The classic choice, a versatile charcoal grill is easy to use and adds an authentic barbecue flavor to any grilled food. They're very simple—basically giant steel bowls that hold smoldering charcoal—which makes them affordable and very dependable.

A charcoal grill is also capable of producing very high heat, which is great for searing meat. But reaching those temperatures can take upwards of 20 minutes, and the heat isn't evenly distributed throughout the cooking area. Charcoal grills also tend to have a higher long term fuel cost, though charcoal is typically easy to find at any supermarket.

Best For: Those with backyards, and who are grilling purists that want an authentic, smoky flavor. The higher temperature (compared to gas) allows for easier seared meat.

Disadvantages: Set up is more involved that with an gas grill; it can take anywhere from 15-45 minutes. Because of the ash created from burning charcoal, these grills involve the most clean-up. Charcoal grills are usually banned on apartment and condominium balconies, due to the risk of fire from stray hot embers.

Electric grills plug into a standard wall outlet, and use an electric heating element to cook food. Like gas grills, they don't alter the flavor of the food being cooked. The heat is very even, and easy to control, but electric grills usually can't reach the high temperature levels of charcoal or gas grills. One plus to electric grills is that they're the only type of grill that can safely be used indoors.

Best For: City dwellers living in condos or apartments that can't use charcoal or gas as a fuel source.

Disadvantages: Electric grills do not offer the authentic BBQ flavor, and do not get as hot as a flame-producing grill.

Natural gas grills require the installation of a dedicated gas line. While they are more expensive to install, natural gas grills tend to have lower fuel costs over time. Cooking food on a natural gas grill requires a connection to your home's gas line. An ignition switch creates a spark to create flames, then the heat is tranferred to the cooking grates. As an added bonus, a natural gas grill's utility extends beyond that of a traditional grill. Some natural gas grill models even offer features that let you roast, braise, bake or fry.

Best For: Impatient chefs looking to quickly fire up the grill and get to work. Also for those who do not want to worry about preparation or clean up.

Disadvantages: Authentic BBQ flavor can be lost on natural grills. Also, price tags and installation costs can be higher.

One of the most popular choices, a liquid propane grill is easy to use and has significantly less clean up than charcoal grills. Simply turn the knobs, press a button, and you're ready to go.

Propane grills also come with several options that aren't available on charcoal grills. Users can easily adapt their propane grill for natural gas and have access to features like side burners and infrared burners.

Best For: Anyone looking for an easy to use grill with a selection of features, without the extra expenses of natural gas and charcoal. Quick and easy setup and cleanup make propane a good choice for inpatient grillers who enjoy properly cooked food but don't care about authentic flavor.

Disadvantages: Though hauling around the propane tank and finding a place to refill them may be a hassle, the real disadvantage is the possibility of running out of propane while grilling. Seasoned grillers typically combat this by keeping a second propane tank on hand.

Smokers are a specialty item for slow cooking foods with unique and rich flavor. Smokers bathe food in waves of rich smoke to add an intense, succulent, and smoky flavor. Designed for long and slow cooking at low temperatures, smokers take patience, but ultimately lead to an amazingly authentic taste.

Best For: A barbeque naturalist that wants a true, authentic, natural, rich smoky flavor. Good for anyone who wants to get the process started and sit back and let the smoker do the work.

Disadvantages: Smokers aren't as versatile as the alternatives; their design is focused towards certain foods and loses effectiveness on others. Smoking food is also a time investment and is not as versatile as alternative grilling methods. Another disadvantage is that smoking can be accomplished on a gas or charcoal grill.

Fueled by hardwood pellets, this new type of grill offers many of the benefits of both charcoal and gas grills. Wood-pellet grills use a digital control system to automatically dispense the necessary amount of wood pellets into the grill, based on your temperature settings. An induction fan pulls in and circulates outside air, creating a convection cooking process. This precise control provides the even cooking surface of a gas grill. But since the pellets create smoke as they burn, food gains the smoky flavors of charcoal. The result is the best of the two types of grilling.

Best for: those looking for the benefits of both gas and charcoal grills.

Disadvantages: Tend to be more expensive, are dependent on electricity so they're not portable.

Ceramic grills, as their name suggests, are made out of porcelain glazed ceramic. These Grills are immensely efficient at retaining both moisture and heat. This is due to the ceramic material and dome shaped lid, which absorbs and radiates heat back to your food. In addition to the advanced shape and material of Ceramic Grills, dampers located on the top and bottom have been added to provide easy control of the airflow and internal temperature. To properly use the dampers, simply keep them open for a higher internal temperature or keep them closed for a lower temperature. Keep in mind, the dampers will be extremely hot while the grill is in use, so be sure to wear grill gloves before any adjustments.

Ceramic grills use charcoal as a fuel source and can provide cooking temperatures ranging from 150 degrees to 700 degrees, making them the perfect option for 2-zone system grilling. For those new to the 2-Zone grilling system, it is when coals are placed on only one side of the grill. This allows for the griller to have multiple cooking zones, one that offers direct heat, the other indirect.

Best for: people who enjoy cooking many different types of grilled cuisine. Those who are looking for an authentic bbq flavor.

Disadvantages: Ceramic grills tend to be on the expensive side, and are on the heavier side which limits their portability.

Capable of reaching the high temperatures necessary to cook everyone's favorite meal, outdoor pizza ovens come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Although some models use propane or natural gas, wood fire pizza ovens are generally able to reach higher temperatures, allowing you to cook your pizzas quickly while providing them with a deliciously crisp crust. Of the wood fire ovens, you can choose between classic designs that burn full logs to generate heat and models that use wood pellets. While pellets prove more efficient than standard logs, they're often more expensive and detract from the traditional experience which can be a especially fun when entertaining guests.

Another important detail to consider when selecting a pizza oven is the material of the inner oven itself. The two primary options are stainless steel and ceramic, often refractory cement. Stainless steel has a higher thermal conductivity than ceramics do. This means that steel ovens will preheat more quickly and transfer heat to your pizza more quickly. However, speed isn't everything. Refractory cement mimics the properties of a traditional brick oven, heating slowly and gradually transferring heat to your pizza. Ceramic ovens still take just minutes to cook your pizza and, thanks to the gradual temperature change, typically produce better results.

Best For: Pizza makers, or pizzaiolos, looking for a better way to make an authentic pie. Pizza ovens are also great for any recipe that calls for especially high heat, from steaks and potatoes to fresh breads and roasted vegetables. Adventurous cooks will love the world of possibilities these ovens open up.

Disadvantages: Getting the oven up to temp takes a bit more effort than easy to use gas grills. Pizza ovens also tend to have a higher price tag than many of the other styles of grill.

Adding a flat top or griddle to your outdoor setup is ideal for those looking to cook more than standard BBQ fare. You can use a griddle either alongside a standard grill or in replacement of it, depending on your needs and cooking preferences. They're available in natural gas and liquid propane options so you can choose the fuel that best fits your current setup.

One of the best features of flat tops is their ability to cook so many types of food at the same time. You can still cook classics like steak and burgers, but you can also sizzle shrimp or flip panckaes alongside as well. An instant upgrade to your outdoor kitchen, these appliances add greater functionality to a standard BBQ setup; that way, you don't have to go back and forth from your kitchen to your yard to cook a meal. It also means you have less cookware to clean when you're done.

Best For: Making breakfast foods, cooking a large quantity of food at once, cooking all your food on a single surface or grilling smaller foods that would fall in between grill grates.

Disadvantages: Many flat top grills and griddles are expensive, so they may be cost-prohibitive. Depending on the material of the griddle, it will need proper cleaning and seasoning to prevent rusting.