Grills & Smokers

Charcoal, gas, or the smoker — which one's best? The truthful answer is: the one you'll actually light. There's a charcoal musk gas can't touch, gas gets you eating on a Tuesday, and a real smoker does things neither can. None of them is wrong. The trick is matching the cooker to how you actually cook.

Pick your fuel

Start here before you spend a cent. This is the decision every other one hangs off.

• Gas vs Charcoal vs Pellet vs Electric — the honest trade-offs, no brand loyalty.
• Lump Charcoal vs Briquettes — which, and when.

Choosing a smoker

Ready to go past the grill? Know the styles before you fall for the marketing.

• Smoker Types Explained — offset, pellet, kamado, drum and bullet, side by side.
• Best Smoker for Beginners — where to start without wasting money.
• Weber Kettle vs Smokey Mountain vs Kamado Joe — three backyard classics compared.

Kit it out

The cooker's only half of it. A few right tools save you more grief than any upgrade.

• The Essential Tools Starter Kit — what you need, what you don't.
• Cleaning & Maintenance — keep it cooking for a decade.

Shopping by name? The Barbecue Brands rundown lines up Traeger, Pit Boss, Weber and Kamado Joe on what matters.

Whatever you end up buying, the temps don’t change — the free cheat sheet works on every cooker on this page.