Sure, summer is wrapping up, but there is still time to get your grill on. And holding out to buy a new grill until August or September ensures you will get the best price while still having weeks of enjoyable outdoor cooking – for that matter, who says you can’t happily grill your way through the winter? Might as well throw on a hat and some gloves, and have a seared steak to celebrate the first snow day.

If you’re buying a grill, whether to replace an old buddy or as your first foray into the joy of grillmarks, you need to ask yourself: what type of fuel do you want your grill to burn? Do you want gas, charcoal, wood pellet or electric? Electric simply won’t give the same flavor as combustion grills, and really are best only if you live in a building that won’t allow gas or charcoal. Wood pellet grills are terrific for smoking, though the flavor won’t be as intense as a charcoal smoker. And everything they produce will taste smoked. Gas vs. Charcoal is where debate gets heated (pun intended). Gas is easiest to heat to temperature and is easy to clean. Charcoal can generate more heat in the end and gives a different, some would say simply more, flavor. Beyond that, the two camps can turn into the Mac vs. PC debate. Basically we support whichever side of the Great Divide you come down on and are happy to talk about the nuances of the decision all day.

Ask yourself then how much you can spend, and how long you you need your grill to last. According to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association (we want to go to their Christmas parties), the average gas grill costs less than $300 and lasts about 3 years. Prices can range though from $100-$300 for a good charcoal grill, to gas units around $200-$400. However, the classic indestructible Weber Kettle is available for less than $100, and you can spend up to $5,000 for a profes