Did you know that 79% of US adults own at least 1 grill? That’s not too surprising, considering we’re a nation that loves to get our BBQ on!
Perhaps you’ve been grilling on an inherited grill or you’ve just never had one at all. In any case, you’re in the market to buy a BBQ grill but don’t know where to start.
If you’re considering getting a grill for your backyard, then you’ll want to read on. Here are 7 things to consider when buying BBQ grills!
1. The Materials Used
Because your grill will go in the backyard where it’ll be susceptible to the weather, you’ll need to look closely at what materials are used in the grills you’re considering.
For those of you who are lucky and have a covered area to store your grill, you’ll have fewer limitations. In this case, a cast iron grill will be good since it’s durable and it’ll be nice and dry.
However, if you don’t have a sheltered area to store your BBQ grill, stainless steel is one of the best types of grills to get. It’s very resistant to rust and corrosion, plus it’s very durable!
2. The Type of Fuel
There are several ways you can grill: charcoal, gas, wood pellet, or electric.
Charcoal can give you that unique smoky taste, but it’s harder to use. So if you’re a beginner, you might want to opt for gas instead. Unless you’d like a challenge, then go ahead and get yourself a charcoal grill!
With gas BBQ grills, they’ll use either propane or natural gas. If you opt for natural gas, you’ll need a gas hookup in your yard, so keep that in mind.
You can also get wood pellet grills, but these are harder to find. This can also mean the prices are higher.
Electric grills are nice to have since all you have to do is plug them into an outlet. Plus, you don’t have to buy any fuel to power them. However, you do sacrifice that nice smoky taste, so you need to weigh up what’s important to you.
3. The Size
Obviously, you’ll need to think about how big of a BBQ grill you want. If you don’t have a huge patio, you’ll be restricted to smaller grills.
You shouldn’t just consider the size of the grill itself either. You’ll also want to think about the cooking area.
If you’re used to entertaining lots of guests, then you’ll want a BBQ grill that has a large cooking area so you can grill lots of food at once. But if you’re just grilling for yourself and your significant other, then a small BBQ grill can suffice.
And keep in mind that the bigger the grill, the more expensive it’ll be! So if you’re on a budget, go small.
4. Portability
Some grills are made to be extremely portable while others are meant to stay in one place. For the regular backyard BBQer, you’ll want the latter.
But if you’re always on the go with camping and tailgating, you’ll want to go for something that’s more portable and lightweight. That way, you won’t struggle to transport it, nor will it fall apart while in transit.
5. Assembled or DIY
You might not know this, but some grills come preassembled so all you have to do is unbox it! If you’re not that great of a DIYer or just don’t want to bother with putting together a BBQ grill, then you’ll want to look for this information on the box or product description before you hit “purchase”.
If you’re not sure of how the grill will arrive, shoot a message to the seller or ask a sales associate. It’s better to know what to expect so you don’t have a surprise when you open the box when you get home!
6. The Price
Of course, one of the most important things you need to keep in mind is the price! It’s not worth breaking the bank for a BBQ, after all.
Not only should you have a budget in mind, but you should also shop around. Comparing grill prices will give you a feel for things. From there, you can determine which features are must-haves and if they’re worth paying extra for, if necessary.
Just for reference, you should know that grills can cost anywhere between $200 to over $5,000!
7. The Reviews
To get a better idea of how a grill is like to operate, you should check out reviews! There are many you can find online, such as this Arteflame review.
What’s great is these people have bought and used these grills, and have taken the time to show readers the pros and cons. They might even include pictures of how their grilling goes!
These reviews will also go into detail about what the BBQ grill features are and how they work. For example, if you’re interested in storing plates and other things in your backyard safely, then you’ll want to get one that has added storage space that’s spacious. Or if you want some great charring on your meat, then you’ll want to choose a grill with high-duty grates.
Have a Fun Time Buying BBQ Grills
Buying BBQ grills is a lot simpler and easier when you know what to look out for. By keeping all the information you’ve learned here in mind, you’ll be able to select a grill like a pro and get one that’s best for your needs and budget!
The next thing you know, you’ve got a beautiful grill to show off to your friends and family. You’re sure to be crowned the grill king or queen!
For more outdoor living advice, why not check out the rest of our blog?