Ahhh, the barbecue grill. It's time to get grilling!

Grilling is an activity that pairs two essentials: eating and socializing. The variety of available outdoor barbeque grills boggles the mind, but here’s a quick and easy way to break down what to look for when shopping for one, including:

• Fuel
• Construction
• Essentials and extras
• Recipes

Before you grill shop, determine who your audience will be. Are you a habitual host addicted to entertaining large groups? Or do you generally have just a few of your closest friends over for an intimate get-together? These answers should steer you in the direction of the appropriate grill.

Fuel
It seems this question has been burning for as long as grills have been cooking. The usual fuel suspects are:

• Charcoal: Fuels the most basic grills, but heating the coals burns time that you could otherwise be doing actual grilling.
• Liquid propane: Probably the most common type of grill fuel. Lighters and igniters are integrated into the grill for quick lighting time and ease of use.
• Electric: You’ll have to plug into a nearby outlet. Worst case scenario, have an extension cord handy, but since the fuel is right there, you won’t have to run to the store to stock up on it. Just a click of the button starts ‘er right up.
• Natural gas: It’s possible this one’s a dying breed, since natural gas reserves are being used.
• Infrared: Powered by an infrared gas burner that converts propane or natural gas into infrared radiation. It creates heat that can be several hundred degrees hotter than a standard gas grill and is designed to lock in juices and flavors.

Construction
This is probably the most important consideration next to the type of fuel you use. The adage “You get what you pay for” has never been truer.

Look for marks of high-quality construction (like welded joints, stainless steel construction, and a full axle for the wheels) over other options (cast aluminum construction, steel that’s painted and connected by nuts and bolts, and wheels that are bolted to the frame). Trust your gut when it comes to construction.

Grills can feature a number of features to simplify and expand your outdoor grilling experience.

Essentials and extras
With any kind of grill, you’ll want to stick with superior burners: High-quality stainless steel, cast iron (amazing for retaining heat) or cast brass work best, and commonly carry a long-term warranty.

The grate you choose is also essential to the success of your grill (and, as a result, your grilling). Cast iron and stainless steel have proven to be the most durable, reliable and rust-resistant grates. Also, bars that are placed closer together sear better than bars that are spaced wider apart.

Nearly all grills have some kind of counter or shelf to place plates, utensils or food on while you’re busy at the grill.

While not yet standard on every grill, side burners are a handy extra to have for cooking up side dishes or just keeping them warm.

A smoker is an alternative to a traditional grill that’s starting to gain momentum. Instead of charcoal or a fuel that’s ignited by the push of a button, smokers use burning wood to cook the food. The smoke actually does the cooking, and in addition to providing that trademark smoky aroma and taste, it’s supposed to be a healthier way to cook food on the grill. But since the smoke does all of the work (as opposed to the grates), cooking this way will take a bit longer.

Other grill extras include:

• Condiment trays
• Pullout racks for propane tanks
• Dedicated ovens

Recipes
When you’re ready to head outside and crank up the grill, what are you going to cook? What about taking some advice from one of the leaders in the field?

• Weber’s grill recipe page features dozens of dishes from all sorts of food to throw on the grill, like beef, lamb, pork and poultry.
• AllRecipes.com also impresses with a BBQ and Grilling section.
• And, of course, we’d be remiss if we ignored FoodNetwork.com and their Grilling Central section.

You’ve just devoured the basics of shopping for a grill. It’s a lot to digest, I know, but hopefully you’ve just whetted your appetite and are ready to commit to bringing home the main course of cooking methods: the grill.

Until next time, Happy Home Improving!

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