Choosing The Best Barbeque

Published July 20, 2012

If your current barbeque is looking rather dismal this year or perhaps you are just ready for a change, here are some great tips for purchasing a gas grill. Of course if you are a purist at heart there is nothing better than good old-fashioned briquette grilling. Those of us who prefer the ease and convenience of a gas grill will appreciate the following buying tips from Johnstone’s Barbeques.

Upon entering the barbeque store and feeling completely overwhelmed, the first thing to do is to decide on the size and features that you would like your barbeque to have. Do you require a large grill for 8 or more persons? What features would you like? Gaining popularity are the side burner and rotisserie or you may prefer the basic, standard barbeque with limited features. There are double-sided and triple grills, all with separate burners and models with drip trays to make clean up easier. Be sure to move around the floor model that you are interested in to check the wheels and weight.

Heat output is measured in BTU’s. (British Thermal Units) and the higher the BTU’s the more heat generated. The number of burners and their design will determine the BTU output of a barbeque. Most barbeques house anywhere between one to four burners and are rated together in the range of 20,000 to 60,000 BTU’s. Barbeque experts will agree that the recommended BTU output is between 40,000 and 50,000 BTU’s.

As far as burners go, they are usually stainless steel or cast iron. Stainless steel is considered to be top of the line for its durability and resistance to rust.

The cooking grill (grate) is another key factor to consider. Most grills come in either cast iron or stainless steel. It is widely agreed that cast iron holds the heat better and will provide a nicer sear on your meat. However, the downside is that cast-iron grates tend to rust over time so you must consistently oil them. Heavy- duty stainless steel grates are now available in top of the line models such as Weber. These grates clean up easier over time and will hold the heat as well as cast iron. Another advantage of stainless steel is that they will not rust over time and in our wet Vancouver climate, this is a major consideration.

Lastly, it’s always a good idea to consider the assembly of the barbeque. Let’s face it; assembling a barbeque is not the easiest task in the world. The less assembly required the better and more time for eating and relaxing in the sun.

For more information, contact Johnstone’s Barbeques, 165 Pemberton Avenue, North Vancouver.