Buying a Grill: Questions to Answer

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

21 Jun 2008 03:32 PM

In the good old summer time, there is nothing better for dinner than something cooked on the grill. Here in my home, we are lamenting a lack of BBQ, since our old grill has broken, and we haven't gotten around to investigating the cause. If the diagnosis is fatal, then we just might be looking for a new grill.

If you are thinking about buying a grill, a great way to get ready for this purchase is to ask yourself the following basic questions. Once you have them answered, then you can look into the different features that are available.

What type of grill do you need?

Do you want the smoky flavor of charcoal cooking, or do you want to cook by gas. Serious BBQers may want to look into a large smoker. If you choose gas, then the next question to ask yourself is whether you want to cook with propane or natural gas.

How much do you want to spend?

This is an important question because there are hundreds of different grills on the market in all different price ranges. You can pick up a grill for $30 or one for more than $10,000. Determine your budget, and then see what your options are. If you are choosing a propane gas grill, keep in mind that not all grills include a propane tank in the price.

What do you want your grill material to be?

Grills can be manufactured with the following material: Sheet metal, cast iron, stainless steel or cast aluminum. Stainless steel is the most popular choice, and cast aluminum is probably the longest lasting. Your budget may determine the quality of each of these materials. For example, a stainless steel grill may have a stainless steel body but not a stainless steel frame.

What size of grill do you need?

To determine the size of the grill you need, look at two factors: what you will be cooking on it and where it will be located. If you are just flipping hamburgers and cooking chicken breasts, a smaller grill is fine. If you plan on entertaining or cooking large food, such as a turkey, then you'll need a larger grill. Make sure your space is adequate, and that there is plenty of room to move around the grill as needed.

Do you want to learn more about buying a grill? Drop me a comment!

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. Starting June 1st, don't miss her articles in the Baby Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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