There was a time when buying a grill was as simple as building a fireproof pit, placing a grill on top of it and pouring in some charcoal. Then came the day when there were commercially available charcoal grills or fancy built in ones. Finally the gas grill appeared on the scene, and along with it an expansive number of features. So how to choose the gas grill that is best for you?

The first thing to consider is the size of the grilling surface itself. These come in a wide range of sizes and the correct size for you depends on what and how much you will be cooking at one time. Do you frequently give large barbecue parties? Do you have a large family? Or do you simply slap on a pound of fish every now and then for you and the spouse? All of these are key to deciding the best size of grill for you.

So what if you do all of the above? There is another option that may be best for you to buy. Many larger grills will have multiple areas with their own on/off knobs so that you can use only part of the grill, or can control different areas at a different heat. So if you use your grill for different size groups of people, or like to cook different items at different heat levels simultaneously on the grill this may be an important feature for you.

The next item to consider is whether or not to get a rotisserie. If you love to rotisserie chicken or butterfly a leg of lamb this is a must for you. If on the other hand you are just as happy with a rotisserie chicken from the supermarket this may not be worth the money for you. Also bear in mind that the rotisserie will require an electric outlet.

If you like to make a sauce or cook any number of items that require a stove-top burner you will want to consider buying a side burner as well. A side burner is exactly that a burner like you will find on your stove-top. Many people buy these and then never use them so think carefully as to whether or not this is really worth the added expense.

Some models also come with griddles. If you like to sear your meat, stir fry some veggies or make a breakfast of eggs and steak this may be an important option for you.

If you have the money, storage and workspace are also features that you may want to consider. Storage drawers and space under the grill are all features that are available on high end models.

The ultimate in luxury is the built-in grill. The options for this are seemingly endless. Refrigerators, running sinks, ice coolers, griddles, multiple stove top burners, large workspaces, multiple storage compartments, sit-at bars, the list goes on and on. This is by far the most expensive option though there are many prefab ones that are available at a lower cost.

Selecting the right grill for you can be a surprisingly complex process. Knowing what you want to use your grill for, what options you want, and your budget are important things to determine before you walk into the store and are immediately drawn to the attractive display that costs $30,000.

Learn more about this author, Frances Simon.
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