Classic kettle charcoal grill
This traditional grill offers an authentic smoky flavor for backyard barbecues and outdoor gatherings.
Garden & DIY
Outdoor grills
8 kinds worth knowing, 8 picks, and what to check before you buy.
Outdoor grills usually go to someone who already cooks outside: the person who takes over the backyard every long weekend, or the one who's been making do with a tired old barbecue. The grills that get used are the ones that fit how that person cooks. Some want the smoky flavour and slow fire of charcoal grills. Others want a gas grill they can light after work and have dinner done in twenty minutes. Before you choose, think about where they live, how many people they feed and whether they like tinkering with fire or just want it to work. A grill is bulky and hard to return, so it's often better to confirm the space and fuel type quietly first.
Kind 1 of 8
Charcoal grills for real smoke flavour
Charcoal grills burn lump charcoal or briquettes, and they give food a smoky char that gas can't quite match. A classic kettle suits someone with a backyard who enjoys managing vents and coals. A compact portable model works for camping, cottage weekends, tailgates or a small patio. Before buying, check the cooking area against the number of people they usually feed, whether the lid and vents feel solid, and how ash is cleaned out. Also think about storage space, since charcoal and a chimney starter need a dry spot too.
Compact portable charcoal grill
Ideal for adventurers and small space dwellers, this grill allows for smoky flavor on camping trips or apartment balconies.
Kind 2 of 8
Gas grills for quick weeknight cooking
A gas grill runs on a propane tank or a natural gas line and heats up in minutes, which is why it's the everyday choice for many households. Multi-burner models let you cook hot on one side and gentle on the other. High-heat infrared burners are good for searing steaks. Propane pizza ovens fit here too, for someone who already grills and wants a new project. Check whether their home uses propane or natural gas, since the fittings differ. Also look at burner count, grate material and whether there's a side shelf for prep.
Multi-burner propane gas grill
A convenient option for quick weeknight meals and entertaining, providing precise temperature control for various foods.
High-heat infrared gas grill
Designed for searing steaks and locking in juices, this grill provides intense, even heat for professional-level results.
Kind 3 of 8
Electric grills for balconies and condos
An outdoor electric grill plugs into a standard outlet and needs no tank or charcoal. It suits condo and apartment dwellers whose building or strata rules limit propane and charcoal, and anyone who wants a small grill with little fuss. The flavour is milder than with fire, but it does burgers, vegetables and fish well. Before buying, check the recipient's building rules, whether there's an outdoor outlet near their balcony, and the size of the cooking surface. A lid helps it hold heat on cool spring and fall evenings.
Kind 4 of 8
Outdoor griddles for breakfast and smash burgers
An outdoor griddle swaps grates for a solid steel cooking surface, so it can handle eggs, pancakes, bacon, fried rice and smash burgers along with the usual barbecue food. It suits the family cook who feeds a crowd and the person who likes cooking outside for more than steak night. Check the size of the cooking surface, how grease drains away, and whether the steel is pre-seasoned or needs seasoning first. A cover is worth thinking about, since bare steel left outside through a Canadian winter can rust.
Kind 5 of 8
Propane griddles, from tabletop to full cart
Most outdoor griddles run on propane, and they come in two main styles. Tabletop models connect to a small canister or standard tank and travel well to campsites and cottages. Full cart models with two to four burners stay on the patio. The tabletop style suits campers and people with little space, and the cart style suits someone who cooks for a crowd often. Check how many separate heat zones it has, whether the legs fold, and which tank size it's designed to use.
Kind 6 of 8
Flat top grills for a patio centrepiece
A flat top grill is a large griddle built on a cart, often with side shelves, tool hooks and a hood, and it's meant to be the main cooking station outside. It suits someone who hosts often and wants one surface for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Before buying, measure the patio space, check that the grease trap is easy to reach and empty, and see whether a lid is included or sold separately. Some models let you swap in a grill grate, which adds flexibility.
Outdoor flat top griddle grill
This cooking surface transforms outdoor meals, allowing for breakfast, stir-fries, and traditional grilling with ease.
Kind 7 of 8
Kamado grills for smoking, searing and baking
A ceramic kamado style grill is a thick, egg-shaped cooker that holds heat very well. It can smoke ribs low and slow for hours, sear at very high heat, and bake pizza or bread. It suits the dedicated backyard cook who enjoys long projects and plans to stay in one place, since these grills are very heavy. Check that it comes with a sturdy stand or table, a heat deflector for indirect cooking, and a gasket around the lid. Also think about how it will be moved or covered in winter.
Ceramic kamado style grill
A highly efficient and versatile cooker known for its excellent heat retention, perfect for grilling, smoking, and baking.
Kind 8 of 8
Built-in grills for outdoor kitchens
A built-in grill is a grill head with no cart, made to drop into a stone, brick or cabinet outdoor kitchen. It's a gift for someone who is building or renovating an outdoor kitchen, not something to surprise them with. Before choosing, confirm the exact cut-out dimensions, whether the fuel is propane or natural gas, and whether the island needs an insulated jacket. It's best to coordinate with the person doing the build so the grill arrives before the countertop goes on.
Outdoor built in grill
Perfect for those designing a custom outdoor kitchen, this grill head integrates seamlessly into a permanent cooking island.
How to choose outdoor grills as a gift
- Find out whether they cook with propane, natural gas, charcoal or electricity before you shop, since this narrows the choice quickly.
- Measure the patio, deck or balcony, and check condo or strata rules on open flame.
- Match the size of the cooking surface to how many people they usually feed, not to the biggest party of the year.
- Think about the cook's style: tinkerers enjoy charcoal and kamados, while busy families usually get more use from gas.
- Add a fitted cover or a good set of tools so the grill is ready to use and protected through winter.
Usually safe to skip
- Gimmicky novelty grills with several functions tend to do each job poorly and end up in the garage.
- Skip a large cart grill for someone with a small balcony or building rules against propane and charcoal.
- Avoid choosing a built-in grill head without the exact cut-out measurements, since a wrong size can't be fitted.
Questions people ask about outdoor grills
- Is a charcoal or gas grill a better gift?
- It depends on the cook. A charcoal grill suits someone who enjoys managing a fire and wants smoky flavour. A gas grill suits someone who wants to cook quickly on weeknights with little setup and cleanup.
- What grill works for someone in a condo or apartment?
- An outdoor electric grill is usually the best fit, because many buildings limit propane and charcoal on balconies. Check the building rules and make sure there's an outlet near where the grill will sit.
- What's the difference between an outdoor griddle and a grill?
- A grill cooks over open grates, which gives char marks and smoky flavour. A griddle has a solid flat steel surface, so it can handle eggs, pancakes, stir-fries and smash burgers that would fall through grates.
Looking for one person in particular? Shop by person.
Everything else
All outdoor grills picks
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