Fuel Type

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 white 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 are very convenient.  Adjusting the heat is as simple as turning a knob.

 Electric requires an outlet and takes longer to heat to the desired temperature.

 

Number of Burners

This is simply the number of burners that the grill can use.

The truth is that it is Not the number of burners that matters, but the way it distributes the heat. 

Burner Material

  • Sheet Metal
    Advantage: is price
    Disadvantage: will Not last
  • Stainless Steel Sheet Metal
    Advantage: last longer than Sheet Metal
    Disadvantage: can burn through
  • Cast Iron
    Advantage: retains heat
    Disadvantage: will rust through
  • Pipe Stainless Steel
    Advantage: Will Not rust
    Disadvantage: can burn through
  • Cast Brass (used in commercial settings)
    Advantage: Will Not rust, or burn through, will Not warp, crack, twist. Most commonly used in commercial settings.
    Disadvantage: Does not last as long as Cast Stainless Steel
  • Cast Stainless Steel   Best Value
    Advantage: will never rust, can Not be damaged by grease
    Disadvantage: Very expensive

 Total BTU’s

A British Thermal Units rating indicates the amount of heat a grill can produce. 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

  Cooking Grate Material

  • Porcelain coated wire
    Advantage: price
    Disadvantage: will Not last
  • Porcelain Coated Steel
    Advantage: lasts longer that wire
    Disadvantage: still can rust
  • Cast Iron
    Advantage: retains heat
    Disadvantage: will rust
  • Porcelain Coated Cast Iron
    Advantage: will Not unless Porcelain is chipped off
    Disadvantage: can rust
  • Stainless Steel Best Value
    Advantage: will never rust, cannot be damaged by food or cooking utensils
    Disadvantage: price 

Total Cooking Area
This combines the cooking area and the warming rack dimensions.

 Smoker
A tray or a container that can hold charcoal or wood chips to be heated so that the food will have a Smokey flavor

 Mounting Type
Cart has wheels and can be moved around on your deck or patio.
Pedestal is a large base that can be permanently mounted on your deck or patio.
Post is concreted into the ground.
 

Side Burner
Separate burner from the main grilling burner which can be used for sautéing, steaming, and frying other foods.  

Side Burner BTU’s

A British Thermal Units rating indicates the amount of heat a grill can produce. As the number of BTUs increases, so does the amount of fuel that is used.  Side burners can range from 2,000 to 90,000 BTU’s.

Accessories

Other items that you can purchase to complement the grill use.

 

Factory Assembled
This is the best way to purchase a grill because you know that it was done correctly to the manufacturer's and UL standards. 

Double Insulated Hood
On stainless steel grills, the heat will discolor the stainless steel unless the hood has two layers to keep the intense heat away from the stainless steel.

 

Welded Frame Construction
The head of the grill is welded to the cart to give ultimate structural stability.  This is the best way to build a grill. 

This 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.

Shelves come in a variety of materials such as wood, resin, or stainless steel and many models offer a shelf on both sides of the grill.  If space is tight, look for a grill with folding side shelves.

Storage Area

Bottom tray that collects drippings which makes cleaning quick and easy.

This feature is designed to give the ambient temperature inside the grill, but in most cases it will give you the hood temperature.

Igniter

Can either be mechanical or electric to ignite the gas. 

This is to be able to move the food away from the heat while keeping it warm. It also can give more total cooking area to be able to cook more food.

Warming Rack

This burner heats ceramic squares that can radiate 20 –60% more heat to the food than standard  blue flame back burners.  The advantage is more heat quicker to cook.  The disadvantage is a little more expensive than blue flame back burners.

Infrared Back Burner

Uses blue flame to heat the food.  The advantage is price.  The disadvantage is that it is Not as hot as infrared.

Back Burner

Rotisserie

  • 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. 

Mechanical: Longest in use.

Advantage:  No batteries to check, will last a long time.
Disadvantage:  Consumers want the latest greatest thing.

Electric AA Batteries:

Advantage:  Price.
Disadvantage:  Short life expectancy.

Electric 9 volt Batteries:

Advantage:  High energy igniters provide fast lighting.  Cannot install battery incorrectly.  Heat-resistant water proof housing. 
Disadvantage:   Costs a little more than mechanical

Electric 110 volt:

Advantage:  Never replace batteries
Disadvantage:  Cannot be used when the power is out and much more costly

Thermometer

Drip Tray

Place to store items that you may use when you are cooking on your grill.

Side shelf

Warranty

Where to Purchase

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