GRILLS & Outdoor Living

A CONSUMER GUIDE TO GRILL BUYING

Quite simply, there are barbecue grills for every need, budget, and lifestyle. You want high quality, reliability, safe performance, and durability – and of course, you seek value. There is a wide world of outdoor cooking choices available, from basic, popular-priced grills with some of the most-used features, to super premium models with every bell and whistle. Our purpose is to provide useful information to help you evaluate your needs, check your budget, and shop for the outdoor appliance that nearly all of us own.

Before You Buy

Decide if gas, charcoal, pellet, or electric best suits your needs.
How important are optional features? (Are you into basic burgers or are you an adventuresome gourmet griller?)
What about style? (Will your grill be a backyard centerpiece or just a useful appliance?)
How about available budget? Traditionally, home centers, mass merchandisers or hardware stores have offered a wide range of grills for those shopping by price – but many specialty retailers now carry grills at all price points, including those in the premium grill category. The biggest difference is that specialty retailers may offer more one-on-one service.
Here’s a big question: how will the grill fit into your future plans for the backyard? Do you simply want a new grill, or will it become the focus of an outdoor room you plan to create? If the latter, you may want to consider a premium grill to which modular units can be added.
Assess the available cooking area of various models: do you cook outdoors often? Do you typically barbecue for just your family? Do you frequently entertain larger groups? An ample cooking space is 400 or more square inches.

Gas Grills

The Easy, Convenient Choice

Gas grills have gained popularity because they’re ready to cook on in 10 minutes. A gas grill makes it easy to regulate the heat and to cook at several different temperatures at the same time. The more burners a grill has the more cooking flexibility you’ll enjoy, but choose a grill with at least two so you can do indirect cooking. You can cook with the lid open or closed.

Gas grills come in various sizes. Grills with small footprints are ideal for a terrace or townhouse. If you have the space, look for a 30-inch, 42-inch or even bigger stainless steel model. These usually offer add-on modules or appliances like wet bars, refrigerators, wine coolers, sear stations and more.

Stainless steel is the most durable material and impervious to weather, while stainless steel cooking grids, burners and other parts clean up easily, won’t rust, and last longer.

Cast aluminum grill bodies, usually found with a powder-coat finish, require less cleaning time than stainless steel and retain heat better. Porcelaincoated steel is another good alternative.

The most popularly priced gas grills sell for between $129 and $299. Grills with more features can run from $700 to $1,500, while top-of-the-line, all-stainless steel appliances can easily top $5,000.

Charcoal

The Traditionalist’s Choice

Some people swear charcoal cooking produces better flavor. Charcoal can create a high temperature for searing, but also can be used for “low and slow” cooking. In addition, you can build a fire on just one side of the grill for indirect cooking. Your charcoal grill also can double as a smoker.

Charcoal grills come in all sizes and shapes. They range from small covered cookers with adjustableheight cooking grids, to kettle grills with domed lids high enough to cook a whole turkey, to huge powder-coated steel models.

Basic units sell for $50 to $100; deluxe models sell for $400 or more.

Pellet

It’s All About the Flavour

Many people haven’t yet heard of pellet grills, but as gas prices continue to rise, they’re becoming increasingly popular. Small wood pellets, in a variety of “flavors” such as hickory, mesquite, and oak, provide the energy source and infuse the food with flavor from the resultant smoke. Pellet grills are especially attractive because they are energy efficient and clean burning.

Some pellet grills have a dual-fuel unit that can switch over to gas which can reach higher temperatures than pellets. Increasingly, these models include microprocessor-based circuit boards that manage the grill’s entire operation including temperature regulation.

Prices for pellet grills generally range from about $600 to $2500.

Electric

Higher Performance for Today’s Demographics

Electric grills have come a long way – improved technology has resulted in vastly improved performance. These grills are as easy to turn on as your kitchen stove. Some models can reach 700 degrees – great for searing steaks! A small electric grill may be the only option for apartment or condo dwellers. Wherever you plan to put an electric grill, have an outlet nearby, as an extension cord will greatly reduce grill performance.

