How To Pick a Grill: A Buying Guide

While many households think of grills exclusively during the summer months, choosing the right grill makes it much more likely you’ll use your Weber year-round! There are several things to consider when buying a grill, and we’ll run through the biggest points with you to make the whole process easier. From fuel type to size, here’s what you need to know!

Choosing A BBQ Grill by Fuel Source

Perhaps the biggest decision is whether to buy a gas or charcoal grill. Both fuel sources have pros and cons, and some diehard grillers have strong preferences.

Gas Grills

Gas grills are the most popular option in the US, primarily due to their convenience and ease of use. Gas grills operate much like a gas stove, providing immediate heat. One of the most common rating factors for this category is heat intensity in ten minutes, or how hot the grill heats up in that amount of time. This is especially important for home chefs who plan to use their often, not just on the weekend.

There are a few other things to consider, including:

Even heat distribution - Temperature is the same across the surface of the grill.
Temperature range - The highest temperature the grill can achieve.
Quality - The construction quality of the grill itself, as well as the cart.
At Max’s, we’ll help you evaluate grills based on these criteria and more. Stop in and see what’s cooking!

Charcoal Grills

Charcoal grills add an earthly, smokey flavor to everything that hits the grate. While charcoal grills typically take 15-20 minutes to heat up, there’s a bit more legwork involved. You’ll have to clean the chimney, add more charcoal, and light it, which means the prep time for putting dogs on the grill is usually 30 minutes or so.

Charcoal grills are rated by the same criteria as gas grills, with one unique factor - ease of cleaning. Keeping your kettle charcoal grill clean is important for a few reasons, including:

Flavor - Leftover charcoal and food on the grill surface will negatively impact the flavor of each new meal.
Safety - Old charcoal ash and soot can impact respiratory health.
Lifespan - A clean grill will always last longer. Emptying, rinsing, and drying your charcoal grill regularly will keep it in great shape for a long time!

Grill Size Matter!

When you opt for a gas grill, you'll usually have more grill-size options. Larger charcoal grill options are available, but they tend to be much more expensive than the traditional 22-inch diameter grill.

Here’s a rough guide on the size of the grill and how much you’ll be able to cook at a time.

Number of people	Grill size (square inches)
2	144
4	288
6	432
10	720

Most grills with less than 500 square inches of cooking surface are light and portable, while mid-sized and larger grills usually boast dimensions of 35 x 20 inches or more.

Make Buying A Grill Easy with Max’s!

At Max’s, we live to grill. As Northern Michigan’s locally owned Weber Grill dealer, we’re your go-to experts for choosing a grill and maximizing the fun! Located in the heart of Downtown Traverse City, Max’s has served our neighbors for over fifty years. Contact us today to find the right grill for you!

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Max's Service

135 East State Street
Traverse City, MI 49684

Phone:(231) 947-6830 (231) 947-6830

Store Hours

Monday–Friday

Sales 8:30am-6pm
Office and Parts 8am-5pm
Service 8am-5pm

Saturday

Sales 9am-4pm

Sunday

Closed

How To Pick The Right Grill