BBQ grills come in many different styles and at many different price points. You can choose from the traditional charcoal grills to modern gas grills, or even the pellet grills that are fueled by compressed hardwood pellets, and are great for for slow smoking BBQ meats like ribs. The various types of grills can cost as little as £30 to £40 or they can cost you over £1000. Hopefully we can help you decide which type of BBQ grill is right for you, as there’s a number of factors worth taking into consideration before you buy…

The Price

For most people, the price is the main consideration when purchasing a BBQ. If you are only planning on using the grill a couple of times a year, then you probably do not want to spend £500 plus. However, if the British weather is not an issue and you plan on using your grill as many times as you can during the summer, then spending £500 or more may seem reasonable. Pellet grills tend to be the most expensive BBQ grills, they are readily available in the USA, but a little harder to purchase in the UK. However, many BBQ enthusiasts (especially the Americans who lets face it no way more than us when it comes to BBQ) feel that they are worth the investment.

BBQ Location

The location of your BBQ in the garden should also be taken into consideration when making your decision. If your garden is small then look for a small BBQ that won’t take up too much room and can be easily stored away. Also remember that charcoal grills create smoke and flames, so if you are barbecuing in a small area, it not be the best choice as you don’t want smoke in your and your guests eyes. While gas grills don’t create as much smoke as charcoal, they are also subject to occasional bursts of flames. If you have the luxury of having a large area you can set aside for a BBQ, then you have many more options and can look at the larger grills with more features. Finally, if you are planning on using your grill for camping, then you should consider its portability. You might want a collapsible grill or one that is easy to take apart and pack away.

Fuel Type

BBQ’s now come with many different types of fuel, each with pros and cons:

• Charcoal grills are the least expensive to purchase but do take a little more preparation time than other fuel sources while you wait for the flames to die down and nice white hot bricks
• Gas grills are more expensive but they provide you with instant heat and temperature control
• Pellet grills are becoming more popular in the UK and are usually ready for grilling within 15 minutes and the temperature is also easier to control than charcoal

All in the Taste

One of the main reasons we BBQ apart from simply enjoying the outdoors is for the taste and it needs to be taking into account when buying a new BBQ  grill

• Pellet grills provide what many consider to be the most authentic smoky flavor associated with the BBQ
• Charcoal grills also provide excellent flavor and there are many different types of flavored woods available for charcoal grills, making these types of grills appealing for many
• Food cooked on gas grills is generally perceived to be cheating and lacking in flavour. However, there are now flavoured briquettes on the market that can be added to gas grills to provide a more authentic barbecue flavor, allowing for the convenience of a gas grill with a more authentic BBQ taste.

Safety First

Safety is also an important consideration, but many people are divided about which type of grill is actually the safer. More accidents actually happen with charcoal grills than with gas grills but serious injuries are more likely occur if something goes wrong with a gas grill. Sorry to be negative!

Charcoal BBQ grills are generally much smaller in size and lighter in weight than gas grills, so you have any increased risk of tipping or blowing over. There is also a greater risk of flare-ups but gas grills can flare up too. Both should be kept well away from structures that could potentially catch on fire.

Most injuries from charcoal grills however happen during the use of lighting fluid. People often put way too much on the charcoals before they light the fire and the result is a big flare up which could end up BBQ’ing your eyebrows. The greater risk of using lighting fluid though is after the charcoal is burning and you should always avoid it once the coals have been lit. It’s dangerous and your food may end up tasting like lighting fluid. I would always recommend buying the fire lighter blocks and a longflame BBQ lighter

You will never have to use lighting fluid if you use a gas grill, but you must be careful to follow the instructions that come with your grill on how to light it. Leaving the gas on too long before you press the ignition button will cause a flare up. Also, proper maintenance of your gas grill is very important. Check the hoses and the gas container carefully before you start the grill to ensure they are not leaking or blocked with grease.

All this talk about safety may be putting you off a little, but to be fair both charcoal grills and gas grills are perfectly safe when used properly, I just wanted to make you aware of the common safety issues. A little common sense and a watchful eye, especially when children are around, will prevent any accidents.

Special Features

BBQ’s can come with numerous features. Charcoal grills are the most basic with few additional features, but some do have attached work areas for holding plates, utensils or other cooking bits and bobs. Your higher-end charcoal grills can come with a numerous extra features including cooking grates, flavorizer bars, warming rack, drip trays, warming areas, side burners and additional storage. Careful consideration needs be given to the usefulness of these extra features, as they can add a considerable amount of money to the cost of the grill.

Tags: Barbeque, BBQ, Buying, Charcoal, Choosing, Furniture, Garden, Gas, Grill, Guide, Patio, Pellet Grills, Selecting