Best BBQ Grills in Boston for 2022 (Reviews / Ratings / Prices)

Every year, this article changes drastically depending on product availability. Like last year, 2022 will be tough to find a grill.

In this article, you will learn all about the best grills to buy, whether you like to smoke, sear, roast by rotisserie, or throw a couple of burgers on the grill now and then.

Smart grills or Wi-Fi-enabled grills have become popular and more mainstream. These grills will tell you when to flip your burger or remove it off the grill entirely.

However, one company stopped producing their smart grill while one has flourished. You will learn which one to buy and why. I will also show you the differences between pellet, charcoal, gas, and professional (pro) grills. 

Lastly, if you consider an outdoor space with a grill, cabinets, and other options, we will show you step-by-step how to design your space. Reimagining a space is fun when you have the template.

Overall, there is a lot to learn. You will have plenty of videos to walk you through. I will be happy to answer any questions you ask in the comments below.

Short on time? Get our free BBQ Buying Guide

How to Buy an Outdoor BBQ Grill

Weber Premium Spirit Gas Grill 

You may ask why we only sell six lines of BBQ grills. We have tried almost every grill on the market. There are a few decent grills we do not sell.

Most of the time, however, a grill has failed to perform. A few years ago, our chef placed her hand in the middle of a grill at a high output burner to demonstrate a cold spot. That's not a grill you want to buy.

Other times, brands are not durable enough to last outdoors in New England weather freezing for four months out of the year. In Arizona or Vegas, the weather is not an issue. It's different in New England. 

If you buy an unknown brand, see a demonstration and read reviews. However, your first question should be, how do you like to grill?

Knowing how you want to grill will determine what type of grill is right for you. Unless you buy a Kalamazoo (starting at about $12,000), there is no "best" grill. Each type has its strengths and drawbacks. Let's look at the different types of grills.

Types of Outdoor BBQ Grills

Pellet Grills

Traeger Wood Pellet Grill 

Pros: Pellet grills give you flavor from indirect convection heat without flare-ups. You can also customize the taste with different types of flavored pellets. Pellet grills are perfect for people who like the low and slow type of cooking.

Not to mention, most pellet grills are advanced enough so that you can control the temperatures and settings through an app on your phone.

Cons: They cannot reach the heat of the gas at 500-600 degrees. It's an oven designed for the outdoors. You can't throw a few burgers on your grill and cook for a few minutes. You also must add pellets every time you cook and clean as well.

Pellet grills are both loved and not loved (to be diplomatic). You may like a pellet grill if you like to smoke or slow cook. Do not buy a pellet for speed.

Charcoal Grills

Weber Charcoal Grill

Pro: Charcoal adds flavor and texture because you can reach higher temperatures like a gas grill. You can sear and char as well.

Cons: Grilling with charcoal can be a chore. You must add charcoal and remove the ash. It's not as easy to control as a gas grill or precise. Charcoal is for true BBQ lovers. 

Gas Grills

Weber Genesis II Gas Grill

Pro: Gas grills can reach 900-1100 degrees. Gas grills are fast, hot, and easy to clean. Nine hundred degrees is also self-cleaning. You have infrared sear zones on many grills to precisely sear your meats. The rotisserie is even and easy on a gas grill.

Con: It lacks the flavor and texture of either charcoal or pellet. The pellet salespeople will always ask, "what does gas taste like?"

Hybrid Grills

Kalamazoo Hybrid Grill at Yale Appliance in Framingham 

Pro: One of my friends is a professional grill master and competes in state BBQ competitions. His BBQ is custom for charcoal and gas for speed, flavor, and texture.

Kalamazoo's hybrid grill is the closest to a grill of this caliber. Without question, this is the best grill you can buy.

Con: Despite being the best, it's also the most expensive grill sold, starting at $21,000 for a hybrid.

Burner Output Differences in Grills

The BBQ grill brands in this article are made with similar materials with strikingly similar BTU outputs. The chart below does not include a wood pellet or charcoal grills.

