Understanding BTU's Part I: Grills

When comparing appliances such as space heaters, air conditioners, and grills, you may be wondering what a BTU is and what role it should play in your purchase decision. BTU stands for British Thermal Unit, and is in its simplest terms a measurement of energy much like a joule or a calorie. A BTU is the amount of energy needed to heat one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. Roughly, this is approximately the heat generated by the burning of one wooden kitchen match.

So how should an appliances' BTU count factor into your decision? In the case of grills, you will want to look for a cooking BTU count of above 30,000. Typically, there should be approximately 100 BTU's for every square inch of surface cooking area. This doesn't mean that you should turn the heat up as far as it can go, but rather the BTU count is the potential for heat intensity you have available to you in your appliance. For example, you can sear a steak at a higher BTU and then lower the heat to complete cooking slowly.

However the BTU's play a role in the performance of a grill, it is more important that the construction is sound. Look for gas grills with not only a higher BTU count but ensure that the materials are of a high quality fabrication, such as stainless steel. You'll be able to enjoy a well-performing grill for many, many years to come.