Grill Masters, I Need Your Help

As a man, I feel like a failure at times.

In college, it was never me. On camping trips, it was never me. After college when I lived with friends, it was never me.

I wasn't the man behind the grill.

After "growing up," getting married and buying a house, I was given a small charcoal grill from my mother.

The last two years, I grilled maybe 10 times, though I was never entirely certain the meat was at its optimum quality when I was done with it. I didn't know how long the charcoal should heat before throwing meat on (something about gray, right?) and how long different types of meat should be on.

I was too stubborn to look online. After all, I had to retain some of my masculinity, right?

Fortunately, my wife, friends or I never got salmonella or any other serious illnesses.

But it's time to step up my game.

For one, I want to upgrade my equipment. Should I stick with charcoal? Go to propane? Natural gas? Smoker? Electric? What do you recommend? 

Depending on the grill, what are helpful hints to produce the best pieces of meat, potatoes and other items?

I'm a blank slate. Help guide me. My grilling future depends on it.