Electric grills begin at about $150 for a small unit that is ideal for a couple or a downsized household. Larger, high-performance, high-end stainless steel models cost $1,800 to $2,000.

Smokers

The Ideal Second (or Third) ‘Grill’

Cylindrical water smokers are a good choice for beginners since they are affordable and easy to use. Whether made of powder-coated or porcelain-coated steel, or stainless steel for premium models, these versatile grills feature stacked sections so lots of food can be smoked at once. Some allow the bottom section to serve as a regular grill.

Charcoal is the favorite fuel for smokers, but electricity and gas are convenient because they maintain more consistent temperatures while requiring less attention. A water pan placed directly over the source of heat ensures that foods will stay moist even after hours of cooking.

Horizontal dry wood smokers made from powder- coated, heavy-gauge steel resemble two black barrels set side-by-side. The smaller barrel – the firebox – connects to the larger cooking chamber with an opening for the smoke and hot air to pass through for “low and slow” indirect cooking. There are also smaller single chamber models, some lighter in weight. They can run from about $100 to several hundred dollars, depending on size and material.

The third type of smoker is a kamado cooker, an egg-shaped, thick-walled ceramic grill. Most are charcoal fueled, and their ceramic insulation traps heat, making them inexpensive to operate. They can be held as low as precisely 180º for smoking to as high as 800º for searing and grilling. Space-age ceramics make these grills virtually indestructible. It is possible to find a kamado cooker that is gas fueled, though that is much less common, and also at least one that is constructed of stainless steel. Kamados come in many sizes and prices will range from about $200 to more than $1,000.

Types of Grills

Charcoal Grill

An outdoor grill that uses charcoal for fuel.

Gas Grill

An outdoor grill heated by natural gas or liquid propane.

Electric Grill

An indoor or outdoor grill, which requires access to an electrical outlet because the heat comes from an electric coil element.

Dual-Fuel Grills

Some grills now provide the option of cooking with gas and/or other fuels.

Pellet Grill

An outdoor grill that uses wood pellets for fuel.

Kamado Cooker

Egg-shaped ceramic cookers that are charcoal-fired; they originated in the Far East.

Smoker

Charcoal, wood, or a combination of both, and natural gas or liquid propane can fuel smoker grills; available in numerous configurations, including electric.

Infrared Grill

Use infrared radiant energy to produce very high heat very quickly; they also operate with uniform heat, resulting in consistent cooking; fueled with natural gas or liquid propane.

Kettle Grill

Round or nearly round charcoal grill with a cover; typically stands on three legs.

Portable Grill

Any grill small and lightweight enough to be transported; they range from aluminum foil throwaway grills to stainless steel models.

Turkey Fryer

Can be fueled by liquid propane or electricity; is filled with oil for frying, or can be used to boil or steam foods.

Cleaning Your Grill

BEFORE lighting the grill, apply non-stick spray on the grates. The protective spray cuts down the clean-up time afterwards.
For charcoal grills, line the bowl with aluminum foil. After grilling, and once the grill and coals are cool, simply discard the foil with the coals and ash, then wash and reline with foil for next time.
Use a wire brush or even crumbled aluminum foil to scrub away buildup on the grates once the grill has cooled.
Spray grease-cutting dishwashing detergent on grill and grates (once cool). Scrub with brush or abrasive pad, then rinse. A repeat may be necessary.
Don’t forget to place a grill pad or splatter mat beneath your grill before cooking. These naturally heat resistant pads will protect your deck or patio from any grease that misses the drip pan and will make it a lot easier to keep your outdoor living area clean and looking like new.

Napoleon Prestige Pro 665 RSIB

Hamrforge Old Iron Sides Reverse Flow Smoker, Charcoal BBQ & Rotisserie

Renaissance Le Bol

how to CREATe AN OUTDOOR ROOM

Sitting comfortably with friends or family in the backyard on a cool summer evening, with a warm fire and dinner sizzling on the grill, is pure pleasure. It is also the precise reason why people throughout North America are turning their yards and decks into inviting outdoor living spaces. People are extending the comfort and luxury of their homes into the great outdoors, and the result is the popular trend called the “outdoor room.”

