If something breaks, start looking for replacement parts with the manufacturer. But if they don't have it, or if they're out of biz, try these sources:
BBQparts.com. A great source of replacement parts.
Grill Parts Online. Several manufacturers recommend these guys, among them Brinkmann.
Shopping tip
When a product is available on Amazon.com, I often provide a direct link. Amazon.com often has the best prices anywhere, even better than many manufacturers' websites. That's because manufacturers know that if they undercut retailers, these important resellers may drop their products.
Full disclosure:Amazon.com pays me a small finder's fee when you purchase from them after clicking on a link here, so purchasing from them helps underwrite the cost of operating AmazingRibs.com. But low prices, fast delivery, and good refund policies are the real reasons to buy from Amazon.com. In fact, if you like all the info I give you for free and would like to help me buy charcoal, copy this url link and bookmark it: http://tinyurl.com/yazmwlq
It takes you to Amazon.com and tags anything you buy with my code so I get that small commission. It works on anything from grills to diapers and it has zero impact on the price you pay.
How to get half off
Most hardware stores want to get rid of their grills by September. They take up too much space and by then they're stocking Christmas trees (gaaaaak!). So end of August and early fall is a great time to get closeout bargains.
Also you can often get bargains mid summer on discontinued models and floor demos. I recently bought a $500 Char-Broil gasser for $250. It was a on display on the floor and it had a dent and was missing a couple of nobs. I found the manager, offered him half the list proce and he didn't hesitate. Sold!
The most beautiful grills ever?
While wandering the side streets of Florence, Italy in fall 2008, I stumbled across Giotti Ceramiche, a store selling beautiful ceramics, among them were several magnificent ceramic grills. These may be the most beautiful grills I've ever seen, and they will ship to the US.
What's coming next
A harbinger of things to come? The Blue Ember iQue Gas Grill has a digital timer, a digital probe for the meat with an alarm that alerts you when the meat is at the desired temp. It even claims to be able to tell you how much fuel left in the tank in minutes. My guess is that we'll be seeing more digital controls making the outdoor oven more like the indoor oven.
For the manufacturers:
Just one question, would it drive the price too high for you to ship an extra screw or washer or two for klutzes like me who drop them between the boards on their deck?
How to Buy a Grill
Print this page and take it shopping. As background, I strongly recommend you first read these articles:
There are too many to count. There are small disposable units for tailgating, and huge monsters that attach to your tailgate and have as many wheels as your SUV.
And they range in price. A nice hibachi that will make great steaks (really) can be had for only $15, and not long ago I saw a stainless steel job with six wheels in an Ace Hardware that said "Financing Available" (really)!
A good grill is an essential tool for the modern cook, not just as a backyard diversion, but a second oven. What it does best is create meat, seafood, and vegetables with a unique flavor, and, because of the high heat, it can come closer to turning out steakhouse meat than anything you can do with most indoor ovens. If configured properly it can even smoke roast low and slow as well as a dedicated smoker.
This article is a guide to helping you decide what features you want when shopping for a grill.
Things to look for
Size matters. The first decision is size, which relates to price. Start by looking at the number of square inches of cooking surface. Square inches are calculated by multiplying the length by the width of the primary cooking surface. Beware that some grills have an upper shelf for keeping food warm and some manufacturers include this in their square inch statement. When deciding how much surface you need, remember that you do not want to crowd a grill, that you should leave at least an inch between steaks or other things being cooked. Rule of thumb: Allow about 100 square inches (10" x 10") per person. Ask yourself how many people will you normally be cooking for. Don't forget the July 4 party.
Head space. You will want enough room to smoke a turkey, so make there is at least 1' of head space between the cooking grate and the inside of the lid.
Price. What is the bottom line? Prices can go up to $5,000 for some gas grills. Remember, the more options, the more expensive. Good charcoal grills run $100-300. The old reliable, very capable, versatile, and indestructible Weber Kettle can be had for under $100. You can get a really nice gas unit for $200-400, and be the envy of the neighborhood for $800. But keep in mind, quality does not necessarily increase with price. A lot of the $1000 units I've seen do not out perform some $400 units.
Temperature control. The key to successful cooking is temperature control. A good grill should allow you to setup multizone lid down roasting with at least two zones. One zone for high heat cooking, another for slower, lower heat cooking. For more on this important concept, read my article on 2-Zone and Indirect Cooking.
