Step Aside, Traditional Grills: The High-Tech Alternative That's Rising In Popularity

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Gas and electric grills can be easy to use, but for many people, there's nothing quite like the distinctive flavor of grilling over charcoal. Of course, traditional grills do come with one notable drawback: the lack of control they give you. Trying to keep the barbecue heat constant while preparing food for family and friends can be a real pain. Today, there are smart charcoal grills on the market that claim to allow the ultimate in grilling precision, so it's no surprise they are rising in popularity.

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and digital controls allow you to set exactly the temperature you want, either on the grill itself or via an app on your smartphone. These high-tech devices don't just offer the perfect flame to sear your steak but also have automated fans that mean cooking at low and medium heat can be equally consistent. So smoking meats and cheeses on your grill becomes a practical option. Some models include timers and can alert you when you need to add more charcoal or turn food. In fact, smart charcoal grills offer unrivaled versatility, making them the ideal centerpiece if you're putting together an outdoor grilling station as the perfect entertaining space.

The first barrier to all this smart control over your barbecue is the price. Very few are less than $400, and it's not difficult to pay twice that amount for large models from well-known brands. The best budget-friendly gas grills are a fraction of the cost — okay, you don't get that charcoal-cooked flavor, but they are relatively easy to control.

Wi-Fi may also be an issue if you don't have a strong connection. The on-grill controls still work without Wi-Fi, but you won't get any notifications. Bluetooth is an option, although you need to be within about 30 feet for that to work. The other big consideration is that unlike a traditional charcoal grill, your smart model always needs to be plugged into the mains. Another point that might be unexpected is that not all smart charcoal grills have automatic ignition. It seems bizarre, but you might need to keep matches handy.

High-tech smart charcoal grills allow you to cook in ways that have never been possible with traditional models and to do so consistently, with little effort. For many, they will be an ideal solution to an age-old barbecuing problem. Maybe one day they'll also be self-cleaning. Until then, there are a number of natural cleaning hacks for a spotless grill so it's ready to go again the next time you want to enjoy cooking outdoors.