Best Grills for Chorizos - Buying Guide 2026

The best chorizo in the world gets ruined on a crappy grill. Period.

You could have the most expensive artisanal chorizo, grandma’s chimichurri, freshly baked bread. But if your grill can’t hold temperature, or if lighter fluid drips onto the meat, or if it’s so small you have to cook two choris at a time, the result will be mediocre.

The grill is the heart of the Argentine asado. And to make proper choripanes, you need a grill that works.

Here I’ll tell you what grills exist, which one is best for you, how much they cost, and how not to screw up your purchase.

Types of Grills (The Great Divide)

There are basically 4 categories:

1. Charcoal/wood grill (traditional)
2. Gas grill
3. Electric grill
4. Portable grill

Each has its moment, its place, its audience.

Charcoal/Wood Grill - The Authentic One

This is THE Argentine grill. The one your grandparents used, your old man uses, and the one you’ll use.

How It Works

You light charcoal or wood. You wait for embers (30-45 minutes). You cook with the heat from the embers, not with direct fire.

The flavor is incomparable. The smoke gives it that smoky taste that defines the Argentine asado. The chorizo gets little black marks, crispy skin, shiny juices.

Models

Standing grill (carousel type):

• The classic Argentine grill of all time
• Wheels for moving it around
• Height-adjustable grill grate
• Wind cover to protect from wind
• Size: approximately 60x40 cm grilling surface
• Price: $150,000-$400,000 (2026)
• Recommended brands: Sica, Longvie, Rucci

Drum-style grill:

• Vertical cylindrical format
• Less cooking space
• More compact
• Ideal for small balconies or patios
• Price: $80,000-$180,000
• Recommended brands: Mega, Jofel

Brick grill (fixed):

• You build it in your patio/quincho
• Masonry work
• Doesn’t move
• The most professional
• Price: $300,000-$800,000 (depends on size and finish)
• You need a mason + someone who knows grills

Advantages

• Authentic, smoky flavor
• Complete experience (making fire is a ritual)
• Doesn’t depend on gas/electricity
• It’s the “real” grill according to purists
• Can last decades with good maintenance

Disadvantages

• Takes time to light (30-45 min wait)
• Needs charcoal/wood (recurring cost)
• Generates smoke (neighbors either hate you or love you)
• Requires practice to control temperature
• Heavy cleanup (ashes, grease)

How Many Choris Fit

• Standard standing grill: 12-15 chorizos
• Drum grill: 6-8 chorizos
• Large brick grill: 20-30 chorizos (or more)

Verdict

If you have a patio/terrace and enjoy the full asado experience, this is your grill. For Sunday choripanes, there’s no better option.

Gas Grill - The Practical One

The modern, fast, smokeless version.

How It Works

You connect a gas cylinder (10kg), turn it on (like a stove), adjust temperature with knobs. You cook on a stainless steel grate.

In 5 minutes it’s ready. No embers, no waiting.

Models

Standing gas grill:

• 2-4 burners
• Lid for closed cooking
• Side shelf
• Wheels
• Medium size: 3-4 burners, 50x40 cm grilling surface
• Price: $200,000-$600,000
• Recommended brands: Brogas, Ferrum, Volcan

Tabletop gas grill:

• Compact
• 1-2 burners
• For balcony or kitchen
• Price: $80,000-$200,000
• Recommended brands: Liliana, Atma, Ultracomb

Advantages

• Lights in 3-5 minutes
• Precise temperature control
• No smoke (happy neighbors)
• Easier cleanup
• Perfect for apartment/balcony

Disadvantages

• NO smoky flavor (the chorizo turns out different)
• Depends on gas (cylinder always runs out at the worst moment)
• Less “ritual”, more functional
• Purists look at it with disdain

How Many Choris Fit

• 2 burners: 6-8 chorizos
• 4 burners: 12-16 chorizos

Verdict

If you live in an apartment, don’t have time, or want convenience over tradition, it’s an excellent option. The chorizo doesn’t turn out the same as charcoal, but it turns out well.

Electric Grill - The Urban One

For those who live in buildings where charcoal and gas are prohibited.

