If you’re new to the BBQ and grilling world, or simply looking for a grill to get you started, this guide will show you five great grills for those starting out in BBQ and grilling.

We will share with you a list of the best grills for beginners and also what you should consider before getting one. We will also teach you about different types of grills and fuel types.

When I first started exploring the BBQ world over two decades ago, I knew I needed a grill but didn’t know where to begin. I will use my 20 years of experience, trial and error to save you some trouble, overspending and headaches.

And no, you don’t need a thousand dollar grill if you are a beginner or to cook good BBQ.

Top Best grills for Those Starting in Grilling and barbecue

1. The Z Grills 450B – Best Grill for Beginners

This grill is one of my favorites and our top recommendations for barbecue beginners because it checks many boxes, including ease of use and low purchase cost. The Z Grills 450B is a budget-friendly pellet grill but still offers good quality and features found in more expensive models.

The 450B offers 459 square inches of cooking space, is fueled by wood pellets, and has a digital controller to manage temperature. It even includes a meat probe, so you can monitor the meat’s internal temperature as you cook, and the meat temperature is displayed on the grill’s LCD screen.

One noteworthy aspect of the 450B is that it is compact and light. I can grab this grill and move it around my patio with ease. It is also easy to fit into small backyards.

You can read our full review of the Z grills 450B.

Why our top choice?

We chose the Z Grills 450B as our best overall because, first, it is reasonably priced, and second, it offers all the features necessary to grill and smoke foods. This grill is small which makes it great for those looking for something simple, inexpensive, easy to handle and maintain.

What we like:

• It’s easy to use – Add pellets to the hopper, push the power button, and set the cooking temperature. 
• Good quality for the money.
• Three year warranty.
• Includes meat probes.
• Easy to clean and maintain.
• Great smoky flavor.

What to consider

• You will need to become familiar with pellet flavors to be sure you are pairing meats with the right flavors. 
• Cooking temperatures on pellet grills range from 160 to 500 degrees, which are good for smoking and grilling but not high enough to bake pizzas or get a nice sear on steaks.

2. The Weber Spirit E-210 Propane Gas Grill – Runner up

Available at:

The Weber Spirit is a two burner propane gas grill with enough cooking space for a small family or couple. This grill is very easy to use and gets the job done without any gadgetry to get in the way. 

This propane gas grill is very easy to use. Turn on the burners using a push-start piezo igniter and set the burners to low, medium, or high heat, or until the built-in lid thermometer shows the desired temperature.  

Weber grills are good quality, and most of us started our BBQ journey using one. This grill has a fuel gauge to let you know the fuel level in the propane tank, flavorizer bars, and two cooking grates. It is a simple grill, but that’s what makes it so good. 

This Weber is one of the best beginner grills because of its simplicity but it also includes all the aids ad feature you need for grilling great food.

What we like:

• It’s simple to use and get started.
• Two burners can get the grill to a high enough temperature to get grill marks on steaks.
• of grilling space for a small family or entertaining a small group. 
• The cooking area is split between a main cooking grate and a warming rack, which comes in handy to keep food warm.  
• The flavorizer bars help with flare ups.
• Stainless steel burners should last a long time.

What to consider

• Propane grills do yield real BBQ flavor since fuels like natural gas and propane don’t have flavor. ( like charcoal or wood pellets ) 
• If you want a “smoky flavor” you will need to use a smoker box with wood chips.

3. The Z Grills 7004DE – Good Choice

Available at:

This Z Grills is a larger, more refined version of the 450B we mentioned above, and it is also larger. This means that the Z Grills 4004DE shares the same easy to use controls and includes many of the same features, but it is larger. 

This grill can double as a smoker, so if you are wanting to start your grilling career and are also interested in learning how to smoke meats, the 700D4E is a great grill smoker combo grill. 

This grill offers you a large cooking space, the well-liked automation of a digital temperature controller, meat probes, and two cooking racks. This is a grill that you can easily learn to use and grow with. It is very easy to use and versatile. Its temperature range is from 180 to 450 degrees, so you can cook a variety of foods, smoke meats, and grill.

This is the best grill for those who are looking for good wood-fired flavor and have the space and budget for a slightly larger grill than the top two on this list. If you budget allows it I would recommend this 700 over the 450B since you get a lot more space and a nice storage cabinet for not that much more.

Read our full review of the Z Grills at 7004DE with all the details. 

What we like

• Larger grill with plenty of space to cook large meat cuts.
• Very easy to use, digital temperature controller and two meat probes to monitor the food.
• It has a large store space with doors to store tools and pellets.
• Great outdoor grill only needs a power source and pellets.
• Only maintenance routine includes emptying the grease collector and grease tray cleaning.
• Large LCD display
• Affordable

What to consider

• Is a larger grill so be sure you have the space.

4. The Weber Kettle Premium Premium Charcoal Grill : Best beginners charcoal grill

Available at:

The Weber Kettle is not only easy to use and simple, it is a classic. The shape of this grill is Weber, which is the most recognizable shape in the BBQ world. This BBQ grill is fueled by charcoal but is designed with simplicity in mind. 

Charcoal grills give you total control over the cooking process and can be easily adapted to work as pizza ovens, charcoal smokers, and, of course, grills. 

