How to choose the best barbeque in 2026

How to choose the best barbeque in 2026

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When choosing your best barbeque, your decision factors should include your BBQ priorities, cooking style, storage needs budget for upfront (purchase) and running costs.

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Types of grills

Before diving into the question of how to choose the best barbeque, let’s discuss the grill range itself. Below we describe existing types of grilling appliances:

• Charcoal grills – Use charcoal. Made from steel. Relatively lightweight. Provides a classic, smoky flavour. Offer the ritual of lighting and managing the fire as a part of the experience. Require minimal grill repair
• Gas grills – Use gas. Made from steel. Relatively lightweight. Start instantly, heats evenly, offers precise temperature control
• Pellet grills – Use wood pellets. Made from steel. Relatively lightweight. Provides a classic, smoky flavour. Can operate like an outdoor oven.
• Kamado grills – Use charcoal. Made from ceramic. Heavy. Retains heat superbly. Can operate like an outdoor oven.
• Electric grills – Use electricity. Made from steel. Relatively lightweight. Has no open flame. Start and heats quickly.

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Consider your BBQ priorities

When taking into account BBQ priorities, there could be the following options:

• For quick results, convenience, top control, and easy cleaning – gas or electric grill
  
• For authentic smoky flavour and traditional ritual – charcoal, pellet, or kamado grill
  
• For maximum versatility (grilling, roasting, and baking) – pellet or kamado grill
  
• For using in enclosed spaces – electric grill
  

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Consider your cooking style

When considering your cooking style, there could be the following options:

• To enjoy the ritual – charcoal or kamado grill
  
• To get the food with minimal effort – gas or electric grill
  

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Consider storage needs

When taking into account storage needs, there could be the following options:

• No need to store it away – any type of grill (a protective cover is recommended)
  
• Need to store it away – electric and small gas grill (lightweight, foldable, or with wheels)
  

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Consider upfront and running costs

When considering upfront and running costs, there could be the following options:

• Focus on low upfront costs – charcoal kettles and electric grill
  
• Focus on low running costs – gas grill
  
• If premium price and high running costs are affordable – pellet and kamado grill
  

Note that after choosing the most suitable barbeque type, consider the grilling capacity of the unit (grill size) measured in square inches of cooking area. The size should fit your number of people you usually cook for. However, you may need to compromise on the barbeque size if you have space restraints.