Updated October 2026
The main types of grills are gas (freestanding or built-in), charcoal, kamado, pellet, flat top/griddle, pizza ovens and electric. The right one for you depends on how much smoky flavor you want, how much time you want to spend tending the fire, and whether you're building a permanent outdoor kitchen or need a grill you can move. In short: gas wins on convenience, charcoal and kamado on flavor, pellet grills on hands-off smoking, and electric grills where open flames aren't allowed.
Today's grills go well beyond the basic kettle and propane cart, from gas grills with digital displays and app control to griddles built for smash burgers and dedicated outdoor pizza ovens. This guide breaks down each type, compares freestanding and built-in styles, covers the grill brands we carry, and explains when a grill package makes more sense than buying piece by piece.
How to Choose the Right Grill: What to Ask Yourself First
Before you compare grill types, answer a few questions honestly. They'll narrow your search quickly:
- How much flavor control do you want? Some cooks want maximum smoke and char; others want speed and consistency.
- How much time do you want to spend tending the grill? Charcoal and kamado grills reward patience. Gas and electric grills reward convenience.
- What's your space situation? A small patio or condo balcony calls for a compact freestanding or electric grill (check your building's rules first), while a dedicated outdoor kitchen can support a built-in setup.
- Is this a permanent outdoor kitchen or a movable grill? Built-in grills are a long-term commitment tied to your layout. Freestanding grills go wherever you go.
- What's your full budget? The grill is only part of the cost once you add a cart or island, side burners, a cover and installation.
Once you know your priorities, use the table below to match them to a grill type.
All Types of Grills Compared
| Grill Type | Fuel Source | Flavor Profile | Convenience | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gas grill | Propane or natural gas | Mild, clean-tasting | High: quick start, easy temperature control | Weeknight cooking, families, built-in kitchens |
| Charcoal grill | Charcoal briquettes or lump (some also burn wood) | Smoky, charred | Moderate: more setup and cleanup | Traditionalists, flavor-first cooks |
| Kamado grill | Charcoal (ceramic or cast-aluminum body) | Deep smoke, moist interior | Moderate: excellent heat retention once you learn the vents | Low-and-slow smoking and searing in one unit |
| Pellet grill | Wood pellets, fed by an electric auger | Wood-smoked, consistent | High: digital controller holds temperature | Set-it-and-forget-it smoking |
| Flat top / griddle | Usually propane or natural gas (some use wood/charcoal or induction) | Seared, griddle-style | High: even, wide cooking surface | Breakfast, smash burgers, large groups |
| Pizza oven | Wood, gas or both | High-heat, blistered crust | Moderate: needs preheat time | Neapolitan-style pizza, entertaining |
| Electric grill | Electricity | Mild, no open flame | Highest: plug in and go | Small spaces where flames or propane aren't allowed |
Each grill type has its own section below, with the pros, cons and details that matter before you buy.
Gas Grills
Gas grills light in seconds, hold a steady temperature and clean up easily. For anyone who grills several nights a week, that convenience is hard to beat. They're also one of the two most-owned grill types: in the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association's 2022 State of the Barbecue Industry report (survey fielded in 2021), 63% of grill owners had a gas grill, right alongside charcoal at 65%.
Some newer gas grills add smart features. Monument's Denali Smart models offer Bluetooth app control and an LED display, and Blaze's LTE PRO grills have a digital temperature screen. Many premium models also add an infrared sear or rear rotisserie burner.
The tradeoff is flavor. Gas burns cleanly, so food tastes milder than it does over charcoal or wood. For burgers, chicken and vegetables on a weeknight, most people don't mind, and a stainless smoker box filled with wood chips can add some smoke. Most gas grills come in propane or natural gas versions; see our guide to choosing the perfect propane grill for more on propane models.
Gas grills come in two installation styles, and your choice has a big impact on your outdoor kitchen plans.
Freestanding Gas Grills
Freestanding gas grills sit on their own cart or base and can be moved, replaced or repositioned without any construction. They're the right call if you're renting, still finalizing your patio layout, or want the flexibility to upgrade later. Options range from compact two-burner grills to six-burner models with side burners and rotisserie kits.
