How to Buy
A Gas Grill
The summertime barbeque get-together—it’s nearly as all-American as hotdogs at a ballgame or Fourth of July fireworks.
For many, having a backyard barbeque is an integral part of the warmer months as the sun stays up longer and the weather remains pleasant late into the evening. But first, you need to have the equipment to host such a gathering, and choosing between the best gas grills available can be a difficult choice.
We are here to make the decision less daunting, and provide some guidance in terms of specifications, needs, and space constraints to make the process easier.
Do you want to know how to buy a gas grill for your own seasonal backyard barbeques? Then you’re in the right place! Read on for your comprehensive and essential gas grill buying guide.
Benefits
of a Gas Grill
To begin with, let’s explore some of the top 6 benefits of owning and using gas barbeque grills. Not only are they quicker, easier, and cleaner to use, but you can also use them virtually as soon as you purchase the unit and get home!
Configuration
Options
You have two primary choices when it comes to placement and mobility for outdoor gas grills—do you like the idea of a stationary and permanent unit, or do you prefer portable gas grills? Let’s take a look at the options.
Built-In
These gas outdoor grills are often built into a backyard cooking island or even into a patio wall, making them a great aesthetic addition. They are big, powerful, and can cook plenty of food for any gathering size, especially when paired with a full outdoor kitchen setup.
However, though they are more expensive than other models, due to their size and capacity, these grills are also more easily protected from weather and the elements. Plus, without getting moved frequently, built-in grills are likely to need fewer repairs.
Freestanding
As a grill mounted on a mobile, wheeled structure, freestanding grills have room for accessories and fuel tanks to roll along with them wherever you need to position the setup for your next barbeque.
So, if you are looking for flexibility in your grilling situation, a freestanding grill is easier to move around your seating arrangements if you’d like to change things up for a gathering.
Additionally, because they are smaller and tend to incur fewer energy costs, freestanding gas grills are less expensive than other models.
What Gas Grills Are
Made Out Of
The material of your gas grill is a major consideration when looking to purchase one. Depending on what it’s made out of, the grill will last longer, need fewer repairs, and be more rust-resistant. Let’s take a look at the two primary options for grill material: aluminum and steel.
Cast Aluminum
Choosing a cast aluminum gas grill is a great choice for many reasons. For instance, aluminum is traditionally very resistant to rust and durable, often coming with multi-year warranties to prove its longevity. Aluminum also tends to hold heat well and distribute it evenly making it a great option for cooking large batches of food. However, this does depend on the quality of the material—casting thickness and aluminum grade variations can produce different results.
Very resistant to rust.
Multi-year warranties to prove its longevity
Tends to hold heat well and distribute it evenly
Great option for cooking large batches of food
Stainless Steel
A favorite among cooks and grill enthusiasts alike, stainless steel is arguably best for the body and frame of your gas grill. Not only is this material incredibly durable and resistant to rust, but it also heats up very quickly and cuts down on the time you have to wait for your grill to get to the right temperature.
Incredibly durable material
Resistant to rust
Heats up very quickly
Cuts down on the time you have to wait for your grill to get to the right temperature
Furthermore, its heat-retention and distribution make for great performance in grilling a variety of goods, from meat to vegetables. Just keep in mind that the grade of steel will ultimately determine the quality of your grill—the smaller the grade number, the better the quality of stainless steel has been used.
Unit Size
And
Gas Grill Burners
When it comes to unit size and burners, gas grill shopping can get a little complex. But to determine the best grill for you, you need to ask yourself a few questions about its intended use. Let’s figure out how big and how many gas grill burners you will need in your unit!
How Many People Are You Serving?
This is the first question to ask—what is the typical size of your grill recipient group?
For a family of 4, it’s best to factor at least 2 burners on your grill to get the job done. This also works out to about 400 sq. inches of cooking space.
Additionally, you need to factor in the number of people you will be serving at once. If your family is content with food being plated in multiple batches, a smaller unit should suffice. But if you plan to prepare large amounts of food at the same time, you will need a bigger grill surface to accommodate simultaneous dishes and cooking.
How Much Room Do You Have To Place Your Grill?
Next, where are you going to put your grill? This is absolutely essential, because the larger the unit you buy, the more space is needed for safety reasons.
Smaller grills can fit into tighter spaces safely, but you must have enough room for large units to be kept away from your house and other structures.
Your gas BBQ grill needs to be placed 5 to 6 feet away from any flammable materials and your home itself. It might seem excessive, but fire can spread quickly from a gas grill and you don’t want to get into a dangerous situation during a barbeque night!
