Find the grill or smoker type that fits how you cook, where you will use it, and how much work you want to put in
Choosing a grill or smoker involves more than deciding between gas, charcoal, or pellets. The right choice also depends on where you will use it, what you like to cook, how quickly you want to get started, and how much fire management and cleanup you want to deal with. The Grill & Smoker Finder uses those answers to narrow the field and show which cooker types deserve a closer look.
Most people answer 8 to 11 questions. You can go back, change an answer, or start over. No email address or account is required. Your answers stay in your browser and are not stored as an individual response on our server.
Grill & Smoker Finder
Tell us how you actually cook, and we’ll help you find the type of grill or smoker that fits best.
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How the Grill & Smoker Finder works
The Finder first checks for practical limits that could rule out or complicate a cooker where you plan to use it. These may include property rules, safe placement, available fuel or electricity, storage, delivery access, and whether the full setup fits your budget.
It then looks at the way you normally cook. That includes what you make most often, how quickly you want to get started, whether you enjoy managing a fire, how much cleanup you are willing to accept, and whether a cooker you already own covers part of the job.
Your result may point to one clear fit, ask you to compare two reasonable choices, or flag something you need to confirm before buying. In some cases, the better answer may be to repair what you own, try a cooker first, choose together with the person who will use it, or wait until the timing is better.
Use the recommendation to narrow the field, then check the current manual and requirements for the exact model you are considering. A type of cooker may suit you well even though a particular model does not.
Where to go after you get your result
Your result helps you decide which type of cooker to look at first. These guides can help you understand that category, compare actual models, and make sure the one you choose will work where you plan to use it.
Learn about the cooker type
Use the grill and smoker type guide to see what your recommended category does well, its main tradeoffs, and when another type may fit better.
Compare current models
Once you know the category, browse our researched model recommendations to compare who each model suits, realistic setup costs, and the main tradeoff that comes with each pick.
Check the exact cooker
Before ordering, use the pre-purchase checklist to confirm fuel, electrical needs, placement, delivery access, assembly, storage, and the full setup cost.
Looking for help with quantities, cook times, brining, or smoke wood? Browse all of our BBQ tools and calculators.
Sources, method, and editorial independence
The Grill & Smoker Finder uses a rules-based decision system informed by the research documented in our grill and smoker type guide, including manufacturer manuals and product information, independent evaluations, and safety guidance from the U.S. Fire Administration and National Fire Protection Association.
No retailer, affiliate relationship, sponsored placement, or product promotion influences the recommendation. The Finder recommends a cooker type, not a particular model, and cannot verify local rules, property restrictions, installation requirements, or the current instructions for the cooker you are considering.
Before buying, confirm the current manual and requirements for the exact model and where you plan to use it. The decision rules are tested against defined buyer scenarios and were last reviewed July 30, 2026.
Corrections and editorial standards
- Spotted something wrong or outdated? Send a correction through our Corrections & Updates page.
- How we handle sources, testing, and updates: Read our Editorial Standards.
About the author
James Roller documents South Carolina barbecue for Destination BBQ and authored the SC BBQ cookbook Going Whole Hog. For the Grill & Smoker Finder, he combines practical outdoor-cooking experience with extensive research into cooker types, ownership tradeoffs, manufacturer requirements, and official safety guidance.
