A guide to grills, smokers and everything in between

Plan an open-air feast

Story by Sheila Paz

Outdoor cooking goes far beyond just tossing burgers on the grill — it’s about enhancing flavors, embracing the joy of cooking in the great outdoors and getting creative with your culinary skills. Whether you consider yourself a backyard barbecue champion or a campfire culinary adventurer, each method brings its own unique perks, quirks and, yes, sometimes a little smoke in your eyes. Here’s a look at the top outdoor cooking options, with pros, cons and plenty of food for thought to inspire your next open-air feast.

King of the backyard

The BBQ grill is the reigning champion of outdoor cooking, known for delivering that unmistakable smoky flavor that’ll have your neighbors peeking over the fence. Whether you’re team propane for speed or team charcoal for authenticity, this grill handles everything from steaks, to seafood, to that lone veggie skewer.

Pros: Versatile, imparts smoky flavors and makes you feel like a grill master — even when all you’re flipping is burgers.

Cons: Requires babysitting (we’re talking fire flare-ups),  and charcoal demands patience (those coals take their sweet time).

Best foods: Steaks, chicken, burgers, veggies, seafood — anything that won’t slip through the grates.

Hot pick: Lynx 42” Professional Built-In Grill Brantley King, owner of Billy Wood Appliances, recommends upgrading to this high-end model offers powerful burners, precise temperature control and versatility for a wide range of dishes, ensuring restaurant-quality results right in your backyard.

Slow & smoky magician

Smokers are for the dedicated food lover, the one willing to give up an afternoon to achieve perfectly smoked meats that melt in your mouth. If you’ve got time and patience, the smoker is the tool that takes humble cuts of meat and turns them into a culinary masterpiece.

Pros: Deep, smoky flavor that makes you feel like a pitmaster. The “set it and forget it” approach (mostly).

Cons: Time-consuming: temperature control is key (so yeah, you’re still checking on it) and it’s not great if you’re in a rush.

Best foods: Brisket, ribs, pulled pork, smoked chicken — basically anything that turns heads at a barbecue competition.

Hot Pick: The Traeger Pro 575 Pellet Grill offers the convenience of a wood pellet grill with precise temperature control via its WiFire technology. It’s ideal for beginners and experienced smokers alike, delivering that coveted low-and-slow flavor with ease.

Flat-top hero

If the BBQ grill is the king, the Blackstone griddle is the breakfast buffet champion. Perfect for pancakes, bacon, eggs and a stir-fry thrown in for good measure, it’s a culinary multitasker that turns every meal into an all-day diner experience.

Pros: Huge cooking surface, perfect for feeding a crowd. Even heat distribution means no sad, undercooked spots.

Cons: Bulky and about as portable as a kitchen island. Flat foods only — no fancy flame searing here.

Best foods: Pancakes, stir-fries, fajitas, burgers, grilled sandwiches — anything that loves a good flat-top.

Hot pick: Blackstone 36-Inch Flat Top Griddle With a whopping 720 square inches of cooking space and four independent heat zones, this griddle is a powerhouse for preparing large meals. Perfect for backyard breakfasts or big cookouts, this model delivers versatility and ease. 

Your backyard slice of Italy

An outdoor pizza oven doesn’t just cook pizzas — it’s a party waiting to happen. These ovens reach blistering temperatures that turn dough into crispy, chewy perfection in just minutes. Your guests will think you moonlight as a Neapolitan pizza chef.

Pros: Cooks pizzas fast. Impresses everyone and adds a crispy char to your creations.

Cons: Limited to pizza and flatbreads (sadly, no pasta), and it takes time to heat up — just like you before a night out.

Best foods: Thin-crust pizza, flatbreads, calzones, anything that benefits from a blast of heat and crispy edges.

Hot pick: The Ooni Koda 16 Pizza Oven is a gas-powered outdoor pizza oven that heats to 932 degrees and cooks pizzas in just 60 seconds. Its large cooking surface allows for versatility beyond pizza, making it perfect for flatbreads and roasting veggies.

The pioneer’s choice

Dutch oven cooking has been around for centuries, and for good reason — it’s a slow-cooking powerhouse that can handle everything from stews to freshly baked bread. Suspended over a fire on a tripod, this setup feels like a pioneer’s dream kitchen.

Pros: Excellent for slow-cooking, holds heat like a pro and can handle a variety of dishes. It’s like the crockpot of the wild.

Cons: Bulky, heavy and not exactly something you casually tote on a day hike. If you’re in a hurry, this isn’t the tool for you.

Best foods: Stews, soups, baked beans, cobblers and breads that’ll make you feel like you’re living off the land.

Hot pick: The Lodge 6-Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven is perfect for campfire cooking, with its durable cast-iron construction and excellent heat retention. Whether you’re simmering stews or baking cobblers, this classic Dutch oven delivers consistent results every time.

Smokeless wonder

The Solo Stove is like the cool, minimalist cousin of the campfire — sleek, smokeless and perfect for those who love outdoor cooking without the hassle of smelling like smoke. It’s a portable powerhouse that burns clean and cooks quickly.

Pros: Smokeless, portable and foolproof. It’s the ultimate “no-mess, no-stress” option for outdoor cooking.

Cons: Best for smaller meals — you won’t be roasting a turkey on this one. It’s also less versatile than a grill or traditional campfire.

Best foods: Hot dogs, sausages, grilled cheese and simple skillet meals that are just as satisfying under the stars.

Hot pick: The Solo Stove Bonfire is the ultimate smokeless fire pit, perfect for clean, efficient outdoor cooking. Its airflow design minimizes smoke and maximizes heat, making it a great choice for simple meals or relaxing by the fire without all the fuss of traditional campfire setups.

For the rustic adventurer

There’s something primal and satisfying about cooking over an open flame with a campfire grate. It’s rugged, it’s rustic, and it’s the cooking method for people who enjoy the occasional whiff of campfire smoke and singed marshmallows.

Pros: No need for gas or electricity — just a good old-fashioned fire. Adds a nostalgic, woodsy flavor to your meals.

Cons: Requires constant attention because who wants their sausages to end up in the ashes? Uneven heat distribution is just part of the deal.

Best foods: Kebabs, sausages, burgers, foil-wrapped veggies and cast iron dishes — because we all love a good campfire stew.

Hot pick: The Texsport Heavy-Duty Over Fire Camp Grill is sturdy, dependable and perfect for cooking over an open flame. Its large surface area can handle multiple dishes at once, and its rugged build ensures longevity for all your outdoor adventures.

The on-the-go chef’s best friend

The camp stove is for when you want a hot meal but don’t want to deal with the unpredictability of fire. Compact and portable, it’s perfect for making quick, satisfying meals when you’re out in the wilderness (or the backyard).

Pros: Portable, easy to use and requires zero fire-building skills. Great for whipping up a meal when you’re short on time.

Cons: Limited cooking space, and those gas canisters seem to run out at the worst possible time. Not ideal for elaborate feasts.

Best foods: Scrambled eggs, pancakes, pasta, burritos — quick and easy meals to keep you going.

Hot pick: The Coleman Classic Propane Stove is the perfect companion for camping or picnicking. Lightweight, reliable and easy to use, its dual-burner design allows you to cook two dishes simultaneously, making it a camp chef’s dream.