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 |  | Portable Grills: $20-$60 |  | Propane Grills: $100-$400 |  | High-End Grills: $500-$5,000+ |
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Gas grills turn on with the touch of a button and can provide a constant heat for hours at a time, allowing the cook to create a backyard barbecue feast without struggling with charcoal, lighter fluid or messy ashes. Gas grills can be fueled by small cylinders of propane or the home's existing municipal natural gas lines.
Typical costs: | - For picnics, camping, tailgate parties and other outings, portable grills using small canisters of propane start around $20-$60, like the Weber 1520 Propane Gas Go-Anywhere Grill[1] , but can run $80-$230 or more, like the Weber Q-100 ($130-$150; 23.5" high x 27" wide x 20.5" deep). The small propane canisters are typically sold separately for $3-$12 each, and can last between 4 and 8 hours on a low flame.
- For backyard cooking, an average propane gas grill costs $100-$400, like the Char-Griller 3001 Grillin' Pro ($190-$300; 50"x25"x42", on a wheeled cart, 3 burners, 438-square-inch grilling area plus warming rack). Grills in this price range are typically made of cast aluminum but may have some parts of lower quality stainless steel -- and most lower-cost gas grills use propane rather than natural gas. Prices are based on size, durability, number of burners and the amount of heat from each burner. Eighty percent of all grills sold are $300 or less, although slightly more expensive grills are gaining in popularity, according to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association[2] .
- Higher-end grills -- with some stainless steel components, solid and durable construction, and many built-in options such as a rotisserie and infrared burner -- can cost $500-$1,500, like the Weber Genesis E320 ($700-$900; including a steel frame and enclosed wheeled cart; with 637 square inches of cooking space from 3 main burners and a side burner). Grills in this price range may use either propane or natural gas, with natural gas models typically being a bit more expensive than propane ones.
- Top-of-the-line residential gas grills can cost $1,500-$5,000 or more for large, long-lasting, stainless steel grills with all the accessories the backyard chef needs. The Alfresco LX2 42[3] costs between $4,000 and $5,000 and has a push-button ignition, rotisserie, infrared burner, smoker and halogen work lights. Grills in this price range typically have high-end options such as a convection oven for baking.
Related articles: Charcoal Grill, Barbecue Smokers, Deck, Patio
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What should be included: | - Portable grills may be sold still in the box, but often larger grills are sold already assembled by the store; online buyers should expect to do some basic assembly. Lowe's provides an overview of the different types of grills[4] .
- Only use a gas grill outside in a well-ventilated area, and always keep the lid open when lighting the grill. The Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association lists safety[5] and grill cleaning[6] tips for gas grills. If using a gas grill in a condo or apartment complex, check with the local fire department first. Many areas prohibit using gas grills in multi-family housing.
Additional costs: | - A cover to protect a grill from inclement weather can add $10-$60 or more.
- Long-handled barbecue tools such as tongs, a fork, a spatula or a knife, cooking aids like skewers or a meat thermometer, protective gear such as gloves/mitts and a grill cleaning brush and pads can add $20-$120 or more to the total cost.
- Except for portable models, many gas grills include a propane cylinder in the purchase price. If it's not included, that can add another $20-$40. A 20-pound cylinder of propane can run a typical grill for about 10-12 hours (with the burners set on medium), and refilling the cylinder can cost $10-$20. For about the same cost as refilling, some stores allow consumers to exchange their empty or nearly empty propane cylinder for a full one.
Shopping for a gas grill: | - Choosing a grill should be based on the space available for using it, the type of food being cooked, the number of people being fed and other factors. BarbecueHut.com lists things to consider[7] when buying a gas grill.
- Major manufacturers include Barbecook[8] , Char-Broil[9] , Char-Griller, DCS[10] , Ducane[11] and Weber. Most manufacturers provide links to local retailers.
- Gas grills are sold in big-box discount stores like Target[12] and Walmart[13] ; home improvement centers like Home Depot[14] and Lowe's[15] ; specialty BBQ or patio stores; and online retailers like Amazon[16] .
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
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External Resources: | - www.amazon.com/Weber-1520-Propane-Go-Anywhere-Grill/dp/B00004RALK
- www.hpba.org/consumers/barbecue/consumers/barbecue/grilling-facts-and-figures
- www.alfrescogrills.com/LX242.html
- www.lowes.com/cd_Grill+Buying+Guide_439096914_
- www.hpba.org/consumers/barbecue/gas-grill-safety
- www.hpba.org/consumers/barbecue/consumers/barbecue/easy-grilling-clean-up-tips
- www.barbecuehut.com/gas_grills.html
- www.barbecook.com/en/products/gas.asp
- www.charbroil.com/grills.html
- www.dcsappliances.com/#outdoor%3EDCS%3C
- www.ducane.com/
- www.target.com/c/grills-outdoor-cooking-patio/-/N-5xtq3#ie=UTF8&node=16357811
- www.walmart.com/cp/grills-grilling/4089?fromPageCatId=14503
- www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Navigation?storeId=10051&categoryID=50...
- www.lowes.com/pc_Grills+and+Outdoor+Cooking_4294857763_4294937087_?action=category...
- www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_n_0?rh=n%3A328983011&ie=UTF8&qid=1245799290
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