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This guide takes a closer look at the indoor vs. outdoor grill debate.
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Indoor vs. Outdoor Grill: Which Is Better?
Updated Sep. 15, 2023
You can’t stop daydreaming about grilled steaks. It’s time to invest in a grill of your own. However, one of the big questions when shopping for a grill is choosing an indoor vs. outdoor grill.
Both types of grills have benefits and drawbacks. Here’s what you need to know about indoor and outdoor grills—and how to make the best choice for your needs.
The Pros & Cons of Indoor Grills
Indoor grills, like this popular model from Hamilton Beach ($90), allow you to whip up burgers, steaks and grilled vegetables without leaving your kitchen. We recommend indoor grills for anyone who doesn’t have enough space for an outdoor grill. They may leave something to be desired in terms of smoky flavor; however, they make up for it with a variety of other benefits.
Pros:
- Compact and portable
- Better heat distribution
- Easy to clean and maintain
- More versatile
- Year-round use, even in inclement weather
- More affordable
Cons:
- Less “grill” flavor
- Smaller cooking surface
- Unable to reach high temperatures
Because they’re more compact, indoor grills are typically best for cooking for just a few people at a time, and many can also be used as a griddle or panini press.
The Pros & Cons of Outdoor Grills
On the other hand, there are outdoor grills, which typically use charcoal or propane as a heating source and allow you to cook for many people at once. If you’re looking for that classic barbecue flavor, you’re going to need an outdoor grill to achieve it!
Pros:
- Smoky flavor
- Larger cooking area
- Powered by charcoal or gas
- Ideal for hosting more people
Cons:
- Reliant on good weather
- Charcoal delivers less consistent heat
- More work to maintain
- More expensive
As you can see, outdoor grills require a larger investment—both in terms of money, space and time—but many people think they’re worth it thanks to the delicious smoky flavor.
What to Consider When Choosing a Grill
The Flavor Factor
One of the major differences in the battle of indoor vs. outdoor grills is flavor. When you’re cooking on a charcoal grill, like this iconic Weber model ($165), your food is infused with the delicious smoky flavor that characterizes “true” barbecue. Unfortunately, even the most advanced indoor grills can’t deliver this same depth of flavor.
Ease of Use
We’ve found that outdoor charcoal grills burn hotter, and it can be tricky to keep the heat consistent across your grilling surface. Fortunately, gas-powered outdoor grills make this a little easier. With most outdoor grills, you will have to purchase charcoal or propane, clean out the drip pans or ash catcher, and scrub down the grates to keep your grill in top shape.
Indoor grills, on the other hand, are a bit quicker and easier to use. Because they use electricity, they provide a more evenly heated cooking surface, and most are quite easy to clean—a lot of indoor grills even have removable grates that can be put right in the dishwasher.
Grill Safety
No matter whether you’re grilling indoors or outdoors, it’s important to follow grill safety best practices to keep your summer barbecue from turning into a disaster.
Never leave the grill unattended, and make sure it’s been properly cleaned and maintained before use. Choose a safe grilling location away from decorations and flammable materials, and keep children away from the hot surface. You’ll also want to have a fire extinguisher close by.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, both indoor and outdoor grills will help you whip up delicious meals. If you’re strapped for space, an indoor grill is likely a more affordable and versatile option. It will work well if you’re cooking for a small family, too.
Those who regularly host barbecues, however, may like the ample grilling space an outdoor grill provides. And if you’re a flavor fanatic, keep in mind that outdoor grills are the undisputed champs when it comes to delicious smoky profiles.
Find the best grill for your cooking style.
