From sizzling breakfasts to smash burgers and teppanyaki-style dinners, the Daytona Pro 5 Burner NitroGuard™ Griddle delivers powerful heat, fast cooking, and a durable cooking surface built for every backyard cookout. Watch how easy outdoor cooking can be.
We position ourselves as delivering high-end outdoor cooking features and performance without premium-brand pricing, emphasizing “Quality Grills. Unbelievable Value.”
Wide range of outdoor cooking products for every use case
We offer gas grills, pellet grills, griddles, smokers, pizza ovens, portable/tabletop grills, electric grills, accessories, and replacement parts — allowing customers to stay within one ecosystem for all outdoor cooking needs.
Innovation-focused outdoor cooking with smart technology
We differentiate ourselves through smart grilling products like the Oakford smart pellet grill, including app-connected cooking controls and modern outdoor cooking technology.
Find griddle recipes, cooking techniques, cleaning tips, and outdoor meal ideas designed for Nexgrill griddles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions
Gas grills provide instant heat and precise temperature control, making them easier to use. Charcoal grills offer a smoky flavor and high heat for searing but require more time to heat up and manage.
Pellet grills combine the convenience of gas with the flavor of wood, allowing for smoking, baking, and grilling. Traditional gas grills, however, are quicker to start and often easier to clean.
Charcoal grills typically reach higher temperatures quicker than gas grills, making them better for searing meat. However, high-quality gas grills can also provide adequate heat for effective searing.
Nexgrill offers models designed specifically for gas, charcoal, and pellets, allowing users to choose based on their cooking style and flavor preferences. Each type is built to optimize the characteristics of its respective fuel.
Choosing between gas and charcoal grills depends on your cooking preferences and lifestyle. If you value convenience and quick cooking, a gas grill may suit you better; if you prefer the taste and experience of traditional grilling, a charcoal grill would be ideal.
In This Article
Charcoal Basics
Learn the fundamentals of charcoal grilling.
Advanced Techniques
Explore methods like reverse searing and smoking.
Maintenance Tips
Keep your grill in top condition.
Understanding Charcoal Basics
Charcoal grilling is both an art and a science, offering rich flavors that are often unmatched by gas grilling. To start mastering charcoal grilling, it's essential to understand the basics. Charcoal grills typically use either briquettes or lump charcoal as fuel. Briquettes are uniform in size and burn consistently, while lump charcoal, made from natural wood, burns hotter and faster, providing a smoky flavor. Choosing the right charcoal depends on your cooking needs and flavor preferences.
Tip: For a more authentic smoky flavor, use lump charcoal made from hardwood.
Lighting the Charcoal
Properly lighting charcoal is crucial for a successful grilling session. Avoid using lighter fluid, as it can impart an unpleasant flavor to the food. Instead, use a chimney starter, which is a metal cylinder with a handle. Fill the chimney with charcoal and place a crumpled piece of newspaper underneath. Light the newspaper to ignite the charcoal from below. This method ensures the charcoal is evenly lit without chemical residues.
Achieving the Perfect Heat
Temperature control is key to successful charcoal grilling. Once the charcoal is lit, spread it evenly for direct heat or bank it to one side for indirect heat. This allows you to sear meats over high heat and then finish cooking them slowly over indirect heat. Investing in a grill thermometer can help you monitor the temperature accurately, ensuring your food cooks evenly.
Warning: Avoid opening the grill lid too often, as it can cause temperature fluctuations.
The Two-Zone Cooking Technique
Creating a two-zone fire is one of the most effective techniques in charcoal grilling. This method involves stacking charcoal on one side of the grill for high-heat cooking, while the other side remains cooler. This allows you to sear food quickly on the hot side and then move it to the cooler side to finish cooking without burning.
Adding Flavor with Wood Chips
Enhance the flavor of your grilled dishes by adding wood chips to your charcoal. Soak wood chips in water for about 30 minutes, then scatter them over the hot coals. Different types of wood impart different flavors: hickory provides a strong, smoky flavor, while apple wood offers a milder, sweeter taste. Experiment with different wood types to find your preferred flavor profile.