However, many people get intimidated by the idea of having to deal with charcoal or grab a bottle of lighter fluid to light charcoal. This is all eliminated by using a chimney starter, some good quality lump charcoal, and you are ready to go. There are different methods of lighting charcoal without using chemicals or lighter fluid.

What we like:

• Easy to use grill for beginners wanting to start on a charcoal grill.
• Simple airflow controls to manage the fire and temperature.
• Easy to arrange lump charcoal for indirect heat cooking when smoking meats.
• Portable since no power is needed, just coal.
• Very little maintenance, just empty the charcoal ash and clean the grates with a good brush.
• Works well for both high heat grilling and low and slow cooking.

What to consider:

• The grill can get hot to the touch. 
• It takes a little while to find a good air vent setup for optimal airflow and heat control.

Helpful: How to light charcoal using a chimney starter

5. The Ninja Foodie Smart XL – Best Electric Grill for Beginners

Available at:

The Ninja Foodie Smart is a different type of grill, and it is electric. This grill is considered more of an indoor electric grill than an outdoor one, but for some who live in apartments. This can be a good start. 

The Ninja has two heating plates, so it cooks food evenly. It also has a smart digital temperature controller that handles all aspects of temperature control.

What we like:

• As easy as it gets- press a button and start cooking.
• Can be used indoors 
• Small and compact, fits in many places.

What to consider:

• Limited cooking surface.
• No smoky flavor.

6. The Joe Classic Kamado Charcoal Grill

The Joe Kamado is a premium charcoal grill. It can be your first grill and your last. The reason I say this is because kamados are incredibly durable and versatile. You can cook virtually anything with them, and because they are ceramic, they will not rust. However, these grills are on expensive side.

Things to consider As a beginner when selecting a grill

Have you ever been to a golf course where a beginner claims his golf clubs are terrible and that is why he curved the ball? Then a more experienced golfer grabs the same set of clubs and hits a straight 200 yard drive. Well, the same can be said about BBQ grills. Your skills will play a major role in how good or bad your food tastes. Nevertheless, when looking for the best grill for beginners, our test and research teams look for the following attributes, and so should you.

The flavor of the food will be affected by factors such as the type of fuel used, the type of grill, and, of course, your grilling skills. 

But to help you navigate the world of grills, here are a few things you should consider when purchasing your first grill or if you are a beginner.

Price of the Grill

If this is going to be your first grill, you might want to start with something inexpensive and budget friendly. There are budget smokers on the market that will cook just fine, and great gas grills under 500 dollars that will also do a fine job. 

The point here is that you do not need to overspend to get a good grill, especially if this is your first grill. 

If you are sure you are in the BBQ game for the long haul and want to spend on a good grill now so you don’t have to buy another grill later, then there are good American made grills that will outlast most budget options. 

Grill Quality

You should look for quality characteristics in any item you purchase, but especially in grills. These are poor quality grills which succumb to the abuse of high temperatures, moisture, grease, and eventually rust. 

Good quality grills will also include a good warranty and great support. 

Good quality characteristics include the use of high-quality materials to construct the grill, such as stainless steel and heavy-duty steel. Also, cast iron grates, stainless steel grates, and stainless steel components are often found in good quality grills.

The Grill Fuel Type

There are grills powered by a variety of fuel types. I will elaborate on this later in the article, but it’s important to note this now. Each fuel type has its own list of advantages and disadvantages, but in summary, charcoal grills are very versatile and, in some cases, inexpensive, but require more effort and expertise to manage. A charcoal grill is a good grill to learn on if you want to learn how to cook authentic BBQ and delicious food. 

The common fuel types are gas or propane, charcoal, pellets, and electricity. Think about what type of cooking you will be doing , what fuel you feel comfortable using, and what type of flavor profile you are after. 

Your Cooking Style

If you want to learn how to grill simple dishes like hot dogs and burgers, it’s one thing, but if you want to learn how to cook real BBQ, it’s another. For grilling a few hot dogs now and then, any grill can do, but to cook real BBQ and get lots of flavor, a charcoal grill / charcoal smoker, or pellet grill should be on the short list of options. 

Common Types of grills

This is very important and here is why. There are quite different types of grills and all have their own pros and cons, which I dive more into detail in my grill and smoker types guide. 

However, here is a quick list of grill type available on the market.

Gas Grills ( propane or natural gas )

Charcoal

Electric

Pellet

Wood

BBQ Grill Smokers 

The first thing you need to know is that when it comes to grilling and BBQ, there are two main and more common types of “cookers,” namely, smokers and grills.

Smokers are traditionally larger grills designed to cook meat for a longer period of time and cook at lower temperatures. When you go to a restaurant, you see on the menu “smoked ribs” or “smoked pulled pork”, those dishes were prepared in a smoker. 

With a smoker, you can cook food low and slow and infuse meats with extra smoke to achieve that authentic BBQ flavor.

Smokers are available in different shapes and fuel types, and if smoking meat is more of what you want to learn and cook, be sure to read our smokers guide to learn all about the different types of smokers.

Smokers’ operating temperatures range anywhere from 160 degrees to about 450 degrees. Smoking cooking temperatures are usually in the ballpark of 190 to 275 degrees.

BBQ Grills

Grills are more common and traditionally what people start with. In retrospect, some grills can work as smokers, but few smokers can get to high enough temperatures to grill. So keep that in mind.

