Best For
- Backyard BBQ fans who love flavor and don’t want to manually manage temps
- Low-and-slow meat lovers: brisket, ribs, pulled pork
- People who love gadgets and precision cooking
Pellete Reviews
If you like wood but don’t want pellets
If you’re after pure, authentic smoke flavor, nothing beats a traditional wood smoker. These are the offset barrel-style smokers where you feed in actual chunks or splits of wood—no pellets, no gas, just fire and patience. Smokers like the Oklahoma Joe’s Highland give you that classic BBQ feel, where you’re managing airflow, fire, and temperature manually the whole way through.
This isn’t the set-it-and-forget-it crowd, it’s the “tend the fire every 30 minutes” kind of experience. But the payoff? Unreal flavor. The kind of bark, smoke ring, and depth you just can’t get with anything else. It’s more effort, for sure—but for some grillers, that’s the whole point.
Pro
- Best flavor, hands down – Nothing beats the deep, rich smoke from real wood.
- Full control – You’re managing the fire, airflow, and smoke.
- Authentic BBQ experience – This is how pitmasters do it. It’s the old-school way, and it shows in the results.
- No electricity required – Fire it up anywhere without needing an outlet or extension cord.
Cons
- Requires constant attention – You’ll need to monitor the fire and adjust vents frequently.
- Takes longer – Both the cooking time and the learning curve are steeper.
- Bulky and heavy – These smokers aren’t very portable and take up a good chunk of backyard real estate.
- Weather sensitive – Wind and cold can really mess with your temps unless you insulate or adjust constantly.
Best For
- BBQ purists who want full flavor and full control
- Weekend warriors with time and patience to spare
- Pitmaster hopefuls who love the process as much as the food
Wood Reviews
Charcoal Grills – Classic, Bold, and Hands-On
Charcoal is the original grilling fuel, and for a lot of us, it’s still the most satisfying way to cook. Well, maybe not the true original of just a campfire, but it’s close. There’s something about lighting the coals and watching that flame roll up over a steak that just hits different. Charcoal grills bring the real fire, real flavor experience that gas and pellet grills just can’t quite replicate. The results? Bold flavor, perfect sear marks, and that unmistakable smoky taste.
That said, charcoal grilling takes a bit more effort. You need to light the coals (unless you cheat with a starter cube—no judgment), manage the heat zones, and clean up ash when you’re done. But the tradeoff is that it puts you in the driver’s seat. You control the fire, the heat, the timing—it’s a hands-on experience that rewards attention and skill. If you enjoy the process just as much as the food, charcoal might be your go-to. One of the great things about charcoal is you can still use chunks of wood so you can create a wide variety of tastes depending upon what you are cooking.
Pro
- Bold, smoky flavor – That classic grilled taste comes straight from the charcoal.
- High heat for searing – Perfect for steaks, burgers, and anything that needs a good crust.
- More control – Set up heat zones, go indirect or direct—totally customizable.
- Affordable options – You can get a great charcoal grill without breaking the bank.
- No electricity or fuel lines – All you need is charcoal and a lighter.
Cons
- Slower to heat up – Expect 15–20 minutes before you’re ready to cook.
- More cleanup – You’ll be dealing with ash after every cook.
- Learning curve – Temperature control takes a little practice.
- Less convenient for fast meals – Not ideal when time is tight.
Best For
- Grillers who want that true fire-cooked flavor
- Weekend warriors who love the process as much as the meal
- People who enjoy customizing their cooking zones and heat
- Those who don’t mind a bit of hands-on effort for top-tier results
Charcoal Reviews
So Which One Is Right for You?
Before we wrap up, let’s talk about one more type of backyard cooker that didn’t quite fit into this comparison: griddles. While they aren’t technically grills in the traditional sense, they’ve exploded in popularity lately for a reason. Griddles like the Weber Slate or Blackstone give you a flat cooking surface that’s perfect for smash burgers, bacon, pancakes, stir-fry, you name it. They don’t offer that smoky, fire-kissed flavor like charcoal or pellet grills, but if you’re feeding a crowd or love cooking everything in one spot, a griddle might just earn a spot next to your main grill.
Griddle Reviews
Still not sure which way to go? Here’s a quick breakdown to help point you in the right direction:
- Go Propane if you value speed, convenience, and no-fuss cooking. It’s perfect for weeknight grilling, family dinners, or anyone who just wants to fire it up and get food on the table fast.
- Go Pellet if you’re all about smoke and flavor but still want modern convenience. It’s ideal for low-and-slow cooks, brisket fans, and folks who want to set it and forget it—with results that wow.
- Go Charcoal if you want bold flavor and don’t mind getting your hands dirty. It’s perfect for weekend warriors, grill purists, and anyone who sees grilling as an experience, not just a meal.
- Go Wood Smoker if you’re ready to dive deep. If you want competition-level results, love tending a fire, and have the time to master a craft, a traditional wood smoker might be your calling.
- Add a Griddle if you want to expand your outdoor setup. From breakfast to smash burgers, a griddle brings something entirely different—and totally worth it—to your cookout game.
The best part? You can’t really go wrong. Each one brings something special to the backyard.
My Situation
I’ll be honest, I own them all: propane, pellet, charcoal, a wood smoker, and a griddle. And believe it or not, I actually use them all, just some more than others.
My go-to grill is propane, plain and simple. It’s all about convenience. I work during the day, and at night I’m running around to sports with the kids. Weekends aren’t much calmer. So it’s usually propane because it’s fast, reliable, and perfect for quick dinners, especially when the kids are asking for hot dogs or burgers. I can fire it up, cook, and clean up without much thought.
That said, once a month I like to slow things down and break out the pellet grill. I love cooking short ribs and other meats low and slow, and the flavor is hard to beat, especially with a good cut. When we’ve got a relaxing weekend morning, I’ll fire up the griddle for a big breakfast: bacon, eggs, pancakes … the works. It’s always a hit.
The wood smoker? That’s a whole different story. The flavor, texture, and hands-on experience are next level, way beyond what a pellet grill can do. But it’s also a commitment. You’ve got to tend the fire and stay close, and right now, that kind of time is hard to come by. If I use it twice a year, it’s a good year, but every time I do, I tell myself I should use it more.
Now, as for my favorite? It’s charcoal, hands down. When I’ve got a killer piece of steak, the charcoal grill is what I reach for. I’ll toss on a couple chunks of wood, season the meat with just salt, pepper, and butter, and let the grill do the rest. The flavor, the smell, the whole experience, it’s just unbeatable. I wish I had more time to cook on it, but when I do, it’s always worth it.
Wrap Up
So, which grill should you buy? The truth is, there’s no single right answer, just the right grill (or grills) for your life, your schedule, and your flavor goals. Each style has its own strengths, trade-offs, and signature experience. Whether you’re firing up a propane grill for a quick weeknight dinner, letting a brisket ride low and slow on a pellet grill, flipping pancakes on a griddle, or searing a steak over hot charcoal, it’s all about what fits your world.
I’ve been lucky enough to own and cook on all of them, and they each bring something different to the table (literally!). Some I use daily, others just a few times a year, but when I do, it’s always worth it. If you’re just starting out, pick what fits your routine. If you’ve already got one type, maybe it’s time to add another to your lineup. Whatever you choose, just make sure it gets you outside, gets the fire going, and gets something great on your plate.
Because at the end of the day, grilling isn’t just about food—it’s about the experience.