Many of the outputs are the same in the professional category (Hestan, Kalamazoo, and Lynx). However, the construction is slightly different, and each has its strengths.

Hestan has its diamond-cut grates with the ability to hold a sear. Lynx has its variable sear burner and all-weather ceramic burner. DCS has the ceramic rods to be able to sear on any part of the grill.

What's the Difference Between a Professional Grill and Regular Gas Grill?

As you may have guessed, pro grills are more well-constructed. However, the two most notable features are burner output and sear elements.

Burner Output

Weber Summit Gas Burners

You look at the best Weber Summit and a smaller Lynx grill. The BTUs look similar at 50,000 and 60,000 BTU. Yet, there is a stark difference in performance.

A Lynx professional grill has fewer, hotter 25,000 BTU elements vs. six 10,000 BTU elements for a Weber Summit grill. Thus, a professional grill cooks faster.

SearingLynx BBQ Grill Infrared Burners

Sear elements are important as well. Infrared is the best because it is more direct and intense heat. Do you want those lines on your food? Use infrared (shown above).

Many other sear grates and sear zones are just an additional row of gas burners. Gas sear zones spread the flame and the heat further and are not as intense.

Price

The best Weber is less than $3,000, whereas you will spend over $3,000 for a Lynx Sedona.

Best BBQ Grills in Boston for 2022

Best Grill for the Occasional Griller: Weber Spirit and Genesis Series Grills

Models:

• Spirit E-210 Gas Grill 46110001 - $503
• Spirit E-310 Gas Grill 46510001 - $611
• Spirit II E-310 Gas Grill 45010001 - $566
• Spirit E-330 Gas Grill 46810001 - $728
• Spirit S-315 Gas Grill 46502001 - $701
• Spirit SP-335 Gas Grill 46802101 - $827

We have tried every competitive grill brand over the last 15 years. Weber's grills are reliable and last. This Spirit is the least expensive, starting at $429.

The Weber Spirit series is the only Weber grill with two burners to fit into smaller spaces. The side tables on the non-side burner models can also fold down for more accessible storage.

However, you will have problems finding the Spirit in 2022. So, look at their Genesis SP-E-325.

Weber Genesis Grill SP-E-325s - $1,029

This year, the Weber Genesis series is all-new with a hotter sear burner at 13,000 BTU. Weber also introduced the OGS system allowing you to do more than simply grill.

The OGS system is a frame kit accommodating different accessories to cook better. You can buy different accessories like a griddle, a rotisserie basket for crisping French fries, or making popcorn.

You can buy the roasting basket to grill veggies so they do not slip through the crevices of the grates. Pizza will be easy to cook with their baking stone accessory as well.

However, Weber's new accessories are not out yet but will hopefully be available later this year.

Best Professional Grill for the Gourmet Griller: Kalamazoo Freestanding Hybrid Fire Grill K500HS - $21,995

If you love to grill, this is the best on the market.

Kalamazoo is made to order only. The grill is deeper than any other on the market, providing a natural convection system for more evenly cooked food. The other main difference is the hybrid drawer, using charcoal or wood.

Kalamazoo is the only grill with the speed of professional gas and the flavor and texture of charcoal and wood.

You can even customize the grates based on the food you're grilling. It is also available in marine-grade steel. This is the only grill designed to withstand the elements if you live by the ocean.

Note about Marine-Grade Stainless Steel: Type 316L stainless can rust a bit. The industry term is called "tea staining." Of course, the marine grade is a retail term, not actual steel.

Lead times for Kalamazoo are at least eight weeks (about two months). Given the current supply crisis, that's considered excellent.

Best Pro Grill Head: Kalamazoo Grill Head Available in 42 and 48 Inches

You can now buy a Kalamazoo grill head, also known as a rangetop. Kalamazoo's grill head is without a hybrid drawer for the first time in their history.

However, the unit is the best insulated at 360 pounds versus 240 for the average of all the other brands. Kalamazoo is taller and deeper to allow the natural convection airflow for more even grilling.

