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Bison Charcoal BBQ GrillIt may be hard to believe it, but not all charcoal grills are made the same.

Although they all pretty much work the same, choosing the right barbecue grill is important.

In fact, choosing the right grill can make a big difference in the level of enjoyment you could get out of cooking outdoors.

When looking for a new grill, whether charcoal or gas, there are a few things you should consider before you make your decision.

First and foremost, think about the size of the cooking surface you will need.

If there are only two or three people you will typically barbecue for, a small grill will likely be sufficient. If you will often be cooking for a large group, a larger cooking surface will be required.

However, don’t be fooled by what the manufacturers advertise as the grill’s surface measurements, especially if your grill has a warming grate. Often the size of these grates is included in the advertised cooking surface, which can make the cooking surface seem smaller.

Don’t hesitate to take your tape measure with you when looking for a new grill, to measure the grate on which the actual cooking will take place. To get an accurate measurement, simply measure the width and depth of the cooking grate and multiply the two numbers.

This will help you find the actual cooking surface of the grill, in square inches. Again, if you’re cooking for only two or three people, you should be able to simply look at the grill and visualize how many burgers, dogs or chicken breasts you can fit on the grates.

Today’s grills have many extras attached to them, which can not only allow you to utilize your grill in different ways, but can also add to the cost of the grill itself. Side burners seem like a good addition, but before spending the extra cash, consider how often you might actually use them.

If you will use a lot of barbecue sauce in your recipes, the side burner can be useful in keeping it warm while your meat cooks. But, if you plan to use it to boil water to cook corn on the cob or other vegetables, just make sure it will provide enough BTU to get the job done. Often, side burners won’t be powerful enough to boil a pot of water.

If you move the grill around frequently, choosing a grill with wheels can be a bonus. In addition, buying a stainless steel grill can make sense if you will use it often, but to keep it looking new you’ll have to adhere to proper maintenance.

When it’s time for you to purchase a new barbecue grill, start by thinking about whether you want a charcoal grill or a gas grill. Then, narrow down your choices by the size of the cooking surface area of each grill you are considering. Lastly, think about what extras and grill additions you may desire and which of the grills you’re considering come with these extras.