Best Smoker & Grill Brands
What are the best grill brands? This is an extremely difficult question to answer. Of course, coming up with a list of popular brands is easy. Weber, for example, is a brand that’s practically synonymous to BBQ. Char-Broil is known as the innovator when it comes to gas grills. Napoleon is Canada’s version of Weber in terms of quality and performance. Traeger is the original creator of the wood pellet grill which incorporates modern technology into the art of outdoor cooking. Kamado Joe is the king when it comes to ceramic cookers. We could go on and on.
But naming a specific grill brand that works best in every situation is almost impossible. Even pitmasters all over the world will find it difficult to come to a unanimous decision. There are a variety of grills in the market, ranging from charcoal to electric, from the simple to the extravagant. Of course, the quality of food produced on a grill is not solely dependent on the machine; a BBQ master can utilize just about any kind of set-up and cook the most amazing BBQ. But not all of us can be classified as an expert. In short, the best grill brand would be highly dependent on a number of factors such as the fuel type you prefer, your level of skill, the type of food you plan to cook, and your budget. With that in mind, we’ve decided to give you a short but sweet introduction to the best grill brands according to popular demand.
Traeger
Traeger, as we’ve already mentioned, is the original creator of the wood pellet grill. Pellet grills combine the convenience of gas with the delicious flavor produced by charcoal grills. This design was patented by Joe Traeger back in 1985 and has been revolutionizing the outdoor kitchen market since then.
Traeger grills are like the Weber of the pellet grill category. They create pellet grills with the highest quality and performance. The company recently upgraded their line of grills with a new feature – the WiFIRE® controller. The temperature of their pellet grill can now be controlled remotely and maintains your grill’s temp within 5 degrees of your desired temperature.
Traeger offers a wide selection of wood pellet grills to cater to every outdoor cook’s needs. Their products range from small like the Traeger Texas Elite to the large like the Traeger XL. If you’re looking for a medium to premium grade pellet grill, you can’t go wrong with a Traeger.
Coleman
Coleman and camping are two things that go hand in hand. In fact, their motto is “Have Coleman, Will Travel.” If you want a grill that travels with you on your outdoor adventures, this is the brand to see. Their line of portable grills range from tabletop to stand-up. All their grills use gas as fuel and usually feature quick-fold legs and wheels to make transporting them from point A to point B easy. Grilling performance and durability are trademarks of all Coleman grills. And a lot of them are quite affordable too. The only drawback to Coleman grills is that its biggest size can only cook for as many as 6 people.
Napoleon
Napoleon grills are the Canadian version of Weber in more ways than one. Much like the latter, Napoleon was initially a steel fabrication company that produced products such as railings for farmers. Wolfgang Schroeter, the founder of the company (which was then called Wolf Steel), created a wood-burning stove for one of his relatives. The stove was so popular that he decided to make them full-time.
By 1981, Napoleon grills were officially in the market. They were the first to include a see-through ceramic glass door that enabled you to check your food at a glance. Currently, the company offers a line of premium stand-alone and built-in charcoal and gas grills as well as fireplaces, outdoor heaters, and other heating products. Their grills get top marks for appearance, performance, and durability, much like their American counterpart.
Weber
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. Weber is the gold standard in charcoal grills. But that doesn’t mean that they’re only good at making one thing. The Weber brand is known the whole world over for producing various sizes of charcoal grills, gas grills, and smokers that literally last for decades. Their products are often passed down from one generation to another, a rite of passage for many outdoor chefs. Of course, it also doesn’t hurt that Weber grills cook beautifully and are very easy to use as well as maintain. As an added bonus, Weber provides one of the best customer service experiences in the industry
Bull Outdoor
Bull Outdoor is the largest manufacturer of premium outdoor kitchen products. When you want your outdoor kitchen to scream “luxury” at an affordable price, this is the brand for you. The brand has been manufacturing high quality grills since 1993 and has since been a favorite among many outdoor chefs who compete in the World Food Championships. Bull Outdoor offers a variety of products including charcoal and gas grill heads, customizable BBQ islands, bars, pizza ovens, stainless steel grills with carts, refrigerators, fireplaces, and even kitchen sinks. But what really makes this brand stand out is the “reliaBULL” technology. This cutting-edge technology ensures that no part of the grill’s surface remains unused due to uneven heating.
Char-Broil
Weber may be the charcoal king but Char-Broil is the leading innovator in the gas grill category. In fact, Char-Broil was the first brand to create an electric ignition system. A lot of their other innovations have also made their way into the gas grills we see today such as built-in propane tank storage in carts and removable grease trays. Char-Broil has been manufacturing grills since 1948, way before the Weber Kettle was introduced to the market. Their product lines include charcoal grills, gas grills, electric grills, smokers, fryers, and various BBQ parts and accessories. Most of their charcoal and gas grills have prices ranging from budget to mid-range. But what makes this brand so well-known is their line of infrared grills. These grills feature an innovative TRU-Infrared design which produces concentrated radiant heat for more evenly cooked meat – seared on the outside, deliciously moist on the inside.
Pit Boss
When it comes to budget-friendly pellet grills, only one brand comes to mind – Pit Boss. This brand is owned by Dawson’s Inc. which also manufactures Louisiana Grills. Compared to Traeger, their pellet grills generally offer better value for money. While they may not be the premium brand, these grills are solidly constructed and perform just as well. As an added bonus, these grills come with a warranty that’s two years longer (a total of 5 years) and one unique feature. Pit Boss pellet grills have a different fire pot and heat distribution system; their design enables the cook to switch to open flame grilling. Pellet grills aren’t the only type of grills offered by this brand. Pit Boss also offers smokers and other types of grills.
