BBQ grills come in a wide variety of styles, fuels and prices from very cheap, disposable BBQ's to expensive, state of the art BBQ grills cosing more than $2000. Which one of this myriad of choices is right for you? We've gathered together some information on the different types of BBQ grills available so that you can make an informed decision and choose the right one the first time.

Charcoal BBQ Grills

These are, of course the traditional type of BBQ grill and many people prefer them for the ambiance they lend to any occasion. They are usually the cheapest type as they are little more than a fireproof bowl, a rack for the food and vents to control the air flow. The biggest disadvantage of charcoal grills for many people is that they are not so easy to light as the other types of grills. However many people find lighting the charcoal part of the fun! Nowadays easy lighting charcoal is available to make lighting much easier. You will also have to light your charcoal BBQ ahead of time as the charcoal needs to be allowed to become glowing red before you can start to cook on it. Charcoal grills can also be messy to clean and will need the ashes removed regularly. They do give a wonderful flavor to the food and they are usually small enough to be cleaned and put away easily.

Propane BBQ Grills

Propane grills are the choice of many as they are easy to light and vary in size from fairly small to large, sophisticated grills with working surfaces and extra burners. They are easy to light , quick to set up and cook your food and, unlike charcoal grills, you do not have to wait for them to be ready. You will need to provide a propane gas bottle and replace it regularly. They vary considerably in price from under $100 to many thousands!

Natural Gas BBQ Grills

These types of grills are designed to be attached to the natural gas supply in your home and are often large and sophisticated. They are easy to light and control the temperature and cook food very quickly. Costs start at around $200 up to around $3000. They are very convenient and easy to use but are large so will usually need to be left outside, preferably covered and out of the weather.

What should you consider when buying a BBQ grill?

Obviously the cost of the grill is going to be important but take into account how long it is likely to last you, with proper care, as a cheaper BBQ may not be economical in the long run. Charcoal grills are cheap but cost more to run than gas grills so if you plan to use the BBQ a lot it may not be so cost effective. Charcoal grills are thought by many people to give the best 'authentic BBQ' flavor. If you will be cooking food for a large number of people you will want one with multiple burners that cooks food quickly so a propane or natural gas grill would be a better choice.

How much room do you have to store the grill. Some of the gas grills can be very large and will probably have to be left outside, preferably in a covered space. If you want to be able to store away the grill you will need a charcoal BBQ grill or one of the smaller gas grills.

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