Grills can operate at low temperatures but also reach high temperatures in the range of 600 to 900 degrees, which is enough to sear steaks and bake pizzas. There are a variety of fuels available for grills, and each has advantages and disadvantages that relate primarily to the skills required to operate the grill and to its flavor.

Let’s take a look at the different types of grill fuel.

Ease of Use by Grill Fuel Type

Grills come in all shapes and sizes, but the primary difference is the type of fuel. Below are the most popular grill fuel types, ranked by ease of use.

Electric grills – Easiest

Electric grills are extremely user-friendly, making them ideal for beginners and novices. An electric grill doesn’t burn any fuel. Instead, a heating element or resistance heats up cooking grates or a metal plate of some sort to evenly distribute heat and cook the food. 

Electric grills are great for cooking indoors or for those wanting something small, maybe a portable grill or just the simplest grill to operate. Electric grills are also great for those who live in apartments or have little to no space for a grill.

These grills are often called “ smokeless grills,” which makes them great for cooking indoors.

You can read more about these grills in our indoor grills guide.

The biggest and most significant drawback of an electric grill is that it yields no flavor. Since you are not burning wood, wood pellets, or charcoal, the only taste comes from the seasoning. Quite frankly, this is my least favorite type of grill, although it has its purpose.  

Gas Grill or propane – Easier

Gas grills are the second-easiest to operate, primarily because most of us are familiar with the primary components of a gas grill, namely the gas burners. Many of us already have gas stoves in our homes, and just like a gas stove, a gas grill has one or more burners to heat up the cooking space. 

A gas grill, just like an electric grill, does not yield flavor since you are burning gas from a propane tank. The main difference between your gas stove and a gas grill is that the grill has grates to cook the food on. 

The food will be cooked on some sort of grate, be it cast iron, porcelain coated steel, or stainless steel. This creates a different cooking effect than boiling or braising the meat in a pan, as melted fat, grease, and oils drain and escape from the bottom of the grill. 

Some gas grills have what are called “flavorizing bars,” or shields, above the burners and below the grill grates, and as fat hits those flavorizer bars, the “fat steam” can add flavor to the food. Nothing live changing but it does add some “grill flavor” to foods. 

Nerve the less you can use smoker boxes in your gas grill and add more smokey flavor to your food. It will not be as much as a charcoal or pellet grill, but it will add more flavor than grilling on an electric grill.

Gas grills are simple because all that you have to do to operate one is turn the burner control knob and decrease or increase the flame to decrease or increase the temperature. That’s it.

Pellet grill – Easier

I own a pellet grill and I absolutely love it. Pellet BBQ grills are not necessarily harder to use than electric grills, but because there are a few more steps involved, I rank them below gas or propane grills. 

Now, don’t think these pellet cookers are hard to use; they are not at all, but because high-end pellet smokers and grills have WIFI, temperature probes, and other components, it might take a minute or two to become familiar with the tech, not the grill. 

As far as the grills go, they are as easy to use as a propane or electric grill. In fact, one would say that a pellet grill is the combination of the ease of use of an electric grill with some of the flavor of a charcoal grill.

These grills are my favorite types to use because they are simple to use and you get an amazing smoky flavor from burning wood pellets. 

The only steps required to operate a pellet grill are to add pellets to a hopper, turn on the grill, and set the temperature. The grill does everything for you, including feeding pellets to maintain the temperature setting.

Charcoal grills – Harder

Charcoal grills are the most difficult to learn to use, but they are also the most versatile and rewarding. Charcoal grilling can be a lot of fun and opens the door to a wide range of culinary options because you are in control. Fire, heat, flavor, you control it all. 

I own a kamado grill, and it is by far one of the best grills I own, but even for me, with years of experience, it took me a while to master that grill.

The point here is that a charcoal grill will beat all other grills on this list, but it does take longer to learn and some people simply do not like to deal with charcoal.

If you intend to be in the BBQ game for the long haul, I strongly recommend starting with a charcoal grill. The results will be very rewarding and you will learn skills you can later apply when using other grills or any cooking style.

Conclusion

We go over a lot in this article, but to summarize, the best grill for beginners should be simple to use, and I recommend something affordable. You should also consider the type of fuel you want to use, as this can affect the flavor. 

I hope you found this guide to be helpful. Grill on!

You love grilling outdoors but hate having to lug around a big, heavy grill, introducing the Nomad Grill.

The Nomad Grill is the perfect grill for outdoor enthusiasts who like to travel, go to the beach, and camping. It is a high-performance, portable grill built to withstand the elements. The Nomad Grill is easy to use and comes with various cooking accessories that make it the perfect all-in-one grilling solution.

Not only is the nomad grill portable, but it’s also one of the toughest charcoal grills on the market. It’s made with a stainless steel frame and a porcelain-enameled bowl to handle even the most extreme conditions.

Read on for a full Nomad Grill review, including specifications, how it works, pros and cons, and where you can buy one for yourself!

The Nomad Grill and Smoker Review

The Nomad Grill is the perfect portable charcoal grill. It’s easy to set up and take down, so you can grill wherever and whenever you want. This portable grill is made in a unique and interesting way; it appears more like a space suitcase than a grill, which is one of the features we like about this company. They took steps to develop something that is both functional and visually appealing.

