BBQ Grill Covers – Extend The Life Of Your Grill

Heavy Duty BBQ grill covers, made of durable vinyl or another weather resistant material, are extremely useful, if not essential, accessories for pretty much anyone who owns an outdoor or patio BBQ grill.  Even in temperate climates, the elements will take their toll on any outdoor barbecue.  Even stainless steel models are not immune to degradation from moisture, cold, heat and wind.  BBQ grill covers which are well-fabricated to resist cracking from intense cold or damage from the sun provide protection for those conditions and help keep your grill clean and in optimal functioning condition for much longer than those grills left uncovered.  Whichever outdoor barbecue grill you own, whether it’s a Weber grill, DCS grill, Fire Magic, Brinkman, Ducane or another high quality brand, there are OEM and after market bbq grill covers available in the correct size and configuration to fit securely over your grill.  Shopping online rather than at Lowe’s or one of the other big box home improvement stores assures that you’ll have a wide selection and the best prices.

Measuring To Find The Right Size Among The Many BBQ Grill Covers

When shopping for BBQ grill covers, probably the most important thing to determine is the correct size.  If you have what is probably the most common, modern barbecue, gas grill or electric grill configuration, grill on cart with two side shelves (pictured below), you must measure for the BBQ cover from side to side, front to back and from the ground to the top of the closed grill lid.  These three measurements (length, depth/width, height) give you the basis of the correct size for a proper fitting rectangular grill cover.  Since a cover that is too snug will be a hassle to put on and take off, and might even tear or damage parts of your grill, it’s always better to purchase a cover that measures a few, or even several, inches larger than the dimensions of your grill.  Regarding the height measurement, remember that if you buy a cover that is too big, the cover may drag on the ground.  This can be a problem, especially for grills that reside outdoors rather than in a garage or shed.  Standard grill covers like these can also be used to cover a large BBQ island.  Just measure the depth and length of the entire top surface in addition to the height from ground to the top of the closed lid.  You will easily be able to find the appropriate tall medium or short cover.

If your grill has no side shelves, common with many charcoal grills, smokers and almost all kettle grills (pictured below), there are BBQ grill covers designed for your need.

When measuring, use the same guidelines:  length, depth, height.  Since there are round covers made to cover round grills (which work equally well as a round smoker cover), you’ll only need to measure the distance across the top of the cover at the very center to get the proper diameter measurement (for round grills and smokers, you’ll only need height and diameter).  If your grill or smoker is square, just measure the same as you would for the standard type grill.  And, again, look for a cover that’s a little larger than your measurement except with regard to height to keep the cover off the ground.

For those with built in gas grills (pictured below) or other built in barbeque grills that are part of an outdoor kitchen, the height measurement is determined by measuring from the top of the closed cover to the top of the surface the drop-in grill fits in.  Controls are usually in the front of the grill and sit below the level of the table top.  Drop-in grill covers will normally have a flap that accounts for this configuration and covers the controls.

Grill Cover Safety

Even though most BBQ grill covers are flame retardant, never cover a hot grill.  You can severely damage your cover by covering the grill too soon after use.  Make sure the grill has cooled sufficiently, which means that you can safely touch the outside of the grill near the source of the heat.  Don’t gamble.  If you cannot comfortably place your palm there and not have to remove it, you cannot safely put the cover on.  Waiting extra time is safer for both your grill cover and your hand.

BBQ Grill Covers For Sale

You can find more information and an incredible selection of classic BBQ Grill Covers at great savings along with customer ratings here, so shop and compare.

American Outdoor Grill - Quality Gas Grills

Manufactured by R.H. Peterson Company, the makers of Fire Magic Grills, the American Outdoor Grill line is an excellent quality alternative to the higher priced Fire Magic bbq line.  Available in both portable models that use either propane or natural gas and built in grill models for outdoor kitchens, the American Outdoor Grills product line comes in three different widths.  The 24 inch American Outdoor Grill has a 432 square inch cooking surface.  The 30 inch has a 540 square inch cooking surface.  And the 36 inch American Outdoor Grill has a full 648 square inches of cooking surface.  These stainless steel grills, equipped with ultra durable stainless burners, will continue to look great and provide years of reliable and enjoyable grilling use.

