Tips for Buying a Gas Grill ... What to look for in a $1000 Grill

Body construction

A $1,000 grill should be constructed of either Stainless Steel or Aluminum —including the bolts and screws that hold the cart together. Most such grills combine low- and high-grade stainless steel. Use a magnet to test the grade: It will stick to lower-quality 430-grade stainless, but not to the more durable 304-grade. Look for grills that are made in the USA as you will have manufacturer support (necessary when your grill parts burn out). Beware of private label grills that are merely a brand. They have little or no manufacturer support and finding support and replacement parts is nearly impossible. These include (but not limited to ) Charmglow, BBQ Grillware, Perfect Flame, Members Mark, Jenn-Air, Kirkland. You will be stuck with only repair parts offered by aftermarket companies.

Also look for rubber wheels with a full axle—they are more durable than those bolted directly to the frame.

Manufactures including Napoleon and MHP have both not only been manufacturing grills for decades but they offer limited lifetime warranties on their products.

Burners

The more independently controlled burners a grill has, the greater the versatility and fuel efficiency. Grills in this price range usually have three or four tube-shaped burners, often covered by metal plates that help distribute heat evenly and minimize flare-ups. They usually include a side burner as well as a smoker box (which burns wood chips to give food a smoky flavor) or a rotisserie with an infrared burner.

Cooking grates

Grates are almost always made of stainless steel or cast iron. Just as some people prefer stainless steel pans and others cast iron, each material has its proponents.

TIP : Cast-iron grates, like cast-iron pans, must be seasoned periodically to prevent them from rusting.

Ignition

Look for electronic ignitions, which emit a continuous spark and are powered by batteries.

Size

Most have primary cooking areas of approximately 600 square inches, which is large enough to cook food for eight to 10 people.

Warranty

Two to five years on most parts; lifetime on some components.

Brands to look for

Modern Home Products, Napoleon, Weber

Call us for our expert advice (we've been doing this a long time) 877-983-0451