However, the new Nomad Grill is more than just a pretty face. We will discuss how it is built, the specs, and how it cooks further below.

A little about Nomad Grills

John Veatch and Cam Leggett, longtime business colleagues and friends, came up with the concept for Nomad. They recognized the demand for portable grills, but many of the portable grills on the market were of low quality, and most large box retailers carried inexpensive “one-season” grills that had to be trashed after a trip to the beach.

This set the two of them on the path to designing what they consider to be a top portable grill. The goal was set to build a grill that would allow us to travel, be durable, and be simple to use.

The Dallas duo had become weary of the same old portable cooker and grills, so they spent their time developing what’s now known as the Nomad Grill.

What is the Nomad Grill Exactly

The Nomad Grill Smoker is a portable charcoal grill that is designed to be carried by a handle like a briefcase or a toolbox. The grill opens up like a book offering two symmetrical “boxes.”

The grill comprises two separate compartments held together by a hinged to assemble the “briefcase.” It looks like a little luggage box. The grill is assembled in two layers. The inner layer consists of a strong cast aluminum grill body. The outer layer is an anodized aluminum exterior case.

The anodized aluminum exterior cases home the cook boxes where the charcoal goes and burns. This dual-layer design accomplishes two things, first, the interior cook boxes can be easily removed for cleaning, and second since the outer shell and the cook boxes are separate and a gap exists between the outer shell and the cook box, the outer shell doesn’t get hotter than 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Nomad asserts that it has not witnessed the surface above 170 degrees under regular charcoal loads. This is a huge claim and one we were very interested in testing. This means that the Nomad can be used even on wooden tables.

Features of NOMAD Grill and Smoker

MagVentTM Air Controls

Vent sliders with high-temperature magnets for precise damper control, no-spill mess prevention, and ash containment. Simply put, this is a sleek and smart feature; the air vents are magnetically connected.

The Nomad Grill and Smoker is the only portable grill on the market with this feature.

Built-in Tel-Tru Thermometer

Tel-Tru manufactures some of the best thermometers today. They are extremely precise and resistant to high temperatures. The Nomad Grill is equipped with Tel-Tru thermometers, ensuring that your food is cooking and the cooking surface is at the right temperature.

Integrating a TelTru thermometer with unparalleled accuracy into the Nomad Grill is essential for temperature control.

Anodized Finish

Chemical converting technology protects the aluminum surfaces to ensure a long lifetime & durability.

Anodized aluminum is a process where a weak electric current is run through the surface of the metal. This causes a thin layer of oxide to form that is strong and corrosion-resistant. This makes the Nomad Grill more durable and resistant to corrosion, making it an amazing grill for an outdoor adventure.

Cast & Cambered Grates

Aluminum unibody cook boxes house the stainless steel magnetic grates. That’s right folks, the grates in this grill will stay in place during transport and while opening and closing the grill. This is a clever feature.

The Nomad Grill Smoker is outfitted with cast and cambered grates, which help to evenly heat your food and prevent it from sticking. This means that these grates will outlast your average grates and also are cambered to push food away from the coals and add extra coal clearance which is, in our opinion, another clever feature.

One of the biggest issues with small portable grills is that their size puts the food close to the coals or fire, which makes it easy to burn food.

Advanced Thermal Architecture

NOMAD refers to the grill as having “advanced thermal architecture.” Physical separation of the cook boxes from the outside shell, branded SurfaceSafe, enabled the grill to be safely put on tailgates, wood or plastic tables, or similar surfaces.

Specifications of the Nomad Grill Smoker

NOMAD Grills offers a maximum of 425 square inches of cooking space, that’s is 212.5 square inches PER side. You do need to purchase a second grate to use both sides of the grill simultaneously.

This grill and smoker weighs about 28 pounds and measures 221.5×13.15×9.5 inches when closed.

Build and Material Quality

The textured anodized aluminum outer casing contributes to the luxury look and quality feel. The metal-framed, solid metal hinges, cast grates, and cook boxes are all of exceptional quality, indicating the grill’s longevity. While these premium features and designs increase the price of this grill, they will also outlive any “thin can” from your neighborhood box shop.

This Nomad has reinforced handles and is constructed with durable two-latch locking. Its multi layer construction, meaning separation of inner layer helps to maintain lower exterior shell temperature. Its thermal structure features patented SurfaceSafe. Multi directional heatsink fins help with airflow to and heat propagation in the cook boxes.

How to Use the Nomad Grill Smoker

Using the Nomad Grill Smoker is pretty simple, and it can be used as either a grill or a smoker.

To use the Nomad Grill as a grill, simply:

• Light up your charcoal using an appropriate method
• Open up the Nomad Grill and place your charcoal in the cook box.
• Let it get to temperature and set your grates.
• Place your food on the grill and start cooking.
• Use the vent sliders to control the airflow and temperature.

To use the Nomad Grill as a smoker:

Follow the same steps to grill but also do the following

• Open up the Nomad and place your charcoal in the cook box, however, set your charcoal on one side of the cook box.
• Place your food on the opposite of the coals, creating an offset and indirect heat cooking environment.
• Use the vent sliders to control the airflow and temperature
• You can also add a smoker box to burn wood chips and add more “smoky” flavor.

