As the weather turns warmer, millions of Americans take their cooking outside to enjoy the flavor of a barbeque gas grill. If you are in the market to buy a new gas grill this season, Consumer Reports recommends taking advantage of summer holiday promotions or end-of-season sales to find the best deals available on grills.
To help you select the best options when buying a new gas grill, Consumer Reports also suggests keeping the following tips on mind.
- Consider the cooking area. Use Consumer Reports’ Ratings to find a cooking surface that matches the usual needs of the grill, not one for the blow-out barbecue party that only happens once or twice a season. Consumer Reports categorizes grills based on measurements of the main cooking area, but be aware that some companies might also count warming racks and searing burners in their claims.
- Think beyond BTU. They tell how much fuel a gas grill uses and the heat it can create, but Consumer Reports’ tests have found that more Btu’s doesn’t guarantee faster preheating or better cooking.
- Keep infrared claims in perspective. Infrared burners typically emit intense heat to sear and cook food, though designs differ by manufacturer. Consumer Reports has yet to find one infrared burner design that’s better than other infrared designs or better than standard burners.
- Put safety first. Test a grill’s sturdiness with a gentle nudge in several places. Check for sharp corners and edges. Press down on the side shelves to see how well they support weight. And while some flaring is normal, typically the greater the distance between the grates and the burners or flavorizer bar, the fewer the sustained flare-ups.
If you are planning to keep your gas grill for another season, now is also a good time to make sure the gas grill is safe. This gas grill safety checklist can help.
Consumer Reports’ gas grill ratings, along with a list of features to consider when buying and more can be found online at www.ConsumerReports.org.
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