Choosing the right outdoor grill for your Arizona home

Outdoor grilling on natural gas grill

 

In Arizona we’re blessed with outdoor grilling weather almost year round. Unlike our northern counterparts, we don’t have to worry about frigid temperatures or snow putting paid to winter patio plans! Summer on the horizon means even more dinners cooked on the outside grill rather than over a hot stove indoors.

Outdoor grilling is an Arizona lifestyle. Can anything beat sipping of a glass of wine or enjoying a cold beer as you flip steaks, entertain friends and watch the kids play in the pool or backyard?

Buying a new backyard BBQ can be overwhelming. These six key considerations can help narrow your choices:

  1. Fuel – you have four main fuel types to choose from for your new BBQ: charcoal, electric, propane, and natural gas. We always recommend natural gas where possible; it’s cheaper than propane and it’s much better for the environment. There’s not as much exhaust as from burning propane, charcoal or wood. Plus, a natural gas BBQ can connect to the natural gas line at your home, so you won’t run out of fuel in the middle of a summer party!
  2. Reliability – your backyard grill should last many years. However, unexpected breakages can happen, therefore a good warranty will mitigate the need to spend more money on repairs.
  3. Size – some models have more than 800 square inches of cooking area! That’s huge! You probably don’t need that much grilling space. Think about how many people you’ll be cooking for on a regular basis. It’s best to buy a grill to suit your daily needs as opposed to a once-in-a-while party. Measure the space before you go shopping so you know the size constraints you are working with.
  4. Material – top quality (and therefore more expensive) grills are primarily made from stainless steel, with stainless steel hoods and grids. The thicker the grids the better the heat retention (giving you those nice lines on your steaks!) and the longer they’ll last.
  5. Purchase cost – when it comes to an item as well-used as an outdoor grill in Arizona, it’s worth choosing the best model within your budget. It’s an investment. If you want to grill, fry, saute, broil, rotisserie and more, be prepared to spend at least several hundred dollars. If you just want to grill hotdogs and burgers there’s no need to spend the big bucks. The key to keeping costs reasonable is not to buy more barbecue than you need. Once you start adding extras like integrated lighting, griddles, smoker boxes, pizza stones etc. the dollars can really add up.
  6. Installation cost – Remember to factor in the cost of professional installation of a natural gas barbecue. You could complete the installation yourself, but consider the impact on the warranty and your homeowner’s insurance if something went wrong. If your home does not currently have natural gas available, RP Gas Piping can help install a natural gas line to your property. Gas pipeline installations require current permits and inspection by municipal authorities, ensuring the natural gas piping installation is properly completed and complies with all codes.

We must also mention safety. Once you’ve installed your BBQ, ensure you are adhering to the recommended safety tips for use:

  1. Regularly check the integrity of the natural gas piping.
  2. Leave plenty of space around the grill.
  3. Store propane grills and propane tanks in open areas.
  4. Plan an emergency extinguishing method.

Whether you have just one gas barbecue or an entire outdoor living space, when you chose RP Gas Piping you can rest assured that each site is evaluated and a comprehensive plan is developed for installation. Be safe and hire a professional to install your gas piping

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