Grilling Recipes You Need to Master
Grilled BruschettaThis is my go-to appetizer in the summer when tomatoes and basil are fresh from the garden. The balsamic glaze takes this bruschetta recipe over the top. I like to use a Tuscan herb- or basil-infused olive oil for this. But, it's great with just plain olive oil, too. —Brittany Allyn, Mesa, Arizona
Smoked Mac and CheeseI found this smoked mac and cheese recipe years ago in a magazine, and kept adding and taking away ingredients until I found the perfect combination. You can bake it in the oven, but grilling or smoking the dish is the real way to go. —Stacey Dull, Gettysburg, Ohio
Stuffed Chorizo Burgers with Tomatillo SalsaI created this chorizo burger for my new boyfriend and his family for our first meeting. Needless to say, they loved the recipe and fell in love with me, too! These burgers go great with plantain chips or a spicy potato salad from the grocer. —Vivi Taylor, Middleburg, Florida
Grilled Banana Brownie SundaesMy niece Amanda Jean and I have a lot of fun in the kitchen creating different dishes. One of us will start with a recipe idea and it just grows from there—and so does the mess. In this case, the happy result was our Grilled Banana Brownie Sundae. —Carol Farnsworth, Greenwood, Indiana
Lebanese Street SandwichesArayes are grilled Lebanese-style sandwiches that are stuffed with a seasoned meat mixture. They're commonly found throughout the food stalls that line the streets of Beirut. If you'd rather not use a grill, they can be baked in the oven or made in a panini press. —Nikki Haddad, Germantown, Maryland
Grilled Red Pepper DipWe grill peppers with rosemary and garlic, then blend them with sun-dried tomatoes for a creamy spread to pass with pita chips. —Donna Alwine, Bloomington, Indiana
Flank Steak PinwheelsThe secret to these pretty flank steak pinwheels lies in their butterfly treatment. Because the steaks are flattened, marinade isn’t need. Instead, they’re filled with a colorful stuffing of red pepper and spinach and draped with a flavorful, homemade blue cheese sauce. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Taco BurgersTaco burgers are a flavorful way to enjoy a classic burger with a Mexican twist. Have fun experimenting with different toppings and variations to make this recipe your own.
Margarita Chicken QuesadillasQuesadillas have never tasted as good as when they are filled with slightly sweet onions and peppers and topped with lime butter and salt. It's the perfect balance of sweet and savory. This version is the perfect recipe for a summer party—or a fantastic way to bring a little bit of summer into the cold winter months. —Stephanie Bright, Simpsonville, South Carolina
Ginger-Glazed Grilled HoneydewIf you've never grilled fruit like this before, you're in for a real treat! I love the idea of cooking everything from appetizers to desserts on the grill. This grilled honeydew recipe is sweet and really light. —Jacqui Correa, Landing, New Jersey
Grilled Potato Fans with OnionsLooking for the ultimate grilled potato? These seasoned potato “fans” are filled with tender onions, roasted garlic cloves and savory Parmesan cheese. —Sharon Crabtree, Graham, Washington
Grilled Pineapple ChickenA trip to Hawaii is easy with this juicy grilled pineapple chicken. Simply give it a quick marinade, fire up the grill and let it sizzle. We love this low-carb recipe! —Charlotte Rogers, Virginia Beach, Virginia
White Balsamic Blueberry, Corn and Feta SaladI'm not typically a huge fan of summer corn, but when it comes to this sweet, salty, refreshing salad, I can't put my fork down. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Vegetable, Steak and EggsLow-carb doesn't have to mean skimpy—here's a lighter take on steak and eggs. I love cooking with squash, but feel free to toss in any vegetable combination you like. —Robert Deskin, Plantation, Florida
Pot of S'moresMom’s easy Dutch-oven version of the popular campout treat is so good and gooey. The hardest part is waiting for this to cool so you can devour it. Yum! —June Dress, Meridian, Idaho
Grilled Chicken Salad with Blueberry VinaigretteWe love adding grilled chicken to our salads in the summer, but the real star here is the vinaigrette made with blueberry preserves and maple syrup. This salad goes great with a fresh baguette and a frosty glass of minted lemonade. —Susan Gauthier, Falmouth, Maine
Open-Face Chicken Parmesan BurgersWe love chicken Parmesan and thought, "Why not make it a burger?" I like to use fresh mozzarella on these. I've also made the patties with ground turkey. —Charlotte Gehle, Brownstown, Michigan
Eggplant SandwichThis eggplant sandwich with grilled tomato and goat cheese makes a delicious meatless meal, whether you're a vegetarian looking to mix things up, or a meat eater who'd like to add some variety into your regular rotation.
Bacon-Wrapped AsparagusElevate your appetizers with bacon-wrapped asparagus, a delightful combination of smoky bacon and fresh asparagus spears. This easy-to-make dish is elegant and irresistibly tasty for any gathering.
Grilled Ribeye with Garlic Blue Cheese Mustard SauceThis simple steak gets a big flavor boost from two of my favorites: mustard and blue cheese. My husband and I make this recipe to celebrate our anniversary each year! —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Grilled Watermelon GazpachoThis is the perfect starter for a summer dinner or a lunch. It's cool and tangy with a whole lot of great grilled flavor. If you like a little more spice, just add more jalapenos. —George Levinthal, Goleta, California
Chicken PitasThese easy Greek chicken pitas, stuffed with marinated chicken and a delicious creamy cucumber sauce, are a perfect weeknight meal for the whole family.
