- Most consumers look for gas barbecue grills that will slow-cook their food to lock in juices and flavor. The gas travels through the gas lines up to the igniter switch; when the switch is ignited, the burner or burners are turned on, and heat and flame are created. The difference between a gas grill and a charcoal grill is that the gas flames are minimal and produce a slow, steady heat. Wood chips are placed at the bottom of the grill to add barbecue flavor.
- The features of a gas barbecue grill include the basic cooking surface; this is often a nonstick grates in porcelain, cast iron or chrome. Many grills offer a rotisserie or rack at the top of the grill to turn the food slowly while it is cooking. Temperature control and automatic ignition are added features. Some grills offer a vegetable griller inside so smaller food can be smoked or steamed as it is being cooked. Tiered cooking is common on most gas barbecue grills; this allows different food items to be cooked at different temperatures. Flat-surface grills accommodate smaller items that cannot be cooked on a regular grate. Hidden compartments to conceal the propane gas tank are also a popular feature. Some grills come with motorized hoods to free up the chef's hands.
- The different types of gas barbecue grills vary slightly, but their overall function remains the same: to create barbecue flavor. There are combination grills that offer the chef the option to use gas or charcoal, simultaneously or at different times. Gas smokers provide a strong barbecue flavor by slow-cooking the meat in a dome-shaped grill filled with flavored wood chips. Full-size portable grills that fold up for easy transport are great for campers and those who travel. Small tabletop grills are great for hikers and those who are tent camping. Built-in gas barbecue grills that are a part of an outdoor kitchen area serve as a permanent fixture for backyard decor as well as a functional asset for entertaining guests.
- Grills come in a variety of sizes, from tabletop grills to built-in outdoor grills. The size of the grill depends greatly on how many burners the grill has; most grills have between one and five burners. The burners take up the length of the surface of the grill, allowing for variations in size, but the benefit to having multiple burners is that the food can be cooked at different temperatures in different areas of the grill.
- Gas barbecue grills need to be used with safety in mind at all times. The combination of propane gas and fire can be deadly if ignition safety and proper grill maintenance are not performed on a routine basis. Replacing the batteries in the igniter switch every 30 days reduces the risk of sparks and explosion.
