How To Choose Your Grill

Welcome to BBQ 101! Char-Griller and Kingsford have teamed up with Susie from Hey Grill Hey, and each week we're going to go through the basics of barbecue to help you become a backyard pro in no time.

This week we're going to discuss what to look for to make sure you bring home the perfect grill for your backyard!

Gas and charcoal grills are the two most common that you'll see in most people's backyards. Gas gives you easy heat and can be convenient, and charcoal gives you that classic, smoky flavor, but they aren't the only two out there. You've got pellet smokers, ceramic cookers, electric smokers, and so much more.

With so many different grills to choose from, it can be hard to decide where to start when you're looking for a new grill. There are a few things to consider that are the same no matter what type of grill you want, and today we're going to talk about the five most important.

Backyard Space

The first thing you should consider is your backyard space and how many people you plan to cook for. A smaller grill may be perfect for a couple or small family, while a larger grill will be better if you enjoy entertaining and cooking for a crowd.

Durability and Quality

The second thing you should consider is durability and quality. Your grill is an investment so making sure it is constructed with high-quality materials will ensure it can withstand the seasons.

Look for a grill made from heavy-duty steel and cooking grates made from cast-iron or porcelain-coated cast iron. These materials are durable and heat resistant and will help you retain heat during the cooking process. Cast-iron cooking grates are also great for high temperature cooking and help your food develop great flavor.

The Char-Griller Smokin' Champ is made from heavy-duty steel with cast-iron grates, so this grill will stand up to the elements.

Temperature Control

The third to consider is temperature control. Being able to control the heat on your grill is one of the key indicators to how your food is going to turn out. You don't want to be cooking hot and fast when you're supposed to be cooking low and slow.

One way to really control temperature is with the venting system on your grill. Side dampers and the smokestack allow you to control the airflow which will help you maintain the temperature. Some charcoal grills even have automated technology to help you control the temperature.

The Smokin' Champ has an Adjustable Charcoal Tray that allows you to move the coals closer or farther away from your food. This makes it easy to quickly adjust temperature without having to add more fuel or wait for your grill to cool down.

Clean-Up

The fourth thing to consider is ease of cleaning. Grills can be messy, especially charcoal, so looking for a grill that makes clean-up easy will make your life easier. The Smokin' Champ has the Easy Dump Ash Pan that makes clean-up a game changer. You simply let the ash cool, remove the Easy Dump Ash Pan by the handles, and then dump the ash into a metal bucket for disposal.

Features

Finally, you should look at bonus features! Do you want a side shelf, temperature probes, or automated technology? Some grills even have a beer can opener on them. Consider which features are important to you and how they will be used.

Bonus Tip

The final consideration when choosing your grill is budget. Making sure you buy the right grill in your set budget will make sure you still have money to buy accessories, fuel, and groceries to cook!

Looking for a new grill can be overwhelming at first, but hopefully with a little research and these tips, you'll be cooking in no time.