Quick answer: The best backyard grill depends on what you cook most, how much patio space you have, and whether you prefer gas control, charcoal flavor, live-fire height adjustment, or extreme infrared searing. Start with cooking style and capacity, then compare heat control, cleanup, storage, fuel, and the space required around the grill.
Which cooking style should determine your grill choice?
If weeknight speed matters most, gas is usually the easiest workflow. If charcoal flavor and fire tending are part of the experience, choose charcoal. If you want adjustable-distance live-fire cooking, a Santa Maria-style grill offers a different kind of control. If thick steaks and fast surface browning are the priority, an infrared broiler deserves consideration.
One grill does not need to win every category. It only needs to perform the jobs you do most often.
How much cooking space do you need?
Estimate the number of people you normally feed and the largest meal you cook. A grill that handles four burgers does not necessarily handle a full family meal with vegetables and side dishes. At the same time, oversized grills take longer to clean, occupy more patio space, and may use more fuel.
When is gas the best fit?
Gas works well for cooks who want fast ignition, adjustable burners, predictable heat, and a relatively clean shutdown. Multiple burners can create separate heat zones for direct and indirect cooking, which is useful for mixed meals.
When is charcoal or live fire the better choice?
Choose charcoal when you enjoy managing a fuel bed and want the flavor and heat characteristics of solid fuel. Choose Santa Maria-style live fire when you want to raise and lower the cooking grate over the coals instead of relying mainly on vents or burner knobs.
For more detail, see What Is a Santa Maria Grill and How Does It Work?
When does an infrared grill make sense?
Infrared heat is useful when fast exterior browning is the goal. It can create a hard sear on steaks while limiting how long the center is exposed to heat. It is more specialized than a general gas grill, so buyers should consider whether high-heat searing is a frequent part of their cooking.
How should patio size affect the decision?
Measure the grill with lids, side shelves, and doors open. Add the clearances required by the manual and a path for people to move around the cooking area. A grill that physically fits between two walls may still be unusable if the lid cannot open or the cook must stand in a doorway.
What ownership factors matter after the purchase?
Compare grease management, ash cleanup, grate access, covers, replacement parts, ignition components, and fuel storage. The grill you can clean and maintain easily is more likely to be used regularly.
FAQs
Is gas or charcoal better for beginners?
Gas is generally easier to control, while charcoal requires more fuel and airflow management. Both can be learned quickly with a repeatable routine.
Do you need both a grill and an infrared broiler?
Only if you regularly want both general grilling and specialized extreme searing. Otherwise, one well-matched cooker may be enough.
What matters more than maximum temperature?
Usable cooking area, heat distribution, controllability, cleanup, and the way the grill fits your normal menu.