The price is $12,500, so it's almost competitive with similar grilling range tops.

Most Popular Grill: Weber Genesis Series Grills

Models:

• Weber Genesis SP-E-325s - $1,029
• Weber Genesis SP-E-335 - $1,299
• Weber Genesis SX-335 - $1,449
• Weber Genesis SL-435 - $1,599

The Genesis is a popular grill series sold at Yale. Weber has focused on the Genesis series with two different improvements.

First, they completely redesigned its popular Genesis line two years ago with the GS4. This includes a new first-strike ignition, Flavorizer bars, and better grease management. Then two years ago, Weber exclusively relaunched the Genesis series as 3 and 4 burner grills.

The differences between Genesis grills are:

• The side burners
• Stainless steel vs. porcelain grates
• Sear burner
• Flavorizer bars
• A finished bottom cabinet

Of course, that is important to know if all Genesis grills were available this year. They aren't.

The differences between the four listed are having side burners, smart capability, and the larger four-burner size,

The other improvement is the OGS mentioned above with the ability to griddle, sear, roast, and bake with a baking stone.

Most Available: DCS Series 9 Grills BE1-48RC-L ($7,936) and BE1-36RC-L ($6,398)

You may buy a DCS just because it will be the most available. It's an excellent grill and a bit different than the others. All the grills listed below have 25,000 BTU per burner and another 18,000 BTU rotisserie burner in the back.

However, DCS is an all-sear grill meaning the whole surface can reach 1100 degrees by employing ceramic elements throughout the grill.

Lynx and Hestan use an infrared element for more directed heat than a more diffused source like a gas burner. At 1100 degrees, you will have a decent sear.

The DCS Series 9 also has the wood and charcoal basket accessory to infuse a smokey flavor to your grilled food.

Best Professional Grills: Lynx and Hestan Pro BBQ Grills

Lynx 42" Freestanding Grill L42TRF-NG - $10,241

Models:

• Lynx 42" Freestanding Grill L42ATRF-LP - $10,241

Lynx started the whole professional grill segment. Lynx is known for its powerful trident-shaped burners. They changed their burner from solid cast brass to a weatherproof ceramic burner a year ago.

Their sear element is also variable from 300-to 1000 degrees, so you can easily sear more delicate items like fruits, veggies, and meats. Just be careful. You can over-sear as well.

Honorable Mention: Lynx 30" All Trident w/ Rotisserie Freestanding Grill L30ATRF-LP - $6,290

Some people love this grill, but it is not for everyone. An all-sear grill is made of all infrared burners instead of regular gas.

Unless you buy it without a sear, Lynx's regular gas grills will have one infrared burner for searing. We have written posts comparing the two. Briefly, infrared is more intense, direct heat, whereas the regular gas burner diffuses the heat.

You'll be able to cook faster on infrared, but you can burn your food more easily.

Hestan 42" Freestanding Grill GMBR42CX2-LP-OR - $14,795

Models:

• Hestan 42" Freestanding Grill GMBR42CX2-NG - $13,355

The giant commercial supplier, Meyer, is behind the Hestan grill. It is already the best-looking grill available in 12 designer finishes.

Hestan boasts a BTU output of 25,000 BTU per burner, plus 25,000 just for searing, so it's immensely powerful.

It has a rotisserie system holding 50 pounds of meat with a 12,000-18,000 BTU variable infrared burner. You can evenly cook the meat on your rotisserie or on the top shelf, which can cook quickly for a good secondary quick sear burner.

The hood will stop wherever you want, so you can open it slightly to cool down your grill. Hestan has thicker diamond cut grades. They retain heat better, so you can effectively sear on every inch of their grill.

Budget Pick Pro Grills: Aspire by Hestan and Lynx Sedona

Aspire 36" Built-In Grill in Black EMBR36-LP-BK - $4,886

Models:

• Aspire 30" Built-In Grill EAB30-LP - $3,437
• Aspire 36" Built-In Grill in Black EMBR36-LP-BK - $4,886
• Aspire 42" Built-In Grill EMBR42-NG - $5,381

You have to be careful about buying a product advertised as less expensive but with pro-style performance.

