BBQ Cookers Compared: Kettles, Smokers, Pellet, Kamado, and Gas

Before picking a BBQ cooker, decide what you actually want on the plate. Smoked brisket that takes twelve hours is a different project from burgers on a Tuesday, and the machine that excels at one often frustrates you at the other. The category covers charcoal kettles, water smokers, pellet cookers, gravity-fed charcoal units, kamado-style ceramics, and gas grills, and each has a personality.

This guide covers seven cookers that represent those styles, explains how to size, fuel, and budget for one, and gives each pick a fair hearing based on what its name tells you. Fuel type, size class, and format are the main facts available, so the reviews stay on trade-offs that follow from those. For anything else, check the maker’s specifications.

Quick Picks

How to Choose

Start with fuel

Charcoal gives the most traditional flavor but requires lighting and managing vents. Pellets and gravity-fed charcoal automate the fire with a controller, which suits cooks who want long smokes without babysitting. Gas lights with a button and is the fastest for weeknights, though it adds the least smoky flavor. A good rule of thumb is to choose the fuel you will happily use on a cold Tuesday evening.

Size the cooking area to your crowd

A 22 inch kettle grate covers roughly 360 square inches, enough for about 12 burgers. Pellet and gravity cookers often list 500 to 800 square inches. If you cook for four, 350 to 450 square inches is comfortable. For a crowd, aim for at least 600, and remember that smokers work best when the meat has room around it.

Look at heat control and retention

Thick walls, as in ceramic or heavy steel, hold heat steadily and use less fuel. Thin metal reacts quickly but fluctuates in wind and cold. Look for tight lid seals, reliable dampers, and an accurate lid thermometer, and plan to add a probe thermometer for meat. A cooker that holds 225 degrees Fahrenheit for hours without fuss earns its place for low-and-slow work.

Plan for space, cleanup, and accessories

Ceramics are heavy, pellet cookers need electricity, and gas grills need a propane tank. Measure the patio and check where you will store ash or pellets. A cover, a chimney starter for charcoal, and a pair of long tongs are the first accessories worth buying. Regular grease and ash cleanup prevents flare-ups and keeps the cooker lasting longer.

If you are torn between a general-purpose grill and a smoker, think about how often you will cook for long periods. One versatile kettle can do both, but a dedicated smoker makes slow cooks much easier.

As of 2026, the BBQ cooker market is still defined by a trade-off between flavor and convenience. Charcoal and kamado cookers reward attention with deeper smoke and stronger sear, while pellet, gravity, and gas models reward your time with consistency. Neither side is better in the abstract; the right answer is the one you will use every weekend instead of twice a year.

A short planning exercise helps. List the three meals you most want to cook, such as burgers, ribs, and a holiday turkey, and note how long each takes. Burgers favor high heat and quick starts. Ribs and pork shoulder favor steady low temperatures for hours. A turkey needs room and indirect heat. If the list is mostly quick meals, a kettle or gas grill is plenty. If it leans on long cooks, spend your budget on temperature stability and fuel capacity rather than extra shelves and side burners.

Our Picks Reviewed

Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch Charcoal Grill

The name states the brand, the Original Kettle design, a Premium trim, charcoal fuel, and a 22-inch size. It is the classic backyard cooker.

• Pro: charcoal gives strong grill flavor, and the 22-inch size handles a typical family cookout.
• Pro: kettles are versatile and can do direct grilling, indirect cooking, and basic smoking.
• Con: charcoal takes time to light and manage, so it is less convenient than gas.

Skip it if you want a push-button start or hands-off overnight smoking.

Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18-Inch

This is Weber’s smoker format in an 18-inch size. The name makes the purpose clear: smoking, not high-heat searing.

• Pro: a dedicated smoker design suits long cooks such as ribs, pork shoulder, and brisket.
• Pro: an 18-inch size is a practical fit for a small family and a modest patio.
• Con: it is a specialty tool, so it is not the best choice for quick burgers.

Skip it if you want one cooker for both fast grilling and smoking.

Traeger Pro 575 Pellet Grill

Traeger is closely tied to pellet grills, and the name states the fuel. Pellet cookers use an auger to feed fuel, which makes temperature control easier.