How Much Headspace Is Needed—ie. How Large Cuts Of Meat Do You Plan To Grill?
In culinary terms, “headspace” refers to the distance between food products and the lid of whatever they are placed inside—in this case, headspace is the area left between the grill lid and your meat or vegetables.
Determining headspace in grilling is especially key for selecting the size of your unit, particularly based on the cuts of meat you’re planning to grill. Your typical barbequed burger patty is not thick enough to warrant an issue with the grill’s headspace, but when you get into larger meat cuts, it can become problematic.
Your gas BBQ grill needs to be placed 5 to 6 feet away from any flammable materials and your home itself. It might seem excessive, but fire can spread quickly from a gas grill and you don’t want to get into a dangerous situation during a barbeque night!
What Cooking Techniques Do You Want To Try? Zone grilling
If you are planning to barbeque your meals the typical way by heating the grill and slapping your meat on, this isn’t too much of a concern.
But if you are the more adventurous type and want to try some different cooking methods, such as zone grilling, you need a bigger surface!
Zone grilling is done by having two different zones of heat going on your grill—typically direct and indirect heat. That way, you can cook different foods to their specification simultaneously; but this also necessitates a larger grill area to accommodate the process.
What Different Things Do You Want To Cook At Once?
Lastly, it’s important to consider what types of food you want to cook at the same time, as this will also determine the size of your grill and how many burners it has.
While you can certainly share burners and grill tops for different items, you might also want to opt for separate levels, spits, or burners for meats and vegetables, or even have an additional burner on the side of your grill for boiling potatoes or making sauces.
Natural Gas
vs
Propane Grill
Another key consideration is the fuel that will be used to power your barbeque grill—will you opt for natural gas or propane? Several factors go into this decision, and the debate of propane vs gas grill can be a contentious and fiery one.
In the end, there is no truly “better” option. It just comes down to personal preference, and what your backyard setup is best suited for.
Just keep in mind that you cannot use propane with a natural gas grill, and vice versa. Once you settle on a type of grill, you must stick with that fuel alone.
Natural Gas |
Propane |
|
|---|---|---|
| gas lines | For anyone with existing natural gas lines in their home or yard, this is the primary choice. If you are already paying utility bills for the gas, you might as well opt for convenience and shop natural gas barbeque grills. | If your property is not already fitted with natural gas lines, a propane grill is your best option. |
| flow of gas | Plus, with a constant flow of gas, you don’t need to worry about the fuel running out! | However, because you do need to refill the tanks or buy new ones as the fuel runs out, propane grills are not attached to an endless supply of an accelerant. You need to plan ahead for barbequing to make sure you have enough propane for the job. |
| Portability | However, you do need to keep in mind that natural gas grills need to be wired into the gas piping, and so are not very portable. While you might have some wiggle room in terms of moving it around, the mobility of your grill will be lessened. | You can easily move this type of grill and its propane tanks around your yard without having to worry about where the gas line is, and the tanks can be easily refilled at gas stations or purchased from superstores. |
Ignition
System
How will you start up your grill—that’s the next aspect of gas grill shopping that we need to discuss.
Types Of
Burners
Gas grill burners are the heart of your unit, and if they don’t work properly, then your food will not be cooked well. So, it’s important to choose the best type of burner for your grill!
Stainless Steel
While the most common burner type for BBQ gas grills, stainless steel burners are also arguably the best choice you can make.
They are rust-resistant and durable, often lasting for several years before needing replacement.
And if you opt for cast stainless steel burners, they will last even longer with the added bonuses of being weather-resistant and excellent heat conductors!
Cast Iron
Another material for grill burners that is frequently found in older models, cast iron is no longer the best option for outdoor grills. They are quite high maintenance and need regular oiling, as well as being prone to rust damage.
However, iron’s durability is unmatched and these burners can last for many years when cared for correctly.
Tin
Another material for grill burners that is frequently found in older models, cast iron is no longer the best option for outdoor grills. They are quite high maintenance and need regular oiling, as well as being prone to rust damage.
However, iron’s durability is unmatched and these burners can last for many years when cared for correctly.
Infrared
A very different type of burner, grillers should not try to use infrared as a cooking method for the entirety of a meat product.
Instead, this very high heat source should only be used to caramelize a dish or add a crunchy sear layer to meat.
Understanding
BTU
If you have been around the grilling world for long enough, you’ll know that “BTU” stands for British Thermal Units, or how much energy one pound of water needs to be heated by 1°F. It’s also the common measurement of heat for grills and their performance.
However, this number is often given more weight than is due, as gas grill BTU is just one aspect of what makes a grill perform well or not.
