There are positive and negative aspects to all barbecue grills …
Gas grills are cleaner, they are ready for use within about 10 minutes, fewer accidents occur, etc. On the other hand, traditional charcoal grills, whilst not being able to share the same positives for many people are the ONLY way to barbecue.
If you are looking to buy a barbecue grill, or want to upgrade from the one you have, you may find this article in line with your needs. That’s not really surprising as it was written for you …
First off, don’t let budget be the be-all end-all when making your decision.
You can choose between gas grills, charcoal, electric or even dig a hole in the ground. You should seriously consider the cooking area you have available; don’t over crowd your patio or deck, remember you need sufficient space to comfortably mover around your grill, this is also important for safety, especially where children are concerned.
Don’t purchase a grill if it is too small. There is nothing more frustrating than having to cook in various shifts because the grill space is large enough. Secondly, is the grill going to be used mainly for family use or do you often entertain. If you regularly cook 10 steaks, a rack of ribs and endless chicken breasts a $100 grill isn’t going to satisfy your needs.
As mentioned above, gas grills are extremely popular with many people, mainly because they are ready within about 10 minutes from turning them on, you don’t have to worry about maintaining your charcoal a constant temperature, and you’ll have less mess to clear up when you’ve finished. In short, with gas grills you are in charge. You can find even more grills at competitive prices.
Gas Grills: How much can you expect to pay?
Like all other barbecue apparatus, they come in all shapes, sizes and prices. The less expensive models do cost more than the less expensive charcoal grills, but then again there is more to them so this should come as no surprise. Another thing you may be interested in is the features of the grill, such as number of burners, controls, side burners, reliable ignition system, smoke box, the number of cooking surfaces, etc. In order to have a better control over the heat, you’ll have more success if your grill has multiple burners. Many cheaper models only have one burner which makes satisfactory control difficult. Another thing to consider is the manufacturers warranty. If it doesn’t have at least three years
We will look at less expensive models, mid range and deluxe models here today …
Entry Level Gas Grills
The entry level gas grills offer all the advantages mentioned above at a price that most people can afford. This category generally start at around $150 and go up to about $300. One thing worth mentioning. Gas grills generate their own heat and don’t require charcoal or wood. Keep you eye on the material of the main body and frame. Stainless steel is the best choice as it won’t rust. Painted steel or iron will not last as long.
Mid Range Gas Grills
Mid range grills will cost more than the entry level models, and you can expect to pay anywhere from $350 -$1500. Naturally, you will get more features for your money, but one thing to remember: a good cook will get excellent results on a camp fire! Meaning that it isn’t so much the grill that is important, but the cook … you. Practice makes perfect in this case. Another tip, as we are now looking at more advanced models, perhaps you’d feel more at ease if you stay with recognised names. There are many to choose from two names that springs to mind are Weber and broilmaster, if you look through the internet and at your local hardware store, chances are you’ll see a lot of these grills. Why? Simple … store owners sell them well without problems, complaints and returns. Just stick with reputed names and you won’t go wrong. There are many reputable companies to choose from, just don’t go for obscure brands.
Delux Model Gas Grills
You’ll only be interested in deluxe model grills if you want the best of the best. For your money you’ll get a piece of equipment that is able to grill anything (are you?), it will probably be stainless steel with more functions than you’ll probably ever use. You will be the envy of all your friends and be the proud owner of a grill that is truly able to live out your wildest barbecue dreams … once you’ve learnt how to use it. The top end grills start at around $1500 – $2000 and go well over $5000. If you get a fancy exclusive designer model you won’t get much change out of $10000. One thing to consider, will you be using propane gas bottles or natural gas from your domestic supply?
Just a word of warning on “salesman talk”. Manufacturers of gas grills and the people selling them give a lot of importance to BTU ratings. A smaller grill with a low BTU rating will get hotter than a large open grill with a higher BTU rating. While BTUs are an indication of power, they refer to the amount of gas a grill can burn, don’t give it too much emphasis when making your choice. The reputation of the maker and the materials used are more important.