The process of purchasing a gas grill is overwhelming. With stainless steel this and infrared that, the road towards your perfect gas grill has taken a detour, wrong way, u-turn and even went down a one way street- and you have not even stepped foot in your car! However, overwhelming can easily transition from an anxiety attack to a clear peace of mind. Following key principles, exactly like the ones below, will ensure the correct grill, at the correct price will almost appear like magic in your backyard.
Types
Spending more will get you more stainless-steel styling and convenience features, but not necessarily better performance. Several midsized models that cost less performed as well in our tests as others that cost much more. Here are the types of grills we test.
| Budget grills These should suffice if you need a small or medium grill that holds fewer than 30 burgers. Typical features include a painted-steel cart, cast-aluminum firebox and hood, and thin porcelain-steel grates | |
| Mid-priced grills These are probably best for most people. This category includes large, no-frills models that can handle 30 hamburgers, as well as medium-sized grills with extra features. Mid-priced grills typically come with side burners, electronic igniter, double storage doors, and more stainless trim. Many have premium grates or burners with long warranties. | |
| High-end grills These include medium and large grills with more style. In addition to the features found on mid-priced grills, high-end models typically offer all-stainless construction, more burners, a lifetime burner warranty, a fully rolling cart, and extra storage space. | |
Features
| | Materials and design can affect not only the longevity of a grill but also the cooking performance. Match your cooking needs and budget to the grill features you need. As for features, do you want a side burner? How about multiple level cooking surfaces, or a smoker box, side burner, rotisserie burner, lights, or any one of a dozen things that get added to a grill these days. Remember that a basic grill will do lots of stuff and most of the extras get very little use. Features cost Money! Only buy the features you actually want. |
How to Choose
| Whether it's a charcoal, gas, electric grill or a smoker you're thinking about purchasing, here are a few shopping tips and safety reminders. Size it up Match the size of the grill's cooking area to the number of people generally around the table. | |
| Remember, manufacturers might include racks and searing burners when tallying cooking area.Our measurements are based on the main cooking area and how much food it will hold. Next factor in how much space the grill will take up on your patio or deck. Some of the grills we tested are a whopping six feet wide. Look over the menu A basic grill is fine for cooking hamburgers and hot dogs, but if whole chickens, turkeys, or large roasts are regularly on the menu, look for a model with a rotisserie burner. Side burners and griddles let you prepare or warm side dishes while using the grilling area for the main course. Grill Safety Always keep two important safety concerns in mind when grilling: Fire is an obvious hazard. Never use gas or kerosene; it's unsafe and your food may taste like a carburetor. As an alternative, use an electric starter or a chimney starter, which uses paper. Bacteria. Food-poisoning cases increase exponentially during the summer months when cooks head to the deck or patio. Keep food chilled and covered when it's outside.Always keep your utensils and cutting board clean. |
Written by Nicolas Yang