Pros and Cons of the Nomad Grill Smoker

Now that we’ve gone over how to use the Nomad Grill, let’s talk about some of the pros and cons.

Pros:

• Can be used as a grill or smoker.
• Perfectly suited for outdoor, the real, great outdoors. Extremely portable and easy to transport, making it great for camping, tailgating, and picnicking.
• Exceptional build quality will make this grill last for years and years. Type III anodization on the cook box improve thermal efficiency and rigidity
• Heats evenly and has great temperature control.
• Truly portable and adventure-ready. Easy to clean with a damp cloth.
• Easy to control the temperature with the MagVent Air controls.

Cons:

• Is more expensive than your average portable grill.
• Weighs more than the average small grill.
• Grate purchase is necessary for full use of the Nomad Grill.
• Nomad Fire charcoal is recommended, your cheapo depo briquet charcoal is not working to work well with this cooker.
• The primary disadvantage of this cooker is its price, but this is to be expected when purchasing anything of excellent quality.

Conclusion

The Nomad Grill Smoker is a great option for those who are looking for a high-performance, high-quality portable grill. It is easy to use and comes with a number of features that make it both durable, efficient, and easy to clean. While it might be a bit more expensive than some other grills on the market, the Nomad Grill is well worth the investment.

This high-quality, durable, and truly portable grill is perfect for any outdoor enthusiast looking for a rugged cooker for grilling in any weather and type of experiment.

This grill is great for outdoor excursions like camping, hiking, boating, and tailgating, but it’s also versatile enough to use in your backyard.

Our opinion on the NOMAD grill?

The Nomad is very well designed and is truly portable. It can easily fit your RV, Jeep, boat, or whatever you choose to drive to your next adventure. Features we like are the interior cook boxes, the exhaust vents, and intake side vents create a convective airflow to distribute heat evenly across the entire cooking space.

The bottom line is this grill is built “Tonka tough,” and I can see people with those Baja trucks and extreme 4×4 machines wanting a grill like the Nomad. I can also think about exploring excursions and people that will be out on long hunting trips and wanting something that will not die mid adventure. However, for the average user, the price tag might be a tough pill to swallow.

However, if you want quality and by a smoker grill that will last years instead of months, want a tough as nails grill that can also perform, then look no further.

Nomad offers more than just a grill

The company also offers its own line of charcoal, which is recommended to use with Nomad grills.

The Nomad Fire line of charcoal is made from 100% sustainable forestry and provides an eco-friendly way to fuel your grill. The charcoal is made from hardwoods which means the coals burn hotter while producing less smoke and ash. This type of charcoal is preferred for use in small grills with little to no room for ash.

Binchotan charcoal is a high-quality, environmentally friendly option for small grills. This type of charcoal burns hotter than lump charcoal but produces very little ash preserving proper airflow in small grills.

Nomad also offers a line of accessories, including grilling tools, fire starters, spices, sauces, and utensils to compliment your grilling experience.

FAQs

How much is NOMAD Grill?

The Nomad Grill is a high-performance, portable grill price at 599 US Dollars. It is easy to use and comes with a number of features that make it both durable, efficient, and easy to clean. While it might be a bit more expensive than some other grills on the market, the Nomad Grill is well worth the investment.

How does a Nomad perform as a smoker?

The Nomad does well as a smoker, although we recommend “offsetting” the coals to one side of the grill and using a smoker box with wood chips for more authentic flavor.

Is the NOMAD easy to clean?

The Nomad is easy to clean because the cook boxes are removable. You can use a bit of dish soap, and a high pressure rinse to get this bad boy back to ready.

Is the Nomad grill worth it?

The Nomad is certainly worth it, although I don’t think it is for everyone. Its high price tag might deter some potential buyers, but if you are looking for something that can take a beating, perform well, last for a long time, offer corrosion resistance and superior strength for grilling anywhere from the Sahara desert to the North Pole, then investment will be worth it.

Can you use regular charcoal in a Nomad grill?

Yes, you can use regular charcoal in a Nomad grill. However, it is not recommended as it will not produce the same results as using Nomad charcoal. Nomad charcoal is specifically designed to provide the perfect amount of heat and flavor for your food. It also burns cleaner and produces less ash than regular charcoal, making it easier to clean up after your meal.

Can you cook on both sides of the Nomad grill?

Yes, Nomad Grill can cook on both sides – it offers a combined cooking area of 475 square inches when using both sides of the grill. This is a good space to cook for a few people, but if you are cooking for a large group, you will find yourself spending some on grill duty.

What type of warranty does the Nomad grill have?

Nomad Grill offers a limited lifetime warranty to cover any defects in materials or workmanship. The warranty is valid only to the original purchaser of the grill and is not transferable.

Barbecue aficionados and newcomers alike often debate and question why some of us prefer lump charcoal over briquettes. What’s the difference between lump charcoal and briquettes, and which one is better? 

This article will discuss the main differences between lump charcoal and briquettes, the pros and cons of both, to help you decide which type of charcoal is best for you and your grill.

What is the Difference Between These Two Types of Charcoal?

The difference between lump hardwood charcoal and briquettes is primarily in the materials used and the production process. Lump wood charcoal is a natural product and a by-product of burning pure, untreated wood in a low-oxygen chamber. The final product is a piece of charred lumber that was formerly the lump of a hardwood tree.

