There’s nothing quite like a backyard barbecue. It’s a great way to spend time with friends and family, enjoy delicious food and get some sunshine. However, if you want to really enjoy your barbeque, you need to make sure you have the right equipment. That all starts with the perfect barbecue grill, so we’ve collected some tips and tricks to help you choose the right barbeque.

The Right Barbecue

Perhaps the hardest part of the barbecue buying process is figuring out which kind of barbecue grill you need to get. Things have changed a lot, and there are a lot more options out there! Some of the more common options are:

• Portable grills, which are usually small, tabletop devices you can use anywhere. They can be gas or propane operated, or you could get a charcoal or wood burning model. These are usually better for camping or picnics, rather than as your primary barbecue at home!
• Charcoal grills are made to burn charcoal which burns very hot and gives food a smoky taste that you won’t get from a gas grill.
• A gas grill, which is usually a steel barbecue that uses gas or propane to create the flame. They don’t give you the same smoky taste as a charcoal grill, but they are easy to start up and turn off, which makes them very convenient!
• Smokers are another kind of grill that you might consider. Instead of cooking food with direct heat, smokers use indirect heat from wood smoke to cook food over a long period of time. There are also combination barbecues and smokers that you can get that have a smoker box and a traditional barbecue for the best of both worlds.

Of course, there are many products and brands on the barbecue market, but these are some of the major categories you might consider when you are shopping. Now let’s look how you can start to narrow your search.

How to Choose the Right Barbecue Grill

A good barbecue is a long term investment. In most cases, you will be using it for a few years, and if you’re like most of us, it’ll get a lot of use in the warmer months. So of course, the first thing you want to do is buy the best quality barbecue you can afford. Decide what your budget is first, then consider a few other things:

What Kind of Fuel Do You Want to Use?

As we’ve already said, you can get barbecue grills that work with pellets, with charcoal and with gas or propane. Gas and propane are quicker and easier to use, but they don’t give quite the same taste to the food, so if you love that smoky taste, you probably want to go with charcoal or pellets.

How Much Space Do You Have?

The next thing you need to consider is how much space you have for your new barbecue. If you’re putting it on a balcony or deck where there’s a fixed amount of space available, be sure to measure the exact dimensions of the space you have. Likewise, if you are building it into an outdoor kitchen that already has counters and cabinets in place.

Also remember that for safety reasons, you should keep your barbecue away from vegetation, siding and any other flammable materials. So, make sure you take those measurements too, and keep your grill far enough away!

How Much Cleaning Do You Want to Do?

Some of the best barbecues are stainless steel grills that won’t rust or discolor over time. However, those kinds of barbecue grills tend to get very dirty, very quickly. So, if you want your grill to stay pristine, you will either need to purchase a barbecue cover (and use it every time!) or be prepared to polish and clean your grill regularly!

What Are You Cooking, and for How Many People?

If you have a large family that loves steaks and burgers, you need to look for a barbecue grill that has a lot of surface area, many burners, and enough room to cook everything at the same time.

On the other hand, if you like to grill kabobs and hot dogs, or you have a very small group that you cook for, you could choose a smaller grill and save time and effort.

What Style Do You Love?

If you’re a fan of the classic barbecue grill, you will probably love a steel barbecue that is sleek and simple. However, if your style is a little more fun and funkier, you might prefer a charcoal barbecue grill in an interesting color. Porcelain grills also come in a range of interesting colors. You also get some steel barbecues that are coated with heat resistant materials for interesting colors and patterns.

A Matter of Taste

The truth is, buying a barbecue is always a matter of taste – whether that means the style and color of the grill, or the taste of the food when you grill it.

A barbecue is a piece of equipment that you will use for many years, so it’s worth taking your time and finding the right one. Don’t rush into any decisions, and if you can, wait for seasonal sales to happen. You can usually get a much better grill for a much lower price when they are on clearance. Aosom often has sales on outdoor gear too, so be sure to bookmark the barbecue page!

Once you have narrowed your best barbecue prospects, take some time to read online reviews too. This is a great way to see what other people have liked (and not liked) about the barbecues you are thinking of investing in. Even better, if you have friends and family who have recently purchased a new barbecue grill, ask them about their experience – or even if you can sample the finished product! It’s a great way to get the inside track on a great grill, and a delicious meal at the same time.