Barbecue - what to choose? How to choose the right grill

Great barbecue guide

Many possibilities! Here we show you how to find the right grill that suits you best by asking and answering the following five questions: 

1. Where to grill?
2. How often do you plan to grill?
3. How many should you usually grill for?
4. What kind of food do you want to grill?
5. How do you like to grill?

The answers to these questions will greatly facilitate the choice of the right grill. Beyond this, it is simply a matter of finding the grill that is most practical for your needs and that you like best. There are many types of grills to choose from and the grilling options can vary. Therefore, it will be wise to choose the right one from the start. Here is our guide on how to choose a grill that suits your needs. 

We start by taking you through the three most common types of barbecue.

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Gas grill

Is this the right grill for you?

A gas grill is suitable for you who want to be able to grill often without it taking longer than with the oven in the kitchen. Gas grills are easy to ignite, heat up quickly and it is easy to adjust the heat to the desired temperature. They are user-friendly and it is easy to get a good barbecue result every time. No wonder the gas grill is the most popular choice of grill. But why do people choose gas grills over charcoal grills or electric grills? 

The answer to that has to do with the fact that it is an everyday grill with additional features that make them more attractive than the competition. Can it be the right grill for you?

Many possibilities with gas grill

By choosing a gas grill, it will be easier to establish zones for direct and indirect grilling. This also makes it easier to make a varied and complete meal on the grill.

With a gas grill, it is easy to adjust the grill as needed depending on whether the food is to be finished quickly or long-term grilled.

Petter Sørlie, category manager for gas grills and electric grills in FCC BBQ

In addition, many gas grills offer options for additional accessories, such as a baking tray, pizza stone, wok or frying pan, and rotating skewers. Most gas grills also have a side burner which is well suited for using a frying pan or for cooking the food. Gas grills are well suited for most things you want to grill, whether it is meat, seafood, vegetables or pizza.

A gas grill is equipped with several burners. It gives you better control of the heat while you can regulate the temperature as you wish. In addition, you can choose zones on the grill that should be warmer than others. It is advantageous when, for example, you are going to cook your food for a long time or grill several different dishes at the same time. Gas grills are both easy to use and clean. 

Advantages of gas grill

1. Easy to get fast quickly, should only be preheated which takes around 5-15 minutes
2. Offers several different functions for barbecue options
3. May have different zones for temperatures at the same time
4. Offers a wide range of custom accessories 

Disadvantages of gas grill

1. Often needs a little more space for storage and use
2. Is not always allowed in all types of homes
3. Often harder to move around

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Charcoal grill

Is this the right grill for you?

A charcoal grill is the choice for you who want the authentic barbecue experience. Ever since we humans learned to tame the flames, this form of grilling is still the one that gives the very special taste.

When grilling food with charcoal, it is important to keep an eye on the temperature of the food. A cooking thermometer will be a great help to prevent the food from being overcooked and to get a perfect result every time.

Anders Fredriksen, category manager for charcoal grills and grill accessories in FCC BBQ

But this taste does not come from the coal itself as many still believe. On the other hand, it is the fat from the food that flows down to the charcoal and evaporates that adds the aroma to the barbecue food.

Charcoal grills often take up little space, are budget-friendly and are usually easier to move around than gas grills. Cooking with a charcoal grill requires a little more effort because it takes time to get the charcoal really hot. Still, charcoal grill is for many the best grill for what they want to use it for.

It is important to remember that when grilling on high heat, the food will cook even if you take it off the grill. If you want the core temperature of the piece of meat to reach a specific temperature, it is important to end the grilling a little before the thermometer reaches this temperature. The same applies to all other food that is placed on the grill. The food should always rest for a few minutes before it is served, Fredriksen explains. 

A cheaper alternative

Overall, charcoal grilling is a more affordable option, but it usually takes longer to use if we compare with gas grills and electric grills. But still the smell of freshly lit charcoal on a hot summer day gives the barbecue experience a very own nostalgia. Maybe this is the right grill for you?

Benefits of charcoal grill

1. Often takes up little space
2. Is often less expensive compared to gas grills
3. Gives the food a distinct charcoal-grilled taste, if done correctly

Disadvantages of charcoal grill

1. Takes longer to get warm, around 20-30 minutes
2. Requires that you have coal, briquettes or firewood available
3. Cannot be switched off immediately and the ash must be handled properly
4. Needs plenty of space around it and can not be used in all types of homes

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Electric grill

Is this the right grill for you?

An electric grill is suitable for you who do not have the opportunity to use a gas grill or charcoal grill in your home due to restrictions due to safety reasons, or for you who want the more environmentally friendly alternative.

Many of the electric grills available on the market today are so efficient that you will achieve about as good a grilling result as with a gas grill or charcoal grill.

Petter Sørlie, category manager for gas grills and electric grills in FCC BBQ

Unlike gas grills that need propane or natural gas, and charcoal grills that need charcoal or briquettes, grilling with an electric grill is an easy affair. Precisely because it only needs power to work.

Electric grills come in many sizes and varieties and are easy to use. In addition, the grill heats up quickly and you have good control over the temperature during the entire grilling process. 

Electric grills are also well suited for use on the table. Creating a social barbecue evening where you grill while the meal is going on is therefore much easier. Maybe this is the right grill for you?

Benefits of electric grill

1. Warms up faster than other options
2. User friendly
3. Most electric grills are approved for indoor use
4. More environmentally friendly
5. Suitable for smaller homes that have restrictions for other grill types

Disadvantages of electric grill

1. Not all electric grills can achieve the same high temperature as the other types of grills
2. Needs access to power
3. Most electric grills have a more limited grill surface than, for example, gas grills

The different types of grill - gas, charcoal and electric - are a result of where you are going to grill and what you are going to use the grill for. You simply have to do a little bit of research work to understand the pros and cons of your case. We have simplified this process for you above. 

Choose the right grill according to your needs

And for all of us who are extra happy to grill, it is quite possible to have several different types of grills available for different occasions. For example, a gas grill for everyday grilling that is at least as fast as the oven. Or charcoal grill for maximum weekend fun when you have a good time. Maybe an electric grill fits well due to restrictions where you live, or as a great addition to the days when the weather paves the way for bringing the barbecue indoors? There is little that can be compared to meals over the flames, and it is even nicer when you grill through a meal directly at the table.

So then the thousand kroner question remains:
which grill should I choose?  

The answer is: the grill that is most practical and provides the best grilling experience according to your needs. This is the right barbecue for you.

Follow our guide to become wiser on which grill may suit you. You also get good help from knowledgeable staff in a store to find the grill you should choose.

With a good overview of your needs and with knowledge of the different types of grill and their advantages and disadvantages, you are well on your way to finding the right grill. And finally, the type of grill you choose does not put a stop to lowering your shoulders and enjoying a cold refreshment in the sun with your guests while you wait for your food. And well it is.

How to choose the right grill:

1. Think about place, time use, number of people, type of food and grilling methods. 
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2. Find out which type of grill is right for you, whether it is a gas grill, charcoal grill or electric grill. 
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3. Go for the type of grill that suits your needs and choose the option that is right for you.