When buying a barbeque grill you’ll have three main types to choose from – charcoal, gas and electric. Read up about each type to decide which one is right for you.
Charcoal Grills
For many years the only type of grill around was the charcoal type. You simply piled in chunks of black carbon which you then ignited with a match and possible some BBQ lighter fluid. When the briquettes started to glow red you knew that it was time to spread them about.
They may require more work to prepare, use and clean but one thing is for sure; the taste of your food was incomparable. You can’t get the charcoal flavour any other way. You can even add flavours to the coals to add a woody/smoky taste and aroma. Unfortunately there are some down-points.
In order to assist the briquettes in heating, a gasoline-like fluid is used. If the fluid isn’t burnt off completely it can get into your food and give it an unpleasant taste. The coals also take some time for them to cool down and normally have to be replaced after using them once or twice. Cleaning isn’t easy either.
Gas Grills
Gas grills hit the market 20 years ago and are now by far the most popular type. However you’ll need to look at the differences between natural gas and propane.
Natural Gas – These produce good high heats and will evenly cook you food. Cleaning is easy and some have a self-cleaning ability just like the indoor type.
The major problem is that you have to have an outlet so that you can connect the grill. If you already have this then there isn’t a problem, however it also means you can’t move the grill around to different locations in your garden. In rare cases that can present a fire hazard, but for most homeowners natural gas grills are a great option.
Propane – Normally you will use a refillable metal tank for your propane. The tank sizes can vary but 20 gallons is the typical size. Propane grills give a high temperature but not quite as high as methane. Thick steaks will cook just as well although you’ll need to allow a slightly longer cooking time.
They have the convenience of being able to be moved about. Most gardens will have an area that is sunny at different times of the day. So being able to port your grill about will mean you can enjoy the most from your garden.
The major downside is that if the tank runs out you’ll be disappointed, if not embarrassed, if you don’t have a replacement ready. However refilling the tanks aren’t expensive; the main hassle is finding a supplier that will give you a quick exchange.
Luckily if you buy the “wrong” form of gas grill, you can covert it to the other type of gas using a kit. It is simple to do but will cost you about a third of the original cost of the grill.
Electric Grills – This is a more newer option and are basically electric ovens on wheels. There is no problems with gas connection points of refuelling; all you need is an electrical point and a cord. They are self-cleaning and the temperature can be controlled. However they are normally slightly more expensive.
Grills have certainly come a long way since the basic charcoal grills of 20 years ago. If you select a trust-worthy brand you can’t really go wrong. Just think about how much you want to spend and what the most convenient method of fuel is for you. In addition to this you’ll also want to think about ad-on accessories for your grill.