Some companies may utilize recycled wood, but the manufacturing process does not involve the addition of additives, chemicals, or the reshaping of the wood. It begins as a lump of wood and ends as a lump of coal.

Charcoal briquettes, on the other hand, are a molded product that is manufactured in a factory using sawdust, chemicals, and binders to form a properly shaped charcoal piece.

Depending on the brand, certain briquettes may be manufactured with lighting fluid for self-lighting capabilities ( self lighting charcoal ), but the basic point is that this product is more “precisely controlled and manipulated” to produce the easily identifiable briquette shape.

Let’s go over these two types of charcoal and go over the differences in detail.

Comparison Chart

Hardwood lump charcoal	Briquette Charcoal
100 Percent Natural made from pure wood like Oak	Made out of recycled materials like sawdust
100 percent natural, contain no additives or chemicals	Additives and binders are often used to produce briquettes
Can burn hotter	Does not burn as hot but can stay at a constant temperature
Produces very little ash production	Produces “powder-like” ash which can be a problem in some grills, including kamados. Large ash production
Easier to light and fast – burns hot	Often requires lighter fluid to light
It is natural, so the shape and size of the lumps is unpredictable	Factory-made had shape, ever brick is the same size and shape, burn consistently
Hardwood charcoal costs more	Briquette charcoal is more affordable
good quality charcoal can be hard to find in local stores	Briquette charcoal can be found even at the corner gas station

What is Lump Charcoal?

Lump wood charcoal is prized among many BBQ enthusiasts because it is perceived as being a natural fuel. Lump hardwood charcoal is made by burning wood in low-oxygen chambers. The process of making lump charcoal and what it is can be read in detail here.

Lump Charcoal

Many BBQ pitmasters and home users alike use lump coal because it is natural, unlike most briquette products. Chemicals, binders, or additives added during the briquettes’ production will burn, adding a chemical smell to your and other unwanted items.

However, some lump BBQ charcoal brands use recycled wood to manufacture the charcoal, introducing foreign objects and even chemicals if the wood was treated with chemicals in its previous life.

So the key when choosing a good natural lump wood charcoal brand is to make sure that it is indeed all-natural.

Pros

There are many benefits to using lump charcoal, and it all starts with the use of natural hardwood and materials to produce lump wood charcoal. The biggest pro of lump wood charcoal is its natural quality. Charcoal made naturally and organically keeps chemicals from manufacturing.

• The result here is that your charcoal, your fuel, is 100 percent natural.

• Natural pure pieces of Wood – no chemicals, fillers, binders, or lighter fluid.

• Lights easily

• Lump coal burns hotter – great for searing steaks

• Less ash – Low ash production works great in kamado grills.
• Lump charcoal is reusable. You can use the same charcoal a few times.

Cons

Not everything is perfect with lump BBQ charcoal, although it is the purest form of charcoal and natural. Some pitmasters still prefer using briquettes. We will get into that later.

• Lump charcoal burns hotter and faster, meaning you might need to buy new charcoal bags more often.

• This is a natural product with natural shapes; having different size coals means different heat output.

• You guessed it!- Lump charcoal is more expensive, but for some, well worth it.

Where can You buy It?

Lump charcoal is not available in every store and certainly not available at gas stations. Good lump charcoal is often found in BBQ stores or smaller hardware stores.

The good news is that it can also be purchased and delivered to your front door. Our article on lump charcoal shows you the top brands and where to purchase them.

What are charcoal briquettes?

Briquettes are equally shaped charcoal blocks, normally pillow-shaped, made of sawdust, leftover wood, and recycled lumber. Making briquettes is similar to making lump charcoal, except instead of natural wood and tree lumps, compressed sawdust is compacted and burned in a low-oxygen environment to create the charcoal briquette.

However, in some cases, fillers, binders, and other additives are added to enhance briquettes and help the ignition process.

Charcoal Briquettes

Briquettes are produced from various materials, including recycled wood and sawdust. Chemical additives help briquets hold their shape, ignite, and are all mixed into the finished product.

Some additives used in the manufacturing of briquettes bind the sawdust mix together and create the familiar pillow shape. Unlike lump coal, briquettes burn slower and keep a consistent temperature thanks to their uniform shape.

It is easier to stack briquettes and easier to manage their temperature. However, if you are serious about grilling and enjoying good-tasting BBQ, you will want avoid any charcoal-containing chemicals, as chemicals will burn and ruin the food’s taste.

Pros

• Is easy to keep a steady temperature in your grill or smoker.

• Consistent size and shape—meaning every briquette produces the same heat output.

• They burn longer—briquettes can burn for a long time.

• There is even heat since all briquettes are the same shape and size.

• Briquettes are cheaper than lump charcoal.

Cons

• Some charcoal briquette brands contain additives and chemicals which, when burn end up in your food.

• Without lighting additives or chemicals, it is harder to light briquettes. You need a chimney starter. A chimney starter can help you light briquettes faster and safer.

• Briquettes produce more charcoal ash than lump charcoal.

Which one should I choose?

I prefer to cook only with lump charcoal because I want to use the cleanest fuel possible when charcoal grilling my meats. I also use a Kamado grill, which limits me to only using lump charcoal. Sure, you can use briquettes in some kamados, but it will be messy; you will be cleaning a large amount of ash, and your kamado won’t get as hot as it can.

