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Buying a Gas Grill
The most popular grilling experience is with a gas grill, which was invented in the 1960s by William G. Wepfer and Melton Lancaster. While working for Arkansas and Louisiana Power Company they searched for different ways to expand the use of natural gas. Behold the gas grill was created and sales continue to grow even today. People enjoy the gas grill because of the flavor, the ease of use, fast cook times, and versatility. It would seem a simple task to go out and buy a grill. However, there are many choices based on size, price, portability, type of gas, and accessories. In the end there is more confusion and distress. In this article we will explain many of the many features with the pros and cons to each one. It is best to first answer the questions found on the previous page. It is a great starting point and clarifies the purpose of purchasing a grill. QUALITY AND PRICE One of the most important features to consider is quality. The price range for grills range from under $100 to more than $5,000. It would be a shame to spend money on a grill that, in the end, did not meet the quality expected. A gas grill should last a minimum of five years or longer with the proper care. The proper care is another thing to consider. A gas grill requires constant care with specialized parts that can be costly. Also, in order to get the best quality at the best price, consider buying a gas grill before summer begins or during the fall. Since summer is the prime selling season sale prices are high. During the off-season many companies will offer great low sales. Online stores may even offer free shipping. Winter sales are on the rise but the downside may be fewer choices on grills. MATERIAL There are several types of material used to construct a grill. There is cast iron, stainless steel, cast brass and porcelain coated cast iron. For the burner, cast iron will fall apart much faster than stainless steel. Remember that the burner is the most replaced part of the grill. A longer warranty of 10 or more years is a good indication that the burner will last longer. The grilling grids are another important consideration. Stainless steel is probably the best choice if it is high quality. The higher the quality the less a magnet will stick – so bring along a magnet for testing. Also, the higher the price tag of the grill the more stainless steel is included in the design. Porcelain coated cast iron will not rust unless chipped. It also is easier to clean. Cast iron is sturdy and sears beautifully. However, to prevent it from rusting you will need to season the grid with cooking oil. FUEL Typically there are two types of fuels to choose from. There is the propane grill and the natural gas grill. Propane gas can be purchased in portable tanks and is the most common grill available. Propane grills can be portable or not so portable. Portable grills have a smaller cylinder that only allows enough gas flow for 12 BTUs and is not good for winter grilling. Stationary propane grills tend to be on carts, which allows for some mobility. However, the grill can be placed on any hard sturdy surface that will not catch fire. Natural gas is piped to a stationary grill. This is great for permanent fixtures in the backyard. Usually these grills are much larger for entertaining large crowds but it is also available in smaller sizes. Since more and more appliances are being made for the outdoors and are utilizing natural gas, if you plan to spend hours in the backyard, it may be worthwhile to pipe in the gas. Natural gas is cheaper and burns cleaner than propane. Either with propane or natural gas, this is where gas grills become more cost effective compared to the cost of burning charcoal. SIZE Bigger is better but too big is a waste. Consider the number of people that need to eat. When heating up the grill the whole grill needs to heat up. If you have a six-burner grill and you cook for two, that is a lot of wasted gas and time just to heat up and cook. Conveniently burners are individually controlled for more versatility. The general rule is that a 2-burner grill is good for four people; a 3-burner if you’ll be entertaining a few friends; and a 6-burner for entertaining large crowds. ADDITIONAL FEATURES It is also important to consider additional features like side burners, rotisserie, smoking and adding flavor, Many grills have these options. The side burners allow you to include stove top cooking to avoid time between grill and kitchen. The rotisserie is important for cooking beyond hot dogs and hamburgers. The rotisserie is for cooking whole chickens, roasts, etc. Many people like the taste of smoking their meat. This is a good time to consider the desired outcome of grilling. Since many find gas grills more convenient to clean and use but want the charcoal flavor there are great options like lava rock, pumice stone, ceramic briquettes, and metal heat plates. It is important to notice that these options require more clean-up, sometimes very messy clean-ups. HEAT UP AND CLEAN UP Gas grills really are preferred for the ease of use and clean up. A great feature is lighting up the grill with built in igniters in the form of a push button, rotary knob, or electric igniter. To top it off, the grill heats faster. There is also more control over the temperature of the grill, the flame, and burners. Once done, clean up is simple. You can usually up the heat and allow the leftovers to burn itself off. However, that does not diminish the need for better cleaning. Remember, taking care of the grill will help it last longer. Many people prefer gas grilling for the many great benefits and features that make grilling enjoyable and easy. Evan though the upfront cost may be more, the long term cost is cheaper. Thankfully there is a grill for any price range and any size gathering. Quality is however, more important than price. To avoid a regrettable purchase, bring a magnet, try pushing the grill over, and buy the right size. Many people buy more than one grill for more versatility. Enjoy grilling!
References http://bbq.about.com/od/gasgrills/a/aa030505a.htm
Written for PetesOutdoorGrills.com by Sharon Rosinski
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