Charcoal grills should allow you to bank the coals on one side and leave the other side without coals. Thet need tight lids and dampers that can be opened or closed to control oxygen to the fire and thus control the heat. Some have the ability to raise and lower the coals. This is a very good thing because heat dissipates according to the inverse square law which states that the energy delivered to the meat is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source of the energy. In plain English, this means that means that if the charcoal is 2" from the meat there is 4 times as much energy delivered to the meat than when the coals are 4" away, not double.
For gas grills, you want at least two burners so one can be on and one off. But the more the better. With three or four burners you can have hot, medium, and low zones. You also need a lid that closes fairly toght for smoking. Alas, very few gassers seal tightly. You also want even heat across the cooking surface. Wathc out for hot spots over the burners.
High heat. If you like red meat with a nice dark crust and red to pink inside, even on thin steaks, then you want a grill that can get 600F or more. Charcoal grills can do this, especially if you raise the coals to just below the cooking surface. Most gas grills cannot hit that temp unless they have the new infrared burners. Infrared burners use a gas flame to superheat a ceramic or metal plate that radiates twice the heat of normal burners, in the 700F plus range. If you cook a lot of steaks, this is a feature you should consider.
Smoking. Can the grill smoke meats? If it can, you don't need a separate dedicated standalone smoker. To smoke properly, you need a tight-fitting lid with good vent control. You must be able to control airflow. For example, the Weber Kettle charcoal grill does a fine job of smoking because it has excellent airflow control and a tight lid. Add the $50 Smokenator and you can compete on the circuit.
Burners. On gas grills, aluminum burners burn out and cast iron burners rust. You want stainless or brass burners. If you will only have one grill, try to get one with an infrared or sear burner so you can do steaks properly. Also, pay attention to which way the burners run, left to right, or front to back. I prefer burners that run front to back because it is easier to set up multiple heat zones, hot, medium, and low for cooking different foods at once or for indirect cooking.
Starter or igniter. Gas grills need a starter or igniter. Some are electric and need a battery. Others use a button or dial to generate a spark. Electronic starters are faster, but this is not a deal breaker.
Materials, workmanship, and durability. The best grills are cast aluminum, cast iron, enamel bonded steel, and stainless steel. Stainless and aluminum will not rust. Cast iron can rust if it is not painted properly. Enamel will not rust unless you chip it. How well is it painted? How heavy is the metal? Heavy steel holds and distributes heat better than thin steel. Is the metal thick enough that it will not warp? How are the welds? Does it have sharp edges? Sturdy legs? Big hinges and latches? A lot of plastic parts? Do the moving parts look like they'll last? Stainless is all the rage, but it shows dirt, dust, grease, and rainspots. If you are a neat freak you'll go crazy polishing your stainless grill. Also, stainless tends to be thinner and provides less heat retention. Not all stainless is the same. Some are thicker, and some have more chromium and nickel in the alloy, both desirable contents. Look for 300 series or lower number stainless. Magnetic stainless will pit and corrode faster so bring a magnet when you shop and use a cover. Stainless is also more expensive. I prefer steel or cast aluminum. They hold heat better, are cheaper, and are not such a pain to clean.
Grates. Most grilling is by radiation or convection, but where the food is in contact with the grates, the cooking is by conduction and that's how you get good crunchy grill marks. Chrome or nickel coated wire grates don't leave a wide mark and tend to rust. Cast iron grates conduct heat to the meat well but they need to be oiled to keep them from rusting. I like baked-on porcelain or stainless grates where each rung is about 1/4" wide or more. They give great wide grill marks and they are easy to clean. Best of all: Porcelain coated cast iron. But you will need a forklift to remove them. On charcoal grills, some manufacturers offer hinged grates or access doors so you can easily add more coals when necessary.
Rotisserie. Rotisserie cooking is an excellent method for cooking whole chickens and turkeys. Most charcoal grills cannot be outfitted with a rotisserie and most gas grills can. You need access to electricity for their electric motors to run. A good rotisserie should have a sturdy motor and a counterweight to balance the load. The best rotisseries are basket types rather than the more common spear that pierces the meat and cooks it in the center. Rotisseries usually cost extra. If they only have the spear model, skip it and get a basket type from E-Z Que.
Thermometer. Most thermometers on grills are bi-metallic and not accurate. Usually the temp at the meat height is different than the temp in the hood where the thermometer lives. Get a good digital thermometer on a cable that you can place next to the meat. If you do, then it doesn't matter how bad the grill's thermometer is.
Dual fuel. If you are buying a liquid propane (LP) gas grill, can it be adapted to household natural gas if you want to do this? How much does the adapter kit cost?
