Nothing says a summer cookout like grilled meats and vegetables. But if your grilling experience is filled with more flare-ups and frustration than fun, you should invest in a new grill.

Instead of purchasing strictly on price or recommendations, select a grill that matches your style. Are you into convenience and speed? Or do you grill leisurely and try to maximize the smoky flavor? Selecting a grill goes beyond choosing gas or charcoal.

Here are 5 Questions to Answer on Finding the Right Grill for your Summer Cook Outs:

1. Fuel Type: What is the difference between gas grilling & charcoal grilling?

When it comes to the battle of gas grilling versus charcoal grilling, the bottom line is: grilling is grilling – no matter what fuel source you use. Both involve the radiant transfer of heat from the fuel source to the cooking grid. Drippings come off of the food, land on the heat source, and sizzle and smoke. The smoke rising into your food creates barbecue flavor. So really, it all comes down to personal preference.

Gas- Gas grills are one of the most common fuel types. Built in a cart style, gas grills use either an attachable liquid propane tank or natural gas via a conversion kit connecting the grill to your home's natural gas supply line. With a gas grill, you'll have more control over the heat and how it is distributed across your cooking surface.

Charcoal- Charcoal grills offer the traditional smokiness most people think of when they imagine the grilled flavor. They come in lots of shapes and sizes. Charcoal grills burn using charcoal briquettes or lumps of charcoal. That's where the smoky flavor comes from. You'll need to spend a little more time lighting the briquettes and preheating the grill than you will with a gas grill. You'll also need to clean the grill and dispose of the charcoal ash when you're done grilling.

2. What Size Grill Do I Need?

The primary factor in determining grill size is cooking area. Cooking area is expressed in terms of square inches. A typical three burner gas grill features 450-500 square inches of cooking area, which is generally sufficient for the average household. People that entertain often or have large families may want a grill that offers five or six burners and features 550-650 square inches of cooking area.

In addition to cooking area, the footprint of a grill should be considered. Most barbecue grills feature side shelves that can be removed or collapsed. As a safety measure, manufacturers require the grill to sit 2-3 feet away from the house and other combustible materials. It’s important to ensure that your deck or patio can accommodate your new grill’s wingspan prior to purchasing.

A variety of accessories are available to enhance a grill’s cooking area without increasing its footprint. For example, a half shelf can provide up to 50% more cooking space by adding another level to the cooking grid. Another example is warming rack which hangs from the top of the grill. This rack, set further away from direct heat, is ideal for toasting food items at lower temperatures.

3. What color & design options are available?

Today’s grills are designed using a combination of porcelain enameled steel and polished stainless steel. Many models are constructed entirely of stainless steel for a more sophisticated, commercial appearance.

Much like indoor appliances, an increasing number of custom colors are introduced each year in the grill lineup. Green, copper, cobalt blue, brick red, and bronze are just a sampling of color choices. These models often use stainless steel as an accent color, providing striking contrast in the overall grill design.

Some brands offer a wide selection of built-in grills which allow for flexibility in design. Built-in grill heads or storage cabinets can be inserted into a prefabricated island area – generally built of brick or stone. Built-in grills are best used in an outdoor kitchen setting. If the prefabricated area is made of a combustible material, such as wood, insulation jackets can be purchased at an additional cost.

4. What are some of the new and unique features on grills

Some new features are designed to enhance cooking performance and versatility, while others increase the convenience of use.

Rotisseries
A rotisserie motor mounts to the grill. Many rotisserie kits ship with a counterweight that attaches to provide consistently and even turning. Premium models feature a rear infrared burner designed to deliver the most-consistent, evenly distributed heat for rotisserie cooking.             Searing zone
The process of searing creates a blackened crust. A searing zone uses a powerful burner to reach high temperatures quickly.                                                                                                  Smoker box
Many grillers swear by charcoal grilling, but an increasing number of gas grills come outfitted with smoker boxes to infuse foods with a distinctive smoky flavor. The burning chips (prepackaged hickory or mesquite chips) produce smoke that envelops the food during the grilling process.                                                                                                      Side burner
Side burners allow the preparation of side dishes and sauces. They run use the same propane tank or natural gas line and operate similarly to a gas burner on a conventional range. Not only can the burners prepare barbecue sides, they can maintain low heat to keep food warm until it is ready to be served.                                                                                                                           Storage Levels of storage can vary in barbeque grills. Commonly, two access doors cover the storage compartment. This compartment typically houses the propane tank and the drip tray, which contains leftover cooking byproducts and greases. High-end grills sometimes incorporate pull-out drawers and condiment trays.                                                                                               Electronic ignition
Most grills have automatic electronic ignition, and a way to safely ignite the grill with a match should it fail. Lighting
Night-time grilling gets some help from built-in lighting. Some grills feature a small retractable LED light, while other models feature bright halogen floodlights for grilling even in darkest locations.

5. What accessories will enhance my grilling experience?

Grill cover
The most popular grill accessory remains a heavy-duty, all-weather cover. Covers should snugly fit the grill with heavy-duty vinyl, which can withstand harsh climates.                                                                             Brass brush
To clean food residue from cooking grates, invest in a high-quality brass brush.                                                                      Natural lump charcoal
For the charcoal user, a steady supply of charcoal should always be on hand. Charcoal is typically sold in two formats: briquette and natural lump. Natural lump charcoal is 100 percent wood (as opposed to a briquette, which can be up to 70 percent sediment) and will burn cleaner and last longer. It is generally considered superior to the briquette for grilling performance, but it is more expensive.                                  V-racks
For grilling multiple racks of ribs.                                                                                                     Ceramic place setter
Deflect heat for higher-quality indirect cooking and serve double duty as a stone cook surface for pizzas or calzones.                                                                                              Digital meat probe Inserts into meat and registers the interior temperature. A digital meat probe the most accurate way to determine if a slice of meat is done cooking.