If you have ever been to a tailgating party, you know that many sports fans love to grill and hang out before their favorite sports team takes the field. When it is your turn to do the grilling, however, it can be a daunting task if you are new to the grilling scene.
Best Smokers For Beginners
This is where we can help you out. We have identified 6 of the best smokers on the market that are easy-to-use even for a beginner. The designs are simple and most of the propane options include a push-button ignition system. Take a look at these reviews and see if there is a grill that stands out to you.
Weber Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill, 22-Inch
This amazing 22-inch diameter grill will change how you grill your food. It features 363-square inches of cooking space. This grill includes a removable LCD cook timer and a built-in lid thermometer. This allows you to monitor the internal temperature of your grill easily while you are grilling.
Extra work space around the grill allows you to prep food or keep platters, seasoning and tools within reach while you are grilling. You can arrange the charcoal directly on the fuel grate for either direct or indirect grilling.
This Weber grill features an aluminized steel One-Touch cleaning system with a removable, high-capacity aluminum ash catcher. The easy charcoal ignition system allows you to ignite charcoal with the push of a button.
This grill has a large food preparation area just next to the grill so you can prepare your food and place it immediately on the grill. You will fall in love with the convenience of this charcoal grill and will never want to go back to propane!
Pros:
- 22-inch diameter bowl
- Electronic touch-n-go gas ignition system
- Built-in-lid thermometer
- Removable LCD cook timer
- Extra side table work space
- Charcoal storage bin
Cons:
- Some plastic parts break easily
Weber Spirit II E-210 2-Burner Liquid Propane Grill
This compact grill is the perfect starter grill for beginners! It provides 460-square inches of cooking space and has porcelain-enameled, cast-iron cooking grates. The grill has two burners with a total output of 26,500-BTUs (British thermal units).
The open cart design includes two wheels on one end so you can move the grill easily around your backyard. The cart includes six tool hooks for hanging your cooking and cleaning utensils. Weber uses the GS4 grilling system which is composed of four key components: the Infinity ignition, powerful burners, flavorizer bars and grease management system.
The components of the GS4 grilling system ensures that your grilling experience is reliable and consistent. The ignition is guaranteed to ignite every time! This is so much more convenient than trying to light charcoal briquettes!
This grill is the perfect starter for a beginner. It even has an easy-to-read fuel gauge which lets you see how much fuel is left in the tank. You’ll never have to worry about running out of fuel with this grill!
Pros:
- 26,500-BTUs
- Two burners
- Includes Weber’s GS4 Grilling System
- Infinity Ignition is guaranteed to ignite
Cons:
- Grease deflectors do not keep grease off the burners
Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill, 22-Inch
This Weber grill has a primary cooking area of 363-square inches. This is enough space to hold 10-12 large burgers for a small party! The built-in lid thermometer gives you the ability to monitor the internal temperature of your grill. You can use the air dampers on top of the lid to release some heat if the temperature gets too high.
The porcelain-enameled lid and grilling bowl is designed to be tough so you can be confident it will not rust or peel. The lid even has a small hook built on the top of it so you can hang the lid from the side of the grill when you need to flip your food. It has a one-touch cleaning system which gives you hassle free cleanup of charcoal ashes. Enjoy flavorful charcoal-grilled foods with this premium Weber grill.
Pros:
- 363-square inches of grilling space
- Built-in lid thermometer
- Hook for hanging the lid on the side of the grill
- Precision heat control using dampers
- Porcelain-enameled surface won’t rust
Cons:
- Ash collector doesn’t fit tightly under grill
Weber 121020 Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill
This compact grill from Weber is lightweight and easy to carry. It makes the perfect on-the-go grill for tailgating or cookouts in the park. It has collapsible legs that fold up for a tight and compact grill. The lid locks in place easily for portability and the handle on the lid makes this lightweight grill extremely easy to carry. Weber calls this the Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill for a reason!
There are air dampers built on the top of the lid which allows you to control the temperature inside the grill. Built-in hangers on the lid allow you to rest the lid on the side of the grill. This creates an effective barrier against wind and other elements.
The grilling surface is about 160-square inches which is large enough to cook 4 medium-sized steaks. The steel grate is easy to clean and the porcelain-enameled steel lid and cooking box are built to last for years.
Pros:
- 160-square inches of cooking space
- Collapsible legs for easy carrying
- Compact and lightweight
- Lockable lid
- Air dampers help control temperature
Cons:
- Grill body is shallow
- Cannot be used on plastic surfaces as the grill heat may melt the surface
Masterbuilt MES 130P Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker
This Masterbuilt smoker is ideal as a smoker for the beginning griller. It features bluetooth technology which means you can control cooking temperature and time from your phone! You can also power the smoker on or off and monitor the internal temperature through your smart device.
The smoker contains 4 chrome-coated smoking racks. There are 3 standard racks plus a custom notched rack that can hold a Masterbuilt pan (sold separately). Masterbuilt has a patented side wood chip loading system. The side loading features ensures you are not opening the main smoker door when refilling wood chips.
Two air dampers on the top of the smoker allows you to regulate the internal temperature if it gets too hot. You will love the results that this Masterbuilt Digital Electric smoker consistently delivers!
Pros:
- 4 chrome-coated smoking racks
- Comes with bluetooth technology
- Digital controls
- Air dampers on the top
- Patented side wood chip loading system
Cons:
- Only comes with a limited 3-month warranty
Char-Griller E22424 Table Top Charcoal Grill and Side Fire Box
This is a compact table top charcoal grill that gives a new meaning to portable. It is made of heavy steel construction and includes cast-iron cooking grates. It can also be used as a side fire box that attaches to specific Char-Griller grills.
This grill has 250-square inches of grilling space. There are adjustable air dampers that can be used to help control the internal temperature of the grill box. It has an easy dump ash pan which makes cleanup of this grill a breeze!
If you are looking for a compact and portable grill to take camping or to a tailgate party, look no further. This table top charcoal grill from Char-Griller provides you with a fabulous charcoal grill product at an economical price.
Pros:
- 250-square inches of grilling space
- Adjustable air dampers
- Fueled by charcoal
- Portable
- Heavy steel construction
- Cast-iron cooking grates
- Can be used as a side fire box
Cons:
- Grill is coated with paint which tends to bubble and peel over time
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are trying to buy a new grill, you may be overwhelmed with the number of options that are available. We have compiled the answers to some frequently asked questions to help you make a decision.
What Should I Consider About Temperature Control?
A must have feature of any grill is the ability to control the internal temperature. This is especially important with gas grills. When looking at gas grills, be sure you are getting a grill that has more than 1 burner and with independent controls.
This will allow you to turn the heat up on one burner and leave another burner turned down low. You should also have adjustable air dampers to control how much heat can escape during grilling.
Does The Grill Need To Be Portable?
Some grills are not built to be moved around a lot. If this is a requirement for you, then you should consider a grill that either comes with an integrated cart or has wheels that allow it to be rolled from one place to another.
Is Shelf Space Important?
If you are grilling at home, then you may not need additional shelf space on your grill for food preparation. If you are camping or tailgating, however, additional shelf space can greatly improve the efficiency of your grilling efforts!
Conclusion
If you truly want to have a grill that is an easy-to-use grill for beginners, then consider one of the grills reviewed above. Before you make a final decision, determine where you plan to use your grill the most. Charcoal grills are often better for camping and tailgating. A propane-fueled grill is more convenient for grilling at home. Be sure to pick a grill that best fits your lifestyle!