Pick the Right Grill

Whether you like charcoal or gas, a single grill or a cooking station, how and where you use a grill will help you decide on the grill size and features you need.

Flame cooking is what makes grilling so special, so it’s essential to pick the right type of fuel for the grilling you do. Charcoal fans love the flavor it imparts and the natural flame. Gas-grill lovers like a fuel that burns cleaner, is easy to start, and is always at the ready.

Grill Types and Fuels
Barbecues or charcoal-fueled grills require charcoal or briquets and take 15-30 minutes for the flames to reduce before the food can be cooked over hot coals. Many cooks use natural accelerants, paper, wood, and smoking chips like mesquite for flavor. Charcoal grills typically have air vents to help control the flames, and cleaning vents that allow you to empty the ashes from the bottom.

Gas grills are powered by liquid propane (LP) or natural gas — each uses its own valve, so be sure you buy the right version. They typically have an automatic starter that ignites the flame with the touch of a button. Gas grills take very little time to heat up and are extinguished by shutting down the gas. Gas burns much cleaner than charcoal, but does not impart the smoky flavor of charcoal or wood-fueled cooking. Propane is sold in tanks that are refillable. A standard 20 lb. tank will last about nine hours before running out. Natural gas grills have a direct line to the gas supply and never run out of fuel.

Grill Size and Power
Grill size is determined by the amount of space given to the grill and the amount of cooking surface it provides. A large specialty grill with two or more burners will require a lot of space. Measure the area where you intend to put the grill and check carefully to ensure that the features you want will fit in the space you have.

Think about the way you wish to use your grill. If you entertain large groups, and want to grill a bunch of dogs and hamburgers for a crowd, then surface space will be very important. Typical family grilling for single-entree meals, like steaks, chicken, or chops, do not require a lot of area. Meats cook well when close together because they share heat, which helps speed the cooking process. If, however, you like to cook full meals on the grill, including vegetables and side dishes, it is important to select a grill with burners and grill shelves for foods that cook at different temperatures or need to be kept warm. Individual controls will allow you to cook with one surface area at a time or all at once. When selecting burners, look for porcelain-coated grids for the best and most durable cooking surface.