Rake choices over coals: Deciding on best grill can plague enthusiasts

BOULDER — An overworked business executive can find plenty of ways to unwind this

spring. Among the best is standing in front of a grill on a sunny day wearing an apron that says “How do you like yours?”

When you hear the answer, it’s best that you’re nestled up to a grill you know and love. Today, when it comes to finding a lovable grill, there are a lot of choices.

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“We have about seven models of charcoal and around 20 models of gas grills,´ said Chris Nessel, a supervisor at McGuckin Hardware in Boulder. “The prices can range from $50 to $4,000 and higher.”

And you thought decisions would be left at the office. Big, little, stainless steel, double-layer lid, single-layer lid, brass burner, red, black ? Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh! Let’s just go to the Black-Eyed Pea. With all due respect to that fine establishment (ever try their chicken with that honey-mustard dipping sauce? Yummy!), don’t fret. You have help making the decision: women.

“It’s about 50 to 50 when it comes to who actually buys the grill,´ said Nessel. “A lot of women will buy grills for Father’s Day or Christmas or a birthday. And a lot of times women will just buy a new grill because they think the one their husband is using isn’t safe.”

Read this next sentence closely; notice it starts with “Nessel said.” Nessel said women are more sensible than men, and they lean toward a grill that’s safe. “Basically what you have is a bunch of women saving men’s lives everyday,´ said Nessel. “It pains me to say that, but it’s the truth.”

Pained or not, Nessel said you have two basic models to choose from: One that burns charcoal or one that burns gas. “Hands down, the one that burns charcoal will give off better flavor,” he said.

Gas, flavor? Yep, most folks would go along with his opinion.

But, Nessel said, a lot of people don’t like the hassles that come with buying charcoal, lighter fluid, then having to light it, let it heat up and then worry about ashes. Tougher than a meeting with no purpose, huh?

The gas-grill people know that the charcoal people don’t like all the extra work that comes with using a charcoal grill. And Nessel said that the gas-grill people have worked hard to make it easier for the charcoal people to have an uncomplicated time cooking.

One example is the Performer (it sounds more impressive if you lower your voice when you say Performer), made by Weber. “It is has a propane unit that lights the charcoal, and it has a box that catches the ashes,” Nessel said.

The Performer costs $400. Money easier parted with if you make the salesman lower his voice when he says “Performer.”

Charcoal, too, has come a long way. Nessel said there’s now hardwood lump coal that he believes is less toxic than traditional charcoal. “It’s become a big seller over the last two years,” he said. “When people buy a better grill, they want something better to burn in it. It’s like choosing gas for your car.”

A 20-pound bag of hardwood lump coal goes for $12; a lot cheaper than 20 pounds of super unleaded.

Some other features to look for include warming racks, side burners, shelves, igniters, thermometer, size, (30 burgers or more at a time? Go with a large one. Cooking an entire pig? Go to Georgia.) Butane thermal unit (a measure of heating power), and finally, make sure it coordinates with your wood deck and your socks.

Top brands to look for are Weber, Fire-Magic, Ducane and Broilmaster. And

three Web sites you might want to visit are:

* www.thegrillstoreandmore.com

* www.whatsthebest-grill.com;

* www.us-appliance.com/usappliance/outdoorgrills.html

Caution: Never light a picture of a grill on the Internet.

So there you have it. The deal on grills. And we haven’t even touched on smokers. Wait — smokers aren’t welcome in Boulder. An article for another day.