For a reliable propane grill that survives years of summer cookouts and winter barbecuing, prioritize durability when you shop. Start with the metal. Stainless steel, especially high-quality 304-grade, is your best bet for rust resistance and long-term performance. While enamel-coated steel is more budget-friendly, chips or cracks in the coating expose the metal to rust. Choose thicker gauge metal over thinner: it better resists thermal expansion and contraction, minimizing the risk of warping.
Pay attention to the support cart and the frame, and give the grill a good shake. A durable model should feel solid and sturdy. A cart with welded joints usually outlasts bolted-together, enamelled sheet steel—the connections don’t wobble and loosen over time, while bolts leave openings where rust can start.
A simple and refreshing Ensalada Chilena for your next barbecue
It’s generally cheaper to manufacture a grill that relies on bolts over welds, so a heavy bag of bolts in the assembly kit can be a sign of lower quality. As well, with more bolts comes more assembly time and more opportunity to misalign parts—even though no one ever finds barbecue assembly instructions hard to follow.
Check the warranty, especially for the burners and the firebox. Burners tend to wear out first, so a warranty of 10 years or longer suggests a confident manufacturer.
These smoky grilled chorizo patties are packed with flavour
Treat a barbecue purchase as an investment, and your grill can become the cottage workhorse that doesn’t care when it sits alone on the deck Monday morning to Friday evening.
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