How It Works

You plug it into 220V, the electric heating element warms up, you cook on a Teflon or steel surface.

It’s basically an electric griddle shaped like a grill.

Models

Tabletop electric grill:

• Compact, portable
• 1800-2400W power
• Non-stick surface
• Price: $60,000-$150,000
• Recommended brands: Philips, Oster, Peabody

Electric grill-type:

• Larger
• Temperature regulator
• Grease collection tray
• Price: $100,000-$250,000

Advantages

• Zero smoke
• Very easy cleanup
• Ideal for apartment/kitchen
• Low electrical consumption
• Safe (no fire)

Disadvantages

• ZERO smoky flavor
• Not a “real grill”
• Limited capacity (4-6 choris max)
• Depends on electricity
• The result is more “griddled” than “grilled”

Verdict

It’s the last resort option. Only if you live in an apartment with a total ban on gas/charcoal, or if you don’t have a balcony. The chorizo turns out edible but without soul.

Portable Grill - The Adventurous One

To take to the beach, camping, country house, park.

Models

Portable charcoal grill:

• Briefcase size
• Folding legs
• Small grilling surface (30x25 cm)
• Price: $30,000-$80,000
• Recommended brands: Mega, Jofel, Chinese imports

“Chulengo” style grill (cylinder):

• Large steel pot with grill on top
• Super compact
• Ideal for backpacking/camping
• Price: $25,000-$60,000

Gas camping grill (cartridge):

• Uses disposable gas cartridges
• Totally portable
• Perfect for picnic/camping
• Price: $40,000-$100,000

Advantages

• Ultra portable
• Cheap
• Functional for special occasions
• Easy to store

Disadvantages

• VERY small (2-4 choris maximum)
• Hard to control temperature
• Not for daily use
• Rusts quickly if not cared for

When to Buy One

If you already have a main grill and want one to take to the beach/country house. As a first grill, no. As a second one, perfect.

Quick Comparison Table

Key Features (What to Look for When Buying)

1. Grate Material

Stainless steel: Doesn’t rust, lasts forever, expensive. Best option if you can afford it.

Enameled iron: Classic Argentine. Holds up well if you take care of it (dry after washing). Cheap.

Regular iron: Rusts easily. Needs constant maintenance. Cheap but annoying.

2. Height Adjustment

On charcoal grills, FUNDAMENTAL. You need to raise/lower the grate to control temperature.

Crank system > rod system > no adjustment.

3. Grate Size

40x30 cm: For 1-3 people. 6-8 choris. 60x40 cm: For 4-6 people. 12-15 choris. 80x50 cm: For 8+ people. 20-25 choris.

Don’t buy bigger than what you need. You waste charcoal.

4. Grease Collection Tray

Critical. Chorizo drips fat. If fat falls into the fire, it creates flare-ups that burn the chorizo.

Grill WITHOUT tray = guaranteed disaster.

5. Wheels

If it’s a standing grill, wheels are a MUST. You need to move it to store it, clean it, reposition it.

Wheels with brakes > regular wheels > no wheels.

6. Lid/Cover

Protects from wind and rain when stored. Also works for oven-style cooking (juicier choris).

Not essential but a plus.

Recommended Brands

High-End ($300K+)

Weber: American brand, but it’s the Rolls Royce of grills. Absolute quality. Lifetime warranty.

Brogas Signature: Premium Argentine grills. Stainless steel, spectacular design.

Sica Premium: National brand, tradition since 1920. Superior quality.

Mid-Range ($150K-$300K)

Longvie: Reliable Argentine brand. Excellent price-quality ratio.

Rucci: Very popular in Buenos Aires. Solid and accessible.

Jofel: Good quality, variety of models.

Budget ($50K-$150K)

Mega: Functional, no frills. Gets the job done.

Chinese imports (Easy/Sodimac): Cheap, rust within a year, but they work.

Homemade (neighborhood welder): Sometimes they turn out good, sometimes they’re junk. Lottery.

Essential Accessories

Buying the grill is just the beginning. You need:

Tongs (Essential)

Long (30-40 cm), serrated tip, wooden handle. Price: $5,000-$15,000.

