Having a barbecue grill in your backyard means enjoying succulent grilled meats and vegetables with family and friends on a sunny afternoon. An outdoor grill also allows you to eat healthy food without compromising on the taste.
Buying a barbecue grill, however, is a lot easier said than done. With so many different brands and types out in the market, choosing the right outdoor grill to match your needs can be very overwhelming.
That’s why we’ve come up with this guide to help you find the outdoor grill that best satisfies your wants and needs.
8 Factors to Consider When Choosing an Outdoor Grill
Your budget
Setting a specific budget before you go out and do some shopping around is extremely important.
In addition to knowing how much you’re willing to spend on the actual unit, it’s also important to decide how much are you willing to set aside for your outdoor grill’s fuel. That’s because this is where you will be spending on well after you have bought your barbecue grill.
Frequency of use
How often you see yourself using your outdoor grill is another thing that you need to consider. Gas grills tend to be initially more expensive than charcoal grills. But it will bring about savings for you in the long run if you see yourself using your outdoor grill often since propane gas tanks lasts far longer than
The size of your backyard
The size of your outdoor grill must be proportion to the size of your backyard. Placing a large barbecue grill in a small backyard could easily make it feel very crowded and difficult for your guests to move around when you host backyard barbecue parties.
At the same time, you also need to think about what are the kinds of food that you see yourself grilling on your barbecue grill. Getting a really compact grill may give you a lot of room to spare for you and your guests to gather during a backyard party, but it might pose a huge problem if you’re planning to grill a whole slab of baby back ribs or 20 burger patties all at once.
Fuel choice
If there is one thing that has fired up a lot of debate when it comes to choosing a barbecue grill, it is the type of fuel that you use.
Generally speaking, there are two types of fuel used in an outdoor grill: charcoal and gas.
Barbecue purists tend to favor using charcoal for their barbecue grill because they allow you to cook at higher temperatures, so you really get that crisp, seared crusts in your meat with those really pretty grill marks. Charcoal grills also give your meat more of that smoky flavor.
Gas grills, on the other hand, are not as messy to use as compared to charcoal grills. They are also a lot quicker to fire up and get things grilling. More important, the temperature in gas grills is more consistent, which is important if you need to grill meats for long periods of time.
The material of your barbecue grill
Barbecue grills these days are made from either stainless steel, cast iron, or aluminum. Again, each of these has their own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Stainless steel outdoor grills, for instance, are far easier to clean and less prone to rust. However, they can be very expensive. Cast iron grills are more economical and not easily prone to dents. But they are the most susceptible to rusting, especially if you live in a region where you experience a high amount of moisture.
If you’re working on a rather tight budget, barbecue grills made from aluminum steel is a really good option because it gives you the best of both worlds, so to speak. They are easier to clean and durable but still within a reasonable price range.
Additional features
A lot of barbecue grills these days come with a range of additional features like cabinets, side tables, side burners, spice racks, rotisseries, and night lights. Naturally, the more features your outdoor grill has, the more expensive it would be. Then again, these added features can also make it a lot more convenient for you to use your grill, especially if you’re hosting a barbecue party in your backyard.
Parts and repairs
This is especially important if you’re considering on buying a gas grill because parts will need to be replaced because of wear and tear over time, or something might not be working properly.
When choosing a specific gas grill, ask the salesperson if parts are readily available. It’s also a good idea to make sure that the gas grill brand you’ve selected has an authorized service center in your area. That way, if something goes wrong with your gas grill, it’s very easy to get someone to come over to fix it right away.
Most—if not, all—barbecue grills sold today come with a warranty. The coverage and duration of the warranty vary depending on the grill’s brand and model, so be sure to check this out as well.
Maintenance
Another thing to consider when choosing a barbecue grill is the amount of work you’re willing to put into cleaning and maintaining it. Since gas grills tend to have a more complicated system than charcoal grills, it would require more time and effort on your part to clean this and make sure that it’s in good working condition. If you don’t have the time or patience to clean and inspect a large gas grill, a more compact charcoal grill might be a better option for you.
As you can see, there is really no single right answer when it comes to choosing the right kind of barbecue grill. At the end of the day, the best outdoor grill to get for your home is the one that you find what works best for you and meet your needs.