Kat’s Money Corner: Get the most from your new grill
With the weather warming up and patio furniture coming out for the first time in months, you may find it’s time to shop for a new outdoor grill. This can be an intimidating experience if you’ve had the same one for several years. It can also be a fairly substantial blow to your budget. For grill-buying novices like me, here’s what to look for in your new outdoor appliance – and how much you can expect to spend.
First things first
How often are you going to use your new grill? Where are you going to store it? Some enthusiasts fire up several times a week, but other outdoor chefs wait for special occasions. Think about how much food you’ll want to cook at once and how much time you’ll want to spend on the deck or patio. Being realistic about your level of commitment will help you make a better buying decision.
Gas vs. charcoal
This is the biggest decision you’ll make about your grill purchase. Gas grills have their advantages, but the same can be said about charcoal.
Gas grills run on propane tanks or can be directly hooked up to a home’s natural gas line. They’re popular because they heat up quickly, provide precise temperature control and are easy to shut down. They do tend to cost a little more than charcoal grills – anywhere from $100 to more than $2,500 – and you’ll want to take into account the cost of fuel.
Barbecue purists always side with charcoal over gas. The reason is simple: Charcoal provides that iconic charred flavor that gas grills just can’t reproduce. However, they are much harder to control. Getting charcoal to ignite and reach cooking temperature can take up to an hour, and those pricey bags of briquettes add up fast. When you’re done cooking, you have to spend time cleaning your grill and making sure the ashes are cold before disposing of them. You can score a classic kettle grill for less than $100, but most charcoal models fall in the $150-$250 range.
Features and frills
Whether you go with gas or charcoal, make sure the grill grates are durable. Experts love porcelain-coated cast iron, but porcelain-coated steel is also a good choice and easier to maintain. Stainless steel bars are another high-end option, but they’re usually only found on expensive gas-powered models.
Some charcoal grills, especially the horizontal barrel-shaped models, feature popular add-ons, like smoke boxes for flavor and adjustable charcoal trays and vents for temperature control. If you go with a gas grill, consider a side burner for heating pots and pans.
Once you’ve zeroed in on what you want, compare prices and read reviews of different models online. When we finally bought our new grill last year at a great price, the only detail we weren’t thrilled about was the assembly. But that’s what handy friends are for!
Kat's Money Corner is posted on Dollars & Sense every Tuesday. Kat Hnatyshyn, when not blogging or caring for her little ones, is a manager with CommunityAmerica Credit Union. For more financial chatter, click http://twitter.com/savinmavens or visit http://communityamerica.com.
This story was originally published April 12, 2016 at 10:05 AM with the headline "Kat’s Money Corner: Get the most from your new grill."