Most of the time, grills have the less expensive part, but the "pro" part is lacking. You have to look at the fit, finish, burners, and grates before buying.

That said, the Aspire by Hestan is like the regular line. The burners are 23,000 BTU, only 2,000 BTU less than their regular line with the same sear burner of 25,000 BTU.

It doesn't have diamond grates. It also only has nine signature colors instead of 12. The is like Hestan's regular line but with less power per burner and not as powerful as infrared burners.

Best Pellet Grill: Traeger Timberline 1300 Wood Fire Pellet Grill TFB01WLE - $1,999

Grilling with wood-fired pellets is suitable for low and slow cooking with the ability to add flavor.

They are advertised as grills, so the expectation is fast, which at 500 degrees max is not possible in a pellet type grill. The Timberlane 1300 has better construction, so you don't lose a ton of heat when opened like their less expensive models. Their WiFIRE Wi-Fi system allows you to monitor your grill through an app on your phone.

Traeger is a popular, fast-growing company, so sometimes their customer service is lacking. You may want to consider buying it from a retailer (I rarely say this). In this instance, you can see a demo, talk to someone, and quickly deal with problems.

Smart Grills

Smart grills do more than tell you when to flip your burger. App-driven grilling has been around since 2015 and has evolved since then. You can access recipes, then grill to that recipe automatically.

Lynx and Weber are at the forefront of smart technology. Lynx is no longer available, yet Weber has been incredibly successful.

Let's look at both.

Best Smart Grill: Weber Genesis Smart Grill SX-335 - $1,449

The Weber is simple yet effective. It's based on the Bluetooth temperature probes sending the internal temperatures then alerting you to flip your food or remove it from the grill entirely. You also have access to recipes.

How to Plan Your Outdoor Kitchen

Hestan Built-In Grill and Outdoor Kitchen

You want to plan a grill in your outdoor kitchen. Outside living is becoming more popular even in Boston. We have a blog post and 12 webinars devoted to the subject.

Who Builds Outdoor Kitchens

The architect? The builder? Your landscaper? Your contractor? Cabinet shop? Appliance store? Figuring out who designs it is an important step. Always check reviews.

What Is Your Entertainment Strategy?

Are you living outside or just grilling a few burgers? That will determine the size and scope of the project.

You have four layouts you can work with:

• Island
• L-Shaped
• U-Shaped
• Galley

Ventilation

Ventilation has become a key issue for basic gas ranges. A professional grill with an output of 120,000 BTU or more will expose infrared burners.

You should leave the grill outside or plan a high CFM hood to extract the smoke or heat.

Materials

How do you know whether the cabinets can weather the elements? That's the challenge of creating an outdoor space. However, you can plan most of it yourself.

There is plenty of DIY (do it yourself) options. Just be careful. You want to ensure it can withstand a New England winter beating.

The best DIY is Hestan. It's a beautiful piece of stainless steel designed for a Hestan grill. The starting price is $18,000.

The most versatile is Urban Bonfire. They manufacture exclusively outdoor cabinets in Montreal of all places. Their designs start at $7,000 and can support any grill.

If you want to learn how to plan your outdoor space, click this link for the step-by-step blog article or feel free to watch the video below from our latest online seminar.

Key Takeaways

First, you cannot buy the "best" grill. That said, what is your style of grilling? Do you like cooking all day? Do you want speed, texture, and flavor?

Each grill type has its advantages and drawbacks. Buy the grill best suited to your style of cooking, whether you prefer gas, pellet, or charcoal grills. And yes, you can plan your outdoor kitchen.

Additional Resources

Get the Yale BBQ Grill Buying Guide with features, specs, and tips to all the brands. Over1 million people have already found answers in a Yale Guide.

Related Articles:

• Best Professional Outdoor BBQ Grills
• What's the Difference Between Weber Spirit, Genesis, and Summit Series Grills?
• How to Design an Outdoor Kitchen