Tip of the Day: Shopping advice for gas grills
While many Americans with grills use their outdoor cooker year-round, with Memorial Day about a week away, high grilling season is about to start. If you’re ready to buy a new gas grill, use our shopping tips below and buying advice and watch our video (right) before you head to the store. (Find out what grills other people are buying and what grilling topics are hot in our grills forum.)
Match the grill’s cooking area to the number of people
generally around your table. Remember, manufacturers might include warming racks in their measurements of cooking area. Our measurements are based on the main
cooking area and how much food it will hold. Next factor in how much
space the grill will take up on your patio or deck. Some of the large
grills we’ve tested are 6 feet wide.
Look over the menu.
A basic grill is fine for cooking hamburgers, hot dogs, steaks, kabobs, chicken pieces, and vegetables, but if you regularly cook whole
chickens, turkeys, or large roasts, look for
a model with a rotisserie burner.
Bring a magnet.
Many grills are made of a mix of grades of stainless steel. Our tests
have found that 300-series stainless is less likely to rust than
cheaper, 400-series stainless. Magnets will usually stick to cheaper
grades, so bring a magnet with you to test the metal.
Think safety.
The more stable the grill, the better. When shopping, gently push the
grill from several angles to see if it tips. Check the cart, firebox,
lid, and shelves for sharp corners and edges. Grip the handle. Your
knuckles or fingers shouldn’t be too close to the lid or your hand
could get burned during use.
Essential information: Also read our June 2008 gas-grills report and visit our gas-grills product page. Then follow our expert advice to ensure you avoid common grilling mistakes and to keep your grill cooking better, longer as you make our delicious, easy-to-prepare dishes and use chef-restaurateur Bobby Flay’s recipes.
