Choosing a Grill

It's time to strap on the apron and grab the tongs because it's grilling season. Whether it's a charcoal, gas, electric grill or a smoker you're thinking about purchasing, here are a few shopping tips and safety reminders.

Selection

Selecting the best grill to fit your lifestyle can be a challenge. One important thing to remember: the weight. Grills aren't sold by the pound, but the heavier-gauge metal is more durable. Here are some additional tips for choosing a grill or smoker:

Charcoal grills use charcoal briquettes, wood or a combination of both.

• Cooking on a charcoal grill imparts a more intense, smoked flavor.

• Cooking over charcoal requires time. After lighting, you should be ready to cook in 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of the grill and the number and type of briquettes.

• Better-quality grills have air vents to control cooking temperatures.

• When using a charcoal grill, ashes need to be disposed of regularly.

Gas grills use liquid propane (LP) or natural gas.

• Gas burns cleaner and is less expensive per use than charcoal.

• Gas grills ignite quickly, with a push-button, rotary or electronic lighter that's integrated into the grill. After about 10 minutes of    preheating, you'll be ready to cook.

• Burners on gas grills allow you to prepare an accompanying dish without running back and forth to the kitchen.

• A standard tank of LP holds 20 pounds of fuel. Don't be surprised if it feels like it weighs 40 pounds when you pick it up. Propane gas is heavier than air. With the burners on high, a full tank lasts about nine hours. Cooking at average temperatures, you should get 25 to 30 meals per tank.

• Grill owners with natural gas available should consider a direct hookup to power your grill. There are no tanks to replace, and you can eliminate the chance of running out of fuel in the middle of cooking.

Electric grills must be near an electrical outlet.

• If you live in an apartment or other area that can't accommodate charcoal or gas, you can still cook out with an electric grill.

• Newer electric grills do more than just put a stripe on your food. Using ceramic briquettes and a good marinade, you can produce some excellent cookout cuisine.

Smokers are available in charcoal   and electric models.

• Smokers offer the ability to cook up to 50 pounds of food at a time.

• Available cooking area ranges from 376 square inches to over 750 square inches.

Grill Size

You can find everything from small hibachis for tailgating to trailer-mounted units built to handle a side of beef. Grill and smoker combinations are made for regular or slow cooking. Before shopping, determine:

• Will you be cooking entrees only or an entire meal? Most grilling cookbooks have recipe ideas for an entire menu from appetizers to dessert. Don't let your menu be limited by your equipment.

• How many people will you be serving? When looking at grill capacity, consider the entire cooking area. Keep in mind that manufacturer's specifications for the cooking area often include the warming rack or side burner on gas grills.

• What will you cook? Steaks, chicken breasts and vegetables can be cooked in a small space. If you plan on cooking larger items, such as briskets, you'll need a large grill or smoker.

• How often will you be grilling? Remember that charcoal grills may take 10 to 15 minutes longer than gas grills to heat. Weekend users have the luxury of time, but if you grill a lot during the week, gas or electric may be the way to go.

• How much space is available for the grill? A grill with side burners can take up a lot of space on a patio. Before you go shopping, measure your available space.

• What's a Btu? A gas grill's heat output is rated in British thermal units (or Btu). Because this measurement is related to the size of the burner, it can be difficult to compare Btu ratings of different grills. A large grill with a high Btu rating cooks at a similar temperature as a smaller grill with a lower Btu. The ability of a grill to reach and sustain cooking temperature is more critical than how hot it can get. To ensure the best cooking performance, look for burner controls that allow specialized cooking.

• How many burners are available? To help control the location of the heat, most grills are available with two individually controlled burners. High-end grills sometimes have three burners for even more control. Look for stainless-steel or porcelain-coated burners for rust-resistance.

Grill Grids

The cooking grid is available in different styles:

• Porcelain-coated, cast-iron grids are the most desirable for heat retention and ease of cleaning. These grids wear extremely well, are rust-resistant and last longer than other grids.

• Stainless-steel grids are rust-resistant, but they may allow food to stick.

• Porcelain-coated grids are the best bet for nonstick cooking. However, the porcelain glaze can chip and rust if not properly cared for.

• Cast-iron grids require curing like cast-iron cookware to prevent rust. These heavy grates wear well, cook well and distribute heat more evenly than the other grids.

Grill Rocks, Stones and Plates

The familiar flavor produced by charcoal grilling comes from the juices of food dripping onto the hot charcoal. Gas grills use several materials to produce the same effect:

• Lava rock heats quickly and disperses the heat to the interior of the grill. Lava is porous and allows grease to accumulate, lessening its efficiency and increasing flare-ups. Replace lava rock yearly, or turn it over to expose a fresh surface.

• Pumice stone operates like lava but collects less residue.

• Ceramic briquettes stay clean in the same manner as a self-cleaning oven—the residue is baked off. Ceramic is more expensive than rock but lasts much longer.

• Heat plates or bars are made of metal and allow heat to rise. The dripping juices dissipate when they fall on the hot metal.

Outdoor Grill Accessories

Grill accessories range from basic to specialized. A grill cleaning brush, tongs, spatula and fork are must-haves. Cooking baskets and skewers make cooking smaller foods more efficient. Rotisseries are available to fit some grills. An absorbent grill pad is a nice addition to prevent grease from staining patios.

If you plan on cooking poultry or large cuts of meat, invest in a quality meat thermometer.

Replacement parts make some grill repairs easy. With proper care, a good grill can last for years. A lined grill cover is also a good investment.

Want to assemble it yourself? New quick-assembly grills can be assembled in less than 30 minutes. All other grills can normally be assembled in less than an hour. Lowe's can also assemble your grill. And if you're in a hurry, Lowe's offers preassembled units.

Grill Safety

Always keep two important safety concerns in mind when grilling:

• Fire is an obvious hazard. Always use caution when lighting the grill and while cooking. Keep an eye out for children. A gas grill can generate over 800°F of heat in the interior, so the outside inevitably gets very hot. Combine fire with petroleum products and the danger increases dramatically. When lighting charcoal grills, use only starter fluid specifically for charcoal or use pretreated briquettes. Never use gas or kerosene; it's unsafe and your food may taste like a carburetor. As an alternative, use an electric starter or a chimney starter, which uses paper.

• Bacteria. You're outdoors, the guests are starving, it's warm and after dark. Sounds like a great garden party, right? It also sounds like a recipe for a trip to the ER. Food-poisoning cases increase exponentially during the summer months when cooks head to the deck or patio. Keep food chilled and covered when it's outside. Even better, don't bring it out until it's time to cook. Don't rush the cooking process. Have appetizers ready to keep the hungry guests appeased. If it's dark, don't try to judge how thoroughly cooked the food is, especially meat or poultry. Use a meat thermometer. Always keep your utensils and cutting board clean. For more on food safety, visit the United States Department of Agriculture and Food Safety.  

Tools, products, materials, techniques, building codes and local regulations change; therefore, Lowe's assumes no liability for omissions, errors or the outcome of any project. The reader must always exercise reasonable caution, follow current codes and regulations that may apply, and is urged to consult with a licensed professional if in doubt about any procedures. Please read our terms of use.