Gloss How-To: Buy a Grill

Even though the summer is almost 2/3 of the way over (slow down, time!) if you don’t already own a grill, it’s the perfect time to buy one.

You see, a grill is an essential tool for any dedicated home cook (and even the undedicated home cook). The four main types of grills are gas, charcoal, electric and propane, with each type offering a unique fragrance and flavor for the meat it cooks.

Electric grills are the easiest to use but often leave a bit to be desired when it comes to the flavor and texture of the finished product.  Gas and propane grills are also very popular, and while not quite as convenient as electric (don’t try to use a gas or propane grill indoors!) they are very easy to set up and clean afterward, with minimal prep time needed. Charcoal grills tend to offer the most authentic grilling experience, however disposing of the coals and ashes afterward can be a chore.

Before you hit the store, keep a few things in mind:

Tip #1: Assess your space. There are many different sized grills out there and some have to be placed a certain distance from the home.  If you live in an apartment with no backyard, you might have to resign yourself to using a smaller kitchen grill, like the George Foreman Evolve Grill. You’ll also need to determine if you have enough space to leave your grill out or if you’ll need to account for storage in between uses,

Tip #2: Comparison shop. Before you hand over your cold, hard cash, research the options that are out there. Sites like ConsumerSearch.com and Consumer Reports will help you compare different brands, prices and models on the market.

Tip #3: Know what you’re getting yourself into. It’s not hard to walk into a store and pick the prettiest grill in your price range, but you need to know what’s in store for you once you arrive home with your new addition. “Gas, electric, and propane grills a bit easier to care for,” said a representative from Home Depot. “Heat settings are high enough that they allow for easy clean-up.”  Charcoal grills, on the other hand, require more care and attention, which, if you’re a frequent griller, can be burdensome.

Tip #4: You get what you pay for. A bigger grill may be more expensive, but if it doesn’t have the proper number of BTUs then it may not give off the proper amount of heat needed to cook properly. You want to aim for approximately 100 BTUs per square inch – if that sounds Greek to you, head to your local retailer and be prepared with questions for them. No one can help decide what qualities in a grill are important to you, but an informed salesperson can help point you in the direction of what you’re looking for.