Gas Grills

Many people are choosing high-end models that do more than just grill. But you don’t need to spend a fortune to get solid performance from an outdoor gas grill

Getting a good grill has become easier--and cheaper--in the competitive marketplace; some of the best cookers we tested cost $200 or less. You’ll also find $500 grills with the added style, space, and convenience of models that are much more expensive.

Stainless steel tops the list of high-end features that are moving down the price spectrum. Many lower-priced models now have at least some stainless trim, while midpriced models typically feature more of it as manufacturers find ways to offer the shiny metal for less.

You’ll also find a greater number of grills that cost $1,000-plus as kitchen-appliance brands such as Frigidaire, Jenn-Air, and Viking have moved onto the patio. While we did not test any new-for-this-year small and portable grills, manufacturers continue to target the tailgating set with them.


WHAT’S AVAILABLE



Char-Broil, Coleman, Kenmore (Sears), and Weber account for more than 60 percent of gas-grill sales.

Basic grill. These grills are ideal for barbecuers who want a good small or medium-sized grill without the frills, for serving four to six people. Features include a painted cart and cast-aluminum firebox and hood; thin porcelain-steel grates; a side burner for some; more stainless trim as you spend more. But most of these grills lack premium, coated cast-iron or thick stainless grates; burners with long warranties; rotisseries; and trays that hold wood chips for smoking. Many carts have only two wheels and lack drawers and other features. Price range: $100 to $300

Midpriced grill. Grills in this price range are the best choice for most outdoor cooks. Options include medium-sized grills with more features and, increasingly, large models that can cook enough for 15 people. Features include longer-warranty burners; premium grates; higher-heat, recessed side burners; an electronic igniter; a rotisserie or smoker tray; more stainless; double doors. But some carts have only two wheels. Many midpriced models have premium grates or burners with long warranties, but few have both. Price range: $300 to $500

High-end grill. Best for those who want a more-stylish medium-sized or large grill that can serve up to 15 people. Features include those on midpriced grills plus mostly or all-stainless construction; lifetime burner warranties; more burners with more heat; a fully rolling cart; better storage space. Paying $1,000 or more often buys a toe-kick that hides the wheels. But based on our tests, paying more than $1,000 for a high-end model usually doesn’t buy you better grilling. Price range: $500 to $1,000-plus.


How to choose



Most gas grills should perform at least adequately at your next alfresco feast. As with indoor ranges, some models do so with more style and panache.

Consider your cooking. Grills with wide or thick stainless or cast-iron grates tend to be best at searing and browning quickly to seal in juices--essential for meats and fish. Wide grates also leave the wide grill marks barbecue buffs crave. But heavy grates can take longer to heat up.

Take a head count. If you often entertain large crowds, look for a large grill with lots of grilling, shelf, and storage space. You’ll find several capable choices.

Inspect the burners. These distribute the gas and flames. They’re also a gas grill’s most-replaced part. Main burners warranted for 10 years or more are likely to last longest. Recessed side burners are also a plus, since some can accept a griddle and others include one. If you don’t cover your grill, look for a side burner with its own cover.

Check the construction. Make sure the rolling cart that supports the firebox and lid doesn’t rattle when shaken. If you want a stainless-steel grill and you’re picky about stains, look for stainless fasteners and better, 300-series stainless (bring a magnet to the store). Or, consider buying a grill made with the cheaper, 400-series stainless and protecting it with a cover (about $40 to $50).

Many grill components can be replaced with new parts, adding to ___ useful life of ___ grill. Though charcoal grills can sometimes require new cooking grids and charcoal grates, gas grills are much more complex, and require additional components such as burners, valves, and heat shields.

Burners
Drawing of ___ \'H\' Style Dual Burner
Drawing of ___ \'H\' Style Dual Burner

___ gas grill\'s burner is ___ central source of heat for cooking food. Gas grill burners are typically constructed of

* stainless steel
* aluminized steel
* cast iron (occasionally porcelain-coated)

Burners are hollow with gas inlet holes and outlet \'ports\'. For each inlet is ___ separate control on ___ control panel of ___ grill. Most grills have just one burner. Common configurations are referred to as dual burners, with two gas inlets and two corresponding control knobs - right and left, and single burners, having only one inlet and control. ___ most common type of gas grill burners are called \'H\' burners and resemble ___ capital letter \'H\' turned on its side. Another popular shape is Oval. There are also \'Figure 8\', \'Bowtie\' and \'Bar\' burners.

