Grills - A Guide to Buying a Grill
TYPES OF GRILLS
First, you need to decide what type of grill you want to buy.
This is the first and most important decision when buying a grill and many people disagree on which grills are the best types. Basically, there are three main choices when selecting a grill:
Gas Grills
Pros
- Cleanliness
- Professional sophistication
- Powered by a small propane tank
- Convenient - an instant flame, heat control knobs, and often multiple burners
- Heated up and ready to go with the push of a button
- Quick, even cooking
Cons
- Inconvenience and cost of buying propane
- Lack of a distinct, authentic grilled taste
Charcoal Grills
Pros
- Use charcoal and an open flame (produces a special smoky flavor in tune with traditional grilling)
- Low price
- Easy portability
Cons
- Risks associated with an open flame
- Do not offer speedy heating or cooling
- Emit a large amount of smoke
- Clean up (ashes)
Electric Grills
Pros
- Do not emit smoke
- Viable option for individuals and families living in a place that forbids excessive smoke (condo or apartment complex)
Cons
- Exactly the same as cooking on an electric stove (no unique grilling experience)
GRILL TIPS
Now that you have decided what type of grill you want to buy, there are a few other important considerations to make as you attempt to narrow down your choices. These considerations include:
Size of grill
- Do you need lots of cooking area?
- Will a small amount of space be sufficient?
- Do you plan on grilling food and serving large numbers of guests, or will your grilling adventures be enjoyed mostly by your family and no one else?
Small grilling surfaces can cause more frustration than they are worth. A grilling surface smaller than 400 square inches is inadequate; it will not be able to accommodate several large steaks and will force the griller to devote extra time to grilling in separate batches.
Grilling Features
All grills feature a flat surface area on which to prepare food, but what about other features? Some of the following are features you might want to consider investing in:
- One or multiple side burners
- Additional racks for grilling
- Side shelves for storage
- Warming racks
- Work space size
- Large cooking grids
- Rust-proof ash-catchers
- Rotisseries and infrared cooking abilities
- Smoker boxes or drawers
- Stainless steel construction
- Custom design and built-in use of natural gas taken directly from your home's gas supply (for convenient, no-refill gas barbecuing)
Cost
Charcoal grills are almost always the least expensive. They are messy, but they cost substantially less than gas or electric grills because they are the most basic in design. Gas grills, on the other hand, are often much larger and more sophisticated. Even the least expensive gas grill on the market is several times more expensive than the most expensive charcoal grill. Electric grills usually fall somewhere between the cost of a charcoal or gas grill.
Environmental concerns
Electric grills lack the features that are so important to the grilling experience, but they are certainly the most environmentally friendly because they do not have an open flame and do not use gas or charcoal. With charcoal, the damage to the environment is the greatest. Gas isn't as bad as charcoal, but the propane or natural gas fumes are slightly more environmentally hazardous than electric grills.
Gas BTU's
If you decide to purchase a gas grill, you will need to decide how many BTUs are important for your gas cooking needs. BTU stands for British thermal unit. Specifically it measures the amount of heat energy needed to raise a pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.
The BTU rating on a gas grill tells you how much fuel you are using or - more specifically - the amount of heat given off by all of the burners in a single hour.
The BTU ranges widely for grills. Some have 15,000 BTUs and some of the largest grills offering close to 100,000 BTU of energy. It's nothing to get be too concerned about because, in the end, the more energy you use the more often you'll have to replace the gas tank!
SUMMARY
Grilling is a activity and many people crave the great taste that only grilling can produce. The gas vs. charcoal vs. electric debate is the number one decision that must be made when selecting a grill and the decision is not always easy.
When purchasing a grill, make sure to take these and other factors into consideration:
- Individual preferences
- Living restrictions (any property requirements)
- Needed features
Consider everything carefully, conduct necessary research, and make the best decision possible based. With the right preparation, your selected grill will be just as enjoyable as the delicious food waiting to be prepared on its surface.
RESOURCES
Get a head start on your grill research. Read consumer reviews about top brands and types of grills, and get smart before you shop.