Without tongs you can’t flip the choris without burning yourself. Read our complete guide: The Best Tongs for Chorizo

Grill Knife

Long, robust blade. For cutting, for poking. Price: $8,000-$25,000.

Wooden Cutting Board

For cutting, for resting the choris. Make it a big one. Price: $6,000-$20,000.

Leather Apron (Optional but Cool)

To not stain yourself. To look professional. Price: $15,000-$40,000.

Bellows/Blower

To stoke the embers. Manual or electric. Price: $3,000-$12,000.

Wire Brush

To clean the grill. Fundamental. Price: $2,500-$8,000.

Charcoal vs Firewood (For Fire Grills)

Charcoal

Advantages:

• Easy to light
• Stable temperature
• Less smoke
• Available everywhere

Disadvantages:

• More expensive than firewood
• Less smoky flavor
• Sometimes comes with lots of small stones

Price: $3,000-$5,000 per 3kg bag (2026)

Brands: Quebracho Colorado (the best), Calden, Quebracho Blanco.

Firewood

Advantages:

• Cheaper
• Intense smoky flavor
• More “gaucho” experience
• Sometimes free (countryside, pruning)

Disadvantages:

• Takes longer to make embers
• More smoke
• Hard to stack/store
• May have moisture

Price: $2,000-$4,000 per large bag

Types: Quebracho, algarrobo, espinillo.

What to Use for Choris

In my opinion: charcoal. It’s easier, cleaner, controllable temperature. Firewood is for a 3-hour asado. The chori is done in 15 minutes, charcoal is enough.

Common Buying Mistakes

Buying a grill that’s too big: “Just in case 20 people come over.” Then you use it alone and waste charcoal.

Buying the cheapest one: It rusts in 6 months, the legs get loose, the grate doesn’t adjust. You end up buying another one.

Not checking if it fits through the elevator/door: You buy it, bring it home, it doesn’t fit. Classic.

Ignoring the grill cover: You leave it outdoors, it rusts immediately. Cover costs $10,000, new grill $200,000. Do the math.

Buying a gas grill without knowing where to store the cylinder: Then the cylinder sits on the balcony like decoration.

Where to Buy

Physical Stores

Easy: Huge variety, competitive prices, good service. You can see and touch.

Sodimac: Similar to Easy.

Large hardware stores: Sometimes they have better prices than chains.

Specialized grill makers: More expensive but superior quality and real advice.

Online

MercadoLibre: Everything, absolutely everything. Watch out for sketchy sellers.

Official brand sites: Brogas, Sica, Weber have online stores.

Garbarino/Fravega: Mainly for electric grills.

Maintenance (To Make It Last)

After Each Use

1. Wait for it to cool down
2. Clean the grate with a wire brush
3. Dry with a cloth
4. Remove ashes (charcoal grill)
5. Cover with lid/tarp

Monthly

• Check for rust
• Oil hinges and mechanisms
• Deep clean with water and detergent

Annually

• Check welds
• Touch up paint if needed
• Replace hoses (gas grill)

A well-maintained grill lasts 15-20 years. An abandoned one, 2-3 years.

Conclusion: Which Grill to Buy

If you have a patio/terrace and budget:

Standing charcoal grill, Longvie or Rucci brand, 60x40 cm grating. Price: $200,000-$280,000. You’ll make the best choris of your life.

If you live in an apartment with a balcony:

2-3 burner gas grill, Brogas or Ferrum brand. Price: $220,000-$350,000. Practical, smokeless, good results.

If you’re on a budget:

Drum charcoal grill, Mega or Jofel brand. Price: $80,000-$120,000. Compact, functional, gets the job done.

If you need portability:

Portable charcoal grill + cartridge gas grill. Total price: $70,000-$120,000. You’re covered for camping and picnics.

There’s no such thing as “the perfect grill.” There is the perfect grill for you, according to your space, budget, and style.

The important thing is that it cooks the choris well. Everything else is secondary.

Follow us on Instagram: @choripan_com_ar

More guides:

• Grill Techniques for Perfect Chorizos
• How to Choose Good Chorizos
• The Best Tongs for Chorizo