Buying the best grill can be difficult but you’ll want to ensure you get the best one for your family. You’ll find that some factors are more important than others so it is essential to pay more attention to those that are most important to you.
Size is likely one of the most vital aspects of the grill since it’ll make a big difference in terms of satisfying your family. If the grill is too small, it won’t be sufficient.
You need a size that matches your family to ensure you can choose meals at once without redoing anything.
Within this guide, you’ll learn more about the importance of size and getting the right size for your needs.
Two Sizes To Worry About
Ultimately, you will find that there are two sizes to worry about.
First and foremost, you have to worry about the exterior dimensions of the grill since it needs to fit your space. If you’re living in a small apartment, your patio or balcony will likely be very small. It is important to take measurements to ensure that your grill will fit where you want to put it. This could be a storage cubbyhole or the trunk of your car.
Second, you should inspect the cooking space provided. This is even more important since you’ll need to cater to the needs of your guests. If you’re a single guy who never holds parties, you will be okay with a smaller grill since you only need enough food for yourself. If you’re going to be hosting extravagant parties, you’ll need a bigger grill.
This will ensure that you’re able to cook once and have enough for everyone.
Breaking Down The Cooking Surface
When you begin looking for and researching grills, you will find information about their cooking surfaces. This is helpful but that information may be subjective.
In many cases, the cooking surface will include the warming rack and side burners. However, you might not use these things when preparing burgers and wings. So, you should pay closer attention to the main grilling grates.
In most cases, 500 square inches of grilling grates will be able to cook 24 hamburgers. A grill of this size will cook plenty of food for a small group.
Indirect Cooking
Another thing to note is that some cooking methods will impact the cooking space.
Most conventional grills use direct heating methods since they’re older, proven, and cheaper. Direct heating means that the food is cooked directly above the fire. This is good for some foods but others are better when indirectly heated.
You can use indirect and direct grilling methods simultaneously. If you intend to use indirect grilling techniques regularly, you’ll want at least 700 square inches of cooking space.
Avoid Crowding The Grill
Whether you go with a small or large grill, you need to use the space as efficiently as possible.
If you overcrowd the grill or try to cook too much food at once, you’re going to run into major issues. You won’t be able to manage the heat and you’ll have trouble flipping the food in question.
For the best results, you should leave a small space free and use it as a low-heat safety zone. When a piece of meat has received too much heat and it is starting to brown, you can move it to this area to avoid overcooking.
So, it is a good idea to choose a grill with individual burners and controls. Simultaneously, you should try leaving 25% of the grill grates open.
Maximize Use
If you’re going to get a bigger grill with more space, you’ll need to ensure that you can maximize that space. The best way to do that is by choosing a grill with multiple burners and controls. This will allow you to increase the temperature in one area while minimizing the temperature in another area.
With this type of setup, you’ll be able to increase the versatility of the grill and cook multiple foods at once.
If you don’t have controls for each burner, it’ll be much harder to cook multiple portions of meats at once without problems.
How Many Guests Will You Serve
One of the biggest factors that determine a grill size is the number of guests. Basically, this means the number of people you plan on serving in a single day of grilling out.
The larger the number, the bigger the grill needs to be.
For example, a family of four will need a grill that is at least 14-1/2 inches in diameter. A grill this size will provide enough cooking space for four hamburgers or hotdogs and vegetables.
Do not make the same mistake, as many of us have, by getting a grill that is inadequate. If the grill does not have enough space to cook the food for all of your guests simultaneously, you will definitely run into some trouble, and be wishing you got the correct size to begin with.
Your Budget
Your budget will also determine the grill size. How is this possible? Well, as you may have already found out, the larger the grill, the higher its price tag.
If you have a small budget for this purchase, you will probably need to settle with a small grill. If you have some extra cash in the budget, you will have the option of choosing from all the grills on the market.
Unfortunately, this is rarely the case because grills are not considered essential by many people. So, base your decision partially on the size of your budget.
Your Location
Another important factor that determines a grill size is the consumer’s location. What does this mean in this case? Well, it means that consumers who live in small spaces, such as apartments, condos, and flats, will have to settle for smaller grills. This is especially true for those who have limited outdoor space.
If you live in a home with a large backyard, you can purchase the biggest grill on the market. There will be enough space for you to maneuver around while you cook. And, your friends and family members can gather around the grill while you cook. The possibilities are endless if you have a large outdoor space on your property.
Do You Plan On Traveling
An important question you must ask yourself before purchasing a grill is do you plan on taking it with you on vacations. If so, you will need a grill that is lightweight and compact. This design will not only offer portability but also compact storage, which is a necessity when traveling heavy.
