Buying a grill: Choose the right grill for your needs

A practical cooking area is the most important part of an outdoor kitchen, for some, the most important part of the entire patio, and here the grill reigns supreme. Still, it's worth considering which type of grill best suits your use and your outdoor space.

Whether you like to prepare meat, fish, or vegetables, you get a good feeling from being able to prepare food outdoors on warm summer evenings. Do you want the food to be quick to make – or do you like the embers to linger, spreading warmth and a wonderful smell of grilled food? How long it takes before the grill is ready for grilling depends on the type of grill, and all grills have their advantages and disadvantages to consider.

A gas grill consists of a number of burners that are hidden under a grill grate. The burners can be controlled individually and form the grill's heat zones. A gas grill makes it easy to control the heat, and it's quick to get it hot and ready for grilling. Many gas grills heat up in about ten minutes. If you're going to grill pizza and want over 300 degrees Celsius, you'll still notice a difference in the performance of different gas grills. Some reach high temperatures quickly, some take a little longer, and some don't reach such high temperatures at all. Other things that distinguish the various models from each other are functionality, size, and the general quality of the construction. This affects everything from how well the grill retains heat to how much you can put on the grill at the same time.

• Number of Burners
  A gas grill usually has 1–4 burners. A small gas grill has 1–2 burners and is well-suited for those who live alone or for couples who don't grill very often. If you choose a grill with at least 2 burners, you have the advantage of being able to grill indirectly, so that the food doesn't lie directly on the heat source. This is invaluable if you are going to grill whole fillets or spare ribs. If the grill has 3–4 burners, it's sufficient for the whole family and then some.
• Side Burner
  A side burner is a hob that is used if you want to boil or fry something alongside the grilling. With a side burner, you can, for example, cook the sauce while you grill, without having to run in and out to stir the pot and flip the grilled food.
• Ignition
  Gas grills normally have spark ignition/piezo ignition or battery ignition. With piezo ignition, you press a button to create a spark that ignites the burners. If you choose a model with battery ignition, you should remove the battery in winter.
• Other Functionalities
  Most grills come with a warming rack, which helps you keep finished grilled food warm while you grill the last items. Another detail that distinguishes different grills from each other is the grill grate. It can be anything from a standard steel grate to a reversible cast iron grate with different functionality depending on which side you turn up. For some grills, it is also possible to buy a smoker box for smoking food, a griddle plate to be able to fry instead of grill, a pizza stone to be able to grill pizza, etc.
• Shelves and Hooks
  Opportunities to put down food dishes and utensils that are not in use are of course also important. Grills can have both foldable side tables, hooks you can hang the utensils on, and cabinets.

The classic charcoal grill is a bit slower compared to a gas grill. It doesn't give quite the same control over temperature and different heat zones, as a gas grill does, but the charcoal grill is still highly valued, partly because it is easy to move around and because you don't have to deal with gas. In the charcoal grill, you use charcoal or briquettes to create heat, and the glowing coals give the food a lively flavor. Many also find joy in the challenge of grilling perfectly on a charcoal grill. For those who really love to grill, the charcoal grill can be an excellent choice, as long as you're not in a hurry. It usually takes a little longer to prepare the food on a charcoal grill, since you have to wait a while before the good grilling temperature arrives.

• Size of the Grilling Surface
  How many you are in the family, how often you grill, and how often you have guests are crucial for how large a grill you need. But the size also affects functionality. With a large grilling surface and two or more briquette baskets, you can grill both directly (with the food directly over the embers) and indirectly (slow grilling where the food is not directly over the heat source, but is cooked through the general heat in the grill). In this way, you can also grill ingredients that take a short and long time to cook at the same time, by planning how they should be spread out on the grill. There are also grills with completely separate grilling surfaces, so you can smoke food in one part and grill in the other.
• Height Adjustment of the Grill Grate
  It is a little more difficult to control the temperature in a charcoal grill than it is in a gas grill, but if it is possible to adjust the distance between the embers and the grill grate, it provides an extra level of heat control.
• Other Functionalities
  Most charcoal grills have a warming rack, so you can keep finished grilled food warm while you wait for the guests to sit down at the table. Another detail that distinguishes different grills is the grill grate, which can be anything from a standard steel grate to a massive cast iron grate. For many grills, you can also buy a smoker box, pizza stone, and other practical accessories.
• Side Tables and Hooks
  When you grill, there is often a need to put down food on plates and dishes, both before and after grilling, and then side tables are very practical. Side tables that you can fold in when they are not in use are extra practical if you have a little limited space. Hooks on the grill can also be useful, especially for hanging up utensils that are not in use. Many charcoal grills stand on a cart, which may also be equipped with cabinets or open shelves.

An electric grill is perfect for smaller balconies and patios. It takes up little space and is easy to move around. Many are tabletop models, which means you can place the grill directly on the table. The grilling itself is fast, and you avoid both sparks and smoke. With even heat distribution, it's also very easy to grill. If you choose an electric grill, it's important that you have an electrical outlet near where you want to use the grill.

See our electric grills

• Grill safely outdoors – not under roofs or trees.
• Never extinguish gas flames or burning grease with water. Use the grill lid to smother the fire instead.
• Do not move the grill while it is in use, and let it cool completely before cleaning it.
• Always take into account any prohibitions that municipalities may issue during periods of drought.

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