Serves: 5
With more choices than ever, buying a grill can be almost as daunting as purchasing a car or a computer. Here’s what I look for when buying a grill.
Charcoal Grills
Essential features (applies to hibachis, table grills, kettle grills, and 55-gallon drums):
- Sturdy, nonwobbly legs
- A heavy-gauge metal bowl or firebox with a tight-fitting lid (except hibachis they have no lid)
- A grate at the bottom of the bowl for holding the charcoal
- Air vents on both the top and bottom for temperature control (except hibachis they have no top vents)
- A solid-feeling cooking grate (in the case of a hibachi or table grill, one that’s easy to raise and lower)
- Wooden or heatproof handles
Desirable optional features:
- A built-in thermometer
- Slotted metal or wire side baskets to hold the coals for indirect cooking
- A hinged grate that offers easy access to the fire, so you can add coals as needed
- An ash catcher on the bottom for easy cleaning and disposal
- A side table for additional workspace
- Fittings for a rotisserie
Gas Grills
Essential features:
- Sturdy construction
- A thick, heavy firebox and tight-fitting lid for even heat conduction
- Electric ignition
- At least two (preferably three) separate heating zones
- Adjustable controls that enable you to set the grill on high, medium, and low. The high setting should give you a consistent grilling temperature of 500°F. This usually (but not always) means a grill with at least 33,000 BTUs.
- A gas gauge
- A built-in thermometer
Desirable optional features:
- Side tables for extra workspace
- A gas burner on one side for heating sauces and accompaniments
- Fittings for a rotisserie and smoker box
- A warming rack
- A spider guard for keeping insects out of the burners
- A glass window in the cover
This What to look for in a Grill recipe is from the The Barbecue Bible Cookbook. Download this Cookbook today.
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