Choosing Your First Outdoor Barbecue Grill
There are thousands of options available to you when you are purchasing your first grill.
It may seem overwhelming, but knowing the difference between each type of grill will help you make an easier decision.
The information on this page should help.
The Barbecue Secrets Group
Looking to learn more about barbecuing? Check out the Squidoo Barbecue Secrets Group!-
Barbecue Secrets Headquarters
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Barbecue Secrets Are you barbecue mad? Do you drag your family into your backyard for a bbq every chance you get? Do you try and impress your neighbours with your bbq cooking skills? Then welcome to the Barbecue Secrets Gro...
Charcoal Grills
Charcoal grills are one of the most used types of grills. Charcoal grills use charcoal and lighter fluid to heat up and cook your food. They come in all shapes and sizes, and vary in cost.Charcoal grills require you to buy charcoal and lighter fluid each time you cook with it. It must also be cleaned out each time.
Charcoal grills come in small sizes, which are ideal for apartment dwellers or people with limited storage space. Once you have used your charcoal grill, you can clean it, and store it away.
Propane Grills
Propane grills are also useful if you have limited space, since they can come in smaller sizes.Propane grills use propane gas to cook your food. If you want to quickly cook foods while still maintaining a grilled flavor, you may want to consider propane grills.
Natural Gas Grills
Natural gas grills are a little more complicated then smaller grills, so they require more room.Natural gas grills hook up directly to your home's natural gas line, and can cook meat in record time.
Some Flamin' Barbecue Equipment!
Smoker Grills
Smoker Grills are used when flavor is the number one priority. Smoker grills use wood to slow cook your meat. Flavor can be controlled by using different types of woods.
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Factors to consider...
A couple of factors should be considered when you go to purchase your first grill. Remember, each type of grill comes with its advantages and disadvantages, so you must weigh your options and decide what is right for you.
Here are some things to look out for...
Cost
Barbecue grills can range from extremely cheap to very expensive, depending on the type and features available on it.If you are looking for a cheaper grill, then you should probably consider a charcoal grill. While larger charcoal grills are available, smaller grills can be purchased for as little as $10 to $15 at your local department store.
Propane grills are slightly more expensive, starting around $100 dollars.
A smoker grill is slightly more expensive then a propane grill at about $130 each.
Natural gas grills on the higher end of cost. Typically these types of grills start at about $300.
Multiple fuel grills are the most expensive at about $450 and up. Multiple fuel grills allow you to grill using one or a combination of fuels.
BBQ Secrets Revealed
(I recommend Randy's book, but his free tips newsletter is brilliant too!)
Randy Pryor is a retired kentucky restaurant owner, and he reveals his Top 7 Amazing Barbecue Tips for free.Just scroll past his message, to about one third of the way down the page, to a big yellow box titled 'Free BBQ Tips'.
You can ignore the letter he's written there, but it is a letter about his book, which is a VERY good resource. The tips are still free whether you buy his book or not (but you really should check it out because it's amazing).
Barbecue Secrets Revealed - click here for the website
Scroll past Randy's letter to about a 3rd of the way down and look for the yellow box titled 'FREE BBQ Tips!'
Flavor
If you are concerned with flavor, you first choice should be a charcoal or smoker grill. Both of these grills allow you to replicate a true "smoked" flavor. Smokers are especially nice because you can also control the flavor by changing the type of wood or wood chips you use. This is good if you are wanting to slow cook your meat.
If you are wanting to cook something a little quicker, you may want to stick with the charcoal grill. A charcoal grill will cook quickly if you want it too, and it will still provide a good "smoked" taste.
Some Flamin' Barbecue Equipment!
Weber 18600 3-Piece Stainless-Steel Barbecue Tool Set
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Amazon Price: $25.99 (as of 12/19/2009) 
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Weber Style 32908 Professional-Grade Barbecue Beeper Digital Thermometer
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Amazon Price: (as of 12/19/2009)
Space
Finally, the space you have available should be a consideration. When you grill is not in use, you must have a proper place to store it.Charcoal and Propane grills are ideal for smaller areas such as apartments and city homes. If you have a large amount of space available, then you may want to consider the larger options.
RECOMMENDED BOOKS
But these books written by Steven Raichlen are essential if you're serious about impressing your friends and family with tasty meals that will make them close their eyes and say 'MMmmmmmm...! I can't believe it tastes this good!
How to Grill: The Complete Illustrated Book of Barbecue Techniques
If you're only planning on buying one of these books, buy this one!
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Amazon Price: $13.62 (as of 12/19/2009)
Usually ships in 24 hours
Barbecue! Bible : Sauces, Rubs, and Marinades, Bastes, Butters, and Glazes
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Amazon Price: $9.32 (as of 12/19/2009)
Usually ships in 24 hours
BBQ USA: 425 Fiery Recipes from All Across America
To see more barbecue books and barbecue recipe books on amazon click one of the books and look at the full selection.
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Amazon Price: $14.93 (as of 12/19/2009)
Usually ships in 24 hours
Lisa Ruining The Barbeque!
Do your Barbeques run any smoother?!
curated content from YouTube
Other Barbecue Pages Made By Me:
Looking for more BBQ information?Check out these other BBQ pages made by me!
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The All-American Barbecue
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No matter if it is the 4th of July, or just another day in the summer, chances are someone in your area is barbecuing. Barbecuing has become a standard American tradition for families. The reason why is clear - not only does the food that comes from...
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Barbeque Maintenance Tips
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When buying your barbeque grill, think of it more as an investment instead of as just another item for your backyard. You should expect this item to become a central part of your outdoor activities for many many years to come! But like any other inve...
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- RentMyGarden RentMyGarden May 21, 2008 @ 11:45 pm
- I have found the best time to buy a BBQ Grill is off season... before the month of May and after September. You can get top of the line name brands at very reasonable prices.
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- Rystique Rystique Jun 29, 2007 @ 10:55 pm
- Great job. My only tip is to read more tips online like this.
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