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If you experience one or a few of the following points, maybe it’s time to update your tired BBQ or smoker

5 Signs You Need to Upgrade Your Grill

FOOD ISN’T FLAVORFUL Grease buildup, broken components and other aspects on your old grill can give your food a bitter, unpleasant or gaslike flavor. If this is happening, it’s probably time to upgrade to a new model. One of the coolest things about grilling is that you can dramatically impact the flavor of your food, depending on the grill itself. For example, a burger cooked on a charcoal grill will have a much more charred, smoky flavor than one cooked on a gas grill. The same goes for smokers. Be sure to consider flavor differences when considering a pellet smoker vs. a charcoal smoker. IT’S NOT GETTING HOT ENOUGH Size isn’t the only thing to consider when thinking about upgrading. You also want to think about cooking power. When shopping for grills, look at the British Thermal Units (BTUs). BTU is a way to measure heat. Typically, gas grills put out about 100 BTUs per square inch of cooking surface. Don’t obsess over BTUs, but consider going to a higher output if your current grill isn’t getting hot enough. Note that other factors contribute to the heat output of your grills, such as the construction and overall size. Sturdy construction and thoughtful design can boost heat power without a high BTU. IT DOESN’T DO ANYTHING BESIDES GRILL Single-use grills are great for beginners, but as you advance and get more comfortable with this style of cooking, you might want to expand your portfolio and learn other cooking styles. For example, you might consider advancing to a pellet grill to learn smoking techniques in addition to grilling. If you want the ability to smoke food with charcoal or pellets, consider the kamado grill for your next cooker. You may also want to try a gas grill that also has a griddle feature because who doesn’t want to whip up diner-style breakfast food on the patio in the morning? CRACKED HOSES AND CONNECTORS Replacing a cracked gas hose is a safety must. Do the bubble test: Mix a bit of dishwashing liquid and water in a spray bottle, then spray over hoses and connections to the gas tank. Bubbling is a sign of a leak. GAUGES AND CONTROLS ARE BROKEN If your goal is to grill steakhouse-worthy ribeyes or smoke award-winning briskets, you simply can’t work with a beat-up appliance. Broken, inaccurate gauges can be a recipe for disaster and leave you with tough, overcooked meat (the horror!) or undercooked messes. Broken knobs and controls will also hold you back from reaching the precise temperature required and prevent you from making essential adjustments as you cook. Replace, repair or upgrade your grill if you’re working with damaged gauges and controls.

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