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Barbecue buyers guide
So
you want to buy a grill but aren't sure what to look for. This guide will help
you evaluate the most important factors in the decision. Use the links below to
help you evaluate the most important factors.
Which Grill
to Buy, Charcoal or Gas?
What To Look For in a Charcoal Grill
What To Look
For in a Gas Grill
Which Grill to Buy, Charcoal or Gas?
It's a
lifestyle choice
This is really your first
decision. Are you convinced there's nothing like the taste and smell of food
grilled over hot coals? Do you take a certain pride in your ability to get the
fire started and keep it properly tended while you cook? Do you need that
hands-on, primal experience?
Or do you want a perfect fire at the push of a button? Do you
appreciate the precision temperature adjustments gas grills can provide? Would
you rather avoid the whole charcoal set-up and the post-cookout ashes?
Whether you're in the
charcoal or gas grill camp, there's no significant flavor difference either
way. The choice is strictly personal. Consider how you plan to use your grill -
will you grill every night or just on special occasions? Will that change over
time? Is cost an issue? While gas grills are initially more expensive, they
generally cost less to operate in the long run. Both are great choices - pick
the one that's right for you!
Which Grill to Buy,
Charcoal or Gas?
What To Look For in a Charcoal Grill
What To Look
For in a Gas Grill
What To Look
For in a Charcoal Grill
Remember,
your food's only going to be as good as your grill, so make sure you invest in
a good barbecue for trouble free dinners and entertaining.
The Elements of a Charcoal
Grill
The
beauty of a charcoal grill is its simplicity. At the core of a good charcoal
grill is a charcoal grate to place the fuel on. Above that is a cooking grate.
A lid with air vents tops it off. Simple and uncomplicated.
Solid Construction
A good, well-built grill will feel solid
and sturdy; a poorly made grill will wiggle. If a grill isn't solid in the
shop, the chances are it will fall apart rather quickly on the patio. Choose a
grill made of high grade steel. Also opt for a baked-on, porcelain-enamel
finish. The legs should be sturdy, wheels should roll easily, and the grill
should display a good fit and finish.
Cooking grates are generally made from nickel or chrome-plated
aluminum. A thicker, heavier-gauge cooking grate will last longer and
distribute and retain heat better. Grates coated with porcelain enamel are a
common step-up feature. The best grates are made of cast iron, stainless steel,
or porcelain-coated aluminum or cast iron.
Assembly
When you buy a barbecue fast and easy
assembly is generally a priority. Some grills require hours to assemble. Better
brands reduce or eliminate the amount of assembly required by the
customer.
Service &
Maintenance
Top-notch after-market service supports any quality made grill,
including thorough, easy-to-read information about the product, and a freephone
service line. A good grill is easy to clean and to maintain, and long-life is
assured by easy access to replacement parts and service through a
well-established servicing dealer network.
Safety
A good grill controls heat easily,
has handles that stay cool to the touch, and has added safety
features.
Long
Warranty
It
makes sense: the best manufacturers can afford to stand behind their products.
Don't settle for less than a 10-year warranty.
Which Grill to Buy, Charcoal or Gas?
What To Look For in a Charcoal Grill
What To Look
For in a Gas Grill
What To Look
For in a Gas Grill
Besides price, what separates an
ordinary gas grill from a great gas grill? Here are a few points you should
know.
The Elements of a Gas Grill
The basic underpinnings of a gas
grill: First come burners to create heat. Above them you'll find some type of
system to disperse the heat from the burners (Flavorizer bars, ceramic
briquettes, lava rock, etc.). Above those lie the cooking grates.
The Cooking System
Better grills generally
have two or more separate burners (not just control knobs) which allow greater
control of heat. Most lower-priced grills have only one burner shaped like an H
or a bar, some with one control, some with two controls. Grills with one burner
don't allow you to control heat as well as grills with multiple burners and may
result in hot and cold spots on the cooking surface.
When cooking on a gas grill, juices
from the food drip down and accumulate near the heat source until they reach a
flash point and burn off. The best systems quickly flash the drippings,
eliminating flare-ups and creating flavorful smoke. Most manufacturers rely on
lava rock or ceramic briquettes to distribute the heat from the burners to the
cooking surface. Drippings from the food tend to pool in these systems causing
undue flare-ups. The best grills use a steel bar system that funnels the grease
away from the burner flames, greatly reducing flare-ups.
BTU's (British Thermal
Units)
BTU's are not a measure of cooking power. They indicate
the volume of gas a grill can burn. Tightly engineered grills use fewer BTU's
and cook food more efficiently. Sometimes less is more. Too many BTU's can
cause damage to burners and reduce the life of the grill. In general, large
grills with large cooking surfaces require higher BTU's.
Solid Construction
A good,
well-built grill will feel solid and sturdy; a poorly made grill will wiggle.
If a grill isn't solid on the shop floor, chances are it will fall apart rather
quickly on the patio. Choose a grill made of high grade steel. Also opt for a
baked-on, porcelain-enamel finish. The cart should be sturdy, wheels should
roll easily, and the grill should display a good fit and finish.
Cooking grates are
generally made from nickel or chrome-plated aluminum. A thicker, heavier-gauge
cooking grate will last longer and distribute and retain heat better. Grates
coated with porcelain enamel are a common step-up feature. The best grates are
made of cast iron, stainless steel, or porcelain-coated aluminum or cast
iron.
Assembly
Fast and easy assembly is a
priority. Some grills require hours to assemble. Better brands reduce or
eliminate the amount of assembly required by the customer.
Service & Maintenance
Top-notch after-market service
supports any quality made grill, including thorough, easy-to-read information
about the product, and a freephone service line. A good grill is easy to clean
and to maintain, and long-life is assured by easy access to replacement parts
and service through a well-established servicing dealer network.
Safety
A good grill lights effortlessly,
controls heat easily, has handles that stay cool to the touch, and has added
safety features.
Long
Warranty
It
makes sense: the best manufacturers can afford to stand behind their products.
Don't settle for less than a 10 year warranty.
Added
Conveniences
Optional side burners are great for cooking sauces and other
dishes. Flip-up side tables give you extra space for food
preparation.
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