Step 1 >> Give it the Wiggle Test
Grab the grill by the sides and give it a good shake. A well-built grill should feel solid and sturdy.

How is the cart constructed?
Look for a grill that has solid steel welded construction. The welds add strength to the cart and also make it easier to assemble.

What about the metals?
Check the thickness of the metals. For stainless steel on a hood or trim pieces, you’ll want a thicker-gauge metal that will be long wearing. Look for 304 grade.

Will it move easily on your deck?
Casters should be up to appliance standards. Wheels should be designed to survive extreme hot and cold temperatures so they don’t crack or break.

What about the fit and finish?
Make sure welds on the stainless steel are well polished. If you’re buying an enclosed cart, open and close the doors. Are the latches durable, and the doors evenly aligned?

Step 2 >> Now, Lift Up the Hood
First, you’ll see the cooking grates. Pick them up and inspect them — quality materials will last longer.

Are the grates a durable material?
Better grills have individually welded porcelain-enameled steel, stainless steel, or porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates.

What about the handle?
Make sure there is plenty of distance between the handle and the hood or the handle could conduct heat. Also, look for a heat- and weather-resistant material like stainless steel or glass-reinforced nylon.

How is the hood constructed?
When buying a grill with a stainless steel hood make sure it’s double-walled. Double-walled hoods create an insulated air space protecting the outer finish from discoloration.

Step 3 >> Lift Out the Grates
Below, you should find a system of v-shaped inverted metal bars to channel away and vaporize food drippings.

How good are the inverted v-shaped metal bars?
Look for precisely angled metal bars to facilitate any run off of juices that aren’t vaporized when they hit the hot surfaces. The bars should completely cover the burners and should not have holes or cutouts in the metal. Look for thick stainless steel or porcelain-enameled steel bars, which are rust resistant.

Where does the grease go?
Look for a system that funnels drippings down and away from the burners into a high-capacity catch pan. Can you remove it and get to it without having to turn your grill around? Try taking it out and putting it back in a few times. If it sticks it means it is poorly designed or may be warped.

Step 4 >> Take Out the Steel Bars
Look at the burner system, it should consist of two or more burners running the length of the cookbox.

What kind of burner system is provided?
The burners should be spaced to provide heat across the entire cooking grate. Burner valves should have in.nite control settings so you can fine tune the heat levels. Burners should be made of high-grade stainless steel, to stand up to the small amounts of water found in liquid propane and natural gas.

What about knob instructions?
Better grills have instructions fired onto the paint finish so they’ll never fade or scratch off.

What about BTUs?
The BTU (British Thermal Units) rating is a measure of how much gas the grill can burn, not heat output. Generally, a gas grill with 600 square inches of cooking space requires about 36,000 BTUs to reach a searing temperature.

Step 5 >> Who Made the Grill
Think about who made your grill. Do you know the name on the hood? Will they support you down the road?

What does the warranty cover?
Look for an uncomplicated and generous warranty from a company with a dependable reputation.

Who built your grill?
Find out who made the grill, where it was made, and how it was inspected before it left the factory.

What about customer service?
Look for a grill with a 24-hour hotline that lets you talk to a real person — not a machine.

Ask your friends and family!
Ask your neighbors and friends or look at online reviews. It’s the best way to gauge how happy you’ll be with your grill after you get it home.