The Ultimate Guide to Gas Grill Features: What’s Overrated and What’s Underrated?

When it comes to choosing a gas grill, the sheer number of features can leave you confused. Should you prioritize powerful burners, a rotisserie kit, or fancy lighting? Trevor from Embers Grill has done the homework for you in his product review, explaining which features actually matter. Here’s a summary to help you make an informed decision and avoid overpaying for features you’ll barely use.

Interior and Exterior Lighting: Functionality vs. Appeal

Verdict: Interior Lighting - Underrated | Exterior Lighting - Overrated

Interior lights are game-changers when grilling after dark. Contrary to popular belief, these lights don’t get gunked up, making them genuinely useful. Trevor’s advice? Ignore the naysayers—if you’re cooking at night, this feature is worth having.

Exterior lighting, on the other hand, adds curb appeal but doesn’t impact cooking performance. While it might make your gas grill look sleek, it’s mostly cosmetic—unless it doubles as a safety feature by illuminating knobs when burners are active. After all, who hasn’t accidentally left the grill running overnight?

Side Burners: Are They Necessary?

Verdict: Basic Side Burners - Overrated | Infrared Side Burners - Underrated

Side burners are often touted as must-haves, but most end up being wasted countertop space. Standard burners found on lower-end models, like those from Weber, don’t add much value and are easy to skip.

However, infrared side burners are a different story. They bring restaurant-level searing capabilities to your outdoor kitchen. According to Trevor, once you’ve used an infrared side burner, there’s no going back—it’s a feature you didn’t know you needed!

Rotisserie Kits: Fun but Rarely Used

Verdict: Rotisserie Kits - Overrated but Cool

Rotisseries offer a great way to cook kebabs, chickens, and other meats, but Trevor admits that most people barely use them. He suggests not basing your grill purchase solely on the presence of a rotisserie kit. However, hidden rotisserie motors, like the ones found in Twin Eagles grills, are a clever addition that keeps things neat and functional.

If you love experimenting with grilling techniques, a rotisserie could still be worth it, but for most casual cooks, it’s a feature that won’t see much action.

Grill Grates: A Minor but Essential Detail

Verdict: Neutral - All Quality Grills Have Good Grates

When it comes to grill grates, most high-end grills are already equipped with excellent options. Stainless steel, cast iron, and even laser-cut grates are all designed to provide even heat and prevent food from sticking.

Trevor emphasizes that grill grates shouldn’t be the deciding factor in your purchase. While fancy shapes like wave rods or triangular grates are nice, they don’t make or break the grilling experience. If anything, reversible, laser-cut grates—like the ones found in Wildfire grills—stand out for their practical design, allowing for easy cleaning.

Flame Tamers: The Secret Sauce to a Great Grill

Verdict: Flame Tamers - The Most Underrated Feature

Trevor believes flame tamers are the unsung heroes of gas grills. These components manage grease, reduce flare-ups, and ensure even heat distribution. High-quality flame tamers can make even a budget grill cook like a luxury model.

Whether it’s ceramic briquettes or steel flame tamer plates, this feature plays a crucial role in the cooking process. According to Trevor, paying attention to flame tamers will prevent you from turning your grill into a “flare-up city”—something nobody enjoys!

Burners: Don’t Be Fooled by Heavy-Duty Hype

Verdict: Heavy Burners - Overrated | Burners in a Well-Designed Firebox - Essential

A common misconception is that better burners automatically mean better performance. Trevor points out that heavy-duty burners are only as good as the firebox they’re housed in. A poorly designed firebox with high-BTU burners will cause constant flare-ups, making cooking frustrating.

On the other hand, if the grill’s firebox is well-designed (like those found in Napoleon models), even basic burners can deliver exceptional cooking performance. The takeaway? Focus on how the grill is built, not just the type of burners it uses.

Expert Tips from the Embers Team: What Really Matters

Trevor’s team also weighed in on their favorite underrated and overrated features:

• Single-Hand Ignition: Lighting the grill and turning the knob with one hand—game-changer!
  
• Thermostats: Keeping your grill at the right temperature is critical for perfect results.
  
• Overrated Extras: The team points out gimmicks like integrated ice buckets or smoking tubes that add little value to your grilling experience.

Conclusion: Choose the Features That Matter

When it comes to gas grills, not every feature is worth the hype. Interior lighting, infrared side burners, and flame tamers offer real value, while gimmicks like basic side burners or rotisserie kits are fun but rarely essential.

Before buying, focus on the grill’s overall design, especially the firebox and flame tamers, to avoid disappointment. And if you’re still unsure, Trevor and the Blazing Embers team are just a call away to help you find the perfect grill.