San Diego BBQ Cleaners

Determining the right size BBQ for you

Sizzling grilled chicken wings in a clay pot
Table of Contents
Table of Contents

Are you considering an upgrade with your outdoor grill and hoping to hold a large party soon?  Or do you want to upgrade your family grill at home and maybe hold more parties but wondering what the right size might be? 

When it comes to choosing the right size BBQ for your family or party, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind.

How many people are you cooking for?

First, consider how many people you’ll be cooking for. If you’re only feeding a small group of people, then a smaller BBQ will suffice. However, if you’re expecting a large crowd, you’ll need a larger grill to accommodate everyone.

You can get the square inches of a grill surface width multiplied by length. According to my take, the best size grill for outdoor kitchens would be over 450 square inches. Not only does the size of a grill provide enough space for different sorts of food, but you will also find it easy to cook more food for more people in a short period of time. 

The “standard” size for built-in grills is really more of a range. Most people choose a built-in grill between 34 and 40 inches. This is simply a matter of comfort — this is a size that most people are already used to in a freestanding grill. On the smaller end of the scale, this will give you three burners, and on the high end, it could give you four to five. Usually, a 500-square grill has enough space to facilitate about 24 hamburgers.

What type of food?

Another thing to keep in mind is what type of food you’ll be cooking. If you plan on grilling a lot of meat, you’ll need a bigger BBQ to fit all the food. However, if you’re only planning on grilling some vegetables or smaller items, then a smaller grill will do just fine.

Finally, think about where you’ll be placing your BBQ. If you have a large backyard, then you can probably get away with a bigger grill. But if you’re limited on space, then a smaller one will do the trick.  In addition, if you are a person who is into outdoor camping trips, you must consider the portability of the grill as a crucial point. Also, you could find a wide range of grill styles out there in the market, which allows you to pick one that helps you make the most out of the available space.

If you don’t mind spending more bucks, you can go with a high-end gas grill with a stainless steel body. The interesting part about gas grills is that you can find products even at $100 as well as more than a couple of thousand dollars.

By keeping these things in mind, you can easily determine the right size BBQ for your needs. So get out there and start grilling!

Overall

Most grills typically feature a 400-500 square inches cooking surface. That size is more than enough for an average family. Most families look for grills thinking more heads to serve; in that sense, some recommend a five or six-burner grill with more than 600 square inches. It’s personal preference. 

If you have questions about your next purchase, contact SDBBQ today.  We are the experts and are happy to install your grill and recommend accessories as well. 

Picture of Blake McDonald
Blake McDonald
Blake is a true grill guru. Known as a walking encyclopedia of grills, Blake’s deep knowledge and hands-on expertise ensure every grill he touches operates flawlessly, bringing BBQ dreams to life.

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