Avoid Indigestion when Choosing a Gas Grill

So many things in life are supposed to be a source of excitement only to turn into a pain (real or metaphorical). To each his own has also spurned hundreds of different gas grill options. And this is only for a certain percentage of the overall grilling population. Traditionalists, for example, will tell you that gas grilling isn't grilling at all and lacks the natural flavor of charcoal. If you have settled on the convenience of gas grills, take a look at these hints before you go shopping. Whether you're planning on heading to your local hardware store or surfing manufacturer's websites, these general guidelines will help you ask the right questions and seek out the right answers.

The Pepcid AC of the Gas Grill Market
Unequivocally the leaders of gas grill manufacturers, Kenmore-Sears, Weber, Char-Broil, and Coleman comprise more than 60 percent of the gas grill market. Time and time again, these brands rank at or near the top of consumer reports, but the variance between models can be just as great (or greater) as the variance between manufacturers. In other words, seek out these brand names, but don't assume you've got a winner or a loser just by looking at the logo. Just as the Ford Explorer consistently ranks high for SUVs and the Honda Accord for midsize sedans, different companies may have different category strengths. For a luxury gas grill, you might take a look at the Weber Summit S-670. For a low-budget model, you might take a look at the Brinkmann ProSeries 8300.

Can't Stomach Reading Consumer Reports? Try Reverse Osmosis
Few people read every last consumer report on every last gas grill model. Indeed, with multiple, extensive lists, you could spend nearly an entire day doing nothing other than reading and reviewing these reports. Moreover, because there are so many different performance and cost variables, you can't simply choose the #1 rated model from such-and-such consumer report and expect that model to be a good fit for you. A better course of action might be to seek out a gas grill, find a unit that seems to be a perfect fit for you and your home, and then read the consumer reports on this model. Consumer Report Awards may look flashy, but they may be more gimmicky than useful. More than determining the "Best Gas Grill of 2008," consumer reports are useful at steering homeowners away from inferior models.

Know Thyself: Be the Burger
From Socrates' famous proclamation to Chevy Chase's advice on golf, the best choices for gas grills always begin with an understanding of your lifestyle and personal use of a gas grill. Knowing how often and how many burgers and dogs you'll be grilling at a time are naturally the first steps in determining what your needs are.

These considerations are often more subtle than homeowners realize. If you plan on grilling several times a week but rarely throw large outdoor parties, the right answer may be spending a little extra money—but not on the grill itself. You might buy a modest grill and hire someone to extend your gas line outside to your grill. This means you'll never have to refill a tank or worry about igniting your grill. Plus, depending on how often you use your grill and how much your gas company is charging, you may stand to see substantial savings on your gas grill fuel bill. Once these major considerations have been accounted for, most homeowners find choosing smaller options and accessories (side burners, rotisseries, storage compartments, smoke trays, etc.) a relatively simple process.

The best decision when looking for a gas grill is almost always a combination of being able to clearly articulate your needs, but also knowing how these needs apply to specific gas grills. And to that end?

Get a Prescription from a Doctor
Or, in this case, a trained, but unaffiliated, professional. This can be anyone from a neighbor to a landscaping contractor to a chef. Some may offer you small, but helpful tips. I recently asked a friend, for example, what advice he would offer a homeowner shopping for a gas grill. He said, "Whatever you do, get stainless steel." I told him I knew this already but thought stainless steel grills were a little pricey. "Not really anymore," he said. "They've come down quite a bit."

Others may suggest specific models. Again, be wary of a recommendation that includes no other wisdom than "it's worked great for me." Manufacturers don't produce dozens of gas grill units just to gratuitously saturate the market. Look for someone who will listen to your needs, before summarily declaring which grill is right for you. You may not realize it, but there are professionals out there who can answer any gas grill or backyard accessory question you can imagine. Exterior designers, the counterpart to interior designers, are nearly limitless resources when it comes to creating a backyard oasis for your home.