What to Look for When Buying a New Grill

Your choice of grill is dependent on your priorities and personality. Regardless of the grill you buy, certain features are standard and optional. Charcoal is more hands on, while gas is more automated and convenient.

That trademark deep brown grill marks are a characteristic of grilled food. There is actually a science behind this, as the charring gives that bold, complex taste of grilled food. Added to this, the smoke generated by wood or charcoal, the added fat dripping into the heat source adds to the characteristic flavor in-fumed into the food.

The factors that affect that final outcome is dependent on a couple things working together:

- Cooking temperature. The fuel source is thus a factor here. There have been many a debate on what is the right fuel. In my opinion, choose what’s convenient, can easily be accessed, and won’t burn a hole in your pocket.

- Radiant heat. The ability to control the heat in your grill is important. Lids, vents and knobs make this happen. Keep this in the back of your mind for later.

- Conduction of heat in the metal grill grate. Important to know when cleaning your grate.

- Convection of hot air around the food. Indirect heat is an excellent way to quickly cook your food, and infuse it with those aromas.

- Moisture. Can be good or bad, depending on how you like your food. For that crusty, burnt steak, it’s definitely bad.

- The chef! Well, nothing much to say here. Knowledge is power. The more you know, the more you can apply to your grilling techniques.

Standard features to always look for in a grill:

- Solid, stable construction with sturdy legs, handles, and wheels
- Metal grill grate made of cast iron or stainless steel, both of which sear better and are easier to clean than porcelain enameled grates
- Built-in thermometer
- Warranty
- Adjustable air vents on the lid and firebox for heat control (charcoal only)
- Easy-to-use ash catcher (charcoal only)
- Easy-to-use grease catcher (gas only)
- Heat diffuser, made of stainless-steel bars, lava rock, or ceramic briquettes (gas only)

Optional features to consider:

- Tight-fitting lid, strongly encouraged for indirect grilling
- Side tables
- Storage shelf or cabinet
- Tool hooks
- Warming rack
- Adjustable-height grilling grate
- Rotisserie setup
- Hinged grill grate for replenishing coals, strongly encouraged for indirect grilling (charcoal only)
- Side baskets for containing coals when indirect grilling (charcoal only)
- Minimum of two burners, encouraged for indirect grilling (gas only)
- Smoker box with smoker burner (gas only)
- Gas gauge (gas only)
- Side burner (gas only)
- BTU Rating clearly defined (Gas Grills only)

Grill Material can be constructed from:

- Stone
- Ceramic
- Aluminum
- Steel

Grill Size:

- Minimum of 14 inches in diameter (150sq inches)
- Average of 22 inches in diameter (600sq inches)

The average size is best recommended. Hope these tips work for you!

~Chris

Christopher Sha has been writing for 15 years now. His philosophy is pretty simple, work smart, keep things simple and reap the benefits of a practical approach to everything in life.

You can check out his latest charcoal barbeque grill website where you can read reviews on the best barbeque grills.