by Kevin Taylor, the BBQ Guru

The first step in grilling is choosing the right grill. There are 2 types to choose from; charcoal or gas. The choice comes down to one of lifestyle and you should first ask yourself a couple of questions..

Do you enjoy the challenge of building and maintaining a fire? Or, do you need precise heat control? Do you enjoy the smell of food cooked over hot coals? Or, is the grilled taste the most important aspect? Do you need that primal hands-on experience? Or, would you prefer the easier one-touch heat settings?

A major manufacturer of both charcoal and gas grills has done extensive taste testing and the results showed there is no difference in taste between the two. So, it comes down to one of personal preference. Again a lifestyle choice. In other words, how do you plan on using your new grill? How often will you use your grill? How many people do you normally cook for? Are the fuel choices (gas or charcoal) available in your area? Is cost an issue? Gas grills are more expensive initially but charcoal grills will cost more to operate over the long run.

Dont worry.BOTH are great choices and whatever you choose will reward you with some of the best food you have tasted. After you have chosen what type of grill you want, look for these 3 features

1.    Look for a pre-assembled grill that has been welded together. These welds will assure sturdy construction and will further help to fend off rust. Easy assembly and die-cut parts for a tight fit are essential. The fewer number of parts to assemble, the less hassles you will encounter in the future.

2    Warranties are very important. Look for a grill with a long warranty period. Does the manufacturer trust its own quality control issues? A long warranty period will answer this question. Look for 5-years on charcoal grills and 10-years on gas grills.

3    Always look at the company behind the grill. Do they have a reputation for great customer service and quality products? Replacement parts are also a consideration. Be sure replacement parts are easily accessible. Preferably you should be able to buy the standard parts at a retail store near yougrates, ignition systems, covers, etc.

As in many consumer purchases, you will get what you pay for. A low end gas grill, while inexpensive, will also result in inferior parts and therefore a frustrating cooking experience. My advice has always been, if you cannot afford a top quality gas grill, go with a top quality charcoal grill. Here in the US, you can find a good quality, small gas grill for around $300. If you cannot afford that, then a good quality charcoal grill is available for under $100. The important word here is QUALITY. What do I mean by that? Well, lets look at both gas and charcoal grills. Look for the following features when assessing grills.

CHARCOAL GRILLS

• Construction. Look for a grill made of high-grade steel and a porcelain-enamel coating. The coating should be baked on and not just sprayed on. This will prevent rusting, peeling and fading. Leg couplings and grate supports should be welded for added strength. The lid should be heavy and fit tightly.
• Basic Features. Cooking and charcoal grates should be nickel-plated or stainless steel. Both of these will clean up very easily and are also rust resistant. Make sure the handles are of wood or plastic. These will stay cool to the touch.
• Added Features. Easy disposal of ashes is a must. Some grills offer a one-touch system that sweeps the ashes into a disposal pan. A thermometer is always nice for keeping an eye on the temperature.

GAS GRILLS

• Construction. Same as the charcoal grills..baked on porcelain-enamel finish, high-grade steel and welded legs. A simple lifting of the lid will tell you a lot. The heavier the better.
• Basic Features. The cooking system is critical in a gas grill. You should have a minimum of 3 independent burners. This will allow the most precise fire control and will insure the ability to cook using indirect heat. These burners should run along each side, either side-to-side or front-to-back, and down the middle of the grill. This will avoid hot spots and assures total utilization of the entire cook surface. Look for a flare-up prevention system. A series of angled steel plates should be located just below the cooking grate. These will collect the drippings and immediately vaporize them resulting in that grilled flavor you are looking to attain. Avoid grills that use lava rocks, as they collect grease and are prone to flare-ups. The cooking grates should be stainless steel or a baked on porcelain-enamel finish. Cast iron grates will hold the heat better, but are very labor intensive as they will need constant re-seasoning.
• Added Features. Look for side tables and condiment holders. Locking wheels are also a nice feature as these will prevent rolling in high wind environments. As far as side burners, I would personally avoid these. I used mine exactly 5 times and never again. Save yourself a few extra bucks and avoid the side burners. An extra side table is a much more efficient use of space.

Finally, a word on BTUs. BTUs are NOT a measure of the cooking power of a grill! They are only an indication of the volume of gas a grill can burn. A better engineered unit can use less BTUs and cook more efficiently.

So, you should now be comfortable taking the first step in your grilling experience, buying a grill. As always, I will gladly answer any questions you may have. Just drop me an e-mail. Keep in mind, I may not have access to the exact grill you are considering.

Kevin Taylor
The BBQGuru