Our Top Grill Shopping Tips: Find the Grill That’s Right for You

With the spring grilling season closing in fast, you may be wondering if now is the right time to upgrade your outdoor cooking capabilities with a new gas grill. Well… stop your wondering. The answer is YES!

Right now, you can find all types of grills and grilling equipment, with a variety of features designed to improve your cooking performance, enhance convenience, make your back yard entertainment zone the hottest place to be when summer comes around.

The possibilities are nearly endless, but we have a few helpful tips to share that will help make your grill-selection decision a breeze. So if you’re ready… let’s fire it up!

Size Matters

A gas grill’s physical size and cooking area is one of the most important factors you should consider. Choose an overall size that is appropriate for the space available in your grilling area, and an internal cooking zone that accommodates your cooking needs.

If you’re only grilling for yourself or a small family, a modest-sized grill might be plenty. But if you’re planning on hosting neighborhood BBQ parties… the more square inches, the better!

Check Out the Burners

Both the quality and number of burners in your grill can make all the difference. More burners often provide better, more consistent temperature control and versatility. Look for high-quality materials in the burners’ construction to ensure long-lasting durability. Stainless steel burners, for example, offer superior quality and excellent rust resistance.

The Heat is On

Consider the BTU (British Thermal Units) rating when shopping for a new gas grill, but also keep in mind that it’s not the sole indicator of a grill’s overall cooking performance. A balance of BTU output and burner design is crucial for efficient heat distribution. But generally speaking, the more BTUs the better.

What Grates are Greater for You?

Choose cooking grates made of cast iron, stainless steel, or porcelain-coated materials. These materials offer the right combination of durability, easy cleaning, and good heat retention to enhance your cooking skill.

Cast-iron grates are heavy-duty and will provide natural non-stick capabilities if you make a point of “seasoning” them with a little vegetable oil after each use. Stainless steel grates are the most versatile, plus they’re super-easy to scrape clean and will resist rust like a champ. Porcelain-coated grates offer outstanding non-stick cooking performance.

Need to clean the grates on your current grill? See our grill prep guide.

Ignition System is Go!

Look for a reliable electronic ignition system for quick and hassle-free startup. A gas grill that requires you to light the burners manually after turning on the gas is not as user-friendly… and a good way to singe the hairs on the back of your hand!

All the Extras

As you shop for a new grill, you will soon notice that there is a lot more to it than just the grill itself! Additional features like built-in side burners, removable rotisserie kits, warming racks, or lid-mounted internal thermometers can add a great deal of convenience and versatility to your outdoor cooking setup.

Consider your own cooking needs when deciding which features are right for you. For example, if you typically use your grill just to cook steaks, chops, poultry and fish, you might not really need the side burner. But if you love grilling Italian sausage, a side burner is perfect place to sauté onions & peppers while you grill!

Keeping Organized

It’s best to keep all your grilling utensils, grill brushes, etc. close at hand when you’re creating your outdoor masterpieces. When grill-shopping, check for ample storage space and shelves to hold all the accessories, utensils, plates, and condiments when not in use. Fold-up side shelves are another convenient space-saving option.

A Movable Feast?

It’s a fact: some grills are simply more portable than others. But how much do you even need that portability in the first place? Consider gas grill models that come with wheels or casters if you plan to move the grill fairly often. And if you do opt for a model with wheels, consider one with wheel locks for add stability when cooking.

Check Customer Reviews & Warranty

No matter how great a grill may seem when you’re reviewing its features and capabilities, you should always take a few moments to check out the consumer reviews. Candid reviews from customers like you can always provide important insights into real-world experiences with the grill that you might not have considered.

Similarly, it pays to read over the warranty information provided by the manufacturer to ensure adequate coverage for the most critical components of the grill. Kenmore, for example, offers a generous warranty on the main burners for up to 5 years after the date of purchase.

What’s In a Name?

Consider the reputation of the brand of grill you’re planning to buy. Established brands with plenty of positive reviews often provide reliable and well-supported products because they know they have a brand reputation to uphold. A Johnny-come-lately brand that you’ve never heard of before? Well… you just don’t know.

Kenmore has consistently offered top-quality gas (and charcoal) grills and accessories to generations of American grill-masters. Our quality-control standards are very high, and our reputation for excellence is solid. Check us out!

Bottom Line: Your Budget

Like anything else in this world, the grill you buy needs to stay within the confines of your family budget. Determine how much grill you can afford and find one that offers just the right balance of desirable features and reliable quality, and still fits within your price range.

Here’s Our Pitch

Of course, we’re going to be a little partial. But we also believe we have a great grill story worth telling!

The Kenmore gas grill lineup is designed to provide our customers with a choice of the most sought-after features with quality design and lasting durability. Take a moment to review the choices available and choose the model that’s right for you…

The Kenmore Gas Grill Lineup

The 3-burner compact model with fold-up side tables, available in a choice of 7 colors.

The 4-burner model with side-searing burner, available in all-stainless or in black with your choice of trim finishes. Also available with value-focused, open-cart design.

The deluxe 6-burner model with rotisserie, side-searing burner and 848 sq. in. of cooking space.

Grill Shopping Tips FAQs

Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about shopping for a gas grill.

Q: What is the best gas grill for the money?

A: The “best” gas grill for you is the one that offers the best combination of the features you want the most, a reliable name brand with a reputation for quality, and a warranty that covers the most important grill components for the longest time. Once you take these factors into consideration, the best choice is the one that gives you all you want and fits the best within your budget limits.

Q: What is the life expectancy of a gas grill?

A: On average, a gas grill will typically last from 5 to 15 years after you bring it home. That’s a fairly broad range, and you should know that some components of the grill will be prone to wearing out and weathering more quickly than others. Be sure to review the warranty information of any grill you plan to buy, and make sure the main components are covered for at least a year or more.

Q: What should I look for in a gas grill?

A: If you are interested in buying a gas grill, you should consider those with the features that you are likely to use most often (such as a side burner, wheels, built-in thermometer, or stainless grates). You should narrow down your search by only considering models from a quality brand and backed by a solid warranty. And finally, you should make sure the grill you want fits within your family budget.