Fire Magic Vs. American Outdoor Grill

For those who’ve wanted the luxury of owning what is perhaps the premier natural gas grill, Fire Magic, without paying an arm and a leg, an American Outdoor Grill provides nearly the same benefits at a substantially lower price point.  An at-a-glance comparison between the 24 inch natural gas pedestal grill and the Fire Magic Aurora A430 Natural Gas Pedestal Grill shows the two to be functionally, if not exactly, identical.  Both are high grade stainless steel and made by the same manufacturer, R.H. Peterson.  Both have same amount of grill top cooking space.  Both have an electronic ignition system.  Both have an advanced thermometer design (to be fair, the Fire Magic thermometer is more advanced; it’s digital with a meat probe).  The biggest difference between the two is that the Fire Magic Grill sells for almost double the price of the American Outdoor Grill.  If money is no object, Fire Magic is technically a bit better.  But does the significant extra cost really justify the minor extra value?  Compare and decide for yourself.

American Outdoor Grill Portable Grills

The American Outdoor Grill 36 Inch Natural Gas Grill On Cart W/ Rotisserie & Side Burner is the top of the line American Outdoor Grill.

The 36″ portable cart grill by American Outdoor Grill features three burners made of 18 gauge stainless steel.  The exterior is made of high-quality 304 grade stainless steel for durability and beauty.  The lid is double walled.  The high-quality burners produce 48,000 BTUs of heat, making them excellent for searing food.  There is also a rear burner that produces 10,000 BTUs for warming and a 12,000 BTU side burner on which to heat a pan, that includes a stainless cover for extra shelf space when not in use.  The rotisserie (included) has a stainless motor with a capacity to hold and rotate 12 pounds or more. The 648 square inch grill is 36″ x 18″.  And the rear warming rack provides an additional 36″ x 5″ of space.  At 63″ wide x 23″ deep and 48″ high overall, this grill is substantial enough to cook up a large volume of food without being overly bulky and hard to store.  Other features like an advanced thermometer, an electric igniter and removable grease catching tray make the 36″ portable cart grill by American Outdoor Grill a great deal at around $2,615.

If you’re looking for the same features in a smaller package, you can get the American Outdoor Grill 30 Inch Natural Gas Grill On Cart W/ Rotisserie & Side Burner.

AOG 30″ cart grill sells here for around $2,445.

Then there is the American Outdoor Grill 24 Inch Natural Gas Grill W/ Rotisserie & Side Burner On Cart.

The 24″ version of this full-featured natural gas grill sells here for around $1,988.

You can find an American Outdoor Grill in the sizes above without features such as rotisserie or side burners for a little less money.  Also, these models are available as built in gas grills.  Check out the entire built-in and portable American Outdoor Grill line.

Meco Electric Grills – Great Quality and Prices

For those considering making the switch from gas or charcoal to an electric bbq grill, or for those shopping for a replacement electric grill, Meco electric grills should be on your list of brands to consider.  Meco electric grills are not only very highly rated by the most important group of reviewers (consumers who’ve purchased a Meco grill), but are one of the most competitively priced and reliable electric grill brands on the market.

Meco Electric Grills for All Needs

Meco electric grills include electric patio grills, electric cart grills, tabletop electric grills, portable electric grills, electric smokers and more.  So whatever you’re looking for, Meco Electric Grills probably has one or more suitable, well-priced choices.

Some of the Various Meco Electric Grills to Choose From

For those buying their first electric barbecue, the Meco 9359W Deluxe Electric Cart Grill with Rotisserie has everything you’re used to in a grill without the bother of charcoal briquettes or a propane tank.

Meco Electric Grills’ 9359W has got a 1670 watt heating element which heats fast and seers meat quite well, heavy duty plastic side tables (no warping or wear like wood slats), an easy to empty and clean drip pan and, of course, a rotisserie – something new for many grillers.

Owners of this grill sing it’s praises.

In addition to appreciating it’s environmental benefits, this user liked the convenience.  “It’s a good size… plus the rotisserie feature is nice…The grill itself is sturdy and thick…it is removable…The side trays are also removable and easy to clean either by hand or in the dishwasher.”

Electric cooking is healthier since there are far fewer emissions without the using a combustible fuel.  But if you’re concerned about achieving a “barbecue flavor”, the reviewer also came up with this idea that would work with any of the Meco electric grills, “…you can put some hickory chips in the bottom of the unit next to the heat coils, then close the hood and smoke the food, which gives the food a great hickory smoked flavor.”

