Nothing says outdoor get-together like grilled meats and vegetables. But if your grilling experience is filled with more flare-ups, rust, and frustration than fun, you should invest in a new grill. Instead of purchasing strictly on price or recommendations, select a grill that matches your style. Our grill buying guide will point out key features that can help influence your purchasing decision and fit your needs.

To begin, use the following questions to help navigate through the key components of buying a grill. Find in-depth information on the topics listed below by simply clicking on any of the following links: The Crown And Goose

Grill buying guide:

What is the difference between gas grilling & charcoal grilling?

Both involve the radiant transfer of heat from the fuel source to the cooking grid. Drippings come off of the food, land on the heat source and sizzle and smoke. The smoke rising into your food creates barbecue flavor. So really, it all comes down to personal preference.

Gas Grill Cooking:

Gas grills require that a liquid propane tank or natural gas line be connected to provide fuel for the burners. Gas burners feature variable temperature controls which allow for high temperatures and low temperatures. The burners are covered with a shield to protect them from drippings.

One great advantage of a gas grill is ease of use. Electronic ignition provides a quick and safe way to get the grill going. For easy cleanup, simply run the grill on high heat for an hour or two with the lid closed. The grill will burn internal byproducts to ash. Then a brass brush can be used to easily scrape away remaining waste.

Charcoal Grill Cooking:

Charcoal grills require manual ignition – generally achieved through the aid of lighter fluid and old newspapers. Much like a gas grill, food cooks on a grate over the charcoal. The drippings sizzle and smoke, creating barbecue flavor. Heat is controlled by the amount of charcoal, its placement in the grill, and a wheel or other mechanism that regulates interior airflow. Greater airflow introduces more oxygen into the grill chamber, allowing the charcoal to burn at higher temperatures.

The primary advantage of charcoal cooking is a unique flavor. The smoke generated by the food drippings ignites over the coals to create a deep and distinctive taste that cannot be replicated by a gas grill. This taste is particularly noticeable in meats.

What types of cooking grates are available & how do they differ?

There are three types of cooking grates: coated aluminum, cast iron, and stainless steel. Like cookware, each type offers unique grilling advantages, though user preference should ultimately determine which is best.

Coated aluminum grates are cost-effective and the most commonly type. Aluminum is thermally responsive, making it a great conductor of heat.

Cast iron grates have become increasingly popular in recent years. Though cast iron is less conductive than aluminum, it retains heat better than any other grate type

Moderate-to-high priced grills often feature stainless steel cooking grates. Stainless steel is the most durable of all grate types. Its shiny finish makes it easy for grillers to see browning food and it is also the easiest material to clean due to its resistance to corrosion.

What size grill do I need?

The primary factor in determining grill size is the cooking area. The cooking area is expressed in terms of square inches.

In addition to the cooking area, the footprint of a grill should be considered. Most barbecue grills feature side shelves that can be removed or collapsed.

A variety of accessories are available to enhance a grill’s cooking area without increasing its footprint.

Which fuel type is best: natural gas or liquid propane?

While liquid propane has been the standard fuel type for many years, an increasing number of customers are having natural gas lines installed. The advantage of using natural gas is having a constant gas supply. Liquid propane tanks require maintenance as they must be exchanged periodically when the tank runs out.

However, despite the extra maintenance required with LP tanks, there are still advantages to using them. Propane grills can be easily re-located and the cost of using liquid propane tanks versus installing a gas line is far more economical. LP tanks have also been standardized, making them adaptable to the fist most gas grills.

After all, I hope our grill buying guide can help you know more about how to buy a grill to fit your needs. If you want to pick the best grill for you, please refer here: Best 2 Burner Gas Grills EARLES GRILL johnsonville sausage grill