Other grills (typically more expensive models) have ___ separate burner for each control, usually featuring three or four individual burners. These burners can be referred to as \'Pipe\', \'Tube\', or \'Rail\' burners. They are mostly straight since they are only required to heat one portion of ___ grill. For example ___ gas grill may have 3 pipe burners which run from ___ front to ___ back of ___ grill - ___ left burner, center burner, and right burner. This allows ___ user ___ flexibility to use any combination of ___ three depending on ___ amount of food being cooked and ___ desired temperature.

Burners are situated at ___ bottom of ___ grill. They can have \'legs\' or rest directly on ___ grill casting. Gas is supplied through venturi tubes or simply \'venturis\'. Venturis can be permanently attached to ___ burner or removable. At ___ other end of ___ venturi is ___ gas valve, which is connected to ___ control knob on ___ front of ___ grill. When ___ user turns ___ knob, ___ valve opens, allowing gas to flow through ___ venturi tube and into ___ burner. Some burners (usually pipe style) do not require venturis and connect directly to ___ valve.

Because burners operate at such high temperatures (typically 300 to 650 degrees fahrenheit) and are subject to drippings from cooking meat (corrosive due to their moisture content and acidity), these crucial components are usually ___ first to wear out. ___ gas grill burner can typically operate effectively for 1 to 5 years with average usage. When ___ burner becomes significantly corroded, or \'rusted out\', gas escapes through ___ corroded areas, creating \'hot spots\' and making it difficult or impossible to properly cook food.

When ___ new burner is required, there are several possible sources. Usually ___ original manufacturer of ___ grill offers ___ replacement which is identical or nearly identical to ___ original part. This is known as ___ OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) part. This is ___ desirable option for many because ___ burner is known to work with their grill. However, sometimes grill manufacturers may go out of business, may not have ___ original replacement available (especially for older grills), or may charge ___ price which is deemed too high by ___ consumer.

Several companies manufacture \'after-market\' burners which can be ___ suitable replacement. Though they may not be exactly like ___ original, they have been tested and shown to work with ___ grill models for which they are sold. When choosing ___ after-market replacement burner, there are 3 main criteria which must be met for optimal operation:

1. ___ burner physically fits in ___ grill and rests evenly at ___ bottom of ___ grill
2. ___ burner is relatively close in size to ___ original
3. Gas can be supplied to ___ burner

Because of ___ wide variety of burner/venturi configurations, after-market parts manufacturers typically offer \'universal\' venturis, which can be bent and extended to reach from ___ burner to ___ valve in order to meet ___ 3rd requirement above.

Cooking Grids

Cooking grids, also known as cooking grates, are ___ surface on which ___ food is cooked in ___ grill. They are typically made of:

* Stainless steel (Usually ___ most expensive and longest-lasting option, may carry ___ lifetime warranty)
* Porcelain-coated cast iron (___ next best option after stainless, usually thick and good for searing meat)
* Porcelain-coated steel (Will typically last as long as porcelain-coated cast iron, but not as good for searing)
* Cast Iron (More commonly used for charcoal grills, cast iron must be constantly covered with oil to protect it from rusting)
* Chrome-plated steel (Usually ___ least expensive and shortest-lasting material)

Unless ___ grid is stainless steel, ___ protective coating will eventually wear off and ___ underlying metal will begin to rust. At this time it is time for ___ new grid. As with burners, replacement cooking grids can be obtained from ___ original grill manufacturer or ___ after-market parts dealer.

