The Basics: Gas Grills

A versatile and efficient gas grill can really jump start your backyard barbeque. Although you can achieve the same great results with charcoal or gas, many consumers prefer the gas grill because of the speed, efficiency and level of control offered by gas burners. These units preheat in just minutes, deliver a searing heat across the entire cooking surface and have multiple zones so you can vary the temperature for direct or indirect cooking. A well-constructed model should last for years -- with surprisingly little maintenance.

Gas grills, like their charcoal-grill counterparts, provide a convenient means to cook foods over an open flame. These oversized hibachis consist of a grill box with two or more burners, metal cooking grates and a top hood. The grill box is typically mounted on a console base, cart or cabinet. All gas grills have an igniter to light the grill and control valves to regulate the temperature -- from high to low.

Low-end models typically have smaller overall cooking surfaces and offer less options in terms of accessories. Fancier models usually come with multiple burners and a long list of accessories, which can be appealing, but are often unnecessary. Other differences are the amount of generated heat, as well as the materials and construction of the grill.

A word about Btu (British thermal units)
Btu, or British thermal units, measure the amount of heat that is generated per hour. Technically speaking, a Btu is the amount of heat that is needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. Most full-size gas grills range from 25,000 to 65,000 Btu; smaller, portable grills can have as few as 5,000 Btu, and larger units can have as much as 100,000 Btu or more!

The Btu rating alone is insufficient to determine the heat output of a grill. You also need to look at grill size. Grills with 500 square inches of cooking space, for example, need approximately 35,000-50,000 Btu to reach a searing temperature of 550-600 degrees. On average, you should look for approximately 100 Btu per square inch of primary cooking space. Generally speaking, the larger the grill, the more Btu are required to reach a similar temperature.

Remember also that because the Btu rating measures the total amount of heat generated by all the burners per hour, it is also an indicator of the fuel consumption. The higher the Btu, the more gas the grill will consume and the more often you need to re-fill your tank.

Direct versus Indirect Heat
One of the main advantages of gas grilling versus charcoal grilling is the ability to easily regulate the temperature of the cooking surface by simply turning a control knob. In many cases, gas grills have two or more separate heating "zones," letting you use a higher setting over one area and a lower temperature over another.

Using a higher temperature along the sides and a lower temperature in the middle, or main cooking area is what is referred to in the grilling world as "indirect heat." Direct heat, by contrast, is using a constant -- and usually higher -- temperature across the entire cooking surface. Direct heat works best for items that need to cook quickly, such as steaks, burgers or boneless chicken breasts. Indirect grilling is preferred for foods that need to cook for a longer time at lower temperatures, such as barbecued ribs or roasts.

Grill Accessories
Thanks to a number of standard and optional accessories, gas grills offer more convenience and versatility than ever:
Front and side shelves: Wooden, plastic or metal shelves are available in a variety of different configurations; some have special compartments to hold condiments, utensils and other cooking essentials.
Console/Cart: The cart may be as simple as a frame mounting to support the cooking chamber or it may be a fully enclosed cabinet-style structure with doors. The cart is often mounted on either two or four wheels to facilitate moving it from place to place.
Side burner: In place of a side shelf, many consumers opt for a separate burner. Unlike the main grill burners, side burners act much like a stovetop burner, so you can heat sauces or cook foods such as baked beans right alongside your main entree. The side burner typically has a separate control knob, which allows it to operate independently of the other burners.
Rotisserie: For slow-roasting whole chickens or cooking ribs, a rotisserie is a long metal rod suspended horizontally above the fuel source and rotated slowly, usually powered by an electric motor.

How to Shop

Selecting a good model can be a bit overwhelming if you are unsure about what you are looking for in gas grill. First-time grill owners would do well to start with a basic model; however, those with more experience may want to opt for something with more bells and whistles. Remember, however, that more accessories usually mean a higher price tag. If you're on a budget, there are plenty of great options that will satisfy your needs and not break the bank. Before you go shopping, consider the following:

Size: When comparing models, be sure to look at the "primary" cooking space, which is the amount of space available on the lower cooking grate. Some manufacturers include the warming rack space in a total cooking space measurement. Warming space, while nice for keeping buns or cooked foods off of the main heating surface, can't be used for cooking. On average, grills range from 300 to 600 square inches of primary cooking space. The smaller sizes are usually sufficient when cooking for 2 to 4 individuals; larger models will accommodate up to 8 people or more.

Also look at the number of burners. If you are cooking for less than four people, a basic two-burner grill may suffice. If you like to entertain or typically cook for a larger group, you should consider a three- or four-burner grill, which provides more heat over a large cooking area. Adding a side burner will enable you to cook sauces, side dishes and other accompaniments at the same time.

Console/Cart: You will pay less for a basic frame than you will for a cabinet-style housing so consider where you will be using the grill and whether or not you need storage space. You will also have a choice of casters or wheels. Casters typically provide greater maneuverability -- in any direction; however, grill carts mounted on wheels can be moved quite easily as well. Whatever style you choose, be sure to look for a sturdy cart with more welded pieces and fewer screws. If you don't plan to move the grill around, you may even want to consider skipping the cart altogether and mounting the grill permanently. This type of configuration is most often used with a natural gas line that provides a ready supply of fuel to the grill.

Materials and construction: Stainless steel, copper and cast iron are generally considered the preferred materials and will raise the price tag, depending on how much of the material is incorporated into the design. Models made primarily from stainless steel typically cost more than those made from aluminum or porcelain-enamel-coated steel. Not all stainless-steel grills are created equal, however. Attributes such as a heavy-gauge material and folded or reinforced edges are evidence of a well-constructed grill. The burners, in particular, should be constructed from a quality metal to ensure long-lasting performance. Models made from less-expensive materials may cook just as well as their higher-priced counterparts, but may not last as long.

The cooking surface typically consists of one or more removable grates, made of stainless steel, cast iron, or porcelain-coated metal. The materials and thicknesses of the grids vary, with each type and style claiming its own advantages. In many cases, personal preference will dictate which type you prefer. Additional options include metal plates or bars placed over the burners, and charcoal-like briquettes or lava rocks, which not only redistribute the heat from below but also capture drippings and transfer the flavors back to the cooked foods with the steam.

Controls: The control knobs determine how much gas is allowed through the valve to the burner, thus providing a higher or lower flame. Depending on the number of burners, you may see one, two, three or more dial controls designed to regulate the temperature of the burners. Typically, one of the burner controls will act as the "start" setting, allowing you to light one burner and then activate the other burners as needed.

All gas grills have some type of starter or igniter. Some models offer an electric igniter, which sends a series of sparks to light the burner. Electric igniters require a battery to function. Others have flint-type igniters (pushbutton or rotary dial), which require no batteries.