Wood Type
Flavor Profile
Best For
Hickory
Strong, smoky
Beef, pork
Apple
Mild, sweet
Poultry, pork
Mesquite
Intense, earthy
Beef, game
Next, try comparing two products side by side below to see which fits best:
Advanced Techniques for Charcoal Grilling
Once you've explored the basics, it's time to delve into advanced techniques that will set your grilling apart. One such technique is reverse searing, which involves cooking the meat slowly over indirect heat before searing it over direct heat. This method ensures an even cook and a perfect crust.
Reverse Searing Explained
To reverse sear, set up your grill for indirect cooking and preheat it to a low temperature. Place the meat on the cooler side and cook until it's just below the desired internal temperature. Then, transfer it to the hot side for a quick sear, creating a delicious crust without overcooking the inside.
Tip: Use a meat thermometer to achieve precise doneness.
The Art of Smoking
Smoking on a charcoal grill adds an additional layer of complexity and flavor to your dishes. To smoke effectively, maintain a low and slow cooking temperature by adjusting air vents and adding soaked wood chips. This method can be used for meats like brisket and ribs, where slow cooking allows the smoke to penetrate deeply.
Setting Up for Smoking
Set up your grill for indirect cooking with a drip pan under the meat to catch drippings and add moisture. Keep the temperature between 225°F and 250°F, and add wood chips regularly to maintain smoke levels. Patience is key, as smoking can take several hours depending on the size of the meat.
Maintaining Your Charcoal Grill
Proper maintenance of your charcoal grill ensures longevity and consistent performance. Regular cleaning, ash removal, and inspecting for rust or wear are essential. Use a stiff wire brush to clean the grates and wipe down the exterior with soapy water.
Maintenance Task
Frequency
Clean Grates
After each use
Remove Ash
After each use
Check for Rust
Monthly
Conclusion
Charcoal grilling is a rewarding endeavor that enhances the culinary experience with its unique flavors and techniques. By mastering these advanced methods, grillers can enjoy a variety of tastes and textures, elevating their outdoor cooking to new heights.
Why Choose Us
Here's what sets us apart
Premium grilling experience at accessible pricing
We position ourselves as delivering high-end outdoor cooking features and performance without premium-brand pricing, emphasizing “Quality Grills. Unbelievable Value.”
Wide range of outdoor cooking products for every use case
We offer gas grills, pellet grills, griddles, smokers, pizza ovens, portable/tabletop grills, electric grills, accessories, and replacement parts — allowing customers to stay within one ecosystem for all outdoor cooking needs.
Innovation-focused outdoor cooking with smart technology
We differentiate ourselves through smart grilling products like the Oakford smart pellet grill, including app-connected cooking controls and modern outdoor cooking technology.
What Our Clients Say
Don't just take our word for it
“I’ve been using the Nexgrill Daytona 4-Burner Gas Griddle for a while now, and I’ve been really happy with it. First off, it’s super sturdy and feels really well-made, like it’s going to last me a long time. The cooking space is awesome—plenty of room for making big meals. So far I’ve cooked pancakes, burgers, bacon and some veggies. The 4 burners make it easy to control the heat in different areas. I love that I can keep one side hotter for searing and leave the other side cooler for things that don’t need as much heat. Plus, it heats evenly, which I was really glad to see. The shelves underneath and on its sides are a nice bonus. I’ve used them to keep things like plates, tools, and ingredients handy while I’m cooking, it’s very convenient. Cleaning it is super simple too. Once it cools down, I just wipe off the cooking surface and let the grease funnel into the trap. It’s quick and easy, and honestly, it barely looks like I even used it. If I had to nitpick, the grease trap can fill up kind of quickly during bigger cooking sessions, but as long as you keep an eye on it, it’s not a big deal. Overall, this griddle has been great. It’s sturdy, easy to use, and makes cooking outside a lot of fun. If you’re into grilling or want something versatile, I think this is a solid choice. Originally posted on influenster.com”
M
martind23_2941
Sturdy, easy to use, and perfect for cooking big m
“took about 2-3 hrs for complete assembly. took about 15-20 minutes to fully heat to 700. used a pan liner and a drip cup liner due to previous issues with those rusting away. this is about the 3-4 grill i have assembled. dont try to do it alone or ask the wife for help with the firebox its awkward. always check the directions 2-3 times before tightening down and dont over tighten the screws. hopeing for 5 years of grilling on this but i havent checked the warrenty yet.”
