Chilling out about Grilling out
Unless you’re Hank Hill working for Stricklin Propane, more and more homeowners are choosing gas grills to cook their hamburgers and hot dogs on. But you don’t need to spend a fortune to get great-tasting meals. Nor do you need to sacrifice style. Most lower-priced models now come fully loaded and have at least some stainless-steel trim and other perks once found only on the priciest grills.
For all you first time buyers, here’s a quick breakdown on what you need to know before you go shopping for a basic grill. If whole chickens are regularly on the menu, look for a model with a rotisserie. But don’t invest in grills that come with elaborate side burners unless you have money to burn along with the chicken. Tests show they take longer to boil water than your stovetop and will ruin sauces as they become too hot to simmer sauces well.
Before leaving the house to go shop for a grill, stick a magnet in your purse or pocket. Stainless steel grills look all shiny in the store, but outside they discolor real fast. What you want to look for is a grill made from a cheaper grade of stainless. Where does the magnet come in? Magnets will usually stick to cheaper grades of stainless and that saves you wasting your money as well as your time. Unless you enjoy cleaning, stainless steel grills demand you regularly clean them to keep up their shine.
Another thing to check out while you’re still in the store is a grill’s center of gravity. You want your grill to be stable. Especially if you have young children or large pets. The more stable the grill, the safer it will be for everyone around it. Gently nudge the grill from several angles to see if it tips. Also pat down all its corners and edges to make sure nothing feels sharp. Grab hold of its handle. Your fingers and hands shouldn’t be too close to the lid or you could get burned.
When price and what to look for checks out to your satisfaction, you’re good to get grilling.