Gas Grills - How to choose a great grilling machine
My husband and I may be one of the few people who have not made an investment in gas grills. We have a built-in charcoal grill at our home that is part of our back porch area, and haven’t had the need for more than that at this point. However, I have done some research and found benefits of using gas grills over charcoal.
One of the great conveniences of gas grills is that you can cook on them almost instantly and it requires little preparation. However, they are more costly than a charcoal grill, so it is best to do some research and make some considerations before you dive in and make a purchase.
Some questions to ask yourself are:
- What size grill do you want? Do you entertain a lot of people a lot, or will you mainly cook for just your family?
- What type of fuel will you use—natural or propane?
- What BTU rating (the measure of heat produced) do you want or need?
- Do you want a portable grill or something permanent?
- What features and accessories do you want or need? Many gas grills come with side burners, storage areas, multi-level cooking and other features that will add to the cost.
- Consider how much you want to spend before you start looking.
The most popular type of fueled grill uses propane that is stored in bottles. Propane is readily available, inexpensive, and allows the barbecue grill to be easily moved. Many gas grills come with the option of using either propane or natural gases. A smaller grill is generally only available with propane.
Gas grills come in a wide range of varieties and sizes and have an array of features very similar to those available on a charcoal grill. Consider who you will be cooking for, the area available to do your grilling, ease of grilling and what features will make cooking and barbecuing easier for your picnics and events.
The top manufacturers of gas grills are Weber, Brinkman and Coleman. There are other manufacturers as well such as Arctic, DCS, and Ducane. It is a good idea to do some research online of each of these manufacturers before you make a final choice. It may be helpful to make comparisons based on feedback from family and friends who own gas grills. The next time you attend a family picnic or backyard bbq, check out the grill being used and ask some questions. Happy hunting and happy grilling!