Is a Quality Electric Outdoor Grill the Best Choice for Your Home & Lifestyle?

Today's powerful electric outdoor grills are convenient and reliable -- and the perfect choice for your patio, deck or yard.  They are also the perfect portable grill to take camping or tailgating.

BBQ lovers argue endlessly about which is best -- Gas vs Charcoal...

(...and wet or dry, pork or beef, sweet or spicy, Kansas City, Memphis, St. Louis, North Carolina, Texas, Owensboro or ... well, actually they argue about EVERYTHING!)

But one thing we all agree on is that having a grill is better than not having one. 

WAY BETTER!

Grill or No Grill

There are too many times and places where you don't have the option of gas or charcoal (or any open flames for that matter -- which also leaves out you portable propane grill.)

For those times and places consider a powerful electric outdoor grill. 

An outdoor electric barbecue grill is actually the easiest of all your grilling options -- you simply plug it in and start grilling -- making them perfect as you choice for an electric camping grill or for tailgating and parties (provided, of course, that you have a power supply.) 

The "all-in-one" design of electric BBQ grills like the George Foreman Outdoor Electric Grill, Weber Outdoor Electric Grill or Sunbeam Outdoor Electric Grill is also very convenient.

What To Look For In an Outdoor Electric BBQ Grill

Check out all your options before you go shopping for an electric outdoor grill. 

Here are some important things to look for:

First off there are two main types of electric grills: contact grills and open grills.

Contact grills sandwich the food between two hot plates (think "George Foreman.") This design is seen most often on indoor electric grills but you can find table top and portable versions you can use outdoors. 

Open grills have just one cooking surface and are often designed like a traditional gas or charcoal grill with a grate and an electric hot coil in the "firebox."

Electric grills also can't compete with the heat produced by gas or charcoal.  While these can get to 600 degrees or more Fahrenheit, most electric grills reach only 200 degrees to 450 degrees.  So allow extra time for cooking.

Additionally:

• Choose a grill that has at least 1,000 to 1,500 watts. Anything less the grill may not get hot enough to give you grill marks and will take forever to cook. "The Weekend Griller" Contributer and host of "Barbecue University" on PBS, Steven Raichlen, says higher-wattage grills offer a more outdoor-grilled flavor.

• Get an Outdoor Electric Grill with a cooking area large enough for your needs.  Areas can range in size from 38 square inches to over 200 square inches.  Pick the size that fits your needs, budget and storage or travel requirements. 

• Speaking of which -- consider the size and weight. Lighter grills can be more convenient for users to travel with and store but you often lose power and, of course, cooking area.

Spend just a few moments checking out websites, visit Walmart or Lowes, look at the specs and pictures and you will find the perfect Electric Outdoor Grill for you and your family.