In a recent survey of grilling enthusiasts, they came up with the three main items they hate about gas grilling, specifically uncontrollable flare-ups, grills that fall apart after a couple of seasons, and burnt food.
Most people blame burnt food on the chef, but are surprised to learn that it's more likely the grill that's at fault. It's a fact that not all grills cook equally. The better the design and construction of the grill, the higher the chances of you getting a well cooked burger. Choosing the right grill can mean the difference between eating juicy steaks or charred cheeseburgers.
To ensure that you buy the right gas grill for your needs, try to follow these basic steps:
Step 1: Shake it
This means just grab that baby by the sides and shake. If its rattling at the store, then it will be the same as you use it in your backyard. Look for carts that are welded together, not fastened together.
If it relies on fasteners and screws to be put together, the less durable it will be.
Solid steel construction is the key.
Check the thickness of the metals. For stainless steel on a hood or trim pieces, you'll want thicker gauge that will be long wearing. Look for 304-grade at the least.
Check how sturdy the wheels and casters are. This is where manufacturers usually go for the cheaper parts. Wheels should be designed for extreme temperatures without cracking or breaking.
Step 2: See What Is Inside
Lift up the hood. Most shoppers just do this and figure if its heavy, it must be ok. But that's like judging a car on the weight of the hood! Check what's inside to really judge how it will perform.
Stay away if you see nickel or chrome-plated steel. That means rust in your future. Look for porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates, individually welded porcelain-enameled steel, or stainless steel.
Check the distance between the handle and the hood to make sure you will not be burned as you open and close it. Look for a heat and weather-resistant material like stainless steel or glass-reinforced nylon.
Look for a double-walled stainless steel hood. Double-walled hoods create an insulated air space protecting the outer finish from discoloration.
Step 3: Take Out The Grates and Look Underneath
All grills have a system for dispersing heat from the burners while making sure grease and food drippings are channeled away from the burners. A common system is to use lava rocks or briquettes, but you have to be careful since drippings can accumulate on these and cause those nasty flare-ups. The best design is an inverted v-shaped metal bar that rests on top of the burners to vaporize drippings.
Check how the system handles grease. If they are not correctly channeled away from the burners, then you might have a potential grease fire on your hands. A high-capacity catch pan to catch the drippings is important . The pan has to be deeper than a cookie sheet, otherwise, gunk will end up on your patio. It's also an advantage if you can have access to the pan without turning your grill around.
Step 4: Take Out the Steel Bars
Time to check the burners under the steel bars. Lower priced grills will have only one burner or burners shaped like an H, a U, or a circle. Designs like these create uneven hot and cold spots when you grill. This is the main reason why steaks or burgers might be overcooked on one side while still rare on the other side. Burner tubes on better grills, are independently controlled and run the length of the cook box to provide evenly dispersed heat.
The more expensive grills have separate controls for these tube type burners. These separate controls give you more flexibility in choosing to grill by direct or indirect method. Also, check if the burners are spaced to provide even heat across the entire cooking grate.
Step 5: Think About Who Made This Grill
Make sure that the manufacturer is a reputable brand. Ask yourself if the company will be around when you need grilling advice, assistance, or spare parts for the next few years. Check if the nameplate really means that it was made by that company or just a cheap import from you-know-where.
Lastly, verify online reviews and ask your friends, neighbors and relatives ! The strongest proof of a quality product is whether or not those who have one are delighted with their purchase. It's the best way to evaluate how pleased you'll be with your grill after you get it home.
Author Resource:
Mario is a retired fireman who is rapidly getting bored in the middle of the Las Vegas desert. In an effort to relieve his boredom, while at the same time make some money on the side, he has gotten into IM to pass the time, promoting a random collection of sites, such as providing info on callaway golf bags and bruno magli shoes . hostgator
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