What to look for in a bbq

[mommy4ever]

We are in the market for a new bbq. Our old one has seen better days, but once replace will be our grill for camping.

I know I need to consider size, i cook for minimum of 6 + lunch for the next day for dh. I also plan to do most summer cooking outside, as it heats the house too much to cook indoors. dh is building me a work table that I can out the crockpot out too.

So what do we need to consider? What features have you loved about a bbq, or what do you find unnecessary?

Thanks!

[nancycg56]

I love mine because it has room to cook about 24 burgers at once, depending on how big or small I make them.

It has a burner on the side which I use to cook big pots of corn on the cob, keep marinades warm if I have to, and when we have parties, I toss some onions in a pan and saute in case someone likes sauteed onions instead of grilled or fresh. I have also used it to fry fish.

We added a rotisserie to it which I love ~ can't beat that rotisserie chicken.

It's big enough that I can grill with direct or indirect heat.

It also has storage underneath which is nice to keep the grill cleaning supplies under and it hides the tank of gas.

I bought this grill thing (I can't explain it well) that you set on top if the grates and cook eggs, bacon, whatever ~ great when the power goes out I also have a pizza stone that I use on it to cook pizza.

Those are my favorite things My advice would to be buy as big as you can afford and comfortably keep wherever you keep your grill

[justpeachy92]

The big factor for us was that it wasn't a gas grill, had plenty of space to cook meals on for our family plus others when we have guests. We wanted one that we could grill burgers and stuff on, but also be able to use it as a smoker.

I came across this recipe yesterday. And am quite anxious to try it and am wondering how other pies would turn out cooked on the grill. Would be nice to make an apple pie in July without turning the oven on.
http://www.bhg.com/recipe/pies/grill...let-peach-pie/

[nancycg56]

That pie recipe sounds really good. I think you can make just about anything on a grill. I bet you could use any kind of fruit. I've grilled fruit quite a bit (makes a great dessert with ice cream ) but never thought about doing a pie.

We have a separate smoker that doubles as a charcoal grill when we just have to have that charcoal flavor

[mommy4ever]

Thanks

I want to cook outside this summer. The kitchen just heats the house too much, and makes the AC work harder.

I've a great book that uses the grill extensively, from veggies, to pizza to meat, cooking everything on the grill. I love this principle. On our current one, it doesn't work, too small. It'll do for the campsite but I want something bigger for home, something that doesn't take forever to cook for us all.

I've thought about the rotisserie... I don't think we'd use it. The side burner I think is a must.

I also want to get the rubbermaid shed for the bbq, to keep the elements from ruining the bbq. I even bbq in the winter..lol. providing the snow hasn't buried it. I do want to have it enclosed, I'd hate to have our pups chew through a hose being the brilliant minds they are together..lol. you never know what they might come up with.

[MomToTwoBoys]

I love mine because it has room to cook about 24 burgers at once, depending on how big or small I make them.

It has a burner on the side which I use to cook big pots of corn on the cob, keep marinades warm if I have to, and when we have parties, I toss some onions in a pan and saute in case someone likes sauteed onions instead of grilled or fresh. I have also used it to fry fish.

We added a rotisserie to it which I love ~ can't beat that rotisserie chicken.

It's big enough that I can grill with direct or indirect heat.

It also has storage underneath which is nice to keep the grill cleaning supplies under and it hides the tank of gas.

I bought this grill thing (I can't explain it well) that you set on top if the grates and cook eggs, bacon, whatever ~ great when the power goes out I also have a pizza stone that I use on it to cook pizza.

Those are my favorite things My advice would to be buy as big as you can afford and comfortably keep wherever you keep your grill

I have one of the same kind. I love it! I really need to find a rotisserie attachment for it because it didn't come with one. Are there attachments that are made by a manufacturer that fits more than one type of gas grill? We have dishes that we love eating rotisserie chicken in (donairs, salads, etc) and I'd really like to get one at a good price in Calgary.

[Thevail]

Heavy guage metal is just crucial for me..I like the cooking to maintain it's temperature, and storage for the "grill accessories" so they don't just get left everywhere is also pretty cool.

[rowdy35]

my husband loves the rotisserie on his gas grill. he puts chickens, roasts etc. on it ... but if you don't cook these types of things I guess it wouldn't be necessary.

We bought an inexpensive model at Home Depot and have had good luck with it. I just didn't want to spend too much on this item, much to my husband's chagrin

to the person looking for the rotisserie : You can buy the rotisserie kit separately if you want one for an existing bbq, email the manufacturer and see if it's available

[Lora88]

I just bought a new one and just love it It has built in rottissiere and even a small oven . But best of all to me it runs on natural gas so no more Lp propane bottles I plan to use it all summer and even into the winter The stove just heats the house too much and my ac bill is huge so hoping there will be signifact savings there It has a side burner for pots and shelves for the food on the sides It wa a little expensive I got it at the home depot but sometimes you have to live alittle

[nancycg56]

I have one of the same kind. I love it! I really need to find a rotisserie attachment for it because it didn't come with one. Are there attachments that are made by a manufacturer that fits more than one type of gas grill? We have dishes that we love eating rotisserie chicken in (donairs, salads, etc) and I'd really like to get one at a good price in Calgary.

I'm almost positive ours is just a generic one that said on the box what brand of grills it would fit

[norcalmommy]

Make sure it is a heavy duty design so it lasts more then a few years. We bought a bbq a few years ago that has a plastic handle. The handle broke this spring. My parents have a heavy duty bbq with a metal handle that is part of the lid, all molded in one piece. I wish we had shelled out another $100 and bought one like my parents. I can still use my BBQ. but it is a pain.

[Pianolady]

No one's mentioned brands yet. We've owned many grills over the years, but Weber has by far been the best. It's worth the investment to get a quality grill.

[MomToTwoBoys]

Yeah, ours is a President's Choice grill that was a gift from FIL for DH's birthday. It's pretty awesome.

[JessieMom]

I love to grill! My husbands friends think its hilarious that he won't go near it, lol. We had several inexpensive grills that I had to keep replacing pieces & parts of and finally 3 years ago we splurged & bought "my baby". It's a huge 4 burner Jenn-Air mostly stainless steel - I love that part because I can put most of it in the dishwasher. It was expensive but worth every penny. Cooks great & shows no sign of wear even after 3 yrs of hard use. We got it at Lowes.
My dad swears by his Weber but I think it just looks wimpy compared to mine

[nancycg56]

Ours is a commercial char-broil, all stainless. Love it!