Chances are if you have not looked at new gas grills for some time, you will be a little overwhelmed by the price. Although most gas grills start somewhere around $150, you can find some with price tags up to $5,000 or more. These higher-end grills come with all the trimmings, which are typically not needed for your weekend barbecue enthusiast.
As you begin to shop for a new grill, just remember you only want to buy what you really need. It is easy to become enthralled with all the gadgets and features but ask yourself first if you really need everything offered. More than likely, a grill ranging from $200 to $300 would be ideal.
Before you head out to buy a new grill, consider the type of grilling you do. For instance, do you grill only on occasion or do you enjoy weekend get-togethers with family and friends to entertain? If you spend more time grilling, then you might want to consider a gas grill with a side burner, great for sauces, vegetables, and other side dishes. A two-tiered rack would also be a good choice in that it holds more meat and vegetables. On the other hand, if you grill for just a small family and only on occasion, then a single, rack grill is probably all you need.
Remember that the larger the grill, typically the greater the price. As an example, for people that love to grill for friends, an 800-square inch grill provides ample cooking area. However, most families that entertain will choose something more along the line of 490-square inches, which is very big. For a smaller grill, something around 350-square inches would suffice. Even this size is probably enough to entertain several other couples on the weekends.
For grills with a rotisserie burner, you could expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $1,500. For this type of grill, your cooking area would range between 450 and 850-square inches, which is quite large. Gas grills priced less than $500 are more in the 350 to 600-square inch cooking area, which again, provides quite a bit of room. The size really depends on your specific needs, as well as the type of grilling you prefer. Obviously, a t-bone steak will take up more grilling room than a hot dog would.
Another consideration for a new barbecue grill is the BTUs and burners. For starters, burners that are independently controlled generally have more variables to the controls. That means this type of grill also has the potential for greater heat and cooking flexibility. The BTUs (British Thermal Unit) is the way in which heat output is measured – the higher the BTU the greater the heat. Another aspect that would affect the BTUs is the number of burners and the actual design of those burners.
In most cases, gas grills have one to four burners. However, depending on the model of grill you buy, these would be rated between 25,000 and 60,000 BTU. On average, 40,000 BTU is considered hot whereas 60,000 BTU is blazing. Even so, you will find some barbecue grills that have upwards of 10,000 or 12,000 BTUs. Finally, look for burners made from cast iron, steel, or stainless steel, which are durable, lasting a long time.