I have cooked on a lot of grills over the years. Pellet, gas, kamado, and good old charcoal. Some were great right out of the box. Others looked good online but disappointed once the fire was lit.
This page is where I keep all my grill reviews in one place. Everything here is based on real backyard cooking, not spec sheets or marketing claims.
I focus on how a grill actually performs when there’s meat on the grates, smoke in the air, and dinner on the line.
Pellet Grills
Pellet grills have come a long way, and in my opinion, they’re becoming the go-to choice for backyard cooking in 2026. They give you real wood-smoke flavor, steady temperatures, and a lot less fuss than traditional charcoal setups.
I have used my pellet grills for long overnight cooks, quick weekday meals, and everything in between. When I review a pellet grill, I’m paying attention to how well it holds temp, how easy it is to control, and whether it actually makes life easier when you’ve got food to cook.
You can see all my pellet grill reviews here. Each review breaks down what I liked, what annoyed me, and who the grill is really for.
Kamado Grills
Kamado grills are a different animal. They’re heavy, ceramic, and built to hold heat like nothing else I’ve cooked on. Once they’re dialed in, they can run low and slow for hours or crank up hot enough to sear steaks like a blast furnace. I use kamado grills when temperature control really matters and I want deep charcoal flavor without constantly chasing the fire.
I don’t review Kamado grills casually. These are serious cookers, and I spend real time learning their airflow, heat retention, and quirks before forming an opinion.
In my kamado grill reviews, I focus on how stable they are during long cooks, how easy they are to manage, and whether the build quality matches the price tag.
Gas Grills
Gas grills are all about speed and convenience. When I want to fire something up after work or cook for a crowd without messing with fuel and airflow, this is usually what I reach for. A good gas grill should heat up fast, hold a steady temperature, and have enough control to handle everything from burgers to indirect cooks.
In my gas grill reviews, I pay close attention to burner layout, heat consistency across the grates, and how easy the grill is to use day in and day out. I’m not impressed by shiny lids or fancy side shelves. I care about real cooking performance, solid construction, and whether the grill still feels good to use after the honeymoon phase is over.
Charcoal Grills
Charcoal grills are where it all started for me. There’s something about building a fire, adjusting the vents, and cooking over real coals that just feels right. Charcoal takes a little more patience, but it rewards you with flavor and control that no shortcut can replace. This is the style of grilling I always come back to when I want that classic backyard experience.
I’m slowly working on more hands-on charcoal grill reviews, focusing on how easy the grill is to manage, how well it handles both direct and indirect heat, and whether it’s built to last. As I spend more time cooking on different charcoal setups, this section will grow. For now, this is where I’ll keep everything related to real charcoal grilling, without rushing reviews just to fill space.
Offset Smoker
Offset smokers are for cooks who enjoy the process as much as the result. They take time, patience, and a willingness to tend the fire, but the flavor you get when everything is dialed in is hard to beat. I use offset smokers when I want full control over the cook and that deep, traditional smoke profile you just don’t get any other way.
I’m starting to spend more time testing offsets, and my offset smoker reviews will focus on fire management, airflow, build quality, and how stable the smoker stays during long cooks. These aren’t “set it and forget it” machines, and I don’t judge them that way. As I cook on more offset smokers, this section will grow with real-world feedback and honest impressions from behind the firebox.
Drum Smoker
Drum smokers don’t get as much hype as some other cookers, but they flat-out work. They are simple, efficient, and great at holding steady temperatures once they’re dialed in. I like drum smokers for low-and-slow cooks where I want consistent heat, good airflow, and solid smoke without a lot of moving parts.
When I do drum smoker reviews, I focus on airflow control, fuel efficiency, and how easy the smoker is to manage during longer cooks. A good drum smoker should not need constant babysitting, and it should produce clean smoke without a bunch of fuss.
Grill Reviews – My Experience
I don’t rush reviews, and I don’t review grills based on specs alone. Everything on this page comes from real cooks in my own backyard, using different fuels, temperatures, and styles of cooking.
Some grills earn a permanent spot in my rotation. Others teach me what to avoid next time.
My grill reviews are updated as I spend more time cooking on each setup. As new grills and smokers get added, this page grows with them. If it’s listed here, it is because I learned its strengths and weaknesses and felt confident sharing that experience.
Eddie van Aken – The Grilling Dutchman
Eddie van Aken brings years of experience from running a full-service restaurant, where he honed his skills with all types of kitchen equipment. His expertise extends to mastering the art of outdoor cooking, utilizing the right recipes to enhance flavors on grills and smokers. Eddie’s in-depth knowledge allows him to provide comprehensive grill reviews and valuable outdoor cooking tips, helping enthusiasts make the most of their grilling adventures. You can read more on the About page for Eddie van Aken