Minggu, 18 November 2012

The Best Gas Grills For You - 3 Questions To Ask

One of the problems I often face when asked to identify the best gas grill for someone is that the person asking expects a straight answer. Unfortunately, I never have one. The reason is that the best gas grills are the ones that best meet your needs and cooking abilities. Sure there are grills to avoid and that is a big part of the question, but the ultimate answer comes down to the preferences of the user. I can hear you now. "Come on Pete, tell us which one is best!" OK. It's the Fire Magic Echelon Diamond 1060. It goes for a little over $7200 on Amazon not counting delivery and installation.

Are you still with me? Technically that gas grill is superior to most other grills. It has durable grates that offer excellent heat transfer. The burners throw off tons of BTUs. The grill has excellent flame control. It is loaded with features for roasting and even baking. It's even pretty to look at. However, it's expensive. No, it's very expensive. This poses a problem that is not unique to gas grills. The problem boils down to what you will actually get for your money. The best gas grills can be found by asking yourself 3 questions. These questions go beyond the obvious questions surrounding size, fuel type, budget, construction quality and warranty. We instead assume that all things are equal so we can narrow the search.

1. Is this long term? (How long will this barbecue be used in the manner I plan on using it? And where I plan on using it?)
2. Am I going to bake or roast on this grill?
3. Am I really good at grilling?

For most people the standalone grill mounted on a post or a cart is the best fit for a backyard as the investment is usually a little less, and if the yard changes it can either be moved or sold for something more permanent. However, if you are re-designing your yard you may want to consider a more permanent built-in. The higher quality built-in gas grills can be more expensive but they will last far longer which is far more important when the grill is built-in as they can be more difficult to replace.

The answer to the second question will determine how concerned you will be with heat retention. Double walled hoods offer great insulation and accurate temperature gauges will be more important. Some models even include built-in digital probe thermometers.

The third question is often hindered by the ego. Some of the higher temperature gas grills offer greater searing ability but in the wrong hands can produce burgers like Hockey Pucks. Especially with grills that do not offer good flame control. For instance, I'm the type of griller who stands over the barbecue the whole time and hence I don't mind a flame or two. In fact, I like a little flame now and then. If I were the type to put the burgers on, lower the lid and walk away for 5 minutes then flame control and infrared heat sources may be needed. The infrared heat is not as dry as a direct flame since the grill never gets hot enough to burn all of the humidity out of the surrounding air. This means less direct flame, less burning and less drying out. Some people like the best of both worlds and therefore some higher end grills offer models that have infrared and non infrared burners. Of course for those configurations to make sense the barbecue grills of that type are generally around 30 inches in width or more.

The best gas grills are the grills that match you budget, cooking ability, and cooking environment. The best gas grills are also proven to be durable, built by quality manufacturers, and offer fair warranties. It is important that you get the expected life out of your grill. Remember these 3 questions before you start your search. The rest should come easy. Good luck in your hunt.

Peter is a Foodservice professional, outdoor griller and regular researcher and contributor at http://www.thebestgasgrills.net

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