DT
Dave the Griller
finally got around to building this.bought in 2025
“We just bought this guy and I recommend always buy it assembled, we just use the grill 2 times and really works good; is perfect size and the side burn is very useful plus the caddy attach for spices; the material quality is in medium rate; no too cheap no too expensive I'll be glad if it works for minimum 5 years. Nexgrill could improve with the way, and cleaners to not damage the grates and the burners. I protect the removable pan with heavy duty aluminum foil, when the grease drop I only change the foil. Well I am enjoying my new Nexgrill !!! P.s. always clean the grill after use it....ALWAYS :-)”
KA
Karl A
Nice Grill
“Thank you to Influencer and Nexgrill for sending this to me for free, in exchange for my honest opinion. My 17 year old son put this together for me. It was easy but time consuming, it took about 2 hours. This is great for families, because you can cook a good amount of food in a short time. We did tacos, but it’s also great for breakfast, pancakes, eggs, breakfast burritos. It’s easy to clean if you have the right tools, you’ll need a scraper and metal spatula. Overall I would recommend this flat grill, it’s a great addition to our household. Originally posted on influenster.com”
K
KellyL
Quick and easy cooking
“My old Nexgrill is 25 years old and still looking and performing well! This new one is going on our back patio to partner with the old one in our courtyard. Obviously quality products to last that long. I hope the new one does as well. The only concern I have is that the sides are painted metal rather than stainless like the old one. I hope it doesn’t rust over time. But, We are very happy grillers!”
JS
Judy S
New grill to partner with my old one
“Bought grill 3 years ago stainless grates rusted out had to order new ones to replace Yes, I recommend this product.”
G
GaryS329
Stainless
“I’ve always been a smoker, fryer kind of guy. But recently with my new job keeping me super busy I’ve been cooking on my father in-laws 2 burner grill and it takes so long to cook ribs and chicken. I love just lighting the burners and cooking so I decided to upgrade by buying my own and I got this 5 burner with side burner for veggies , took me maybe 20 minutes to get all the dinner done tonight after I seasoned the grill with an onion. Love it so far, I hope it lasts a long time! It’s beautiful!”
JB
Jason B
Love it so far! My first propane grill I’ve ever bought myself!
“I love your grills. This is a replacement grill for a fully stainless steel one (was suppose to be). We originally bought it for our daughter's new townhouse, but her patio was not "ready" for it. We have kept it for 5 years now. My husband passed, I sold the house and move it, in the original box, with me and just put it together. The”
LG
Lisa G
Replacement
“Purchased a 5 burner with side burner grill probably 7-8 years ago. You can only replace things for so long. Opted on a smaller 4 burner grill this time. Hoping to get lots of use for many years to come.”
BS
Brian S
2nd grill with out
“Easy grill to use & grills well. Last grill lasted a little over 6 years. Had to replace burners twice (just worn out - lots of use). Here is old grill & new grill.”
RE
Russell E
2nd Nexgrill
“I had either recieved or bought a grill from either webber or Charbroil. Both had lasted roughly 5 years each before rusting out. For the price point and the way this grill feels I think this one should last longer. Looks awsome new so hopes are high.”
VA
Victor A
3rd grill so far...
“I’m just setting up my second 5 burner nexgrill!!! My first one was purchased in 2015!! I live in New England and the grill lived outside for 7 1/2 years!! That is an impressive lifespan for a grill in my area! I’ll be a loyal Nexgrill customer for life. Thanks very much. Yes, I recommend this product.”
L
Litch
Robust grill with Longevity to boot
“This grill is good for an economy grill. My 10 year old assembled most of it. I knew that I was getting a budget grill and didn't expect a Cadillac. I bought it mainly because the burners have flame on the left and right, instead of one row on the top. I checked the temperature gauge vs my digital and it runs 50° high, didn't expect it to be right on. The burner tents are higher in the front, making it hotter in the front. I have snips so I'll cut the front to set level. I seasoned the grill with bacon, it leaked from the screw to the drip pan, which was tight. The corners are sharp. I had corner protectors for my smoker and put some on the Nexgrill, hoping to get more life from the cover. Overall it's pretty good for the price.”