A high BTU count might allow your unit to reach hotter temperatures. But keep in mind that even the highest BTU gas grill will not perform ideally if the grill’s material quality doesn’t hold or distribute heat well.
Instead, focus on the “heat flux” that informs BTU calculations per square inch of heating. Lower numbers are less efficient, but a heat flux level of around 85 denotes a good starting point for a gas grill.
Heat Zones
AND
Zone
Grilling
When your gas barbecue grill is fitted with multiple heat zones, it takes your grilling process to a whole new level. Anyone who spends plenty of time at the grill should opt for a model that includes heat zones that are both individual and adjustable.
When your gas barbecue grill is fitted with multiple heat zones, it takes your grilling process to a whole new level. Anyone who spends plenty of time at the grill should opt for a model that includes heat zones that are both individual and adjustable.
Zone Grilling
With areas that target your food with either direct or indirect heat, what is known as “zone grilling” is one step up from simple burger patties on the BBQ. And even if you do like a good burger, opting for the inclusion of heat zones in your grill will open up a whole new universe for you!
Searing
Burners
AND
Infrared
Grills with searing capabilities are just another great option for anyone passionate about cooking outdoors and grilling food. We briefly mentioned infrared burners previously, but they are one of the best accessories to look for in a gas barbeque grill.
Instead of having to brown meat indoors and then pop it on the grill, use built-in infrared searing burners to give it a nice outer color while retaining all the juices within your meat.
Other advantages to having an infrared burner include:
Efficient
Energy Usage
Faster
Cooking Time
Less Likelihood
Of Flare-Ups
Tender, Juicier
Meat
Ideal Searing
Temperatures
Swift
Preheating
Even
Cooking
Temperature
Range
You don’t want to be stuck with a new gas grill that doesn’t reach the temperatures that are needed to cook your favorite dishes. So, any new gas grills that you consider should be able to perform well at both ends of the scale—at high and low temperatures.
Check the unit for a temperature range that will either be listed in terms of degrees Fahrenheit or from low to high.
If the grill has a decent spectrum of temperatures, you will be able to use it for many applications.
But always test your meat’s heat with a digital thermometer for the best reading.
Additionally, if you want a grill that sears meat to perfection, look for something in the range of 500°F to 600°F—this will add a great layer of flavor to your meat without having to use another tool.
Types Of
Cooking
Grates
Cooking grates are the slotted coverings that go over the top of your grill’s burners for the food to rest on. These gas grill grates are essentially the cooking surface for all products that you put in your outdoor barbeque, so choosing the right material is essential.
Let’s take a moment to look at the advantages and disadvantages of each common type of cooking grate available on the market.
Stainless Steel
The most common option, this is a great choice for most grilling applications while being lightweight and easy to clean.
Durable material and construction
Resistant to corrosion, rust, and weather
Easy to clean and maintain
Expensive to purchase and install
Temperature retention is not even
The finish can retain discoloration, dents, or pits
Cast Iron
It takes longer to heat up, but cast iron is ideal for heat retention and even temperatures. However, it also needs more care and cleaning.
Also highly durable
Good heat retention
The temperature distribution is even and consistent
Iron requires regular maintenance
Less conductive than other materials
Thermal shock can lead to cracking
Enamel-Coated
Non-stick and resistant to corrosion and weather damage, these light grates can still suffer from rust if water gets between the metal and the coating, requiring replacement.
Cost-effective
Excellent heat retention and distribution
Popular among many grillers
Durability and lifespan are shorter than other materials
Enamel loss is likely
Gas Grill
Heat
Diffusers
Also known as flame diffusers, these accessories come in many forms and materials, but ultimately all serve the same purpose. Because you don’t want the flame to come in direct contact with your food, or have your burners distribute heat unevenly, these diffusers come in handy for both applications.
Why You Need Heat Diffusers
The following are some of the reasons why installing gas grill heat diffusers in your gas barbecue grill is essential:
Prevent Clogged Burners
Diffusers help direct fat and juice from cooking away from the burners and clogs.
Protect Burners
They also make cleanup easier by guarding against dripping sauces or marinades.
Prevent Direct Flame Contact
Instead of risking flames reaching up and creating burnt spots, diffusers protect against direct heat on food items.
Reduce Flare-Ups
Greases from meat often cause fire flares on a grill, but diffusers reduce the likelihood of these.
Types Of Diffusers
There are several primary types of BBQ heat diffusers available, and each has slightly different benefits, as we can see:
BBQ Grill Tiles
With large gaps that maintain even temperatures and distribute heat efficiently, these are a great option for most grills.
