Grills, griddles, and smokers to kick off barbecue season

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As summer approaches and Memorial Day kicks off the season of backyard gatherings,  outdoor cooking is one of the easiest ways to bring people together without spending a fortune on travel or nights out. Whether it’s hosting a neighborhood barbecue, cooking dinner on the patio after work, or preparing weekend meals for the family, investing in the right cooking equipment can completely change how people spend their summer at home. From traditional grills and smokers to versatile griddles and convenient indoor cooking options, there are tons of ways to cook restaurant-quality meals from the comfort of your own home. 

One of the biggest advantages of upgrading your cooking setup is the flexibility that the appliances offer. Grills can handle everything from burgers to vegetables, while smokers offer rich, slow-cooked flavor that’s difficult to achieve any other way. Griddles make it easier to prepare large breakfasts, smash burgers, and stir-fry dishes, while indoor options offer many of the same benefits for people without outdoor space, or for days when the weather doesn’t allow for it. 

As the entertainment season ramps up, having a variety of cooking options can make hosting easier and more enjoyable. Some options can feed large crowds during the holidays, while others are perfect for quick weeknight dinners or apartment living. Choosing the right setup depends on available space, cooking style, and how often you plan to use it. No matter the preference, we’ve found some options that can make summer meals more fun and convenient all summer long. 

No matter what type is best for you, choosing to cook at home instead of eating out can help save money, especially for larger families, while also creating a fun and relaxed environment for dinner in the evenings or big weekend breakfasts. Some items have multiple functions, allowing you to save money and space by investing in a dual-purpose appliance.

Grills

Traditional grills are popular because of their versatility and speed. Whether using charcoal, propane, or pellet fuel, grills can quickly handle a variety of options. Grill up some hot dogs for lunch, make some vegetable skewers for dinner, or grill up some fruits for dessert, like peaches and pineapple. Gas grills are especially convenient for busy weeknights since they heat up quickly and offer precise temperature control, while charcoal grills give a smokier flavor. Pellet grills bridge the gap between the two by combining convenience with wood-fired flavor, making them a popular option for a more elevated experience while remaining practical.

Another major advantage is how well they fit into social gatherings. Cooking outdoors creates a relaxed atmosphere where guests can gather around the patio or backyard while meals are being prepared. Larger grills also make it easier to cook for multiple people at once, which can be ideal for weekend or holiday cookouts. Compared to smokers, grills cook food much faster, making them a good option for casual meals and spontaneous gatherings, with the tradeoff of a less smoky taste. 

Grills also come in tons of sizes and options. Compact and portable grills are perfect for apartment balconies, camping trips, or tailgating, while full-sized models are great for large backyard patios. Many newer models also feature side burners, storage cabinets, digital thermometers, and other technology that help simplify the process. For households looking to spend more time outside this summer, a grill can quickly become one of the most-used appliances. 

Ktaxon Charcoal Grill

Weber Jumbo Joe Premium Charcoal Grill

Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill

Coleman Roadtrip Portable Propane Grill

Smokers

For people who enjoy rich flavor and slow-cooked meals, smokers offer a different cooking experience from traditional grills. They cook food at lower temperatures over longer periods of time, allowing meats to become tender while absorbing smoky flavors from wood chips or pellets. Brisket, ribs, and pulled pork are all great options to smoke, but you can also smoke cheese, vegetables for homemade salsa, potatoes, tofu, and so much more.

If you plan on planning your dinners and get-togethers, a smoker is a great option. While the low-and-slow approach can take several hours, many barbecue fans argue that it’s worth it for the extra flavor and texture the smoker produces. Pellet smokers have become increasingly popular because they make temperature management easier, which makes smoking more approachable for beginners. Traditional smokers often appeal to more experienced barbecue enthusiasts who enjoy controlling the heat and smoke levels manually.

Smokers are great for large gatherings, and many models have multiple cooking racks that allow users to smoke several foods at once. While they require more planning than grills or griddles, they offer a unique and fun cooking option for people who enjoy experimenting with different cooking methods and techniques. 

