Once you have decided to purchase an outdoor gas grill, you should think about what features you want in a grill. You don’t want to buy the wrong size grill and have your menu be limited by the cooking surface. If you are looking for the best buy for your money, you should think carefully about which features you absolutely must have before buying.
Think about what size grill you want
Most grilling areas are listed in either square inches or square feet. These numbers might not mean as much to you as a visual representation of the size, though, so it will help to visit a store and look at various sizes. You don’t want to get something too large for the area you have allotted, nor do you want to get one that is too small to cook the sorts of meals you want to cook. If you plan on cooking both an entrée and side items, a small grill won’t give you enough room.
Burners
Many gas grills come with side burners, perfect for simmering sauces, melting butter, or cooking side dishes. The more burners on the grilling surface itself, the more flexibility you will have when it comes to cooking. You might want to consult grilling recipes to see which call for searing, indirect heat, or direct heat so that you can determine what kinds of menus you can plan with various burner setups.
Materials
Usually, grills made of chrome are less expensive than those that are steel or iron with a porcelain coating. Chrome rusts more easily and is harder to clean, but porcelain is easily scratched, and the cleaning is more complicated. Cast iron grills have to be seasoned. Think about how much time you want to invest in cleaning and maintenance, as well as what your budget is, as you compare different varieties of gas grills.
Other features
When you think about special features such as multiple levels of cooking racks, rotisserie, or smoker options, think about what you will realistically use. If your primary use is going to be throwing some steaks on the grill after work, you might not want all the extra bells and whistles. If you are on a budget, be sure to pay only for the features you know you will use often.
Doing your homework before purchasing will ensure that you come home with a product you will enjoy for a long time. Happy shopping!