Spring has sprung and the Easter Bunny has already come. That can only mean one thing. BBQ grilling season is almost here (for those of you living in colder climates) and your tailgating grill may need to be rebuilt, repaired or even replaced.
No need to get burned when buying your next grill. Whether it is for backyard use or out in the tailgating parking lot, we’ve got you covered with these helpful tips on how to pick the perfect grill for your needs.
Determine your usage and needs – How often will I use this grill? Will this grill be just for the backyard or will I also be using it for tailgating?
If you don’t have season tickets and tailgate occasionally, you may want to go with smaller and cheaper. The Weber 10020 Smokey Joe 14-Inch Portable Grill might be just what the doctor ordered. Small, cheap and portable, this little guy is adequate for cooking a few burgers and dogs and is not so expensive that it will kill your bank account.
If you plan on tailgating more often than a handful of games each season, a larger “workhorse” type grill should be considered. Something that is portable and easily set up and broken down quickly is always a good choice. The most popular tailgating grill we have seen for this criteria is the Coleman Road Trip Propane Portable Grill LXE. This grill comes in a variety of colors and is reasonably priced. If taken care of properly, this grill will last years and see many a tailgate party.
Charcoal or gas? – There are benefits of both but which one suits your grilling style? Do you tailgate for a long or short period of time? Does the stadium or arena you tailgate most frequently have a charcoal ban?
Most BBQ pit masters prefer the flavor that charcoal provides but charcoal grills have inherent problems. The biggest complaint about charcoal is the lack of control you have. Once the coals are hot, they are hot… very hot! There is no turning down the temperature on charcoal once they are lit. Also, the time it takes to get charcoal hot is a lot longer than a gas grill. Most Gas grills can get up to 500 degrees in less than 5 minutes. Charcoal grills will take 30 – 45 minutes to get proper cooking temperature. After they get hot, they also need time to cool down. If you tailgate for a shorter period of time, you may not have the time to wait for charcoal to heat up and cool down. Although charcoal may give a better flavor to your grilled food, the trend seems to point to gas being a better choice, at least for tailgaters.