Many refer to ___ cooking grid\'s front to back dimension as \'width\' and ___ side to side dimension as \'length.\' Alternate terminology defines ___ \'depth\' of ___ cooking grid as measured from to front back and ___ \'width\' as measured from side to side. When looking for ___ replacement cooking grid, ___ grid\'s depth is ___ most crucial dimension. ___ typical rule of thumb is that ___ depth must be within 3/8\" of ___ depth of ___ original grid to fit properly. ___ width is less critical, and can be shorter that ___ original, simply reducing ___ amount of cooking area.

Rock Grates

Rock grates are placed directly above ___ burner and are designed to hold lava rock or ceramic briquettes. These materials serve ___ dual purpose - they protect ___ burner from drippings which can accelerate ___ deterioration of ___ burner, and they disperse ___ heat from ___ burner more evenly throughout ___ grill.

Rock grates are one of ___ least expensive replacement parts for ___ grill. Because they do not hold food, they do not need to be protected from rust like cooking grids. Therefore, they are typically constructed of carbon steel which will start to rust almost immediately. ___ rock grate is useful until it rusts completely through and no longer holds rock.

Heat Shields

Heat shields are also known as burner shields, heat plates, heat tents, radiation shields, or heat angles. They serve ___ same purpose as ___ rock grate + rock, protecting ___ burner from corrosive meat drippings and dispersing heat. They are more common in newer grills.

Some advantages of heat shields over rock:

* They do not harbor bacteria
* They are not as heavy
* They are easier to replace

Like lava rock or ceramic briquettes, heat shields also vaporize ___ meat drippings and \'infuse\' ___ meat with more flavor, though taste tests have shown that most people prefer ___ taste of meat cooked with rock or ceramic briquettes.

Valves

Valves can wear out or become rusted and too difficult to operate, thus requiring replacement. ___ valve is unlike ___ burner in that ___ replacement usually must match exactly to ___ original in order to fit properly. Therefore, many grills are disposed of when valves fail, due to ___ lack of available replacements.

If ___ valve seems to be moving properly, but no gas is getting to ___ burner, ___ most common cause for this is spider webs or other debris in ___ venturi. This impediment can be cleared by using ___ long flexible object.

Posts

With ___ exception of cast aluminum, all grill posts will eventually rust through and need to be replaced. If ___ exact replacement cannot be obtained, holes can sometimes be drilled in ___ post with ___ same diameter as ___ original where required to mount ___ grill head.

Other Parts

Grills contain many other less essential parts, such as handles, heat gauges, warming racks, condiment trays, and more. As ___ general rule, ___ less critical ___ part, ___ more likely that it will only be available from ___ original grill manufacturer.

How to Decide When to Replace ___ Grill

Each user will need to determine ___ most cost effective option for his or her situation. If ___ total of ___ replacement parts required is more than ___ new grill of comparable quality, by all means buying ___ new grill is ___ best option. If ___ casting (___ actual body of ___ grill) is corroded or significantly warped, buy ___ new grill. Almost all other parts can be replaced on most grills.

Grill Manufacturers

There are dozens of grill manufacturers. Some build grills designed to be kept for many years, and as such provide replacement parts and make ___ grills compatible with industry standards. Usually manufacturing their grills in ___ United States, some examples of these manufacturers are Weber-Stephen Products Co., barbecook®, Modern Home Products and Broilmaster. These grills are typically more expensive and not available at large home improvement warehouse stores or discount chains. However, they tend to last ___ very long time, sometimes as much as 30 years or more.

Canadian grill manufacturers include Onward Manufacturing Company Ltd. who produce ___ Broil King, Broil-Mate and Sterling brands.


Other grill companies sell models which may have many of ___ parts manufactured at low costs in Asia. This allows ___ grills to be sold for less, but can also mean that original replacement parts will be hard to find or not available at all. Examples of these manufacturers are Char-Broil and Vermont Castings.

Before you Buy a Gas Grills - Updated for 2007 - Best Gas Grills - Gas Grill Reviews - Gas Grills
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... the hardware store to buy a new gas grill you should know that there are a lot ... best gas grills on the market by price so you can find the perfect grill for you. ...
Before you run of to the hardware store to buy a new gas grill you should know that there are a lot more products out there than you'll find ...
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