Are you thinking of purchasing the new grill and doing some research online?
Instead of providing you with one more recommendation, we’d like to provide you with a guide on how to buy your next grill and factors to consider before buying any grill.
Our purpose is to make you more autonomous in your choice: considering what you need and what to look for in a new grill to end up buying the most suitable model for your needs and budget.
In this article, therefore, we’re going to explore what are the factors to consider before buying any grill.
Key Takeaways
- Portable grills are important but make sure they are not of low quality.
- Buy a grill with a smoke control feature if you are going to do your cooking indoors.
1. Assembly
Before purchasing your new grill, check whether it comes already assembled.
If it comes assembled… it’s all alright. If you find out you’ll need to assemble it, then you need to check a couple of more things.
First of all, think if you can assemble a grill on your own or if you know someone who can help you with it.
Furthermore, check the assistance: if you have any issues during assembly, can you receive support from the manufacturer? If there is any element missing, do you have someone to complain to?
2. Materials
Your new grill’s materials are important for its stability and durability. It’s true that grills are meant to be portable, but you don’t want them to be too lightweight. Otherwise, they won’t be stable (weight is another thing you can check).
Furthermore, iron grills have good durability, but certainly, stainless steel is a better option (and more expensive too). 1
Also Read: How Long To Grill Hamburgers?
3. Efficiency and output
Check the efficiency and output of your new grill to make sure it can work for you. How many times per week are you going to use it? How big are the dinners you’ll be cooking?
These are factors to consider because you don’t want to spend too much on a big grill you used to cook for two, and you don’t want to purchase a small grill that forces you to spend the entire afternoon cooking a small amount of food at a time.
4. Type Of Grilling
Ask yourself what type of grilling you usually need. Do you always use high temperatures, or you’d like to regulate the temperature depending on what you’re cooking?
If you need this type of freedom, make sure the grill you’re purchasing allows it. 2
5. Smoke Control Feature
If you’re going to use the grill inside, it’s essential that it has a smoke control feature. It’s impossible to grill indoors without it.
If, on the contrary, you are buying a grill for your yard, you don’t need a smoke control feature, and you can save some money on that.
6. Mobility
As we’ve mentioned, grills are often considered portable cooking items. However, if mobility isn’t important, you can save money on the design.
On the contrary, if you know you’re going to move your grill around a lot, ensure the design allows you to do so easily, and check the weight too.
7. Brand
Before purchasing an grill, or any other product for that matter, it is important to choose a brand that is reliable and trusted by the users.
Make sure you consider some questions like how long this brand has been in the business.
What are the customer reviews, etc.? You should also look at the quality, craftsmanship, material, etc., of the grill before making the purchase.
8. Warranty
A reliable product will always come with a warranty. A warranty shows that the manufacturer trusts in the quality and durability of their product, so you should look for grills that have a warranty and avoid buying a grill that offers no warranty.
However, the warranty period for any good can vary depending on the brand, but 1-2 years of the warranty period is considered ideal.
9. Country of Origin
Considering the country of origin is very important while buying any product, as it directly affects the longevity, durability ,and price of the product.
Consumers in the U.S. prefer buying products manufactured in the U.S. itself because of the high-quality goods they get.
However, if the price is a concern for you, then you can purchase an air fryer manufactured overseas.
10. Features & Components
Here are some of the main components & features that you should consider while buying a grill:
- Stainless steel burners or 304 burners are good.
- The grill’s cooking system (direct heat, indirect heat, or a combination of both).
- Stainless steel thick grates
- Stainless steel or 304 grills body
Some add-on features that you can find in a modern grill are:
- Infrared Burners
- Heat Shielding
- Storage cabinets and drawers
- Rotisserie
- LED exterior lighting
- Interior halogen lights
- Side shelves 3
11. Lighting the Grill
Another important thing to consider is how you want to light your grill. If you are comfortable with lighting your grill yourself, then you can go with a charcoal grill.
But note that charcoal grills take more time to cook food. You can buy a gas grill if you are not comfortable with lighting the grill yourself and want more convinient option.
Also Check Out 8 Best Kingsford Charcoal Grills
12. Cooking Style
While purchasing a grill, it is important to consider what your cooking style or preference is like. If you like the smoky flavor of your food, then you should buy a charcoal grill.
Or you can also buy pellet grills as they give hardwood flavor to your food and are much better than charcoal grills.
If you are not a fan of smoky flavor, then you can buy a standard gas grill. Gas grills offer convenience and versatility.
13. Budget
One of the biggest factors that play a role in buying a grill is its cost. Ask yourself what your budget is. How much are you willing to spend?
However, you get what you pay for, and a cheap quality grill does not last long, so keep a decent budget.
Grills come in the range of $200-$5000, and the more you will move to the upper end of the budget, the more features and better quality you get. 4
14. Type of Fuel
Different grills run on different types of fuel, such as propane, charcoal, natural gas, or pellets.
Ask yourself if you have a gas hookup or if you are planning on getting one. Are you comfortable with a charcoal grill?
If you are planning on buying a natural gas grill, then you will need a natural gas line installed, which will add to your cost. If you plan on hosting and cooking big barbeques, you should get a pellet grill.
If you get a propane grill, you will need a propane tank, and once you run out of it, you will need another propane tank, and so on.
15. Grill’s Dimension
You do not want a grill that does not fit on your dec or in your patio.
So make sure to measure the dimension of your space and buy a grill keeping the measurements in mind. And remember, the bigger the grill, the more expensive it will be.
Buying Tips from Reddit Users
New to grilling and looking to buy my first grill
by u/dcsportshero in grilling
Buying The Best Grill
Wrap Up
Now you know what factors to consider when buying a new grill, and you can make your own choice without anyone suggesting this or that model.
Also Read: How Long To Grill Corn In Husk?
FAQ’s
What type of grill is suitable for a beginner?
Charcoal grills are suitable for beginners as they add great flavor to your food and are also less expensive than other grills.
Is buying a grill worth it?
If you enjoy cooking and eating grilled food or if you often consume grill food, then investing in a good quality grill is worth it.
What are the types of grills?
Based on the fuel type, the most common types of grills are Gas, Charcoal, and electric grill.
Shefali Jain is a Content Editor & Writer at National Planning Cycles.
After completing her graduation in hospitality, Shefali decided to follow her passion and started writing. Shefali has been writing for two years now and contributes to our website as a skilled editor and content writer with strong research skills. Writing product and service reviews, biographies, and book reviews are some of her key areas, among many others in which she specializes.
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