Grills

Side shelf material

Shelves are usually made of stainless steel or painted steel (some using a powder-coating process), though a few are made of plastic. Plastic and stainless steel may prove more durable than paint coatings.

Additional features

Additional features can be a lights, utensil hooks, etc.

Warranty

How many years the burner warranty is for the portable grill. While burners remain the grill's most-replaced part, most are warranted for only 3 to 5 years. Better burners are covered for more.

Coated-cast-iron grates

The grill's primary cooking grates may be made of porcelain coated cast-iron, which generally sears meats better and keeps grilling temperatures more consistent than grates made of porcelain coated steel. The porcelain coating usually makes such grates easier to clean than other surfaces, and the grates should resist rust as long as their porcelain coating isn't chipped.

Stainless steel grates

Primary cooking grates made of stainless-steel are generally sturdier than those made of coated steel and resist rust even without a porcelain coating.

Main burner

Main burner BTU/Hour.

Coated-steel grates

Primary cooking grates made of porcelain-coated steel will resist rust as long as their porcelain coating isn't chipped. Porcelain-coated grates are also usually easier to clean than other surfaces. But coated-steel grates typically do not sear meats as well or keep temperatures as consistent as sturdier grates made of cast iron or stainless steel.

Bare-cast-iron grates

The grill's primary cooking grates may be made of bare cast iron, which generally sears meats well and keeps grilling temperatures consistent. Bare cast iron, however, must be kept oiled to prevent rusting. Such grates are also usually more difficult to clean than other surfaces.

Measured cooking grid area

The main cooking area of the grill rounded to the nearest 5 sq. in.

Exterior dimensions

The exterior measurement of the grill with shelves.

Number of main burner controls

Most portable grills have 1 burner , but some have two burners with corresponding controls. An additional burner control generally allows the cook more flexibility.

Shelf space

Shelf space (if available) rounded to the nearest 5 sq. in.

Igniter type

Most grills have a mechanical igniter of either the push-button or rotary design. More convenient is a battery-operated electronic igniter, which usually ignites the gas on the first try. Some grills also have lighting holes, on the side of or beneath the grill, that can be used with a match should the igniter fail.

Propane tank size needed

What size tank is needed.

Wheels

The portable gas grills may have wheels for easier transport.