Buying guides
23 guides on grill and outdoor kitchen buying decisions — grounded in first-hand install experience, named brands, specific BTU and dimension figures. Every guide is written and maintained by the editorial team at BBQs.com.
Grills — buying guides
Shop grills — buying guides →How many BTUs do you need in a grill?
BTU per square inch is what matters, not total BTU. Target 80-100 BTU/sq-in for hot searing; below 70 struggles.
Read guide →304 vs 430 stainless steel grills
Why 304 (nickel content) outlasts 430 in coastal and freeze-thaw climates, and how to verify what you're buying.
Read guide →Vent hoods for built-in grills
When code requires a vent hood, CFM sizing per grill BTU, and outdoor-rated vs indoor-rated distinctions.
Read guide →Grill cover buying guide
Material (polyester vs vinyl), fit (snug vs vented), and the budget vs premium cover tradeoff over a grill's lifespan.
Read guide →Weber Genesis buying guide
Full Genesis lineup breakdown — SE-E / S / SX / SE-S variations, 2-burner through 6-burner, and the Weber Spirit comparison.
Read guide →Weber Master-Touch charcoal guide
Master-Touch 22" and 26" variants, Premium vs Standard features, and lump vs briquette performance.
Read guide →Smokers & pizza ovens
Shop smokers & pizza ovens →Best gas smokers
Top gas smokers across cabinet, vertical pellet-adjacent, and dual-fuel formats — 2026 picks.
Read guide →How to use lump charcoal
Lump vs briquette, lighting method, airflow control, and the common beginner mistakes to avoid.
Read guide →Chicago Brick Oven brand guide
Full CBO lineup — CBO-500 vs 750 vs 1000, DIY kits vs assembled, and gas-assist vs pure wood options.
Read guide →Chicago Brick Oven CBO-500 review
First-hand review of the entry-point CBO-500 — heat-up time, cooking capacity, and the gas-assist upgrade value.
Read guide →Outdoor refrigeration
Shop outdoor refrigeration →Outdoor refrigeration buyers' guide
Outdoor-rated vs indoor, UL/CSA compliance, flush-mount vs built-in, and sizing for a full outdoor kitchen.
Read guide →Azure outdoor refrigeration brand guide
Azure's premium outdoor fridge lineup — undercounter, beverage center, kegerator variants.
Read guide →Marvel outdoor refrigeration brand guide
Marvel's professional-grade outdoor refrigeration — luxury kitchens, column fridges, dedicated wine columns.
Read guide →Best ice bin coolers
Drop-in ice bins for outdoor kitchens — stainless construction, drainage, and insulation performance.
Read guide →Best outdoor ice makers (2026)
Outdoor-rated ice makers for 2026 — nugget vs cube, production rate, and NSF certification.
Read guide →Best-of listicles
Best built-in grills under $1,500
The sub-$1,500 built-in bracket where corner-cutting shows up. Picks that still use 304 stainless + factory warranty.
Read guide →Best natural gas grills (2026)
NG grills across every bracket, with the install-cost math and the brands worth paying up for.
Read guide →Best charcoal grills
Kamado, kettle, and barrel formats compared across home, enthusiast, and pro-level price points.
Read guide →Best electric grills
Electric picks for condos, HOAs, and small balconies — including Weber Lumin and premium countertop options.
Read guide →Brands we carry
Shop brands we carry →Hestan Outdoor
Hestan's full lineup — GSBR vs Deluxe, finishes, and the Aspire-by-Hestan lower-tier sibling comparison.
Read guide →Summerset Grills
Sizzler vs TRL vs Pro — the three Summerset tiers, where the value sits, and the warranty step-ups per level.
Read guide →Coyote C-Series review
First-hand review of the Coyote C-Series — build quality, BTU performance, and the heat-management features.
Read guide →Weber vs Bull vs Coyote
Head-to-head comparison of three brands buyers always cross-shop — price, build, warranty, and value tier.
Read guide →Looking for something specific?
Our editorial team is also happy to answer sizing, BTU, or install questions directly. Get in touch — no cost, no obligation to buy.