The choice here will also have to do with the type of cooking you do and the type of smoker or grill you own.

If you own a kamado grill, briquettes will fall apart as they burn and create almost powder-like ash, which can be excessive and obstruct the airflow in your kamado.

If you own a regular charcoal grill and often cook, the briquettes might be a great choice since they are cheaper and easier to control temperature.

However, if you want the purest charcoal, then 100 percent nature lump charcoal is for you.

FAQs About Lump charcoal and Briquettes

Conclusion

Both lump charcoal and briquettes are a fuel source for charcoal grills and smokers. Their differences make them unique and applicable to specific uses and cooking styles but the main take way from this article is that lump charcoal is more natural and burns hot while briquettes are a more “processed” product.

Lump charcoal is natural hardwood, tree branches, and twigs that have been cooked in a low oxygen environment to create hardwood lump charcoal. This charcoal is called lump charcoal because after the hardwood is cooked and turned into charcoal, it retains its natural shape and tree-like characteristics resulting in large lumps of coals.

How Hardwood Lump charcoal is made

Lump charcoal is made from natural hardwoods. Logs, wood scraps, branches, and twigs can all be carbonized to make lump charcoal. The charcoal is often produced from tress like Quebracho from South America, which produces a distinct flavor, but oak and hickory hardwoods are also used.

Water, tar, and other organic compounds are removed by cooking the wood in a low oxygen environment.

The result is are natural-looking wood chunks turned into charcoal, hence the name lump charcoal. Lump charcoal is recognizable due to its lump size, irregular shapes since it is all-natural. Good lump charcoal brands produce 100 percent natural charcoal that will burn clean and not interfere with food seasoning or flavor.

Why is lump charcoal Preferred, in some cases

Lump charcoal has no binder, artificial flavors, or chemicals. The natural aspect of lump charcoal attracts many BBQ enthusiasts, and many only turn to lump charcoal for smoking meats and grilling food.

Lump charcoal’s natural origins make it the closest thing to grilling and smoking food with natural wood. However, charcoal should never be considered a source of flavor. Lump charcoal, like any other charcoal, is your fuel and source of heat.

Lump charcoal is also preferred among Kamado grill owners as lump charcoal produces less ash than briquette charcoal. This is important for kamado grills as kamado’s design and efficiency depend heavily on airflow, and too much ash in the firebox will shut off the grill making it impossible to use.

Kamado grills do not have large ash boxes, and too much ah can easily clog up a kamado grill ashpan and disrupt airflow.

Another reason many BBQ Grill and smoker owners prefer lump charcoal is because it burns clean, as it is natural, and it burns hot. This means that you can potentially use fewer coals to grill a few dogs.

Lump charcoal, how over does have its drawbacks, is directly linked to its innate nature. First, lump charcoal is more expensive to produce, and therefore the price per pound is higher.

Second, the lumps are all kinds of sizes, shapes, and lengths. Having inconsistent size chunks can create uneven heat in your grill. For some, lump charcoal can be harder to manage and temperature control.

Lastly, not all lump charcoal manufactures cook their wood the same. Some have high-quality standards, but the less expensive brands use recycled woods which can introduce foreign objects to the mix and end up in your bag and therefore in your grill.

The key point here is that lump charcoal is made out of natural wood, and as with anything natural, some things cannot be controlled during the manufacturing process. Aspects like shape, size, and but the output of the lump will not be controlled as this product is a natural by-product of carbonizing natural wood.

Charcoal is for heat, and nor lump charcoal nor briquettes will make your food taste better. Try Some lump charcoal brands are made of hardwoods that can add flavor, but to get the authentic smoky flavor, smoking wood needs to be used in your smoker or charcoal grill.

One Last Word.

Lump charcoal is an excellent choice for those with kamado grills and absolutely natural products. However, natural also means is not perfect. Nevertheless, lump charcoal is good charcoal for any grilling application, including high-temperature searing and low-temperature smoking.

Dirty grates not only look gross but also can change the taste of your food, and old grease can stain your food. In this article, we will show you how to clean grill grates using different methods.

Grease, oil, marinades, and food particles get burned onto the grill grates while grilling, eventually hardening. The stuff gets on your food, changing its flavor.

So, let’s clean some grates!

Consider The Following Before Cleaning Grill Grates

Grill grates are found in different materials and coatings, and it is important to know what type of grates you have on hand before cleaning them. 

For example, some grill grates are porcelain coated, and porcelain can chip, exposing the raw metal. The exposed metal will rust, damaging your grate, and, yes, you can kiss it goodbye.

Choose the Right Tools to Clean Grill Grates

For Porcelain-coated grates

Porcelain-coated grates are great as they are rust-resistant, but the coating can be sensitive and be damaged by wire brushes. Instead, use soft or nylon brushes when cleaning coated grates.

For Cast iron grates

Cast iron grates are favored by many because of how durable these grates are. However, these grates do require minimal maintenance to last years. 

Cast iron grates can be cleaned using wire brushes but what’s most important is to keep the cast iron grates oiled to avoid rust. “Season” the grate with vegetable oil to keep it rust-free after every clean.