Diffuser Plates
Made of cast iron, porcelain-coated metal, or stainless steel, these retain heat but do not distribute it as well as other options.
Lava Rocks
These rocks are a natural option as well as being cost-effective, and will last for many uses, if not years.
Ceramic Briquettes
They might be pricey initially, but ceramic briquettes are great for helping your grill use less fuel while reaching a higher temperature.
Flavorizer Bars
These are great for keeping the distance between flame and diffuser evenly distributed.
Safety
Like everything else, when using gas grills safety should come first. Whether that be in ensuring your grill is stable and situated far enough away from potential fire hazards, or just exercising caution when lighting it, it’s better to be safe around gas BBQ grills!
As a general precaution when lighting your grill, make sure the lid is open so that gas doesn’t pool within it and cause a bang as soon as the spark hits its reserves.
Additionally, always have a phone on hand to call 911 and your gas provider in case of emergencies.
Sturdiness
With fire and flames inside your grill, not to mention hot food products and scorching metal, you definitely don’t want it to tip over while in use.
To prevent this from happening, opt for a grill that has a good amount of weight instead of a flimsy one. Additionally, make sure the ground or patio where it stands is level and allows all of the unit’s stand or feet to attach firmly and evenly to the surface.
Placement
You also need to consider your new gas grill’s footprint and what is nearby. Always position your grill at least 5 to 6 feet away from the side of your house, including if it’s on a porch.
And, make sure other flammable materials such as sheds, woodpiles, dry grass, gas cans, or chemicals are also kept at a 6-foot minimum distance from the grill. It might seem excessive, but accidents happen—and prevention is always the better choice.
Other
Options
And
Considerations
Hood Mounted Thermometers
Take the hassle out of making sure your meat is cooking perfectly inside the closed grill by installing a hood-mounted thermometer.
This accessory can often be more accurate than the small heat gauge included on most grills, particularly if you opt for a high-end one or a “smart” hood-mounted thermometer that has Bluetooth capabilities and remote control!
Rotisserie Kit
Cooking with a rotisserie is a great way to make roasting a variety of meats easy. And while you might assume that chicken and turkey are the only things able to be cooked on a spit, rotisserie kit add-ons are great for a number of foods, such as:
Corn-On-The-Cob
Gammon Ham
Meat And Vegetable Skewers
Pork Loin
Prime Rib
Roast Of Lamb
Squab Or Game Hens
Whole Turkey
Game Meat Cuts
Leg Of Lamb
Pineapple
Pork Tenderloins
Roast Beef
Shish Kabobs
Whole Chicken
Other Upgrades
You can also find a wide array of other attachments, accessories, and upgrades to add to your new gas BBQ grill, including some of the following:
Built-In, Wi-Fi-Enabled Temperature Probes.
Night Lights
Specialized Grill Grates
Flat-Top Griddles
Pizza-Oven Attachments
Customer Service
Though you might go through the entire lifespan of your new gas grill without having to talk to the company’s support team, it’s important to go with a grill manufacturer that has excellent customer service.
That way, if something unforeseen happens and you find yourself on the phone or emailing with a customer service representative, you can be sure the experience will go as smoothly and nicely as possible!
Warranty And Company Reputation
Though you might go through the entire lifespan of your new gas grill without having to talk to the company’s support team, it’s important to go with a grill manufacturer that has excellent customer service.
That way, if something unforeseen happens and you find yourself on the phone or emailing with a customer service representative, you can be sure the experience will go as smoothly and nicely as possible!
Reviews
It’s always a good idea to peruse the reviews and user feedback available on gas grills or any other large purchase.
That way, if something unforeseen happens and you find yourself on the phone or emailing with a customer service representative, you can be sure the experience will go as smoothly and nicely as possible!
Conclusion
When it comes to selecting the perfect outdoor gas barbeque grill for you, there are so many options and considerations. But by asking the right questions and thinking about your space constraints, family size, and what you enjoy cooking, the process can be made a lot simpler.
Hopefully, this guide on how to buy a gas grill has helped you reach a decision, and we wish you happy grilling from now on!
Key Questions
- What are the benefits of owning a gas grill?
- What are the two possible configurations for gas grills?
- What are gas grills made out of?
- What important factors should you consider when buying a gas grill?
- What are the main differences between a natural gas and propane grill?
- How do ignition systems work?
- What are the different types of burners and why do they matter?
- What does BTU stand for and why is it important?
- Why are heat zones important to understand when grilling?
- Why do you need heat diffusers and what are the different types?
- What safety precautions should you take when using your gas grill?
- What last considerations you should think about before buying a gas grill?