Charcoal grills are still the top choice for grilling purists. They give the food the real barbecue flavor, unlike many electric and gas grilles, from which food comes off tasting like it was cooked in an ordinary oven. If you are planning on purchasing a charcoal grill, you should do some research ahead of time to make sure you get a good grill that accommodates your needs and fits your budget.
When it comes to grills, one size or shape does not fit all. Grills come in a variety of sizes and shapes, which is good, because each grilling person/family has different needs. These needs should be taken into consideration when buying a grill.
If you are going to be grilling frequently for only one or two people, or have very little space to spare (such as a small porch or balcony), you might want to consider getting a small but sturdy hibachi. A hibachi is Japanese for “fire pot,” and it is basically a small, coal-burning grill with about 54 square inches of cooking surface (that’s a 9X6 grill). Besides being great to save space and cook small meals, hibachis are small enough to be portable, and can be thrown in the trunk to take to the beach or park.
If you are looking for a medium-sized model for a small family or entertaining small groups, you may want to consider a model that stands on its own, rather than table top. A 16" or 18" grill will give you about 200-300 square inches of cooking surface. That can accommodate about 4 to 6 large burgers and a half-dozen hot dogs at once, or a nice-sized roast or slab of ribs. The square grills are actually better space savers than the round grills, and can fit more on the surface space. Some of the cheaper models are quite basic, but if you want to make an investment in a good grill you can find these modest but sufficient sized grills that come with the most desirable features.
If you are a serious grill person and plan to use your grill year round for frequent and multiple purposes, to entertain large groups regularly, and have a good sized space available, you may want to consider a larger grill with at least 500+ square inches of main cooking surface area. Mind you that the cheaper quality grills this large are generally not worth nearly as much as they can cost. If your grilling needs are extreme, you will definitely want to buy the best model you can afford.
Some of the larger grills will come with bonus accessories, such as warming racks, rotisserie rods, or will double as smokers. Some grills come with a plethora or extras, from pizza stones to attached sinks. Don’t let the accessories attract you, though. These can be great bells and whistles, but you will have do decide for yourself whether they will be useful to you, or a waste of money. The most important thing is that, under all those neat toys and ad-ons, you are getting a great, functional grill. To do this, there are a few features you will want to particularly focus on.
For one thing, you want a good grate. Cast iron is the most durable, the easiest to clean, and won’t stick badly if given a vegetable oil rub before each use. Stainless steel can be a good second choice, but won’t last as long as cast iron. Except for some of the more expensive brands, porcelain coated and enamel grates chip a lot and are difficult to clean. Forget regular steel; it can warp from the heat, is hardest to clean and can ruin food by sticking.
All grills (except for hibachis) should have a good-fitting cover, with an adjustable vent. Likewise, a grill with an adjustable vent beneath makes for best flame control. Adjustable cooking height is also a desired feature. Easy clean-up is always a benefit, so make sure your grill has a trap door or tray on the bottom for quick removal of ashes. Make sure your grill has a sturdy base or stand, and that, if you plan on moving it around, it comes on wheels.
Any other features or accessories are just gravy. They can be nice to have, but don’t let them talk you into buying an inferior grill. Any accessory you really like can be purchased separately.
One accessory that your grill may not come with, but that you should look into getting anyway, is a chimney charcoal starter. These are the best way to get a natural charcoal fire started. You simply put some crumpled newspaper into the chimney, the charcoal chunks, and light. Within a few minutes, you will have ready-to-use natural coals, no butane-tasting lighting fluids involved. Natural charcoal is healthier to use than chemical soaked briquettes, makes the food taste better, and can be purchased in bulk for much cheaper than quick-start supermarket charcoals.
With grills, you generally get what you pay for. Think about it this way: is it better to buy a new $50 grill every year or two, or a $300 grill that will, if properly cared for, last you 10 years? That doesn’t even take into account the pleasure of cooking on and the ease of cleaning a good-quality grill, compared to the frustration you can encounter with one of lesser quality that is falling apart as you use it.
Grills made of cast aluminum are cheaper, and generally not going to last you through more than a season or two. They will warp from the heat and rust from the humidity.
If you want a good, sturdy grill that will see you through year after year of good eating, you should consider investing in a grill made of stainless steel, or cast iron. Both are easier to clean, will retain their shape and are less likely to rust.
While a good grill will not improve your cooking, it can make for a more pleasurable barbecuing experience for those with a love of outdoor cooking.