Zippy Shrimp SkewersThese flavorful skewers deliver a mouthwatering kick with minimal effort. Fix them for your next party and watch them disappear. —Jalayne Luckett, Marion, Illinois
Grilled Glazed DrummiesMy family prefers these mild-tasting chicken wings more than the traditional hot wings. They are great for any gathering. —Laura Mahaffey, Annapolis, Maryland
Grilled Veggie PizzaI came up with this recipe one summer as a way to use up vegetables from our garden. Grilling the veggies first brings out their sizzling flavors. Try it with a sprinkling of olives or pine nuts before adding the cheese. —Susan Marshall, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Grilled Figgy PiesDelicious figs combined with maple, walnuts and creamy mascarpone make a decadent treat that's easy to enjoy at a backyard cookout. These unique hand pies always disappear quickly. —Renee Murby, Johnston, Rhode Island
Key West Flank SteakMy husband, Jason, is the cook in our family. This is his recipe, inspired by his Colombian roots and our visits to Key West. Sometimes we grill extra lime and onion slices alongside. Serve with sides of rice and fried plantains. —Gretchen Ospina, Columbia Heights, Minnesota
Firecracker Grilled SalmonLet this sensational firecracker salmon perk up dinner tonight. With a super flavorful glaze that kicks you right in the taste buds, this weeknight dish is anything but boring. —Melissa Rogers, Tuscaloosa, AL
Jalapeno Popper Mexican Street CornOne of the best things about summer is fresh sweet corn, and this recipe is a definite standout. We love its creamy dressing, crunchy panko coating and spicy jalapeno kick. If you're really feeling wild, sprinkle these with a bit of cooked and crumbled bacon! —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado
Cake & Berry Campfire CobblerThis warm Dutch oven cobbler is one of our favorite ways to end a busy day of fishing, hiking, swimming or rafting. It's yummy with ice cream—and so easy to make! —June Dress, Boise, Idaho
Saucy Grilled Pork ChopsMy mamaw in Kentucky used this "dip," as she called it, on many grilled meats including chicken and steak. —Misty Schneider, Bayport, Minnesota
Grilled Bean BurgersThese juicy veggie patties have major flavor with cumin, garlic and a little chili powder. They hold their own against any veggie burger you‘d buy at the supermarket. —Marguerite Shaeffer, Sewell, New Jersey
Grilled Huli Huli Turkey DrumsticksI'm never one to do things traditionally, so when it came time to hosting Thanksgiving, I went in a completely tropical direction. Borrowing my favorite Hawaiian chicken recipe, I used turkey legs instead and never looked back. —Jacyn Siebert, San Francisco, California
Grilled Apple Tossed SaladThe grilled apples in this salad combine so well with the blue cheese, walnuts and balsamic dressing. I like to serve it on pink Depression glass dessert plates from my great-grandmother. —Paul Soska, Toledo, Ohio
Peach-Glazed RibsFor a fruity alternative to the usual barbecue sauce for ribs, try this slightly spicy recipe at your next picnic. The peaches add just the right touch of sweetness and a lovely color to this special sauce. —Sharon Taylor, Columbia, South Carolina
Easy Grilled Corn with Chipotle-Lime ButterGrilling corn in the husks is so easy. There's no need to remove the silk and tie the husk closed before grilling. Just soak, grill and add your favorite flavored butter. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Fruit ‘n’ Cake KabobsA neighbor served these kabobs at a family picnic and brought some over for us to sample. I was pleasantly surprised at the tasty toasted cake and juicy grilled fruit. —Mary Ann Dell, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
Grilled PattypansJust a few minutes and a handful of ingredients are all you’ll need for this scrumptious side dish. Hoisin sauce and rice wine vinegar give grilled pattypans Asian flair. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Skewered Ginger Shrimp with PlumsSweet, simple and sensational, these shrimp skewers boast loads of flavor with just four ingredients. Throw them on the grill for a quick dinner or tasty potluck dish. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Spiced Grilled Chicken with Cilantro ButterThe spicy heat of the chicken pairs beautifully with the flavorful cilantro butter in this original recipe from Diane Halferty of Corpus Christi, Texas. We added spicy chocolate cinnamon cane sugar to the chicken, which complemented the other spices that are brushed over the chicken before grilling. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Grilled CabbageIf you're only eating cabbage in coleslaw, you're missing out! Grilled cabbage is the secret to transforming the crunchy leaves into sweet, tender bites. Here's how to grill cabbage so it turns out perfect, every time.
Originally Published: April 27, 2020
