Outdoor Grills - Buying Guide

What better way to spend the weekend than to have friends and family around, a few beers, and a hot grill churning out delicious food? Few American traditions are more loved than the Sunday morning BBQ, and rightfully so - it promotes the idea of community, gets one outside in the fresh air, and arguably, cooking can be quite therapeutic.

Outdoor Grills - Buying Guide

Therefore, when you buy your first grill, you aren't looking just for something functional. Rather, you are looking for something that will look good (and make you look good while you are grilling) and go with the overall decor of your backyard.

Outdoor Grill

Outdoor Grills - Buying Guide

But a single visit to the BBQ grill store will probably leave your head spinning! There are so many varieties and options with various configurations and stats that can leave even the most hardcore griller confused.

Outdoor Grills - Buying Guide

To keep things simple, understand that there are basically three kinds of grills depending on the kind of fuel they use: gas, electric, and charcoal grills.

As you must have figured out, gas BBQ grills run on propane or natural gas. These are safe fuels and are such grills are among the most popular in the US. The best part about them is that they are quite portable and it is easy to find fuel for them (most grocery stores stock propane/natural gas).

Electric grills on the other hand, require electricity to operate. Naturally, this limits their range of movement as they can be operated only near an electric power point. Consequently, it can be difficult to use them outdoors. However, if you want an indoor grill, these are a great alternative.

Charcoal grills are arguably the choice of the purists. They run on charcoal which gives a great smoky flavor to the BBQ. If you are truly passionate about grilling, this is the kind of grill you should buy. Charcoal can be somewhat difficult to handle, but the end result - delicious BBQ - is well worth the effort.

Charcoal grills are harder to use than the other two varieties as the temperature is regulated by the amount of charcoal in the grill. Therefore, it is recommended only for more advanced users who have adequate experience grilling.

When you buy your grill, make sure that you also invest in a large grill cover. This is a must have accessory that protects your investment from damage, dust, dirt and bad weather. Moreover, they can also enhance the look of the grill and make it 'blend-in' with your backyard decor.

Outdoor Grills - Buying Guide