Buying a new grill takes some consideration. It’s important to find one that will help you make memories with your friends and family while functioning smoothly. The last thing you want is a grass fire ruining your backyard barbecue! No need to fear, however. We are here to help you choose the best new barbecue grill for your home.
How to Choose the Perfect Barbecue Grill
When selecting your grill, it’s important to consider the following factors.
Grill Type
First things first: let’s talk grill type. You have many options to choose from – charcoal, gas, portable, smokers, and outdoor electric grills. Here are some quick facts to keep in mind.
- Charcoal grills give food that smoky flavor, cost less, and are ideal for cooking for small groups of people.
- Gas grills are easy to cook with and ideal for people looking for more space on the grill grates.
- If you do not have an outdoor space large enough to accommodate a grill or live in a condo where gas or charcoal grills are not allowed, we have a solution for you! Get an outdoor electric grill. They are compact and can fit on your balcony.
- If you are a barbecue lover and can wait a little longer for that smoky-flavored food, a smoker is a great buy.
- Love grilling on the road more than in your backyard? Get a portable grill today!
Grill Features
Once you have decided on the type of barbecue grill you want, it’s time to consider the features that best suit your requirements.
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Finish
Look for a new barbecue grill with a fully enclosed cart and a high-quality finish. Most barbecue grills today come in either a porcelain enamel or stainless steel finish. With the former, you will find it easy to maintain as you will not see the watermarks, but with the stainless steel, the fingerprints will always show. The finish protects the burners from direct droppings of fat, debris, etc., helps evenly distribute the heat, and enhances the flavor of the food.
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Size
The size of the grill will be determined by the number of people you are cooking for, primarily.
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Cooking Grates
Cooking grates are made of different materials. The basic grate is a porcelain enamel-coated steel wire hardly good enough to give you a good sear. The second option, a porcelain enamel cast iron cooking grill, retains heat and lasts almost a year without rusting. Additionally, it gives a great sear. However, the best option would be a stainless steel rod cooking grate that never rusts and transfers heat into the food that you are cooking.
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Burners
Burners provide heat to your cooking surface. The first question is, how many burners do you need? While it depends on how much food you cook and for how many people, always remember that the more burners you have, the more versatility you are allowed. This means that if you have a nice, wide grill, you will have more space, even if you cook for fewer people.
The next question is, what material? Like grates, burners are also made of multiple different materials. The lower-end models come with stamp steel burners designed to last a year. Stainless steel is what you should be looking for as it lasts longer and ensures even heat distribution throughout your cooking surface. Also, they are the most resistant to corrosion and rust.
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Flame Tamers
The flame distribution system within a gas grill between the burner’s flame and the grid is known as a flame tamer. There are two types of flame tamers – metal (perforated sheets or a tent) and ceramics (rod or briquette, which holds heat better and better). The perforated ones cover more of the area, protecting your burner a little better. Additionally, they provide more even heat distribution and protect from flare-ups.
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Side Burners
A side burner is always recommended when buying a barbecue grill, preferably at least 10,000 BTU.
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Liquid Propane Tanks
If you buy a new gas barbecue grill, always buy a new LP tank. LP tanks are only good for five years.