Here’s How to Choose the Best Barbecue

Fire up the grill for sizzling outdoor cooking. From summer grillers to four-season pitmasters, Canadians love to barbecue. Are you in the market for a new barbecue? Find your match based on fuel, size, heat output (BTUs) and features. Here’s how to find the grill of your dreams.

Barbecues by Fuel Type Barbecue Features Barbecue Tools & Accessories

Barbecues by Fuel Type

Barbecue Features

Let’s move on to the juicy stuff: barbecue features. Avid backyard chefs are passionate about features like size, BTU rating, infrared burners and smoking. Here’s what you need to know.

Cooking Area	Choose a barbecue with a cooking surface suited to your household size and lifestyle. One or two people: Look for 200 square inches of cooking surface. Average four-person family: Look for450 to 550 square inches cooking surface. Large family or avid entertainers: Look for 550 to 650 inches of cooking surface.
Heat Output (BTUs)	The BTU (British Thermal Unit) rating on your grill indicates the maximum output of the main burners under the cooking grate. Grills with 80 to 100 BTUs per square inch will heat up quickly and maintain efficient cooking heat.
Infrared Burners	Grills with infrared burners heat up fast and generate higher temperatures than conventional grills.
Smoking	A gas or propane grill with built-in smoker box lets you infuse food with real hardwood smoke, without having to buy a separate smoker.
Side Burners or Shelves	Side burners provide an extra cooking surface where you can boil, steam or sauté́. But if that’s not a priority, sturdy side shelves can hold your serving dishes and marinades.

Barbecue Tools & Accessories

Gear up for great grilling. The right tools and accessories can bring your backyard barbecues and outdoor camping cookouts to the next level.

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FAQs

Can I convert a propane BBQ to natural gas?

Yes, but you’ll need a natural gas conversion kit specific to your BBQ make and model. The kit should include new gas jets, gas fittings, gas valve limiter stops, and a flexible gas hose. Note that not all propane grills offer conversion kits. Avoid any DIY methods as they are not proven to be safe.

How do I use a charcoal chimney?

A charcoal chimney provides a quick, safe way to start your charcoal grill. It consists of a metal cylinder that is open at both ends with a wire grate inside. You simply light a few charcoal starter cubes on your grill, place chimney over them, and fill the top with charcoal briquets. Once the briquets are hot you carefully pour them out on your grill and distribute them evenly. You can also place an electric charcoal starter in the top chamber with the briquets. Either way they should be ready for cooking in about 20 minutes.

How do you use a smoker box on a gas grill?

A smoker box offers a great way to infuse meat, veggies, and other food with that wonderful smoky flavour you normally get from a charcoal grill. The thin, rectangular box design allows it to sit underneath your grill plate, while still providing ample room for flavoured wood chips. Be sure to soak the chips for about half an hour before firing up you grill with the smoker box inside.

How do I check the propane level of my BBQ tank?

A standard 20-pound propane tank holds 17.8 liters (4.7 gallons) of propane. This gives you about 20 hours of grilling time. Some propane tanks come with a built-in gauge, but you can also find propane tank adapters that include a gauge for easy monitoring. For a rough estimate, you can pour a bit of warm water over the tank then run your hand down the side from top to bottom. The point where the metal turns from warm to cold is approximately your propane level.

Here’s How to Choose the Best Barbecue

Barbecues by Fuel Type

Barbecue Features

Barbecue Tools & Accessories

FAQs

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