It doesn't matter if you consider barbecuing a way of life or just something to do for parties, this guide will help you find the perfect grill for you. Gas and electric grills in this guide are easier to clean and faster to light than charcoal grills, but they do tend to cost more. Don't let the price be the only thing that you consider when shopping for a grill. The descriptions of key characteristics of gas and electric grills listed on this page will help you identify the features you want on the grill at your next barbecue.

In general, as the number of features increases on a grill so does its cost. Carts, side burners, rotisseries, thickness of burners, thickness of grates, and stainless steel construction all add to a grill's price, but many manufacturers make these features optional which allows you to have greater control over the price of your grill.

Prices range from $20 to $15,000. Most of the grills fall within $400 to $1500; with an average price of $900.

What is the best burner?

Burners can be made from the following:

Sheet Metal
Advantage: is price
Disadvantage: will Not last
Stainless Steel Sheet Metal
Advantage: last longer than Sheet Metal
Disadvantage: can burn through
Cast Iron
Advantage: retains heat
Disadvantage: will rust through
Pipe Stainless Steel
Advantage: Will Not rust
Disadvantage: can burn through
Cast Brass (used in commercial settings)
Advantage: Will Not rust, or burn through, will Not warp, crack, twist. Most commonly used in commercial settings.
Disadvantage: Does not last as long as Cast Stainless Steel
Cast Stainless Steel - - Best Value
Advantage: will never rust, can Not be damaged by grease
Disadvantage: Very expensive

Why is it important?
This is what you will have to replace most often.

Also, ask about the burners. Do they power the left and right sides or the front and back? When you need to use only half the grill — say, for hot dogs for the kids — the left or right side is less awkward to use than the front or back.

What is the best cooking surface?

Grates can be made from the following:

Porcelain coated wire
Advantage: Price
Disadvantage: Replace every 1-2 years
Porcelain Coated Steel
Advantage: Lasts longer that wire
Disadvantage: Still can rust Replace every 2-5 years
Cast Iron
Advantage: Retains heat
Disadvantage: Will rust Replace every 5-7 years.
Porcelain Coated Cast Iron
Advantage: will Not unless Porcelain is chipped off
Disadvantage: can rust
Stainless Steel - - "BEST VALUE"
Advantage: Will never rust, cannot be damaged by food or cooking utensils. Never have to pay a again for a Grates.
Disadvantage: price

Why is it important?
Grates are the second most replaced item on your grill

Should I go with charcoal, electric, propane or natural gas?

A grill either uses a fuel such as propane, natural gas, or charcoal or it has an electric burner similar to one found in an electric kitchen range.

The two kinds of gas that can be used with gas grills are Natural Gas (NG) and Propane Gas (LP). NG is usually connected to your house. It will cost more to install but is much cheaper to use. With NG you never have to refill the a tank. While LP is usually sold in 20 pound white tanks and is cheaper to set up, the cost of propane gas (LP) is more than NG and you will need to refill the tank.

The advantage to both propane and natural gas grills is convenience. Adjusting the heat is as simple as turning a knob.

Electric grills require an outlet and take longer to heat to the desired temperature.

Why is it important?
Charcoal grills tend to be less expensive, but they can be messy and typically have fewer amenities then other grills. However, many enthusiasts love the process of getting their grill burning and swear the food tastes better. Both propane and natural gas grills are very convenient; usually a flip of a switch or the push of a button will get a flame going and when you finish there is no charcoal or ashes to get rid of. Maintaining or adjusting the heat on gas and electric models is also not a problem, many have well marked dial controls and temperature gauges to help you out. Keep in mind Electric models require an outlet, which can be an inconvenience but they have few parts that wear out or break.

What about BTUs?

Don't be wowed by BTUs. The British thermal unit rating is an indication of the amount of heat a burner emits. Though more Btus should generate higher temperatures, size and design also affect how hot a grill gets. We looked at cheaper models with Btu ratings as high as 45,000 that didn't grill as well as ones with lower ratings. So don't let a high number blind you to overall quality and user-friendly features.

As the number of BTUs increases, so does the amount of fuel that is used. A 20 pound tank can hold about 475,000 BTU’s. A BTU rating of 45,000 should be adequate for a grill with 300 - 400 square inches of area. Gas grills can range from 5,000 to 150,000 BTU’s.

What is the best; post, pedestal or cabinet?

A cart places your grill on wheels and adds to its mobility.

A pedestal is a large base that can be permanently mounted on your deck or patio.

A post is concreted into the ground.

Why is it important?
If rain or snow is a problem in your area or if space is limited in your backyard a cart makes your grill easy to move unlike a models mounted on your patio. Many carts also provide extra storage area and tool holders.

How large does the cooking surface need to be?

The total cooking area is measured in square inches and includes both the primary cooking area and the warming rack dimensions.

Why is it important?
When deciding how large you want your total cooking area to be, keep in mind the number of people you usually cook for and the type of food you cook.

Range: 175-1594 square inches

Accessories

Do I need a rotisserie?

Rotisseries have a motor to rotate the food to reduce burning of the food.
The best rotisserie uses an Infrared Back Burner because the heat comes from the side of the food, Not the bottom. This eliminates flare ups caused by grease drippings.
The standard rotisserie uses a back burner which does Not get as hot as an Infrared.
The least expensive rotisserie kit uses heat from the main burners which can produce many flare ups and burn the food.

Why is it important?
Many people prefer meat cooked on a rotisserie and enjoy not having to flip their meat! The constant basting keeps the meat juicy and tender.

What is the drip pan?

The bottom tray that collects drippings which makes cleaning quick and easy.

Do I need a quick disconnect?

If you plan to switch fuels from NG to LP or vice versa, you will need a quick disconnect to make the switch easier.

Do I need side burners?

If you'll be using your grill off in the backyard away from the kitchen, a side burner comes in handy. But it may not be able to bear the weight of a huge pot of corn — and it jacks up the price. Plus, unless the burner is covered, you sacrifice work space on the side. A side burner can also be used for sautéing, steaming, and frying other foods.

Do I need a smoker?

A smoker is a tray or a container that can hold charcoal or wood chips to be heated so that the food will have a smokey flavor. Your style of cooking will determine your need for this accessory.

What is the difference between brickettes and flavorizer bars?

Brickettes are made of lava rock in the shape of charcoal brickettes and are used under the cooking grids to catch drippings and add some smoke flavor.

Flavorizer bars are flat steel bars placed under the cooking grids that take the place of brickettes that help reduce flare ups from fatty foods.

Features

Is the warming rack useful?

We love the convenience of warming racks — they heat the rolls while the hot dogs sizzle. But be sure they don't hang too low and/or extend too far over the cooking surface, making it awkward to slide your spatula under them to flip the burgers.

Is the grill designed to handle the kinds of food that I cook?

If you cook a lot of steaks and you want to sear in the juices and have the inside rare to medium rare, you may want to consider purchasing a grill with a sear zone.

If you mostly do burgers, hot dogs and chicken, your grill does not need the high heat that steak lovers would.

What is an island?

A grill island is a structure built in the back yard to house your built-in grill and accessories to provide an outdoor kitchen to your deck or patio.

How much assembly is required?

Many of the high-end grills are shipped completely assembled. Check with your sales person to be sure about the one you order.

Where do I get service?

For all warranty issues, just contact us. A warranty is how long the manufacturer will stand behind the product. When looking at a warranty make sure it is not pro-rated. Look at the burner warranty to see if it covers burn through as well as rust through.