Help With Choosing a Grill

By Bobby Frankel

Buying a new grill can be a complicated process but with a little effort you can find a grill that is just right for you. The two issues that make buying a grill complicated are not taking the time to determine what type of grill you really want and choosing between all the different brands.

To determine what type of grill you really want ask yourself the following questions and make sure you write down your answers. Do you want to cook with gas or charcoal? Are you looking for a grill to keep in your backyard or are you looking for one to take to tailgate parties? What is the largest number of people you are think you will need to grill for? How much money are you willing to spend on a grill? Do you only want to grill or do you also plan on slow smoking?

If you take the time and try hard to define your needs then grill shopping becomes much easier. You might discover that you are just going to be cooking a few hamburgers every week and a small tabletop gas grill will work just fine. You might discover that you want to learn how to make competition quality pork ribs and that a large charcoal kettle is the only way to go. Whatever your needs are, they should be clearly defined before you ever start shopping.

Once you decide the type of grill you need you will need to choose a particular model. There are many good sources of information to consult and it would be a mistake not to review them. Online stores such as Amazon allow customers to write very honest reviews about how satisfied they are with particular grills. Traditional big box stores (Home Depot, Walmart) also have an on-line presence where people have written about their experiences with different grills.

Another great source of information is the many discussion boards on the internet dealing with barbecue and grilling. These forums are usually filled with people who would love to discuss their grills with you. Ask them what their experience is with a particular grill and you will be sure to get plenty of feedback. There are also many web sites dedicated to grill reviews. Many of these sites just describe the features offered on different grills but some provide recommendations based upon user experience.

Lastly, talk with friends, neighbors and co-workers about their experiences. People are always eager to spread the word about either a product that they really loved or really hated. You'll be surprised at what you will discover!