Weber Genesis Features & Comparison Chart

Filed under Gas Grills

 Picture above is the EP-330

Key Features

Genesis Comparison Chart

Gas Grill Buyers Guide

Filed under Gas Grills , Tips

What To Look For In A Gas Grill

Besides price, what separates an ordinary gas grill from a great gas grill? Here are a few points savvy grill shoppers should know.

The Elements of a Gas Grill

The basic underpinnings of a gas grill are really quite simple: First come burners to create heat. Above them you’ll find some type of system to disperse the heat from the burners (Flavorizer bars, ceramic briquettes, lava rock, etc.). Above those lie the cooking grates. Let’s look under the hood to get a better sense of what you should be looking for.

The Cooking System

Better grills generally have two or more separate burners (not just control knobs) which allow greater control of heat. Most lower-priced grills have only one burner shaped like an H or a bar, some with one control, some with two controls. Grills with one burner don’t allow you to control heat as well as grills with multiple burners and may result in hot and cold spots on the cooking surface.

When cooking on a gas grill, juices from the food drip down and accumulate near the heat source until they reach a flash point and burn off. The best systems quickly flash the drippings, eliminating flare-ups and creating flavorful smoke. Most manufacturers rely on lava rock or ceramic briquettes to distribute the heat from the burners to the cooking surface. Drip- pings from the food tend to pool in these systems causing undue flare-ups. The best grills use a steel bar system (pioneered by Weber) that funnels the grease away from the burner flames, greatly reducing flare-ups.

BTUs (British Thermal Units)

BTUs are not a measure of cooking power. They indicate the volume of gas a grill can burn. Tightly engineered grills use fewer BTUs and cook food more efficiently. Sometimes less is more. Too many BTUs can cause damage to burners and reduce the life of the grill. In general, large grills with large cooking surfaces require higher BTUs.

Solid Construction

A good, well-built grill will feel solid and sturdy; a poorly made grill will wiggle. If a grill isn’t solid on the sales floor, chances are it will fall apart rather quickly on the patio or deck. Choose a grill made of high grade U.S. steel. Also opt for a baked-on, porcelain-enamel finish. The cart should be sturdy, wheels should roll easily, and the grill should display a good fit and finish.

Cooking grates are generally made from heavy-duty plated steel or chrome-plated aluminum. A thicker, heavier-gauge cook- ing grate will last longer and distribute and retain heat better. Grates coated with porcelain enamel are a common step-up feature. The best grates are made of cast iron, stainless steel, or porcelain-coated aluminum or cast iron.

Assembly

When you buy a barbecue, you want to grill, not drill, so fast and easy assembly is a priority. Some grills require hours (and an engineering degree) to assemble. Better brands reduce or eliminate the amount of assembly required by the consumer.

Service & Maintenance

Top-notch after-market service supports any quality made grill, including thorough, easy-to-read information about the product, and a toll-free service line. A good grill is easy to clean and to maintain, and long-life is assured by easy access to replacement parts and service through a well-established servicing dealer network.

Safety

A good grill lights effortlessly, controls heat easily, has handles that stay cool to the touch, and has added safety features.

Long Warranty

It makes sense: the best manufacturers can afford to stand behind their products. Don’t settle for less than a 10- year warranty.

Added Conveniences

Optional side burners are great for cooking sauces and other dishes. Flip-up side tables give you extra space for food preparation.

Charcoal or Gas?

Filed under Charcoal , Gas Grills , Tips

It's a Lifestyle Choice

This is really your first decision. Are you convinced there’s nothing like the taste and smell of food grilled over hot coals? Do you take a certain pride in your ability to get the fire started and keep it properly tended while you cook? Do you need that hands-on, primal experience? Or do you want a perfect fire at the push of a button? Do you appreciate the precision temperature adjustments gas grills can provide? Would you rather avoid the whole charcoal set-up and the post-cookout ashes?

Whether you’re in the charcoal or gas grill camp, you’re in luck. Taste tests indicate there’s no significant flavor difference either way. The choice is strictly personal. Consider how you plan to use your grill. Will you grill every night or just on special occasions? Will that change over time? Is cost an issue? While gas grills are initially more expensive, they generally cost less to operate in the long run. Both are great choices. Pick the one that’s right for you!

Propane Gas Grills

Filed under Gas Grills

Although not a favorite cooking method among the naturalist grill masters, propane bbq grills can’t be beat for their minimalistic cooking style. A typical propane tank will provide over twenty hours of cooking time at high heats. And, there is very little maintenance and upkeep between grilling sessions. However, if you do cook high fatty meats you may need to clean the drip pan occasionally. Many of today’s propane grills have more than one burner allowing you to grill using indirect heat methods or cook multiple items at differing levels of direct heat.

The biggest drawback to propane bbq grills is the use of the odorless gas. Although your food will get a “char” from grilling outdoors, you will not experience that heady smoky flavor common to charcoal grills. Also, you have a specific amount of temperatures in which you can cook. You can’t cook lower than the lowest setting, or create an environment hotter than the hottest setting. Also, the multiple burners are static and do not move. Therefore, you are not able to create a direct heat source under a rather small or rather large food item.

Propane bbq grills come in all sizes and shapes to fit any family size and budget. Most propane grills on the market today have at least two grilling burners and a side car burner for cooking with pots and pans. Depending on your individual budget, you can purchase a grill complete with shelving, drawers, and a sink you hook to your outside faucet.

Common manufacturers include Brinkman, Charbroil, and Weber. Propane grills usually start at $100 USD and can run as high as $3,000 USD. Many propane grills are made using stainless steel or other forms of light metal. When selecting a propane bbq grill, consider the total cooking area, the total BTUs, and if there are additional accessories, such as a warming tray/rack, rotisserie, or smoke box. To protect your investment, you may want to consider purchasing a cover for your grill.

Propane BBQ Grills have a lot going for them, including convenience, price, and taste. Propane tanks can be purchased or refilled at nearly every Lowes, Home Depot, or local home improvement store. Propane grills can start up with the flip of a switch or simply by dropping a match over a burner.

Refilling a standard 20 pound propane tank usually costs around $16 to $22, depending on your location and the specific store. A recent trend in major store brand propane tanks is to only fill them with 14 to 16 pounds, even though they have a greater capacity. This allows stores to keep the propane tank prices constant even though the raw cost of propane fluctuates up and down.

Propane grills have more parts that may require maintenance than simple charcoal grills. Propane BBQ grills, also known as LPG BBQ grills, have burners that propane passes through and is burned to create heat. This type of heating has a cleaner taste to it than charcoal since the propane doesn't usually pass on a noticeable flavor.

Propane BBQ grills have at least one burner, and some have many more. For example, the Weber Summit series has up to 7 burners putting out 10,000 BTU each, with an extra infrared burner in the back of the grill. It's easy to regulate temperature with propane grills since you can just twist the handle buttom to release the appropriate amount of propane for heating.