Char-Griller
Char-Griller doesn’t have a huge line-up compared to other brands on our list. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have much to offer. For budget-conscious buyers, Char-Griller gas grills hit the sweet spot between function, feature, and fees. You’ll find that their grills tend to be one of the most low-priced ones in the market. For this reason, you won’t find any models that offer more than the bare basics. These no-frills grills are built for outdoor chefs who want a no-nonsense piece of equipment that delivers a solid grilling performance with above average durability, sold at a fair price (lower than $200).
Delonghi
De’Longhi is an Italian manufacturer that’s more known for its production of small appliances for the kitchen. It is also a company that produces commercial HVACR systems. But that doesn’t concern us. Our focus is on grills and Delonghi has some interesting ones to offer. Unlike most of the other brands we’ve previously discussed, this one only offers one kind of grill – electric indoor grills. These are small tabletop grills that typically perform more than one function such as panini press, griddle, and waffle maker. If you don’t have space for an outdoor kitchen but would love to eat grilled foods from time to time, you won’t go wrong with a Delonghi.
George Foreman
Everybody and their brother must have heard of the George Foreman grills. These indoor electric grills became insanely popular right after their launch in 1994 due to the endorsement of retired boxing champion of George Foreman. Manufactured by Salton Inc., these grills were marketed as an appliance that can help you eat healthier. Just like an outdoor grill, these reduce the fat content from your meats by letting the drippings drain away during the cooking process. Today, the brand offers a range of indoor and outdoor electric grills. If open flame grilling is not an option for you, a George Foreman grill is a great alternative.
Dyna-Glo
Dyna Glo is a brand of the GHP Group Inc which is an expert manufacturer of electric fireplaces, fireplace accessories, barbecue grill products, and portable heating products. GHP has over 100 years of experience in the industry and is well-known for creating products that last a good long while. The Dyna Glo brand, in particular, offers gas grills with premium quality burners (a specialty of the GHP Group). The brand also offers charcoal grills and smokers as well as hybrid grills at an affordable price. One thing you can say for the Dyna Glo brand is that their grills offer a solid performance – good heat output and fuel efficiency.
Primo
Primo is a brand of top quality ceramic grills that are sold in over 24 countries worldwide. The company is located in Tucker, Georgia and their grills are completely American made. These ceramic grills feature a patented oval-shaped design that is a lot more versatile and fuel efficient compared to traditional Kamado-style grills. One thing that makes Primo grills stand out is the fact that they’re the only Kamado-style grills that allow 2-zone cooking. If you’re in the market for a ceramic cooker, the Primo brand should be your first choice.
Luxor
When it comes to luxury outdoor cooking products, only one brand comes to mind – Luxor. This brand is owned by American Heating Technologies Inc. which is a manufacturer of specialty products for commercial and residential units. Under the Luxor brand, the company sells a range of luxury gas and charcoal grills as well as accessories for those who choose to grill in style. Their grills cater to a variety of cooking styles and preferences. Some models will have different burner configurations. Some may feature an infrared burner while others may not. All Luxor grills are well-constructed and feature-rich, just what you need to create the outdoor kitchen of your dreams.
Hamilton Beach
Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc. is a company based in Glen Allen, Virginia. It is a leading manufacturer of home appliances such as electric kettles, toasters, blenders, ovens, slow cookers, waffle makers, and more. The company also produces commercial equipment that are used in bars, restaurants, and hotels around the globe. The company owns several brands, one of which is Hamilton Beach. Under this brand, the company sells a variety of outdoor gas grills and electric indoor grills. Hamilton Beach grills are well-known for their reliable performance and ease of use. Their selection of indoor grills is quite large and varied including raclette grills and multi-functional tabletop grills.
Kingsford
Kingsford is a brand owned by The Clorox Company. The brand itself has been around since the early 1920s, ever since Ford decided to turn the wood scraps produced by his motor company into charcoal. Since then, Kingsford has become the largest manufacturer of coal in the US with an 80% market share. It is also the go-to brand for charcoal grillers and has become synonymous with outdoor cooking. When the company decided to expand its business, it partnered with the Rankam Group to design and produce charcoal grills and smokers under their brand. The grills are all manufactured in China and sold by selected retailers including Walmart and Target at an affordable price.
Kamado Joe
Kamado Joe is a brand of high quality, premium kamado-style grills that have become the preferred choice among many pitmasters. The brand offers charcoal-fueled ceramic grills that all have the same basic design but in various sizes to cater to the different needs of their grillers. The company was founded by two guys who wanted a kamado-style grill that was less frustrating to use. From there, they’ve moved on to making bigger and better ceramic cookers with innovative features that make them stand out from the crowd. These include their proprietary Air Lift Hinge that makes lifting the ceramic dome easier and less likely to come crashing down. These premium grills also feature a truly airtight seal for excellent temperature control and the Advanced Multi-Panel Firebox. Aside from grills, Kamado Joe also offers accessories such as rib racks, pizza stones, and the JoeTisserie to improve their grill’s versatility.
Memphis Grills
Memphis Wood Fire Grills is a brand of pellet grills that offer state-in-the-art technology and intelligent design. Their grills are extremely well-built and perform just as impressively. These 3-in-1 Cooking Centers (as they are marketed by Memphis) feature stainless steel double-walled construction for heat retention, technically advanced digital controllers for precise temperature control, and Cloud-Based WiFi technology.
Memphis is a division of the Healthland Products which manufactures pellets, stoves, BBQ sauces, and rubs. Healthland Products is owned by a precision sheet metal fabrication company, Dalsin Industries, which is located in Bloomington, Minnesota. All Memphis Grills products are manufactured in the US.