Kingchii Heavy Duty Charcoal Smoker and Grill

Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker

Pit Boss Pellet Smoker

Traeger Pro 22 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker

Griddles

Griddles can cook large quantities of food evenly across a flat cooking surface. Unlike traditional grills with grates, griddles provide a smooth surface that works especially well for liquid foods or smaller foods, such as eggs, chopped vegetables, pancakes, and fried rice. The large cooking area makes them ideal for preparing multiple dishes at once. A big advantage of a griddle is its versatility. They can be used for breakfast, lunch, and dinner without much hassle, cooking bacon, eggs, and pancakes in the morning, then switching to cheesesteaks or fajitas in the evening. Because everything cooks on a single flat surface, cleanup is much easier than on traditional grills.

Compared to smokers and grills, griddles are often more open, allowing people to see their food being cooked, which can create a fun experience during gatherings, and it also allows food to be taken off and added without opening the top and letting the heat out. They heat evenly along the cooking surface, making it easier to prepare food consistently for large groups, while offering technology like easy temperature control right at your fingertips.

Blackstone Adventure Ready Outdoor Griddle

Royal Gourmet Collapsible Propane Gas Griddle

Blackstone Flat Top 2-Burner Propane Griddle

Blackstone Original Outdoor Griddle

Indoor grills

Indoor grills bring a lot of the same benefits as outdoor grilling into the kitchen, making them ideal for apartments and smaller living spaces where outdoor cooking may not be as practical. They’re designed to mimic the grilling experience while reducing smoke and heat, making them a great year-round choice rather than only for nice weather. One of the biggest advantages is convenience. Most models heat up quickly, require minimal setup, and are easy to clean. They also often feature non-stick surfaces, removable drip trays, and adjustable temperature controls. 

They can be used for a variety of meals, from burgers and chicken to paninis and vegetables, helping people create grilled flavors without needing an outdoor space. Indoor models tend to be smaller and more compact, offering a more convenient option for people with less mobility or other factors that make it difficult to cook on larger surfaces. They still provide grill marks, searing capability, and offer healthier cooking options by allowing excess grease to drain off. 

Casualife Electric Griddle

Elite Gourmet Smokeless Indoor Electric Barbecue

Cuisinart Indoor Grill

Indoor Griddles

Indoor griddles offer the convenience of cooking in your own home while still providing the same benefits as an outdoor griddle. They’re useful for crepes, sandwiches, quesadillas, and larger family meals. They’re often electric, making them simple and easy to plug in and use on kitchen counters without requiring outdoor space or fuel sources. The wide surface and electric plug-in provide an efficient and quick way to cook multiple servings at once, or prepare foods consistently, as opposed to traditional stovetop cooking.  

Indoor griddles differ from indoor grills because they focus on flat-top cooking rather than searing or creating grill marks. This makes them ideal for pancakes, eggs, and other foods that benefit from even contact with a cooking surface. For families that enjoy large weekend breakfasts or quick comfort meals, indoor griddles are a great choice that offers super convenient and quick cooking in any season. 

Ninja Sizzler Indoor Griddle and Grill 

Chefman XL Electric Griddle 

Dash Deluxe Everyday Griddle

What’s best for your needs?

Choosing the right cooking setup ultimately comes down to how you like to cook, what space you have available, and if you plan to entertain this summer. Traditional grills are the best all-around option for quick meals and classic backyard barbecues, while smokers are better suited for people who enjoy spending time cooking. Griddles offer versatility and convenience for cooking large meals, making them useful for large families and frequent hosts.

If year-round convenience or available space are important, indoor grills and griddles provide the benefits of grilling without needing a patio, and work well for recreating classic grilled meals quickly and easily. 

No matter the route you choose, investing in cookware that fits your lifestyle can help make summer gatherings easier, more affordable, and more enjoyable. Whether you’re hosting large backyard barbecues or family breakfasts, the right option offers convenience, fun, and can help save money in the long run.

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