Popularity Yields Full-Featured Products

As consumer interest in the outdoor room continues to grow, hearth, patio and barbecue manufacturers are developing stylish, full-featured products to enhance the comfort, convenience and pleasure of entertaining or relaxing outside, no matter the climate or season. Manufacturers now have extensive product lines that can help extend a home’s living space both literally and visually. There are barbecues and fireplaces in all sizes and styles, from simple to high-tech, and plush (or sleek) patio furniture and accessories to help set any mood.

Outdoor Room Basics

Anyone can easily create an outdoor room. In general, the concept encompasses a grilling and eating area, pulled together with a hearth product, such as a fireplace, firepit or chiminea. Some outdoor rooms are similar to indoor kitchens, with expansive counter space and full food preparation areas complete with sinks and plumbing. It’s even possible to add a dishwasher and a refrigerator to make trips inside to clean up or grab cold drink a distant memory. Other outdoor rooms take the concept further with the addition of pizza ovens, cocktail bars, fountains, trellises, patio heaters, spas and pools. Landscaping, lighting and sculptures are additional elements that can help create a cohesive feeling within an outdoor space.

Products for the Outdoor Room

Hearth: Wood burning fireplaces, gas fireplaces, firepits, chimineas, fire and fountain combinations
Cooking: Barbecue grills, wood-fired pizza ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, sinks, cocktail bars, food preparation areas
Furniture: Dining tables, couches, chairs, end tables, hammocks, chaise lounges
Water: Swimming pools, spas, waterfalls, ponds
Flooring: Wood, brick, stone, slate, stamped concrete pavers
Shelters: Pool houses, gazebos, sunrooms, awnings, umbrellas
Accessories: Sound systems, art sculptures, fences
Lighting: Landscape lanterns, pathway lighting, candles
Decks: Natural woods, vinyl, fibreglass, recycled plastics
Heaters: Freestanding or table-top patio heaters

Creating an Outdoor Room

Pulling together an outdoor room is less about the quantity of product and more about creating an outdoor living area that meets a homeowner’s idea of comfort and relaxation. Here are some simple steps to help create the perfect outdoor room:

Define the Purpose

Start by determining how the outdoor space will be used—entertaining, relaxing, cooking, or all of the above. Use a notebook to jot down ideas for each application.

Gather Inspiration

Clip or print ideas from magazines, newspapers, or websites and add them to your notebook. Create a wish list of features, furnishings, and designs that appeal to you.

Review the Home’s Style

Consider the home’s architectural style to ensure the outdoor space complements it. There are products available for every aesthetic.

Consult a Specialty Retailer

A specialty retailer is an essential partner. Bring your wish list and inspiration. They can guide you through product options, climate considerations, and coordinate installation.

Do Your Research

Review manufacturer information and product details online. Use what you learn from the retailer as a starting point.

Sketch a Plan

Draw a rough layout of your outdoor space. It doesn’t have to be perfect—just enough to visualize where key features will go.

Build the Foundation

Begin with structural elements like patios, decks, retaining walls, and fences. These provide the base for your outdoor room.

Incorporate Fire and Food

Make the fireplace a focal point. Design cooking and eating areas that blend with the rest of the space.

Choose Furnishings

Select comfortable, durable patio furniture to create a welcoming environment. Consider couches, loungers, dining sets, and side tables to complete the space.

Layer in Lighting

Add lighting for safety, ambiance, and extended use—around pathways, pools, or to highlight landscaping.

Use Landscaping Thoughtfully

Trees, shrubs, and seasonal plants add texture and character. Choose varieties that change with the seasons for year-round interest.

Add Personal Touches

Finish the space with decorative details such as art, outdoor rugs, or unique tables to make the space feel truly your own.

Take It in Stages

If budget is a factor, create the space over time. Begin with key features like a fireplace and grill area, then add furnishings and landscaping in later phases.

Enjoy the Process

Building an outdoor room should be fun. Create multiple conversation areas to enhance functionality, and enjoy bringing your vision to life.

Find a Specialty Retailer

Montigo H38SVO Outdoor Gas Fireplace

Napoleon St. Tropez Patioflame Fire Table