Built-In Gas Grills
Built-in gas grills are designed to drop into an island or outdoor kitchen counter for a seamless, finished look. Because they're a permanent fixture, they tend to be a higher-end purchase. Brands like Blaze and TrueFlame build their grills from 304 stainless steel (more on brands below). If your island is framed with combustible materials, some built-in grills require an insulated jacket, so check the installation manual before you build.
Charcoal Grills
If flavor is your top priority, charcoal is hard to beat. Burning charcoal, especially lump charcoal, creates a smoky char that gas and electric grills can't fully match. Simple kettle-style charcoal grills are also one of the most affordable ways to start grilling.
The tradeoff is time and attention. Charcoal grills take longer to light and reach cooking temperature, need more hands-on management of airflow and coals, and leave ash to clean out after each cook. Depending on your goals, that extra involvement is either part of the appeal or a dealbreaker.
Our charcoal lineup includes Blaze's 32-inch stainless steel charcoal grill (built-in or freestanding), the Renaissance Cooking Systems Premier charcoal grill, and Arteflame grills. Arteflame builds its grills in Phoenix, Arizona, pairing a center fire bowl with a thick carbon steel cooktop ring, so you can sear over the fire and griddle around it.
Kamado Grills
Kamado grills are the versatile all-rounders of outdoor cooking. Traditionally made of thick ceramic (some, like the Blaze kamado we carry, use cast aluminum instead), their egg-shaped design holds heat and moisture far better than a standard charcoal grill. A kamado can typically run hot enough for steakhouse-style searing in the 700°F range, then settle in around 225°F for a long, low-and-slow brisket.
That versatility comes with a learning curve: mastering the vents takes a few cooks. Once it's dialed in, many owners use their kamado for nearly everything, and the insulated body uses less fuel than an open charcoal grill on long cooks.
See the Blaze 20-Inch Cast Aluminum Kamado
Pellet Grills
Pellet grills give you wood-smoked flavor without babysitting a fire. Wood pellets feed automatically from a hopper into a firepot, and a digital controller holds your target temperature for hours. They've gained ground quickly: HPBA's 2022 report found pellet grill ownership grew from 3% to 9% of grill owners in two years.
Some models add WiFi or app control, so you can check meat temperature and adjust the cook from your phone. If you want smoked ribs or brisket without standing over a grill all day, a pellet grill is worth a look. Keep in mind it needs an electrical outlet and a dry place to store pellets.
Pellet grills aren't part of our current lineup. If you like the idea of wood smoke, a kamado handles low-and-slow cooks with charcoal and wood chunks, and a smoker box adds wood flavor on a gas grill.
Flat Top/Griddle Grills
Flat top grills, also called griddles, trade the classic grate for a solid, flat cooking surface, usually heated by propane or natural gas burners underneath. Smash burgers, pancakes, stir-fry, fajitas and eggs are all easier on a griddle than on a grate, and the wide, even surface makes it easy to cook for a crowd.
We carry built-in and freestanding gas griddles from Blaze, TrueFlame and Broilmaster, an outdoor induction griddle from Induction Hardware, and Arteflame's wood-and-charcoal flat-top grills.
Pizza Ovens
Dedicated pizza ovens run much hotter than a standard grill. Many wood- and gas-fired models are designed to reach roughly 700°F to 900°F, hot enough to bake a thin Neapolitan-style pizza in about 60 to 90 seconds. Others double as all-purpose outdoor ovens: Blaze's 26-inch gas oven, for example, adds a rotating pizza stone and a rotisserie.
We carry wood-fired ovens from Kucht and Empava (including an Empava wood-and-gas hybrid), gas ovens from Blaze and Kucht, and Thor Kitchen's wood-burning pizza oven. Some outdoor kitchen sets, like Forno's All'Aperto, build a gas pizza oven right into the run of cabinets beside the grill. For hosts who love feeding a crowd, a pizza oven adds something a grill alone can't.
Electric Grills
Electric grills are the simplest option on this list. With no propane tank, charcoal or open flame, they plug in, heat up and clean up with minimal fuss.
That matters in apartments, condos and HOA communities. Many buildings and associations restrict open-flame or propane grills on balconies and patios, and an electric grill is often allowed where others aren't. Rules vary, so check your lease, HOA rules and local fire code before you buy any grill.
The tradeoff is flavor and power. Electric grills generally can't reach the searing temperatures of gas or charcoal, and they don't add smoke. For renters and small-space cooks, though, an electric grill may be the only way to grill at home. We carry Blaze's 21-inch, 1,500-watt electric grill as a portable tabletop model or on a pedestal with side shelves.
