Different Types of Barbecues: Pros and Cons

What is a barbecue? A barbecue, or grill, is a cooking appliance that cooks food by exposing it to radiant heat from below.

The word “barbecue” can also refer to the event of preparing and eating such foods.

In this blog post we will be discussing different types of barbecues including what they are as well as their pros and cons.

If you’re looking into purchasing a new BBQ for your home, then this article will help make your decision easier!

Where did Barbecue originate from and when?

Barbecue as a cooking method originated from the Caribbean and South America. During this time, indigenous peoples would cook their food using a wooden structure to contain the heat.

The first mention of barbecue was in 1553 by Spanish conquistadors who invaded Peru. They wrote that they had witnessed how locals prepared meat over fire with herbs and fruit.

We will get into more detail of the different types of barbecues later on!

Barbecue is a cooking method that uses smoke to cook meat. There are two main styles used, which include indirect heat and direct heat.

With both methods you need some sort of fuel like charcoal or propane in order to generate enough heat for smoking.

There are many different types of barbecues and each one has its own set of pros and cons.

In this section, we will go over the four most common types: kettle grills, gas grills, charcoal grills, and smokers.

We will start with the kettle grill!

The Kettle Grill

Most commonly known as the Weber, this is a great option for beginners and experienced Pitmasters alike!

They are so versatile and come with many cooking options and accessories.

A Weber kettle BBQ can really be used for all types of cooking with it’s available accessories.

From Rotisserie, Pizza oven, Vortex, griddles, Dutch ovens, the list goes on!

Kettle Grill Pro’s

Kettle grills are very easy to use and maintain because you only need to add charcoal every now then when it starts burning low.

They also have an attached lid so in order to smoke your meat all you’ll need is wood chips or chunks to add to the charcoal.

Kettle Grill Con’s

The only con about kettle grills is that they don’t have a lot of space and are mostly used for smaller items like chicken or fish.

If you’re looking for something with more space, then the gas grill may be a better option!

The Gas Grill

The Gas grill uses propane to heat up the cooking grates, which then cooks your food.

Gas Grill Pro’s

One of the pros about gas grills is that they come in all shapes and sizes, so you can find one to fit your needs.

They also heat up quickly and are easy to use – perfect for beginners!

Gas Grill Con’s

The only con about gas grills is that they can be a bit pricier than charcoal or kettle grills.

If you’re looking for something that’s cheaper, then the charcoal grill would be a better option!

Charcoal Grills

The Charcoal Grill is exactly what it sounds like – any type of barbecue where heat comes from burning coals rather than gas or wood chips.

These are typically used by more experienced BBQ Pitmasters because they require constant attention and can be difficult to get just right.

Charcoal Grill Pro’s

One of the pros about charcoal grills is that they’re typically cheaper than other types of barbecues. They also give food a nice smoky flavour that you can’t get with other methods.

Charcoal Grill Con’s

The only con about charcoal grills is that they require more attention than some of the other types of barbecues and you’ll need to add charcoal every now and then in order for it stay hot enough.

If you’re planning on cooking longer cooks like ribs or pulled pork, the next type we will discuss would be the smoker!

The Smoker

The Smoker is very similar to a kettle grill but uses wood chips, chunks or pellets instead of burning charcoal.

Smoker Pro’s

One of the pros about smokers is that they’re very easy to use and don’t require a lot of attention. You simply add wood chips and let it smoke your food for you!

Smoker Con’s

The only con about smokers is that they can be expensive, but the end result is definitely worth it.

Other BBQ’s

Other specialist type of BBQ which are less common but fun to cook on include the Santa Maria Grill and the Hibachi Grill.

The Santa Maria Grill

The Santa Maria Grill is a traditional Californian style barbecue that’s used to cook tri-tip.

Santa Maria Pro’s

One of the pros about this type of grill is that it gives food some awesome charred marks! Plus, you don’t need any extra equipment or accessories. – just meat and wood chips!

The cooking grate is adjustable by use of a hand crank to raise or lower to or from the heat as required.

Santa Maria Con’s

The only con about the Santa Maria Grill would be its size because it’s not as big as some other options on this list. However, if space isn’t an issue for you then this might be your ideal BBQ!

Hibachi Grill

Lastly we have the Hibachi grill which is very similar to a charcoal grill but can also be used inside due to its small stature. It has a solid cooking surface.

Hibachi Grill Pro’s

One of the pros about Hibachi grills is that they’re really easy to use and are great for beginners.

They also come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you can find one to fit your needs.

Hibachi Grill Con’s

The only con about them would be that they don’t heat up as quickly as some other types of grills.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully this article has given you a good overview of the different types of barbecues available and their respective pros and cons!

Whichever type you choose, we guarantee that cooking on a barbecue will add some delicious flavour to your food!

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