BBQ Grills Buyer’s Guide

Gas, Charcoal, or Electric?

When deciding to purchase a BBQ grill, the first decision most people face is whether to go with charcoal or gas.

Advocates for charcoal cite the added flavor it provides, as well as a sense of nostalgia and tradition. No matter what you do to your gas grill, it just can’t impart that natural, smoky flavor that charcoal and a handful of hardwood chips can.

Although charcoal grills are slower, this is exactly why some people gravitate towards them. If you want authentic, slow-cooked, fall-off-the-bone barbecue, it’s best done over a bed of coals and a long period of time.

The amount of time and preparation it takes to properly prepare a charcoal grill makes it something of a special occasion rather than a year-round tool. This is a drawback for some people, and for others, the whole point of barbequing.

Proponents of gas grills love the convenience and speed, as well as the ability to fine-tune the flame. There is certainly something to be said for simply switching your grill on and off. Not to mention the convenience of knowing exactly which area of your grill is the right temperature for steaks, and which is perfect for veggie kabobs.

For those who have the wherewithal, a gas grill can function as a second stove in your outdoor kitchen, and you’re sure to find many uses for it other than grilling burgers. Many people find they can use their grills nearly year round.

Gas grills are now available with inserts than hold lava rock or ceramic briquettes, to further customize your grilling options. If your grill comes with these, be sure to use the recommended product. Don’t switch them out, because this will change the performance and possibly even the safety of your grill.

Gas grills also have an easier clean-up than charcoal, since you don’t need to break the unit down or dispose of used ash.

The final category of grills is electric. For those who want the ultimate in portability and convenience, nothing beats electric.

Electric grills are a convenient option for those who only grill on occasion who want the ease of an all-electric system. Electric grills tend to be smaller than their charcoal or gas counterparts, and do not have the searing and flame control capabilities of gas grills. These are generally table-top models, though there are free-standing and built-in options available.

Once you have made the charcoal/gas/electric decision, there is still a world of choices before you.

Grill

The actual grill surface of the BBQ may be made of chrome, porcelain, or cast iron.

Chrome is coated steel, which is an excellent conductor of heat, which is, ironically, not what you want in a grill. Chrome grills can get too hot, causing food to stick. They are also prone to rust.

Large diameter, un-coated stainless steel grills are a good option. Just make sure they are not thin, coated wire, but rather a solid steel surface that can hold up to heat and aggressive brushing.

Porcelain grills are actually steel or cast iron grills that have received a ceramic coating. Porcelain is a great surface for barbequing, but must be cleaned carefully to avoid scraping the porcelain coating from its core surface.

Cast iron grills are generally thought to be the best for barbeques. Cast iron absorbs and releases heat slowly, so that the coals or gas, rather than the grill, are doing the cooking. This also makes your food less likely to scorch or stick to the grill. Cast iron is prone to rust, however, so it must be kept cleaned and oiled between uses.

Size

The size of your grill simply means you have more or less surface to cook on.

The size of grill you choose is usually driven by your pocketbook. When possible, get the largest grill you can afford. Very few people have complained about having too much space, but quite a few have bemoaned not being able to squeeze enough goodies onto the grill.

There are grills available in a wide variety of sizes—from tiny tabletop models that fit a single steak, to built-in grills that feature several square feet of cook area, and include countertops and refrigerators.

Size will factor in to whether you purchase a tabletop model, a free-standing grill, or a built-in design.

Brands

The most popular and recognizable brand names on the market include Weber and Char-Broil. Brinkmann and UniFlame are also well-known, and Team Grill is both affordable and popular with sports fans, as they are certain to have a model featuring your favorite team’s logo—college or pro.

Generally speaking, the more common brands are priced similarly, and there is only a large difference when you are looking at very cheap versus extra high-end gourmet models.

BBQ Prices

Table-top hibachi-style charcoal grills can be found for around $50, and free-standing grills generally top out at the $3,000 mark.

Moderately-sized, Ordinary Joe charcoal grills are usually $100-200.

Charcoal grills are much cheaper than gas ones because they don’t require gas lines and controls. Roughly speaking, you can get half again to twice as much grill for the same money as you would spend on gas.

Tabletop gas grills with small cans start at $80 and very high-end, feature-rich grills can cost over $10,000.

You can find plenty of gas grills in the $100-250 range, but they are not going to last more than a few years, or give you high performance.

The $250-500 price range offers you plenty of options. Again, these are not going to be grills that last forever, but they will be considerably more durable than cheaper models, and offer more in the way of performance and options. These are great for the weekend griller.

Most people will be perfectly satisfied with a grill from the $500-1000 range. These are usually stainless steel, and have features like side burners and rotisseries. If you are passionate about how and what you grill, this is the price point for you.

If you are looking for a serious investment, the move to $1000-2000 might be for you. Expect these grills to last much longer, be more durable, and perform better on the cooking field.

If you need a professional-grade grill, start your shopping in the $2000 region, and move all the way up to $4000 and beyond. These are large, and can be powered by propane or natural gas. These are not going to be portable, or at least not easily portable. The more money you spend, the less portable your final product. Very expensive gas grills need to be permanent fixtures, as most are powered by natural gas, and most are quite large and heavy.

Electric grills tend to be rather small and not full of features. Expect to pay $90 to $500 for outdoor-type electric grills, depending on size.

BBQ Maintenance

Grill maintenance is easier if performed right away.

Start each grilling session by spraying the grill with non-stick cooking spray.

Once you are done grilling, as soon as the food is removed, turn off the BBQ (if necessary) and brush the grill with a wire brush. Brass bristle brushes are the best, as they won’t damage the surface of your grill, and never use the scraper end of the brush for porcelain-coated grills.

If grills become very encrusted with carbon, you may need to spray them with oven cleaner, or replace them altogether.

Gas grills can be turned on high and left for several minutes to self-clean, but remember that this puts your grill through the motions an additional time, and will reduce its lifespan somewhat.

Lava rocks and ceramic briquettes can be cleaned by exposing them to a few minutes of the highest heat setting on your grill. Rotate the rocks every once in a while to prolong their lifespan. Once they start to crumble, they will need to be replaced.

Once your grill is cleaned, remember to coat it with cooking spray again to prevent corrosion.