See the Blaze 21-Inch Electric Grill
Freestanding vs. Built-In: Which Style Is Right for You?
Beyond fuel type, one of the biggest decisions you'll make is freestanding versus built-in. It mainly comes down to your space, your budget and how long you plan to stay in your home.
Choose freestanding if:
- You're renting or plan to move within a few years
- Your outdoor layout isn't finalized yet
- You want the flexibility to upgrade or relocate the grill later
- You're working with a tighter budget
Choose built-in if:
- You're building or renovating a permanent outdoor kitchen
- You want a seamless, custom look integrated into countertops and cabinetry
- You plan to stay put and use the setup for years
- You're ready to plan for island construction, gas lines and clearances
Looking for a compromise? Consider a grill cart. It puts a built-in grill head on a mobile base with storage and a finished look, without any construction, and many grill heads can move into an island later.
Shop Grill Carts | Shop Built-In Grills
Grill Brands We Carry at Home Outlet Direct
Once you know what type of grill you want, the brand affects the materials, features, warranty coverage and parts support. Here's a quick look at the grill brands we carry.
Blaze
Blaze, based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, builds its gas grills with 304 stainless steel components and cast 304 stainless steel burners, made to drop into an outdoor kitchen island or sit on a matching cart. Our Blaze lineup also includes griddles, side and power burners, outdoor refrigeration, a cast aluminum kamado, electric grills and gas pizza ovens. Read more in Is Blaze a Good Brand?
Monument Grills
Monument focuses on gas grills, mostly freestanding cart models, in propane and natural gas across its Mesa, Classic, Eminence and Denali series. Its Denali Smart grills add Bluetooth app control and an LED display. It's a good fit if you want a full-featured freestanding grill without building an island. See Is Monument Grills a Good Brand?
Forno
Best known for its ranges and kitchen appliances, Forno also makes modular outdoor kitchen sets in its All'Aperto, Bulnes and Rimini lines. Each pairs a gas grill with modules like a sink, bar or beverage center, and some All'Aperto sets add a gas pizza oven. The All'Aperto sets are built from black-coated aluminized steel and ship propane-ready, convertible to natural gas.
Thor Kitchen
Thor Kitchen's outdoor line includes gas grills, a wood-burning pizza oven, modular stainless steel cabinets for the grill, sink and refrigerator, and 10-foot outdoor kitchen islands with a grill, side burner and sink. Its packages bundle these pieces for a coordinated look, and we also carry the Gordon Ramsay by Thor Kitchen outdoor grills.
Shop Thor Kitchen Grill Packages
TrueFlame
TrueFlame builds its gas grills from #304 stainless steel and offers griddles plus matching outdoor kitchen components: side and power burners, refrigeration, sinks, storage doors and drawers, and vent hoods. That makes it a strong pick if you're assembling a custom outdoor kitchen piece by piece.
Broilmaster
Broilmaster has been making grills since 1966. Its stainless steel B-Series and G-Series gas grills and griddles come on carts or as built-ins, with matching side burners. Its warranty includes lifetime coverage on key components such as housings and cooking grids, and replacement parts can be ordered through your dealer. Terms vary by series, so check Broilmaster's warranty page for your model.
We also carry built-in and freestanding gas grills from Renaissance Cooking Systems (RCS) and other brands.
Should You Buy a Grill Package?
A grill package bundles a grill with complementary pieces like side burners, a griddle, cabinets or an outdoor refrigerator, all designed to fit together visually and functionally. It's especially worth considering if you're building a new outdoor kitchen from scratch rather than replacing a single grill.
The advantages are straightforward:
- Bundle pricing: a package can cost less than buying the same pieces one at a time, so compare it with the individual items.
- Matched design across the grill, cabinetry and accessories.
- Simpler planning: the pieces are designed to work together, so you're not guessing at dimensions.
- A faster path to a finished outdoor kitchen, especially for built-in setups.
Our packages include Blaze grill bundles with a side burner, griddle or beverage center; Thor Kitchen cabinet packages and outdoor kitchen islands; and Forno's All'Aperto, Bulnes and Rimini sets.
Shop Grill Packages | Shop Outdoor Refrigerators | Shop Side Burners
What Drives the Cost of a Grill?
