Essential info from our gear guru
Take a tour through any neighborhood and you will likely see in the backyards not only grills, but also griddles, pellet smokers, kamados, or all of the above. These days it’s not unusual for homes to have more than one outdoor cooker. When AmazingRibs.com first appeared in 2005, America’s tastes were decidedly more pedestrian than today. We like to think we played a part in opening minds and mouths to the rich palette of barbecue and grilling.
Be that as it may, now as then, gas grills continue to be the most popular outdoor cooker coast to coast. No fiddling around lighting charcoal and dumping out the ash. Just hit the ignition and turn the control knobs. Manufacturers know you love ’em, so they keep churning out new models every year. People always ask me, “Max, what’s the best gas grill for me?” Hard question to answer because I’m not you. But here are a few buying tips to consider when hunting for your new gas grill.
1. Name Your Price. There are a mind boggling number of gas grills on the market with price tags from under a hundred to several thousand dollars and more. Pick a price range that comfortably fits your budget so you can still afford to put something tasty on your gasser when you get it home.
2. Get 3 Burners Minimum. Unless you’re looking for a small portable model – GO BIG! Even if you don’t have a large family or host the world’s biggest BBQ bash, there’s another important reason to live large. Most gas grills have a limited temperature range. With all burners on LOW, many can’t get down to roasting temps of around 325°F and forget about doing ribs low and slow at 225°F. To dial down low temps on a gas grill you need to do a 2-zone set up with some burners shut off to create a moderate, indirect zone and other burners lit to supply the heat. But when you set up 2-zones you effectively cut your cooking surface in half. For versatility and adequate space for the food, go with a minimum of 3 burners. You’ll be glad you did.
3. Consider A Sear Burner. Cranking up high searing and sizzling temperatures can be an issue for gas grills. Sure, you can extend their low-temperature range by going 2-zone, but when it comes to high temperature searing, there’s no substitute for pure fire power. That high heat helps create a golden brown and delicious crust on steaks and other grilled foods. And if your gas grill is incapable of generating blazing temps, you’re out of luck. Sear burners to the rescue. Sear burners bring the heat to sizzle your meat. Some grills have sear zones under the hood and some have sear zones mounted on a side shelf. Many gassers use super-hot ceramic infrared sear burners that look like rectangular honey combs. Don’t let your sizzle fall short. Keep sear burners in mind when you shop.
4. Use Our Searchable Database. A good place to start your grill acquisition research is our searchable database of BBQ equipment reviews, including hundreds of outdoor cookers from gas grills to pizza ovens. Forbes Magazine calls us, “The most respected and comprehensive reviewers of grills and smokers in the world!” The AmazingRibs.com searchable database lets you easily filter by grill type, price, size, and our exclusive rating system, so you can quickly find exactly what you’re looking for.
5.Buy A Thermometer. Or Two. Just about every gas grill comes with an old, caveman-era “thermometer” planted in the lid. Don’t believe those out-of-date inaccurate hood ornaments. You absolutely need modern digital thermometers to confidently, and safely, know your grill temperature and internal meat temperature. Don’t worry: we have reviews on those too in our easily searchable thermometer database. There is a small but growing number of “Smart Gas Grills” with built-in digital thermometers that claim to have accurate temperature control. We’re watching these closely.
For more details on these tips, check out our video on How To Buy A Gas Grill!
