Friday, November 20, 2009

Tips To Help You Buy The Right Gas Grill

By Gary Williams

Gas grills are the most popular type you will find on any deck or patio today. The ease of use, both in terms of setup and cleaning, are the main reasons for this. You simply make sure the gas or propane source is connected and fire it up. As soon as it reaches the right temperature you can start grilling your meal. Cleanup is even easier as there is no messy charcoal to dispose of. When you are looking to buy a new model there are some things you should think about. With a little research you will end up with the best grill for your money.

How much money you can spend is something you should really know ahead of time. If you have a low budget then you don't want to waste your time looking at the more expensive grills. Try to find the upper end of grill that is still in your budget and try to get as much grill as you can for your money. Stainless steel is a nice quality to have as it will last longer. You can find grills with stainless burners as well as outer construction but it would be hard in the lower end of models. If you are patient and don't mind buying a prior year's model you can get a great deal as well. Huge discounts are offered for grills that are sitting there unpurchased when the company wants to make room for the new models.

If your budget has no limits then you can really get a lot of grill for your money. You can find grills with four or more burners, built of high quality stainless steel, with extra covered storage underneath, and many extra accessories. If you are grilling many nights each week then you really should consider spending extra money to get a unit that will last. Pay attention to the BTU ratings and compare them to what you will typically be grilling. There's no sense getting a 40,000 BTU gas grill if you won't use all the power.

The design of today's gas grills is fairly standard with a few variations existing between brands. For the most part, an external source of gas or propane will feed the burners and keep them producing enough heat to cook your meal. Grates will sit over the burners and are responsible for keeping your food close enough to the burners to get grilled but not too close that you get burn marks. Also, depending on how much you spend on the grill, you will get temperature control knobs for each burner. You can also find some models that will easily smoke your meal but you can expect to pay a little more for that feature.

When determining the overall grilling power of the gas grill you generally have to look at the BTU rating. BTU's, or British Thermal Units, give you an idea of how much food you can cook in one session. However, more is not always better as you can find yourself barely using a grill's capabilities. Another thing to think about is the better brands like Weber are more efficient in their grilling process so they won't require as much BTU's as other brands.

Also try to find a gas grill that is built solidly. By finding one that will hold up for multiple years you will actually save money in the long run. Cheaper models tend to wiggle when you are using them and will have burners that rot out over time. Visit your local store to see some of the popular brands up close. Look over the construction closely and talk to the sales person about warranties. Looking at a grill up close is a great way to find out about the overall quality of the materials. Also get a nice grill cover to protect your new investment from the nasty weather. This is especially important if you are intending to keep it outdoors when it's not in use.

Lastly, think about how much maintenance you have time to do and compare that to what each manufacturer recommends on their grills. The higher end brands tend to need very little in terms of maintenance and you can usually get a great warranty. Online customer reviews are a great source of information too as they can let you know what you can expect before you even bring the grill home.

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