Improve your backyard barbecue

Patio upgrades in your future?

According to Brandon Dill, owner of Southern Fireplaces Homewood, a high-end grill can improve most any outdoor living space. However, people often make the mistake of purchasing products that aren’t right for them, so The Homewood Star has brought him in to tell you exactly what to do when you’re in the market to roast, smoke or rotisserie in style.

›› Find your spot: Before you do anything, Dill said, identify where you want your new grill to be located. If, like many, you’re looking to add it to your back deck or patio, consider first where grill smoke could travel. Don’t locate your grill under overhangs, and keep it at a distance from doors to your home.

›› Know your space: Once you’ve found a safe location, measure the area where you want to put the grill. Doing so will help you eliminate models that aren’t the proper size. It will also help determine if some accessories are right

›› Know your needs: Before you start shopping, it’s important to consider how

often you’ll be using you new grill and what you’ll be cooking on it. Dill said families often overestimate their needs.

“How often do you cook?” he said. “How much do you use? Is it usually burgers or

steaks for your family? People who only use half of what they have now may not need to buy something twice the size.”

›› Get your money’s worth: Dill said high-end grills, typically made of stainless

steel, offer features that are superior to those on many mass-produced brands. The most important is a top-quality burner. Made of inferior materials in other grills that will need replacing, high-end grills offer burners made of cast iron or stainless steel and carry warranties of a decade or more.

The next thing to look at is the grate, Dill said. Is it made of stainless steel or cast iron? No? Move on. These two metals are much sturdier and less likely to rust.

›› Finish your look: While putting a highend grill on a cart provides you the ability to take the party anywhere the wheels will roll, many families choose an outdoor island as a permanent setting for their new grill. For the Lion brand of grills sold at Homewood Fireplaces, Dill offers islands made of tile, stucco, brick and granite. Islands can contain space for not only grills, but also refrigerators, sinks and a variety of other features.

“Basically, a high-end grill looks nicer, especially if it’s attached to a kitchen-style

island.” Dill said. “It’s a much better look for any house.”

›› Make it yours: Other accessories or features to consider include:

- Side burners for keeping dishes warm

- Rotisseries for cooking chicken or turkey

- Overhead lights to see the meat no matter what

- Double-lined, stainless steel hoods for your new outdoor kitchen.

For more on Southern Fireplaces Homewood, call 803-1118 or visit homewoodfireplace.com.