Choose the right grill - Find the best model for you
In this guide, we help you sort out the benefits of the different grill types, debunk a few common myths, and give you practical advice so you can find exactly the right equipment for all your summer meals.
See our full grill range here
Quick guide: The right grill for you
In a hurry and no time to read everything? Here is the shortest route to the right choice:
- Apartment living / balcony → Electric grill
- Easy and convenient for everyday use → Gas grill
- Authentic grilling experience → Charcoal grill or kettle grill
- Smoking and slow cooking → Kettle grill, barrel grill, or smoker
- Large family / many guests → Gas grill with multiple burners
Gas grill - For those who want speed and precision
The gas grill has become the first choice for many households, and it is easy to understand why. It works much like the kitchen stove, but outdoors, giving you full control from start to finish.
Benefits
- Quick start-up: Turn on the gas and press the ignition. In less than 10 minutes, the grill is hot and ready.
- Precise temperature control: With separate burners, you can control the heat in different zones, perfect for grilling delicate fish while keeping meat warm with residual heat.
- Less smoke and fumes: Since you do not use lighter fluid or charcoal, you avoid smoke that may disturb the neighbors.
Drawbacks
- You need to have gas at home and remember to refill it.
- Does not provide the same deep smoky flavor as charcoal.
Suitable for you if: you want to grill spontaneously after work and appreciate a large work surface where the entire meal can be prepared at the same time.
Tip: Read our guide on the best tips for grilling with gas to reduce risks and achieve more even results.
Charcoal grill - For classic barbecue flavor and craftsmanship
For many, the charcoal grill is the only true option. Here it is not just about the food, but about the whole experience, the ritual, and the craft of lighting the charcoal and waiting for the embers.
Benefits
- The classic grill character: A charcoal grill gives a unique, lightly smoky character and a fantastic crisp sear thanks to high radiant heat.
- Affordable and durable: A charcoal grill has fewer moving parts, making it hard-wearing and good value.
Drawbacks
- Takes 20–30 minutes to heat up.
- Harder to regulate the temperature and requires a little practice.
- More cleaning after use.
Did you know you can reuse charcoal? Let the charcoal cool completely, put it in a plastic bag and shake it; the ash falls off and the charcoal is ready to be lit again!
The flavor myth
There is a widespread myth that the charcoal itself provides the flavor. The truth is that flavor mainly develops when fat and meat juices drip onto the hot surface and evaporate back up into the food; this happens whether you use charcoal or gas. However, a charcoal grill does provide subtle smokiness and a unique radiant heat that is difficult to replicate.
Suitable for you if: you see grilling as a relaxing weekend activity and love the smell and charm of glowing embers.
Electric grill - The smart choice for balconies and apartments
Do you live in an apartment with a balcony where the association prohibits gas and charcoal? Then the electric grill is your rescue. Modern electric grills perform so well that in blind taste tests it is difficult to distinguish the result from a traditional grill.
Benefits
- Safe and balcony-friendly: No open flame and minimal smoke development make it approved on most balconies.
- Extremely convenient: Plug it into the wall, turn the thermostat, and you are ready to go.
- Easy cleaning: Often equipped with removable grates that are easy to wash.
Drawbacks
- Requires access to an electrical outlet
- Limited grill surface on the smallest models
Buying tip: Choose an electric grill with high power output, preferably over 2,000 W, and a proper lid. The lid retains heat and creates more even cooking, just like a traditional grill.
Suitable for you if: you live in the city, have limited space, or want as little hassle as possible when cooking.
Kettle grill - The versatile classic
A kettle grill is a charcoal grill with a distinctive dome-shaped lid that makes a big difference. With the lid on, you can use it like an oven, smoke meat at a low temperature, or grill with indirect heat. This makes it one of the most versatile tools you can have.
Portable grill - Take the barbecue with you on your adventure
Going camping, heading to the beach, taking the boat out, or visiting the park? A portable grill means you can avoid impractical disposable grills that harm the environment and the ground beneath them. Biltema’s portable models are easy to carry, convenient to pack, and simple to set up wherever you are.
Our three best grilling tips
- Clean the grate while it is hot. The most common mistake is scrubbing a cold grill. Let the grill get properly hot first; then burnt-on residue comes loose easily with a good grill brush. Clean again when you are finished grilling, while the grill is still warm. Another tip is to crumple aluminum foil into a ball and rub away the dirt. Be careful not to burn yourself! If you cannot clean the grate while the grill is hot, a backup option is to leave it outside in the grass overnight and then wipe it with a cloth the next day. The dew will work wonders!
- Create direct and indirect zones. Do not grill everything on the highest heat. Have a hot zone directly over the heat source to get a nice sear on the meat, and a cooler zone to the side (indirect heat) where thicker cuts and chicken can finish cooking under a closed lid.
- Protect the grill from weather and wind. Moisture, pollen, and rain are the grill’s biggest enemies. A well-fitting grill cover is an inexpensive safeguard that keeps rust and wear away and can easily double the life of your grill.
See all grill accessories, tools, and fuel
Frequently asked questions about choosing a grill
Which is best, a charcoal grill or a gas grill?
It depends entirely on your priorities. Choose a gas grill if you value speed, precision, and simple everyday cooking. Choose a charcoal grill if you love the ritual, the smell of glowing embers, and want that deeply smoky character in your food. In terms of taste, however, the difference is smaller than most people think; see the flavor myth above.
Can you have a gas grill on a balcony?
This is primarily governed by your tenant-owner association or landlord, so always check the local rules. Legally, it is often permitted as long as the gas cylinder is stored safely and the grill is not placed too close to flammable material, but many property owners still choose to ban it for fire-safety reasons. If you are unsure, an electric grill is always the safe choice.
Which grill gives the best flavor?
Many people swear by charcoal grills, but in blind taste tests it is difficult to tell the difference between gas and charcoal. Flavor mainly develops when meat juices and fat evaporate against a hot surface, which happens regardless of fuel. However, charcoal grills provide a unique radiant heat that more easily creates a crisp, characteristic surface, plus a subtle note of smoke.
Which electric grill should you choose?
Choose an electric grill with high power output, preferably over 2,000 W, and a proper lid. The lid is essential for retaining heat and creating even cooking, which gives a result much more like a traditional grill.
How large a grill do you need?
A rule of thumb: calculate about 25 × 30 cm of grill surface per person if you are cooking everything at once. If you often grill for 4–6 people, a medium-sized gas grill with two burners is enough. If you regularly host large dinners, four burners and a spacious grill surface are worth the investment.
Read more about grilling
Want to learn more? Check out our other guides:
- How to get the right embers on the grill
- Everything you need for this year’s barbecue season
- Barbecue season knows no boundaries
- Cleaning the grill, everything you need to know
Ready to grill? At Biltema, you will find a wide and affordable range of grills, accessories, and everything you need for a successful barbecue season.