Grill pricing varies widely, and the sticker price of the grill itself is rarely the full picture. These factors move the number most:
- Grill type: compact electric, tabletop and basic charcoal grills sit at the entry end; full-size freestanding gas grills and kamados fall in the middle; built-in grills, larger pizza ovens and complete outdoor kitchens sit at the premium end.
- Materials: 304 stainless steel, cast stainless burners and heavy cooking grates cost more than painted or powder-coated steel but resist rust and wear better. Marine-grade versions of some Blaze and Broilmaster grills add corrosion resistance near saltwater.
- Built-in vs. freestanding: a built-in grill head is only part of the project. Budget for the island or cabinets, countertop, any required insulated jacket, and gas or electrical work.
- Size, burners and BTU: more burners and a larger cooking area raise the price, as do infrared sear, rotisserie and side burners.
- Extras: lighting, lift-assist hoods, digital displays and app control, plus covers, tools, carts and outdoor refrigeration.
Prices change often, so check current pricing on each product page. For bigger setups, financing is available at checkout.
Why Buy Your Grill from Home Outlet Direct?
We carry freestanding and built-in gas grills, charcoal grills, a kamado, griddles, electric grills and outdoor pizza ovens, along with grill carts, side burners, outdoor refrigerators and complete grill packages. If you're building a full outdoor kitchen, you can source the grill and its companions in one place.
- We're an authorized dealer for the grill brands we sell, so products ship new with the manufacturer's warranty.
- Shipping is free to the contiguous 48 states (not Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico). Large items like grills ship by freight, typically curbside, with a scheduled delivery appointment; see our shipping policy for details.
- You can add a CPS extended protection plan at checkout.
Final Checklist Before You Buy
Before you check out, run through this list:
- I know which grill type fits how I actually cook (flavor vs. convenience)
- I've decided between freestanding and built-in based on my space and timeline
- I've measured my space, including the clearances in the grill's installation manual
- I've checked my lease, HOA rules and local fire code
- I've checked whether a grill package saves money over buying separately
- I've budgeted for accessories: cover, cart, tools and any side burner
- I've confirmed my fuel source is available (natural gas line, propane or an outdoor electrical outlet)
FAQs About Grill Types
What is the healthiest type of grill to cook on?
No grill type is healthy or unhealthy on its own; what and how you cook matter more. According to the National Cancer Institute, high-temperature cooking and fat dripping onto flames can form chemicals called HCAs and PAHs in meat, though a definitive link to cancer in humans hasn't been established. Gas and electric grills make flare-ups and smoke easier to control, and NCI suggests avoiding direct flame contact, flipping meat often and trimming charred portions.
What type of grill do professional chefs prefer?
It depends on what they're cooking. Charcoal, wood and kamado grills are prized for smoke and char, while gas grills and griddles are favored for speed and consistency when feeding a crowd. For home cooks, it's more useful to match the grill to your own menu.
Is a pellet grill better than a gas grill?
It depends on your goal. Pellet grills excel at low-and-slow smoking with wood flavor and hands-off convenience, while gas grills excel at quick, high-heat cooking with instant temperature control. Some backyard cooks end up owning both.
Are built-in grills worth the extra cost?
If you're building a permanent outdoor kitchen and plan to stay in your home for years, a built-in grill gives you an integrated look and pairs with matching side burners, storage and refrigeration. If you might move or aren't ready to commit to a layout, a freestanding grill or a grill head on a cart is the more flexible choice.
What's the best grill type for a small patio or apartment?
Electric grills are usually the easiest fit for small spaces and buildings with restrictions, since they don't use an open flame or a propane tank. Compact freestanding gas grills are a good second option where they're permitted. Check your lease, HOA rules and local fire code first.
Do I need a pizza oven if I already have a grill?
A grill and a pizza oven serve different purposes. A dedicated pizza oven runs much hotter and can bake a blistered, Neapolitan-style crust in a couple of minutes or less, which is hard to match on a standard grill. If you entertain often or love pizza night, it's a worthwhile addition.
The Bottom Line
Pick gas for everyday convenience, charcoal or kamado for flavor, a griddle for crowd-friendly breakfasts and burgers, a pizza oven for high-heat baking, and electric where flames aren't allowed. Then choose freestanding or built-in based on how permanent your setup will be.
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