Barbecue Grill Buying: Top Ten Considerations

The barbecue grill in America has come a long way since the “barbacoa,” a wooden barbecue grill devised by the Arawak Indians long before Columbus landed. Ever-advancing technology and innovation have spawned such a dazzling if not dizzying array of equipments and accessories that buying the grill that’s right for you should begin with these top ten basic considerations:

> Equipment type: Charcoal, gas or electric; smoker or not
> Heating method: preferred types of charcoal or wood, natural gas or propane, electric surface or infrared heating
> Flavor: differences produced by different heating methods
> Cooking Time: is speed a priority or not
> Size: how many people will you cook for at maximum
> Convenience: how much surface working space do you like, and do you need accessory storage space
> Location: outdoors or indoors; portable or not; how much space is available for the unit; how far can you keep it away from flammable items
> Durability: quality of construction; will the unit endure harsh weather; what replacement parts are available; what barbecue grill covers are available
> Appearance: how compatible is the unit with your décor; do you want a showpiece or does appearance matter
> Cost.

If you’re not careful in considering these factors, you can easily contradict yourself. For example, choosing charcoal over gas without first considering cooking time. Are you generally in a hurry to get a meal on the table? Or do you savor taking your sweet time barbecuing as much as you savor the food itself? Do you find that lingering leisurely over the barbecue grill with drink in hand and anticipation in mind is the most fun of it all? Then a charcoal grill would be for you. Arranging the coals, lighting them up, getting them to just the right stage and then the cooking itself will take you more time than, for example, switching on a gas barbecue grill that gets things going pronto.

Gas vs. charcoal has been the subject of raging debate ever since the gas grill was invented more than 50 years ago. But of course that’s not the only decision you face, as indicated by the top ten considerations and more. Use this site as a good source of information on barbecuing tips, recipes and buying your next barbecue grill.