Meco Electric Grills do require some assembly.  If you’re handy in this regard, it shouldn’t be a problem.  If not, you might want to enlist the help of a friend.

If you’d rather have one of the Meco electric grills without a cart, the Meco Deluxe Tabletop Electric Grill has similar features and you can easily take it along with you if choose.

It has the same large cooking area as the 9359W (200 square inches), rotisserie and 1670 watt heating element.  This tabletop grill also has a grease pan to catch the drippings.

If you love using a smoker, you’ll appreciate the Meco Double-Grid Electric Water Smoker.

The Meco Double-Grid Electric Water Smoker gives the same delicious tasting smoked meats as a regular smoker but with electricity! Other features include:

• Stainless steel hood and body that look great and they have heat resistant wood handles for safety
• Double-Grid Electric Water Smoker with a full 351 sq. inches of cooking space on two levels
• 5 1/2 qt. porcelainized water pan
• Sliding access doors to easily check water and wood chip levels
• 1650-watt heating element that plugs into regular 120v household outlet.
• built-in temperature gauge
• flavor channels that direct smoke for the most food flavoring
• heavy-duty reinforced steel legs for durability

If you’re looking for another one of the great Meco grill products, check out the full line of Meco Electric Grills.

Why Electric BBQ Grills?

Welcome to the Electric BBQ Grills site. There is nothing like the taste of your favorite food cooked on a grill. And an excellent choice that is becoming more and more popular is to choose one of the many great electric bbq grills.

Using a heating element instead of gas or charcoal, electric bbq grills are ideal for anyone who wants to be more environmentally conscious, who doesn’t want the expense and bother of refilling tanks, or just wants the convenience of simply flipping a switch to start up the grill.  These benefits make electric bbq grills great.

These fantastic devices come in all shapes and sizes from compact tabletop units to full sized electric patio grills. Most of the major manufacturers make several high-quality models and some companies specialize in electric bbq grills. For those in the market for a grill, the convenience, value and quality of electric bbq grills should not be ignored.

Electric BBQ Grills for Yards and Patios

Electric Patio Grills: For home dwellers and those for whom space is not an obstacle, electric patio grills offer a choice in electric bbq grills with convenience and practicality. They are available in various sizes comparable to the other types of grills and like the other grill choices, can be set up and stored outdoors. There are brands and models ranging in price from less than $100 up to several thousands of dollars for high line, deluxe models. And just like for their charcoal and gas cousins, replacement parts for electric patio grills are readily available and competitively priced. As with in-home cooking appliances that are either gas or electrically powered, outdoor cooking now offers that same choice without forcing consumers to skimp as far as getting all of the features and benefits they desire and have come to expect from outdoor grilling.

Electric BBQ Grills for the Cook on the Go

Portable Electric Grills: The best thing about portable electric grills is you can literally take them almost anywhere and the choices are almost limitless. A portable electric grill used to be synonymous with a Japanese hibachi grill known for being small and anything but deluxe. There are now so many brands and models of electric bbq grills that fit the portable electric grill category that even the most discerning buyer can find just the right product to suit his or her needs. Whether weekends for you mean tailgate parties at a ball game, time on your boat with family and friends, or road trips in your camper, there are a variety of portable electric grills to choose from that provide any number of features that you may be looking for.

BBQ Tool Sets: Whether you do your grilling at home or on the road, a good bbq tool set is a must. The style and quality of utensils can vary greatly so shopping for good ones is important. Just like any kind of accessory item, prices, durability and utility will vary from brand to brand. Even if cost is a big factor for you, don’t hesitate to read up on the higher-priced, higher rated bbq tool sets. When you find what seems like the best set of utensils for you, then you can take the time to scout around for the best price. You’d be surprised how well you can do price-wise when armed with information. Shop carefully and you can get a bbq tool set that will last for many years and stays looking good and working well.

Check out the entire site for more information on electric bbq grills.

Electric Patio Grills are a “Green” Choice

For those who love outdoor entertaining, grills are a must but why electric patio grills? Well, if you are also committed to being more green, electric patio grills are an earth friendly solution for outdoor cooking.

