How to Choose a Gas Grill
most enjoyable natural gas products is that old standby of American life, the grill. Many professional chefs recommend using gas instead of charcoal, since you can carefully control the cooking surface, keeping the heat consistent and finely tuned. There is a wide range of grill types to choose from, from the most basic to the ultra-deluxe. A few tips should get you pointed in the right direction.
Chef Jason Hill recommends going with an all-stainless-steel outdoor grill with a large cooking surface and plenty of storage space. Since high-quality stainless steel is not magnetic, he tells customers to bring a magnet to the store to check that the grill is a quality product. If you choose a propane grill, make sure it can be converted to natural gas using a converter kit containing new valves.
Consumer Reports advises shoppers to go for a basic gas grill if the order of the day is hamburgers and hot dogs, but anyone looking to cook whole chickens, turkeys, or large roasts regularly should purchase a grill equipped with a rotisserie burner. The size of the grill's cooking area should correlate to the number of people you are usually serving. Look for the following features to make sure you get the most for your money:
- Burners made of high-quality stainless steel, cast iron, or cast brass. Look for those that carry a warranty of 10 years or longer.
- A heavy-duty grate made of stainless steel or cast-iron, as these are durable and rust-resistant.
- Good construction, including a solid feel to the cart, wheels, lid, and firebox.
- An electronic igniter instead of a push button or a knob.
Highlights of the gas grill market are some truly excellent cooking machines. Consumer Reports recommends the Weber Genesis E320, which it calls "an excellent, three-burner, medium-size grill that provides excellent heating evenness of the main cooking area and low-temperature grilling." Another top-rated item is the medium-sized Char-Broil Red 463250509, and the Brinkmann 810-8410S and the Kenmore-16641 are tied for third in the ratings, both offering "excellent heating evenness" and good low-temperature grilling.
You can expect to pay from $300 to $700 for a grill that will satisfy most of your requirements. You can spend considerably more on models with convenience features or added style elements, but those will not necessarily offer better performance. And good performance is what high-quality meat deserves.
