| Here are some quick but very useful tips to consider | | | | Also, you will want to look for quality. Do not be |
| should you find yourself looking for a charcoal grill. | | | | fooled by the shiny exterior of the charcoal grill. The |
| The most important item is the ability of the charcoal | | | | exterior is used for nothing. The inside is what |
| grill to cook. We all love that barbecue flavor and we | | | | matters: are the grates made of stainless steel? If |
| love to entertain, especially in the summertime, with | | | | not, they will soon warp and rust. And beyond this, |
| barbecued foods. Little else matters on a grill if the | | | | the number one thing to fail on a charcoal grill is the |
| food is not cooked in an even, quality like way. After | | | | grill grate supports -- usually poorly crafted thin pieces |
| all, while durability is my second choice for what to | | | | of metals screwed on from the outside. Folks, this is |
| look for, I could not make it the first because why | | | | just unacceptable. Look for stainless head screws, |
| would want a grill that can't cook to last forever? For | | | | heavy gauge stainless steel, supports that actually |
| even cooking, you will need to look for a grill that is | | | | support and --my number one pet peeve -- handles |
| not too large for your needs. Remember, you will | | | | that are NOT made of wood. Wood expands and |
| want an evenly cooked product, so you will have to | | | | contracts with heat from the grill and with the rain, |
| use plenty of charcoal so that the entire inner | | | | snow and elements in general. Usually it breaks off |
| chamber area of the grill is heated. | | | | with within the first year, if you are lucky. Also avoid |
| Do not purchase a grill that is too large as you will | | | | - and I cannot believe that I have to say this-- avoid |
| just be wasting charcoal and space. Few realize that | | | | handles that are just wood screwed onto the metal |
| one of the key factors in determining quality is to | | | | handle but that the wood part does not completely |
| get the grill temperature as hot as possible. When | | | | cover the metal part. Confusing way of saying it, I |
| you go to a restaurant and order a steak, did you | | | | know, but what happens here is when the charcoal |
| realize that they are able to cook them at over 1000 | | | | grill heats up to about 700 degrees, any metal |
| degrees? Typical charcoal grills rarely get over 700 | | | | attached to it will also heat up -- including the handle! |
| degrees because most are simply too large. This is | | | | Look for ceramic, fiberglass, composite plastic, |
| why the number one grill, year after year, is Weber. | | | | corinthian leather, anything but cheap wood handles |
| If you don't believe me, then just take a look at the | | | | joined on with two little made in china screws. |
| ratings in Consumer Reports. Or, check user reviews | | | | Additionally, you may want charcoal grill that has |
| on Amazon.com, or any other site. Notice anything | | | | plenty of options. Features that are common options |
| different about the Weber grill (and no, I am not | | | | include a side burner, a rotisserie, a warmer, and |
| selling them)? The difference is : they are small dome | | | | some offer tool or spice trays. Again, look for well |
| shaped grills. In fact, it is more their size that leads to | | | | made materials that can stand up to the weather |
| them winning the best tasting foods for a barbecue | | | | and outdoor elements. Avoid tin like thinness and |
| grill all the time. What else is so special about it? | | | | bendable metals. With these simple tips in mind you |
| Nothing, it's a grill like any other. I cannot stress this | | | | will be able to purchase a quality charcoal grill at a |
| enough: most people, especially Americans, purchase | | | | reasonable price. |
| grills that are way, way too large. | | | | |