Gas Grill FAQs

What is the best grill?

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 $500 to $1700; 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

• Cast Iron
  Advantage: retains heat
  Disadvantage: will rust through

• Cast Brass (used in commercial settings)
  Advantage: will not rust or burn through, warp, crack, twist.
  Disadvantage: does not last as long as cast stainless steel

• Stainless Steel Sheet Metal
  Advantage: lasts longer than sheet metal
  Disadvantage: can burn through

• Pipe Stainless Steel
  Advantage: will not rust
  Disadvantage: can burn through

• 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

• Stainless Steel - - "BEST VALUE"
  Advantage: will never rust, cannot be damaged by food or cooking utensils. Never have to buy another grate.
  Disadvantage: price

• Cast Iron
  Advantage: retains heat
  Disadvantage: will rust - replace every 5-7 years.

• Porcelain Coated Cast Iron
  Advantage: retains heat longer
  Disadvantage: can rust if porcelain is chipped off

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 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.

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.

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

• 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 briquettes and flavorizer bars?

Briquettes are made of lava rock in the shape of charcoal briquettes 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 briquettes that help reduce flare ups from fatty foods.

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.

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.

An outdoor kitchen has a practical aspect. You know how inconvenient it is to run back and forth between the grill and your indoor kitchen. Imagine how easy it is having everything you need to grill and serve a meal right at your fingertips.

How much assembly is required?

Many of the high-end grills are shipped completely assembled. Check with your salesperson 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.