Wheels. You may want to move the thing when you set it up, so it should have wheels or come apart easily. On really rainy days I roll my gasser right up to the back door so I don't have to go out. If it has wheels, how sturdy are they, and are they large enough to roll smoothly on a rough surface such a deck, concrete, pavers, or the lawn?
Side burners. A side burner is a handy, but not necessary feature. They're great for making side dishes or warming sauces. A few even have a griddle that sits over them, perfect for eggs, fish, or grilled cheese sandwiches. Instead of paying $200 for a built-in side burner, you can buy a standalone burner cheap.
Assembly. Most grills come knocked down and they can be tricky to assemble. If you don't have the necessary time or tools, or aren't confident in your skills, many merchants will assemble for you. For a fee.
Manual. Is there a manual? Was it translated from Chinese by someone who does not speak English very well?
Cookbook. Some grills come with a nice cookbook. If not, you'll have to buy my book when it comes out.
Ease of cleaning. Can you remove ash or grease easily? Some charcoal grills have ash collectors, and some gassers have grease collectors. Do the grates come out easily? Can you get at the burners to clean or replace them?
Warranty and support. What kind of warranty and/or guarantee does it come with. On gassers, check the warranty on the burners. What is the dealer's reputation? Is there a phone number and email for tech support? Is the website informative? How about the manual? What if you need parts? How long have they been in business?
Safety. Is it child and pet safe? Are electrical parts safe from rain and snow?
Footprint. Can it fit in on your condo's balcony?
Other accessories. Cover? Natural gas adapter? Propane fuel gauge? Night lights? Cutting boards? Storage? Griddles? Woks? Steamers? Drink holders? Can openers? Surround sound?
AmazingRibs.com is all about the Zen of Barbecue, cooking ribs, and all kinds of BBQ recipes and techniques: Barbecue baby back ribs, spare ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, chicken, smoked turkey, steak, lamb, barbecue sauces, rubs, and great side dishes, with the net's best buying guide to barbecue smokers and cookers. It is written, illustrated, and coded solely by Craig "Meathead" Goldwyn.
Product Reviews and Meathead's Hot Stuff Awards. Meathead's Hot Stuff Awards are highly recommended products that I have tested personally or that have been tested by reliable sources. Awards are based on features, quality, and value. Rest assured that when I recommend a product, it is really because I like it, not because someone has paid me to say so or because the company is an advertiser or sponsor. I purchase most products I review although occasionally suppliers send me samples.
About links on this site. Other than clearly marked ads, links and recommendations on this site are all products, services, and websites I truly admire, and are never paid endorsements. Your suggestions are always welcome. If you would like me to link to your website, click here to read my links policy first.
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This link takes you to Amazon.com and tags anything you buy with my affiliate code so I get a small referral fee. It works on anything from grills to diapers and it has zero impact on the price you pay. Low prices, fast delivery, and good refund policies are the best reasons to buy from Amazon.com, but clicking on that link before you shop helps me devote more time and money to you. Thanks!
Meathead's Faves
These recommendations are not ads. They are unsolicited endorsements.
GrillGrates Take Your Grill Into the Infrared Zone
GrillGrates are the best new product I have tested in years and the best thing to happen to beef since salt and pepper.
They sit on top of your current grill's grates. The hard anodized aircraft grade aluminum rail tops are flat and wide and make perfect dark crunchy grill marks. The base superheats yet eliminates hot spots and blocks flareups. This is the same concept behind the expensive new infrared grills.
Juices drip in the valleys between the rails and are vaporized and penetrate the meat enhancing flavor. I throw wood between the rails and they impart a delicate smoke flavor. I have made my best steaks and burgers ever with Grill Grates. This is a really great new product! Click here to read more and for ordering info.
The Smokenator
If you have a Weber Kettle, you need the amazing Smokenator and Hovergrill. The Smokenator turns your grill into a first class smoker, and the Hovergrill can add capacity or be used to get steakhouse steaks. Click here to read more and for ordering info.
can be had for under $100. You can get a really nice gas unit for $200-400, and be the envy of the neighborhood for $800. But keep in mind, quality does not necessarily increase with price. A lot of the $1000 units I've seen do not out perform some $400 units.
Rotisserie. Rotisserie cooking is an excellent method for cooking whole chickens and turkeys. Most charcoal grills cannot be outfitted with a rotisserie and most gas grills can. You need access to electricity for their electric motors to run. A good rotisserie should have a sturdy motor and a counterweight to balance the load. The best rotisseries are basket types rather than the more common spear that pierces the meat and cooks it in the center. Rotisseries usually cost extra. If they only have the spear model, skip it and get a basket type from 
.
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