Best Freestanding Grills 2026

Quick takeaways

• BBQ12SS: “The flagship for culinary control.” Six cooking surfaces and a massive 3,363 sq in total area, with a max grate height ~12.5" and ~962 lb of stainless-steel solidity. If you host big groups or want pro-grade versatility (rotating clamp basket plus two-level warming rack), this is your showpiece.

• BBQ26SS: “XL power, multi-surface workhorse.” Five distinct surfaces (main, secondary, clamp grill, interchangeable griddle, roof grill) and 2,600 sq in of total area; ~657 lb; 66.75"H × 91.5"W × 33"D. Ideal when you need serious capacity and simultaneous cooking styles without stepping up to the BBQ12SS’s footprint. 

• BBQ23SS:“Balanced XL with a manageable footprint.” 1,117 sq in total, ~485 lb, 64.5"H × 68.5"W × 33"D; multi-zone control with a main grate, a secondary grate and an interchangeable griddle, great for families, patios, and event nights where agility matters.

Freestanding Grills at a Glance a Comparison Table

The BBQ23SS page highlights main and secondary grate and an interchangeable griddle, plus S-hooks for hanging roasts. The spec sheet lists “4 grilling surfaces”; configurations may vary by kit.

How I cooked on these 

When I cook on a Tagwood Grill, I can run multiple cooking surfaces at once, a steak catching that perfect Maillard on the main grate, ribs holding steady heat up on the warming rack, vegetables sizzling on the griddle, and a reverse-sear finishing under the basket. 

That’s the practical side of romance: robust materials and smart design that let the fire do more, not less. It’s also the emotional side: rekindling that childhood magic of standing by the flames, swapping stories, turning a meal into a moment. That duality, precision and nostalgia, is the core of why Tagwood stands out in freestanding grills.

Searing, slow cooking and smoking simultaneously

• Open-fire control via Santa Maria elevation makes temperature a dial, not a guess. BBQ12SS reaches up fast for sear, then drops to ~1.5–12.5" range for gentle finishes; BBQ26SS/23SS push to ~20" max to tame big fires.

• Gaucho-style brasero + firebricks accelerate coal production and stabilize heat, so you can stage zones like a kitchen line.

• Six/five/four surfaces = fewer compromises. It means I can sear steak, hold sides, render fat, and smoke peppers at the same time rather than in rounds.

Best Freestanding Grills Models

BBQ12SS — Six Surfaces, Pro-Level Control

If you want the most cooking flexibility in a freestanding build, this is it. The BBQ12SS  combines six grilling surfaces (including a rotating clamp/basket and a two-level warming rack) with 3,363 sq in of total area, enough to run steaks, ribs, veg, and a whole fish without shuffling pans. The SS304 body, grates, and griddle shrug off weather, while the firebrick-lined base keeps heat where it belongs. Min–max elevation ~1.5"–12.5" puts precision at your fingertips. When I say “more than a grill,” this is the engineering that backs it up. 

Best for: large families, food-obsessed hosts, chefs bringing Argentine/Santa Maria technique home.

BBQ23SS — XL Capacity, Balanced Footprint

The 23SS brings 1,117 sq inches of cooking area in a ~485 lb package that’s easier to maneuver than the bigger frames. You still get the essentials: main + secondary grate, interchangeable griddle, Santa Maria elevation to ~20", and SS304 throughout. It’s the grill I recommend when you want serious live-fire flexibility without committing to the heaviest chassis. On weeknights or party nights, I can set up a hard sear zone and a gentle finishing zone and keep the line moving. 

Best for: households that entertain often, patios with room for XL gear, cooks who prize agility.

BBQ26SS — Flagship XL Power

This one’s a five-surface multi-tasker: main, secondary, clamp/basket, interchangeable griddle, and a roof grill for high, gentle heat. With 2,600 sq in total, ~657 lb, and SS304 everywhere that matters, it’s built to run big meals without breaking a sweat. The firebox (brasero) turns wood or lump into consistent embers; firebricks keep your heat curve smooth; and that 20" max elevation helps manage roaring fires. If your love language is feeding 20 people at once, welcome home. 

Best for: large gatherings, backyard events, mixed menus (sear + hold + smoke simultaneously).

Why Tagwood Grills and not others

I build around a simple idea: this isn’t just a grill. It’s the feeling of coming back to something timeless, the magic of an open flame, the laughter that hangs in the smoke. The engineering matters, SS304, firebricks, elevation, multiple simultaneous surfaces, but the outcome matters more: the moment at the table. That’s why I sell grills that let you do more at once without losing the romance of live fire.

FAQs

Are these truly freestanding and outdoor-ready?

Yes, each is a freestanding, open-fire Santa Maria/Argentine-style grill in 304 stainless steel with firebrick lining to manage heat and protect the body. 

How many cooking surfaces does each model have?

BBQ12SS: 6, BBQ26SS: 5, BBQ23SS: 4 (per spec sheet); exact kit configurations can affect how you use each surface.