Unlike gas and charcoal fuel alternatives, electric patio grills emit zero emissions into the atmosphere. Also, for cooks used to preparing their meals using electric cooking appliances, the feel and the cook times of electric patio grills will be familiar.

The Price Range of Electric Patio Grills

There are both tabletop and free standing models. Electric patio grills range in price from under $100 to several thousand dollars. If a free standing model is what you’re looking to use on your patio or outdoor deck, you might consider these electric patio grills: the Dimplex PowerChef TBQ-120-DLX, a mid-range grill which retails for $899 (online prices hover around $700) or the Meco 9359 Electric Cart Grill With Rotisserie, another of the great electric patio grills which is sold by online retailers for around $250.

Details About These Two Electric Patio Grills

The Dimplex PowerChef Deluxe Compact Electric Grill sears and cooks food with amazingly accurate and tasty results. You can either use the manual controls or the automatic feature that tells you when it’s time to turn the food and when it’s fully cooked. It has a sleek, stylish look with a black matte finish with stainless steel accents. As far as electric patio grills go, this grill is sturdy and reliable, promising years of trouble free enjoyment. The Dimplex PowerChef also has a flip up cooking element that doubles as a rotisserie that cooks large pieces of meat to perfection. The grill has a large drip tray that’s removeable for easy cleaning and comes with a hot dog roller, grill cleaning brush and skillet.

The more economical Meco 9359 features low, medium and high heat settings, a lower storage shelf and removeable, weather-resistant side trays that can be washed in the dishwasher. There are three adjustable heat element positions for precise cooking, indluding a vertical cooking position for rotisserie cooking. There is a reflector pan inside that directs heat to the cooking surface and the grill hood and bowl come preassembled.

There are many tabletop models among electric patio grills. Two solid choices are the Weber Q 140, which sells for around $200 and Dimplex PowerChef Manual Tabletop Convertable Outdoor Electric Grill, which sells for around $400.

The Weber Q 140 features adjustable heat control settings, stainless steel cooking grate, and 189 square inches of cooking space. It’s alluminum heat retention liner and cast alluminum lid and body ensure consistent, even cooking. And its removeable grease pan makes clean ups a breaze.

The Dimplex PowerChef Manual Tabletop Convertable Outdoor Electric Grill, with its weatherproof matte black finish, is sleek and stylish. Its EvenSear dual heating elements ensure no coldspots and even heat from corner to corner. It reaches searing temperatures up to 650 degrees. And with its 216 square inch cooking surface, this grill provides as much cooking room as electric patio grills twice its size.

A Portable Electric Grill For Apartment Living

A portable electric grill can be the solution to the outdoor grilling problem for those who live in apartments and condos. In many buildings that do not allow open flames on balconies, people have given up outdoor grilling. There’s no need if you have a portable electric grill.

Electric bbq grills have gotten better over the years and there are many fine choices. Whether you want a stationary grill or a portable electric grill, you can find many quality models that are fully capable of not only grilling meat and vegetables to perfection but searing at high temperatures as well.

Other Uses for a Portable Electric Grill

Portable electric grills have the added benefit of easy portability. For RV travelers, this is extremely handy. If you don’t like the hassle of charcoal or gas grills, a portable electric grill travels extremely well. The same convenience and benefit applies to travelers that stay at motels and inns which do not always provide visitors the use of a grill.

For grilling enthusiasts/experts, a portable electric grill allows you to prepare your one-of-kind recipes consistently each time you cook. This hold true if you take your show on the road and cook for friends at locations other than at your own home.

Portable Electric Grill Cost

A portable electric grill can be purchased for under $100 at the low end and all the way up to several thousands of dollars at the high end. So whether you want something to throw in the trunk of your car for weekend trips or something with more bells and whistles than you thought possible, there are options for you.

At the more moderate end you’ll find grills from makers such as Meco and Weber. The mid-range portables include many of those from PowerChef and Dimplex. If you’re looking for a super high end grill, try a brand like Electri-Chef.

If you are new to electric grilling, you may be surprised at how good the food turns out. Many seasoned grill cooks who’ve only used charcoal or gas in the past, are hooked once they try out an electric bbq grill.

Whether a portable, tabletop, free standing or built in is best suited to your needs, a good electric bbq grill will provide you many years of enjoyment. A portable electric grill can make you a traveling gourmet.