Gas or propane?
While natural gas typically costs a few sense less to burn, Hannan says there’s no big difference between propane or natural gas-powered barbecues, since both generate the same amount of heat.

His personal preference for natural gas is a matter of convenience. “I drove by a gas station a couple days ago when it was 20 degrees Celsius and saw eight people waiting for a 16-year-old kid to fill their tanks,” says Hannan.

His one pet peeve? It can be tough for consumers to source good information on what makes a good quality barbecue. “They seem something big and shiny and it looks nice, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good barbecue.”

He gets a special kick out of the buyers, typically male, who equate barbecue quality to the heft of the lid. Size matters, but knowledgeable buyers will give more weight to numbers related to grill size and BTUs (see inset box), says Hannan.

Numbers also factor into decisions about the stainless steel used on the barbecue’s interior and exterior body. While a lot of buyers say they want stainless steel, few realize stainless steels are not created equally; a fact that accounts for significant differences in the price between barbecues that may well ‘look’ the same.

Cheaper models, often made offshore, tend to feature 430 grade stainless steel—which will rust after it’s scratched. Top-quality units, on the other hand, are made from 304 stainless steel, the 18/18 standard due to its corrosion-resistant properties.
Hannan’s tip? Carry a magnet to the barbecue store. If it sticks, keep looking, since magnets won’t stick to 304 grade stainless steel.

Phil Marcus of Trail Appliances says buyers who value top-grade kitchen appliances don’t always make the same connection between barbecue quality and price; a perplexing fact given that barbecue buyers expect this appliance to provide years of service—in an outdoor environment.

He says buyers in the mid-price range should expect to spend $899 to $1,549. Their most-expensive units, a hand-made line by Fire Magic, cost between $2,899 and $9,000. But Marcus dismisses the idea those figures sound high. With proper maintenance, a Fire Magic barbecue can last 25 to 30 years, making it far superior to big box-style bargains that may only last a few seasons.

Like Marcus, Hannan suggests buyers spend some time learning about the internal components of barbecues before they buy. Relatively new technology, like rear infrared burners used for rotisserie cooking, are a good thing to have, but buyers should also inquire about the strength of the rotisserie spit (how many pounds can it support).

He knows a lot of buyers say they want a side burner—and already have plans about how they’ll use it. Given Calgary’s windy climate, Hannan suggests you spend the extra money on a higher-grade barbecue (and boil your corn indoors!).

New barbecue models often feature an integrated smoker box and a three-burner system. The smoker box is great for added flavour (see sidebar), while the three-burner system facilitates indirect grilling, whereby the chef leaves the two outside burners on, but turns off the centre burner.

This cooking method reduces flare ups and works well for everything from a covered pot roast to grilled chicken or ribs, says Hannan, who considers the three-burner system a must. He says buyers can wheel a brand new three-burner Broil King onto their decks for around $600.

Hannan and Marcus both recommend buyers aim for a product manufactured in North America. “If it’s made in North America, you’re going to be able to buy parts for it,” says Hannan, whose firm also maintains and repairs barbecues. Most barbecues manufactured on the continent can also be converted to natural gas. That’s great news for people who want to invest in a quality barbecue, but don’t have access to natural gas at the barbecue’s first home.

Old-fashioned fun
Believe it or not, customers looking into the latest trends in barbecue flavour are also snapping up charcoal grills in a variety of funky shapes and sizes. These are popular among grillers who savour their barbecue action. They may have a regular high-tech unit for daily use, but want a charcoal unit for Sunday afternoons in the backyard, says Hannan.

Backyard chefs keen to expand their barbecue repertoire should also check out the growing variety of barbecue accessories. Beer can chicken holders, upright rib racks and special grills for vegetables and shellfish all make the job easier—and the end results, more tasty.

Hannan’s top pick for a must-have barbecue accessory? A silicon basting brush that won’t melt, leaving its bristles atop your freshly-sauced meat.

His second tip? Go long. A long-handled brush does the job without sacrificing arm hair! At less than $5, that tip’s a bargain—and ensures a more enjoyable evening at the grill! NL


What’s in a BTU?
A British Thermal Unit (BTU) is the standard heat unit used to state the amount of heat energy needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.

A BTU rating tells you how much fuel you’ll be burning. In one hour, a 35,000 BTU gas grill will use 35,000 BTUs from all of its main burners. Since propane as a BTU rating of about 15,000 BTUs per pound, this grill will use a little more than two pounds of propane in an hour.

Grilling guides suggest 100 BTUs per square-inch will generate the heat you need to barbecue food. But do the math! A high BTU rating may mean very little if it’s heating a large grill.

Get smokin’
Where’s there’s smoke, there’s flavour, says Trevor Hannan, a home-barbecuing afficionado and the GM of Barbecues Galore.

According to Hannan, the hottest thing in barbecue gadgetry involves a little cast iron box that holds wood chips or pellets. While many new barbecue models feature built-in smokers, you can add the box for as little as $12, plus $4 for a 900 g bag of flavoured wood chips that lasts several meals.

Simply soak the chips for a couple hours, then pop them into the smoker, which you place under the grill. Barbecues Galore carries several varieties, with mesquite, hickory, maple and apple among the top sellers.
Installing a gas line

If your new barbecue needs a natural gas line, talk to the vendor who sold you the unit, says Trevor Hannan of Barbecues Galore. Like other barbecue dealers in Calgary, that company will help you get the job done—and done right.

Barbecues Galore charges a base rate of $300. That includes the City of Calgary permit and labour. A Core 1 hole will set you back another $25, with three metres of gas line adding another $90 to $110 to the basic rate, depending on whether you opt for a half-inch or three-quarter-inch line.

Things to consider:
Measure accurately. You need to provide the installer with an accurate measurement of the prospective line. A line from a basement furnace to an outdoor deck must travel along exterior walls or, if they run towards the deck, along floor joists. Don’t use an “as the crow flies” measurement.

Longer lines cost more. A second trip may be necessary if the line runs more than 20 feet.

Underground lines cost more. If the line needs to be trenched (which may be the case if a basement is finished), you’re looking at an extra $16 a foot.

Ask ahead. Customers may also be responsible for:
- Deck board removal;  other alterations to a home/premises; or
- Condo association approval.