What To Look For In A Gas Grill

The Elements of a Gas Grill

The basic underpinnings of a gas grill are really quite simple: First you have the burners to create heat. Above them you’ll find a system to disperse the heat evenly from the burners (Flavorizer bars, ceramic briquettes, lava rock, etc). Above that you’ll find the cooking grates. Let’s look under the hood to get a better sense of what you should look for.

The Cooking Systems

Better grills generally have two or more burners, which allow greater control of heat. Most lower-priced grills have only one burner shaped like an H or a bar, with only one control. Grills with one burner don’t allow you to control heat as well as grills with multiple burners and may result in hot and cold spots on the cooking surface.

When cooking on a gas grill, juices from the food drip down and accumulate near the heat source and cause flare-ups. The best systems quickly flash the drippings, eliminating flare-ups and creating flavorful smoke.

Most manufacturers rely on lava rock or ceramic briquettes to distribute the heat from the burners to the cooking area. Drippings from the food tend to pool in these systems causing undue flare-ups. The best grills use a steel bar system (pioneered by Weber) that funnels the grease away from the burner, greatly reducing flare-ups.

BTU’s (British Thermal Units)

BTU’s are not a measure of cooking power. They indicate the volume of gas a grill can burn. Tightly engineered grills use fewer BTU’s and cook food more efficiently. Sometimes less is more. Too many BTU’s can cause damage to burners and reduce the life of the grill. In general, large grills with large cooking surfaces require higher BTU’s.

Solid Construction

A good, well-built grill will feel solid and sturdy; a poorly made grill will wiggle. If a grill isn’t solid on the sales floor, chances are it will fall apart rather quickly on the patio or deck. Choose a grill made of high grade U.S. steel. Also opt for a baked on, porcelain-enamel finish. The cart should be sturdy, wheels should roll easily, and the grill should display a good fit and finish.

Cooking grates are generally made from nickel or chrome-plated aluminum. A thicker, heavier-gauge cooking grate will last longer and distribute and retain heat better. Grates coated with porcelain enamel are a common step-up feature. The best grates are made of cast iron, stainless steel or porcelain-coated aluminum.

Assembly

When you buy a barbecue, you want to grill, not drill, so fast and easy assembly is a priority. Some grills require hours, and an engineering degree to assemble. Better brands reduce or eliminate the amount of assembly required by the consumer.

Services & Maintenance

Top notch after market service supports quality grills, including thorough, easy-to-read information about the product, and a toll-free service line. A good grill is easy to clean and to maintain, and long-life is assured by accessible replacement parts and service through a well established servicing dealer network.

Safety

A good grill lights effortlessly, controls heat easily, has heat resistant handles and has added safety features.

Long Warranty

It makes sense: the best manufacturers can afford to stand behind their products. Don’t settle for less than a 25 year warranty.

Added Conveniences

Optional side burners are great for cooking sauces and other dishes. Flip-up side tables give you extra space for food preparation.