For Stainless steel grates

Cleaning stainless steel grates is similar to cleaning cast iron grates expect you don’t need to oil or “season” stainless steel grates. Stainless steel grates are relatively easy to clean.

A grill brush can be an excellent tool to clean stainless grates.

How to Clean Your Grill Grates Using: Guide

1. Use Your Grill to Burn Grease and Residue from the Grates

This method is easy and, if done often, should keep your grates in good shape. After grilling, the process is simple: increase the grill’s temperature to the highest safest temperature possible and close the lid.

You will see a lot of smoke, and old grease can and will light up. Keeping the lid shut and letting all this grime burn off is recommended. If you open the grill lid, you will feed air to the fire and can have a big flare-up! Be careful.

After about 15 to 20 minutes, shut off your grill, keep the lip shut and let any grease fire self extinguish. Grab a brush or cleaning tool and scrape off the grease residue. 

2. Wash the Grates Clean with Hot, Soapy Water ( once a month )

In addition to using the burnoff method, we recommend scrubbing your grill grates down with hot, soapy water at least every month.  

Burning off the grease and grime from the grates is a quick way of keeping the grates somewhat clean, but soaking the grates in on hot water and soap will ensure every inch of the grate is touched.

This method is straightforward. Fill a container with very hot water and add dish soap. Dish soap with grease removing additive works best.

Scrub the grate, give it a light wash, then let it soak in the hot soapy water for at least 30 minutes. After allowing the grate to soak, scrub and rinse the grate.

3. Use Baking Soda

Using baking soda is another method and a natural way of cleaning your grill grates. This is a preferred approach for those not wanting to use any chemicals on their grates.

The process is simple, create a baking soda paste by mixing about 1 to 1 and a half cups of ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda and a half cup of water in a small container. Adjust your mix ratio to achieve a nice paste viscosity.

Grab a sponge or rag and apply the paste to the grill grate. Let the baking soda do its job and after a few minutes, grab a brush or sponge to scrub the grate.

After the cleaning process, rinse the grate and place it back in the grill. Remember to season your cast-iron grates with vegetable oil to avoid rust.

4. Grill Cleaning Spray

Many people search how to clean grill grates looking for an alternative to chemical cleaners.

This is my least favorite method because it involves chemicals, and I like to keep everything involving my grills as natural as possible, including charcoal. However, there are some excellent grill cleaning sprays, and some are even natural.

This method is straightforward. Use a good grill cleaner, follow the manufacturer’s instructions, rinse, and repeat as needed.

5. Use Vinegar

Mix a one-to-one ratio of vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the grill grates with the mix and scrub the grates. 

Rinse the grates and repeat the process until clean.

How To Clean Cast Iron Grill Grates: Specific For Cast Iron Grates

Cast iron grates require extra attention to preserve their lifespan. For the most part, using the first method we explain in this article ( burning off the grease and residue with high heat ) will keep cast iron grates clean.

However, at least once a month, you should deep clean grill grates with soap and water. Here is a method you can use and how to clean cast iron grill grates.

You can start the process right after cooking a meal. Let the grill burn off any excess food or grease off the grates. Brush the food ash residue with a brush and let the grate cool down.

Once the grate is cold, use the vinegar method or the baking method we mentioned earlier in this article. If the grill grates are very dirty, I like to do one round of vinegar and one round of baking soda.

Spray the grill grates with a one-to-one ratio of vinegar and water and let the mix sit for about 10 to 15 minutes. Scrub the grates and rinse. Then apply a paste of baking soda, let sit for ten minutes and rinse. Vinegar and baking soda are great aids to clean your grill without using harsh chemicals.

You can use paper towels to absorb excess grease during the cleaning process.

Cast Iron Grates Rust Prevention

Now that you know how to clean cast iron grates, you should know that cast iron needs to remain oiled, or it is often referred to as seasoning. Without any type of porcelain coating, the raw iron exposed to the elements will rust. This process is simple and will expand the life of your cast iron grates.

Grab an old rag and soak it in vegetable oil and apply the oil to the grate. Make sure you cover every inch with oil to prevent rust. You should “season” or oil at least every time you deep clean your grates with soap, vinegar, and baking soda.

Ways to clean grill grates without brushes

Grill brushes are not well-liked by some grill enthusiasts. Some brushes fall apart after a few months, and low-quality brushes leave small residue or bristles on the grates.

While it is easy to clean your grill grates using brushes, if the grill grates are not too dirty, or you simply do not want to use a cleaning grill brush, use these methods to clean your grill grates.

Use Aluminum Foil Technique:

You can use aluminum foil as a scrubbing tool for cleaning grill grates. Grab a piece of aluminum foil, form a small ball, use some sturdy tongs, and scrub the grates. You’re welcome!

Use Scotch-Brite Non-Scratch Plastic Scrubbing Pads

Non-Scratch plastic scrubbing pads are great for cleaning grates, specially porcelain-coated grates, as the plastic material on these pads is non-brite and won’t scratch or chip the porcelain coating. 

Aluminum foil works great on stainless steel but can be as harsh as a grill brush on porcelain grates.

Use baking soda and plastic scrubbers for grate cleaning.

Baking soda helps break down food buildup on grates and works excellent when compared with plastic sponges.

These are simple ways of keeping your grill grates clean. The important point here is that you should have a cleaning routine to keep your grates clean.

Happy Cleaning!