• Pro: pellet fuel automates the fire, which suits long cooks and beginners.
• Pro: smoke flavor comes from the pellets, so choice of wood becomes part of the recipe.
• Con: pellet grills need electricity and ongoing pellet purchases.

Skip it if you have no outdoor outlet or want hard searing without extra equipment.

Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560 Digital Charcoal Grill + Smoker

The name describes a gravity-fed charcoal system with digital control and a dual grill and smoker role. It blends charcoal flavor with a more automated experience.

• Pro: a digital system helps hold a set temperature, which reduces fire tending.
• Pro: charcoal fuel offers a traditional flavor profile that some cooks prefer over pellets.
• Con: the added electronics mean more parts that can need service over time.

Skip it if you prefer a simple, no-electronics cooker.

Kamado Joe Classic II

Kamado Joe is a ceramic kamado-style brand, and Classic II names a specific model. Kamado cookers are known for versatility, from searing to long smokes.

• Pro: thick ceramic walls hold steady heat, which helps both high-heat and low-and-slow cooking.
• Pro: one cooker can bake pizza, sear steaks, and smoke brisket.
• Con: ceramic cookers are heavy and can crack if mishandled or moved.

Skip it if you need a lightweight cooker or have limited space.

Big Green Egg Large

Big Green Egg is the best-known name in the kamado category, and the Large label states the size.

• Pro: a large kamado offers room for meaningful batches without taking over a patio.
• Pro: ceramic construction is built for steady heat and fuel efficiency.
• Con: it is a major purchase and commitment, and needs a stable place to live.

Skip it if you grill only occasionally or want a lower investment.

Weber Spirit II E-310 Gas Grill

A gas grill with an E-310 model code, from the Spirit II line. Gas is the quickest fuel for weeknight cooking.

• Pro: quick start-up and fine heat control make it easy for everyday meals.
• Pro: cleanup is simpler without ash to remove.
• Con: gas gives less smoky flavor than charcoal, pellets, or wood.

Skip it if smoke flavor is your top priority.

Which One Fits

• First BBQ cooker: the Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch Charcoal Grill is a classic starter.
• Low-and-slow fans: the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18-Inch is built for it.
• Convenience seekers: the Traeger Pro 575 Pellet Grill or Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560 automate the fire.
• All-around enthusiasts: the Kamado Joe Classic II and Big Green Egg Large handle many styles.
• Weeknight burgers: the Weber Spirit II E-310 Gas Grill starts fast.

If breakfast cooking outdoors is your goal, a 4 burner griddle is a better fit for pancakes and eggs than any of these.

Budget the whole setup, not just the cooker. Charcoal needs a chimney starter and a supply of fuel, pellet units need a steady supply of pellets and an outlet, and gas needs a tank swap routine. Ceramic cookers often need a stand or table. Adding up these extras before you buy prevents surprise costs and helps you compare a simple kettle with a feature-rich cooker fairly.

Finally, consider your neighbors and local rules. Heavy smoke can bother nearby homes, and some apartment buildings or communities limit charcoal or open flame. A gas or electric-assisted model may be the practical choice in those settings, even if you love the flavor of wood.

A cover that fits and a quick brush-down after each cook protect any of these cookers from weather and grease, and they cost far less than replacing a rusted grate.

Common Mistakes

• Buying a cooker that does not match your cooking style, such as a gas grill for brisket.
• Opening the lid too often, which drops temperature and extends cook times.
• Skipping a probe thermometer and cooking by the clock.
• Neglecting cleaning, which leads to flare-ups and bitter flavors.
• Ignoring wind and weather placement, which affects temperature stability.

FAQ

Which fuel is easiest for beginners?

Gas and pellets are the simplest, since both offer push-button or controller-based temperature management.

Can I smoke on a kettle?

Yes, by banking coals to one side and adding wood chunks, though it takes more attention than a dedicated smoker.

Are ceramic cookers worth it?

For serious cooks who value efficiency and versatility, yes. They are heavy and a bigger investment, so be sure you will use them.

What tools do I need?

A chimney starter for charcoal, a probe thermometer, long tongs, and a grill brush cover most needs. Sharp table cutlery from the best affordable steak knives list helps serve the meat.

Can I use olive oil on the grill?

Light brushing is fine. For marinades and finishing, see the best brand of extra virgin olive oil guide.