How to Buy a BBQ
Sizzling Tips for Purchasing Gas, Propane, & Charcoal Grills
Some BBQ's on the market today can cost as much as an entire kitchen renovation. These dream models require lots of space and feature luxury items such as storage space, multiple side burners, bar fridges etc.
Most of us are not in need of such extravagant models, and are looking to fill simpler requirements on much smaller budgets. If you need help choosing the best model for your needs, check out Home Depot's BBQ selector or keep reading for more on how to buy a BBQ.
What You Need to Know
- Your budget – setting one will help narrow your options
- The cooking area – do you do a lot of outdoor entertaining or are you more likely to require a smaller model for a few chicken breasts here and there? You should be able to evaluate whether you need 2, 4 or 6 burners once you have identified what volume of cooking you will be using it for.
- Cooking surface –a premium cast iron surface, coated with anti-rust ceramic is advised.
- What get what you pay for – there is definitely a difference in quality and lifespan between high-end and cheap BBQ's!
- BTU – British Thermal Units is the measure of heat created by a propane or natural gas burner. Usually, the higher the BTU the hotter the burner. Although in some cases the BBQ's design may affect how the BTU heat translates.
- What the BBQ is made of – stainless steel is the professional-preferred material although cast aluminum is said to outlast any stainless steel.
- Warranties – what kind of warranty will be available with your BBQ? The best BBQs will come with a limited lifetime warranty.
- How you will fuel your BBQ - BBQ's can be defined by their source of fuel: natural gas, propane and charcoal.
Natural Gas Grills
- The most desirable benefit of natural gas is an unending supply of fuel.
- These BBQs will heat up quickly and food can be cooked at different temperatures as you have the ability to control the heat on multiple burners.
- Add-ons include side burners, back burners and storage cabinets.
Click here to see all Natural Gas Grills.
| Barbeques (view all) | | | | $199.00 at The Home Depot |
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Propane Grills
- Like natural gas fueled BBQ's, propane BBQs will heat up quickly and cooking is easy to manage at different temperatures with the ability to control heat on multiple burners.
- Add-on include side burners, back burners and storage cabinets.
- Propane tanks have to be refilled and the tanks are usually not included in the sticker price of the BBQ.
- Most propane BBQ's can be converted to use natural gas. There is a cost associated with the conversion kit, but natural gas is lighter on your wallet in the long run.
Click here to see all Propane Grills.
Charcoal Grills - Most enjoyed by the barbeque purist!
- Involves cooking over open coals at very high temperatures which seal in juices and create a smoky flavour.
- Charcoal a while to heat. It can take up to 45 minutes to achieve the desired temperature and coals will appear white when ready for cooking.
- To speed up the heating time, some charcoal BBQs have a built-in gas-ignition system.
- Charcoal BBQs have fewer flare-ups than gas BBQs.
- Heat can be adjusted by lowering or lifting the grill.
- Ash must be cleaned out after use. Some BBQs include ash catchers that make this a less tedious and messy task.
Click here to see all Charcoal Grills.
| Charcoal BBQs (view all) | $229.00 at The Home Depot | $449.00 at The Home Depot | |
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