The Zoomer Report: Barbecue shopping

Zoomer | May 15th, 2009

The weather is heating up, and whether you’re in the market for top of the line luxury or a no frills BBQ, there are a few key factors you should consider before you buy.

According to canada.com, a well designed burner system should fill the entire bottom of the oven, eliminating hot and cold spots. The key is even heat — don’t get caught up in BTUs, they are only important in relation to the efficiency of the overall system. Heavy cooking grids provide better heat retention; choose cast iron grids if you are looking for superior searing performance or stainless steel grids for easy maintenance.

A deep oven design promotes even heat distribution and provides plenty of room for large cuts of meat such as turkeys and roasts. A cast aluminium oven is rust-proof and provides excellent heat retention.

Ask yourself how many people you will be cooking for. Do you entertain often? Would you use a side burner or rear burner?

Give the grill a shake. It should feel solid and sturdy, and roll smoothly. Look for heavy components, premium quality finishes, galvanized steel parts, and rust-proof hardware. This will ensure your investment lasts for years. Finally, examine the warranty; it should be clear and concise, with no fine print. And find out if replacement parts are readily available.