Best price gas grill

BURNERS FOR HEAT, A SYSTEM TO DISPERSE IT, AND COOKING GRATES--THE COMPONENTS OF A GAS GRILL ARE SIMPLE. But choosing the best--and safest--grill may not be. Here's what you should know. (Especially if you want to use it as an outdoor oven.)

HOW MANY BURNERS DO I NEED? Better grills have at least two. But three or more allow greater control and help prevent cold spots. Be sure that the burners are made of high-grade stainless steel, provide infinite heat control and are individually controlled. The Weber[R] Genesis[R] Silver B is one example of what we mean.

ARE MORE BTUs BETTER? Not necessarily. British Thermal Units measure how much gas a grill burns, not its heat output. Too many BTUs can cause damage to burners and reduce the life of the grill.

HOW IS HEAT DISTRIBUTED? Many grills rely on lava rocks or ceramic briquettes. Instead, look for a system with inverted v-shaped metal bars--such as the Flavorizer[R]bars pioneered by Weber. It distributes heat evenly and guards against uncontrollable flare-ups. When juices hit the hot metal bars, they're vaporized and impart a smoke flavor to your meal.

WHAT ABOUT COOKING GRATES? Today they're available in a variety of materials. For the outdoor cook who demands perfect steakhouse sear marks, choose a porcelain-enamel or stainless steel cooking grate that will conduct heat evenly and will not rust.

WHERE DOES THE GREASE GO? Some manufacturers instruct you to hang an empty soup can to a wire to collect grease. Others provide shallow pans that spill when removed. Look for a catch pan that's at least 1-inch deep and is easily accessible.

IS THE PLUMBING A SAFE DISTANCE FROM HOT SURFACES? Make sure any electrical wiring and, most importantly, the gas line plumbing is set a safe distance from hot surfaces. Look for a grill with the gas tank located safely off to the side rather than one that is placed directly below the grill.

DOES YOUR GRILL COME WITH I TANK AND A TANK SCALE? If you have to buy the tank separately, it adds to the total price of the grill. So before you get a surprise at the checkout counter, ask. And look for a grill with a tank scale--that way you'll never run out of fuel in the middle of a meal.

CHECK THE FINE PRINT. Who's backing your purchase? The warranty should include more than disclaimers, (Don't settle for anything less than a 10-year warranty.) Will the manufacturer be around when you have a question or need a replacement part? And do they provide live customer support 24/7? (Weber does.)