Natural Gas Grill Buying Guide

Gas barbeques are a great choice if you're looking for a new grill for the summer. With their ease of use, ability to quickly clean and ability to easily control the cooking temperature, gas grills are a really popular choice these days.

Whether you are buying your first gas BBQ, or are upgrading to a newer, better model, there are various things that you need to think about before making a purchase. Consider the following points before you buy anything.

1: The 3 Levels of Gas BBQs

Entry-level, Mid-range, and Deluxe

Entry-level barbecues are the simplest models available. They have the most basic feature set. You will find them priced in the $150-300 range. Basically, this model will probably include 2 burners and an ignition switch. It's not fancy, but it has everything you need to get up and grilling some delicious food!

Mid-range models will set you back a bit more, but will also add on even more features than the more basic models. You can expect to pay in the area of $350-1200 for this range of model. It's often best to keep your eye to well known manufactures in the mid-range, to make sure that you are getting a quality product.

Deluxe grills are the dream of every man. Large, wide cooking grates with warmers above, 3 or more burners for perfect heat control, and more! You could cook for a large party on one of these if you had to. Expect them to cost in the $1500-5000 range. They will sport big BTU ratings. Still, you should be looking at great, well known manufacturers as well as the material the grill is made of. Stainless steel is a must in this price range.

2: Basic Setup of a Gas BBQ

The basic concepts behind most gas barbecues sold today are fairly simple. Heat is generated by the burners, with some kind of dispersal system being set above the burners. Of course, above this is the grate where you actually cook your food. It's the stuff under-the-hood that really makes the difference between your average gas BBQ and a really great model. A barbecue with 2 or more burners allows for maximum control of heat. This allows you to really get your cooking surface set to an ideal temperature for whatever it is that you need to cook. When grilling, drippings are unavoidable. The flare-ups caused by this are controlled with some models of barbeques, turning them into a flavor-filled smoke that can help to add flavor back to the food.

3: What Does BTU Really Mean?

You'll find that when buying a new gas BBQ, BTUs are touted as one of the main selling points. Many people don't understand how BTUs are relevant to your grill. BTU is an acronym that means "British Thermal Unit", which directly describes the amount of gas that a barbecue is capable of burning. You may be led to believe that more is better, but it really depends on the size of your barbecue. You don't need massive BTUs on a smaller grill, because that will just make the BBQ capable of burning your food! On the opposite end, a larger grill really should have higher BTUs to properly heat up the entire grate-area to a good temperature.

4: Look For Durable Construction

One of the most important things to look at when buying a new BBQ is it's construction. You want it to be solid and built to last. A lesser quality barbecue will tend to wiggle from part to part and may start to fall apart over time. It's best to try and buy a model that has a display-model out on the floor, so you can give it a good look-over. Look for a grill that is made of high quality steel, if possible. An enamel finish is a huge plus, as well. Quality grates are often made of stainless steel or some kind of cast iron, such as porcelain-coated cast-iron.

5: BBQ Maintenance

Another important aspect when buying a new BBQ is to consider how much maintenance will be needed to keep it grilling for years and years. Look for a make of barbecue that provides clear instructions on maintenance as well as a hot-line for easy access to order any new parts that you may need as the years go on.