Everything you need to know before buying a gas grill

Grilling season is in full swing in the Algarve. If you’re in the market for a new grill, there are plenty of possibilities. Due to their ease of use, comfort, and exceptional temperature regulation, gas grills are the most popular choice among grill masters. So we’ve compiled a guide for buying the ideal gas grill.

Today’s gas grills have lots and lots of impressive features. What should I look for when planning to purchase a new gas grill? Can I use charcoal in my gas grill? These are common questions, and we’ll try to shed some light on answering them.

Picking the right grill for you means deciding on burners, materials, size, heat distributions, etc. All that can get overwhelming quickly. Don’t worry, though; we’re here to walk you through buying a gas grill. Don’t go shopping for a new one before you read this!

About the burners

Gas grill burners are the heartbeat of the grill and part of the cooking system. They allow gas (natural or propane) to enter at one end and then allow it to escape. When buying a gas grill you’ll have to consider how many burners you need. Think about the amount of space you have and the number of guests you will usually cook for on the grill. 

Grills differentiate by the number of burners. Smaller grills come with two burners, which can cook food for up to four people. Gas grills with three burners can satisfy eight people efficiently, and those with four or more burners will allow you to grill for a crowd.

#ProTip🔥Remember the burners must be far enough from the grates and not too close to the food. You want to grill, not to burn your food!

Material quality

Since your grill will need to endure the elements and last several years, it should feature quality materials. In our opinion, when buying a gas grill, stainless steel is the way to go.

There are a ton of stainless steel gas grills on the market, so you should beware of what you are getting by looking at the grade and thickness of the steel. The most common is 304-grade stainless steel. It’s strong, long-lasting, and doesn’t show its age quickly, so it’s what we recommend looking for when buying a gas grill.

While stainless steel grills are highly corrosion resistant and built to last, it’s essential to take good care of your grill to ensure that it will continue operating for years to come. We recommend cleaning your grill after each use!

Grill size

The main factor in determining your gas grill size is your cooking area and the number of guests you will grill for.

The minimal cooking area is 80 square inches of grill surface per person. Plus, you need to avoid crowding your grill full of food. This means in a household of 5, we need 360 square inches of primary cooking space. That’s a three-burner gas grill.

Check our selection of the best gas grills in our shop:

In short, when buying a gas grill, make sure that your primary cooking area is large enough to match the required 80 inches per person. This will provide you with enough room to move your food around from hot to cold zones or create an indirect grill setup.

Heat distribution

You’ll see BTU’s abbreviation thrown around a lot when buying a gas grill. BTU stands for British Thermal Units. It tells you how much gas a grill uses and the heat it can create.

But is the BTU the best indicator of a gas grill’s performance? Generally speaking, No! The reality is that you could have the highest BTU output around, but if your grill does not hold and circulate that heat well, it doesn’t matter. So, a higher BTU rating doesn’t always mean a particular grill is the best.

Overall BTUs will tell you how powerful a grill can be if made well. Don’t think you need the grill with the highest BTU potential for your family’s weeknight cookout.

Brand & warranty

When buying a gas grill, the main elements you must consider are the brand and how much warranty the product is given. It is a well-known fact that better brands come with good warranties most of the time. You must search for brands that provide a minimum of ten years warranty period.

In addition, It’s equally important that the brand you are buying from has spare parts, assuming that over time you might need to buy them. Remember, your food will only be as good as your grill. 

Additional features

Now that you have the basic checks done for buying a gas grill, you can have a look at the extra elements you’ll like to have. Depending on your budget, you can add a million and one features to your basic gas grill. A rotisserie feature, for example, side burners or a smoker.

Nonetheless, before you invest in features, consider how many of them you are likely to use. You might be able to save money by skipping the extras you don’t need and sticking to a simpler grill that meets your needs.

Still unsure about what kind of barbecue is best for you? We suggest you read this article about the Best Gas Grills to Buy Recommended by our Specialists to help you make the best decision on your gas grill purchase.

If you have any questions about the gas grill buying guide, feel free to leave a comment below. And of course, let us know which grill you bought and how much you like it!

📍If you live in Portugal, visit our shop and showroom in Almancil, Algarve.