There’s a reason the best gas barbecue grill costs a bit more. It is built to last a lifetime. If you want the best gas barbecue grill to be made, these are the characteristics to look for.
Stainless steel construction
What makes stainless steel special is not that it is made of steel or that it is stainless. Because that is not it. Metals labeled “stainless steel” will discolor, dull, stain, rust, and pit. The fact is, there are dozens of varieties of stainless steels available on the market, and they are not the same.
There are two basic grades of stainless steel used in today’s outdoor gas grills: magnetic stainless steel (400) and non-magnetic stainless steel (300). Magnetic grade stainless steel (400) is lower than (300). It is not as durable or rust resistant as (300), does not conduct or retain heat, will warp when exposed to high temperatures, and generally produces an inferior product.
The typical box store gas barbecue grill uses stainless steel (400). The finest gas grill uses only commercial grade 304 stainless steel. That is why they can be backed by a 100% lifetime guarantee.
So if you’re shopping for a quality stainless steel gas grill, grab a magnet. If the magnet sticks to the grill, walk away. It is not a quality stainless steel grill.
Fully welded vs. Spot welding
The next time you’re at your local grocery store, take some time to inspect your gas barbecue grills. What you will find is that the seams are not fully welded, they are spot welded. And spot welding will not withstand the extreme temperatures produced on a gas barbecue grill. These joints will eventually snap and break, ending the life of your barbecue grill.
If you want the best outdoor grill available, make sure the joints are fully welded. These grills will last a lifetime.
BTU
So what is a BTU? It is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of a pound of water from 39 degrees to 40 degrees. So in its simplest terms, BTU measures heat production.
And how does that translate to outdoor gas grills? Taken alone, the number of BTUs a gas barbecue grill can produce doesn’t make sense. What is significant is the number of BTUs produced per square inch of cooking surface. The best outdoor gas grills produce 100 BTUs or more per square inch of grill surface.
Why does this matter? It’s important because this is the level of heat needed to properly sear a steak, producing steakhouse quality meat over and over again. So if you want to become legendary for your grilling skills, you need to know the BTUs per square inch of grill surface before buying your next grill for grilling. That is what will set it apart from the rest of the neighborhood.
Infrared cooking
An infrared burner is no longer a fad when it comes to producing wonderfully tender steaks. It’s a must. Infrared heat is radiant heat, and radiant heat cooks meat without drying it out. Gone are the days of hockey puck burgers.
When considering your next outdoor gas grill, make sure it comes equipped with an infrared burner.
Flavor zones and heat separators
Flavor zones were first introduced by Weber Grills. The concept was to produce separate temperature zones throughout the grill, so you could have one side raised all the way to sear the meat while the other side was low to cook tender vegetables.
Today, premium manufacturers like SUN Gas Grills have done better. Its flavor zones have holes that allow heat to escape as you light the various burners up and down. And they’ve introduced heat dividers between the flavor zones to shield the heat from one burner from the rest of the grill, allowing for precise temperature control throughout the entire gas grill.
This technology is the best available today. Make it part of your next gas barbecue grill.
Smoker box
The best outdoor gas grills on the market today incorporate old-fashioned smoking in the form of a smoker box. The Smoker Box is designed to infuse your food, especially your meat, with the flavor of walnut (or other hardwood) smoke while grilling the meat.
100% unconditional guarantee
Regardless of which model of gas grill you choose, the person selling it must be willing to back it up with an unconditional 100% guarantee. If they are unwilling to do so, you must question the quality of the grill you are about to purchase. Excellent quality gas barbecue grills will last a lifetime and the dealer should be willing to back you up with their warranty.
So what is the end result?
The bottom line on gas barbecue grills is that the purchase price is a fool’s game. On gas grills, like many other things in life, you get what you pay for. The most important measure is the annual cost of use. Buying a premium stainless steel gas grill will give you many, many years of use and enjoyment. The same cannot be said for grills that do not offer the features discussed in this article.
This is especially important if the gas barbecue grill is to be incorporated into an outdoor kitchen. Imagine changing the grill every 3-5 years. What a nightmare. But 3-5 years is the average lifespan of box store grills. So when replacing your existing gas grill, be sure to buy the best quality you can afford. You will not regret!
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Until next time, Happy Grilling …