Grilling season is year round in many parts of the country, but in some parts there are definite seasons when the local grillers fire up for the taste that only comes from making a meal outside on your own special grill. Depending on how much of a griller you are or intend to be, your choice of grill, gas grill or smoker will stay with your for quite some time. So what's the best way to figure out which grill is best for you and how much money should you spend on it? Not everyone needs to spend thousands of dollars on a grill, on the other hand for some, buying anything but the ultimate is the only option. Most of us lie someplace in between. Hopefully this article will help you in your quest for the perfect cookout on a summer day with friends all around and the game about to start.

To help narrow things down a bit, you need to ask yourself some questions. First, How often do you plan on cooking out? Second, how many people, maximum, would be at your cookouts? Third, what will you be cooking? How much flexibility would you like your grill to have?

If you like to cookout often but don't want to spend thousands on a gas grill but would still like major versatility in your grill of choice, I recommend the Big Green Egg. This is a versatile charcoal barbecue grill, and even has some advantages over natural gas or propane gas grills. The pricing is right on the Big Green Egg varying from around three to twelve hundred dollars depending on the size you choose. The Big Green Egg charcoal grill and smoker has a definite dedicated fan base who love their Big Green Eggs enough to center their own outdoor theme around their particular Egg as the central theme.

If you are more into the gas grills, either natural gas or propane, your choices can seem to be overwhelming. When considering a gas grill, the first consideration should be the strength of the burner. The burner is the heart of the grill. Everything else is bells and whistles. There are four types of burners to choose from. The four burner types are, round tube type stainless steel, cast iron, cast brass.

Round tube type burners are found in most grills, and are the least expensive to manufacture. They also wear out quickly for those who grill a lot because of a weakness called "burn through".

Cast iron burners are reliable, but tend to rust.

Cast brass burners won't rust and are found on grills that have things like lifetime guarantees on their burners.

Cast stainless steel are considered the strongest burners on the market today by most professionals. With cast stainless steel burners, you'll have a grill you can rely on for a lifetime.

Buying that new grill can be confusing and the decision will stay with you for a long time. Burners aren't the only considerations and new options and technology are changing the grill scene most of us are familiar with. Asking a professional for advice and options is not only wise in todays market, but it will go a long way in making sure you get the best value and the best grill for you.