There are a variety of different features that you can find in outdoor cooking devices. Everything from the portable grill / hibachi that you can bring to the game or on a camping trip to full outdoor kitchens with gas grills, deep fryers and cooktops to prepare any item you can think of.
The possibilities are really limitless but whether you invest $50 or $5,000 your meals are the most important thing.
Lets look at some of the decisions you can make to find the perfect grill.
How Will You Use Your Grill
The first decision you should make is how and where you will use your grill the most.
Obviously you will be using your grill outside but will it remain in place year round other then taking it in for winter storage or will you take it on the road with you?
Hibachis are a great grill that is also portable.
Better models are made of a heavy cast iron that can accept 1 to 4 cooking grates. Although they are somewhat heavier then stamped steel grills they offer a better cooking surface that can readily accept any food you may want to cook.
The height of the grill racks can quickly be changed during cooking to match your fuel source, allowing you to control how your food cooks.
Some options include a griddle for frying or cooking pancakes and since the racks are very secure you can get away with placing a small pot or pan that can expand the number of food types you can prepare.
Hibachis use charcoal for a fuel source but in a pinch you can also cook with found wood if you are camping.
Hibachis make a great home and portable grill if you cook for small groups.
Going Camping or Tailgating
Weight is a big concern
If you are going camping or to the beach you will want a light weight disposable grill that can cook a few meals but not cause you back pain.
In this case you really want to buy the cheapest one you can get your hands on and that will most likely mean a open round grill with only basic features. You can probably pickup a grill like this for under $20 at your local discount store but do not expect to prepare world class meals on it.
You may have another option if the area you will be camping allows fire pits. You can simply bring the grill top and build a fire under it.
If you will be camping for some time or with a larger group you may want to look into a Camping Stove. You can buy models in single or multi burner sizes and they can run off of propane, white gas or even duel fuel models that can burn unleaded gasoline.
Larger Models For Your Patio
If you have a permanent home for your grill and like to entertain outdoors then you probably want to look at a propane fueled grill.
This type of grill comes in small and large sizes and many can be expanded with many options.
The reason Gas is a better choice for a permanent or large grill is because of the cleanup and ease of use.
Many people prefer charcoal when preparing food outdoors because it gives a different flavor. This is very important in some cooking methods and similar sized charcoal stoves are available. The main problem is cleaning after use and storage of charcoal.
You can expect to pay $200 to $1,000 and up for a large outdoor grill, a price that is often higher then what you would pay for an indoor kitchen cooktop. For this reason you should really think about looking for a used grill no matter what your income. Paying $2,500 for a Grill that will feed a handful of people a limited number of meals every year is just a waste of your money.
If you are thinking about buying one of these monsters I would like to suggest that you think hard about building your own BBQ from brick or stone and then inserting a lower cost gas grill in the top.
This would give you all of the eye appeal that you are looking for and it will save you $1,500 that you can spend on food.
It will also mean your grill doesn’t get stolen because it is a permanent structure… heh
Final Note
You should always test your grill before putting it into use for a party or taking it on a trip. If your fuel source is propane then you should inspect your Tank, Lines and Burners before you cook each meal. Remember you are leaving these devices outside and you never know if animals or bugs could have caused damage or leaks.