A stainless steel bbq grill sounds great from a visualization perspective but exactly what does the term imply?

When you consider the terms literally, stainless doesn’t mean it won’t stain and the steel might not be what you think it is. That shiny new mega expensive stainless steel bbq grill eye candy you just bought can erode, rust, discolor and become as ugly as your previous grill.

Stainless steel comes in many types. Have you noticed that everywhere you go someone is offering stainless steel bbq grills at seemingly confusing price points? How do you cut through the noise and get what you pay for?

Check out these easy tests to separate the good, bad and ugly stainless steel bbq set.
Have magnet will travel. In other words if it’s stainless through and through the magnet should not attach itself. You could also carry a set of calipers and confuse the poor salesman, but make sure you know how thick the metal really is. And then there’s the shiny coating masquerading as the ultimate stainless steel charcoal bbq grill. You’ve been warned.

Start by rubbing your hand over the steel, not out of awe, but to see how smooth it is. Steel is ferrous and should be smooth to the touch. Look at the welding seems, joints and screw on attachments. Does it look right? That’s the initial test that separates solid construction from shoddy construction.

Now let’s briefly talk stainless grades. You don’t need to be a metallurgist, but knowledge is powerful. The world produces about half of the steel manufactured as 304 Stainless or 300 series steel. It’s very common and used in a ton of applications from cookware to cars to buildings and bridges. The 400 series steel is not quite as durable or resistant to rust as the 300s.

Bottom line, if you want a good stainless steel bbq the magnet shouldn’t stick. Create a scene and plop that baby everywhere. Mixed metals are common practice so you want to make sure no shortcuts in manufacturing your stainless steel bbq grill have been taken using this simple magnet experiment.

Then pull out the calipers…not really. However, thicker is the way you want to go because you want be plagued with discoloration as soon as the first rain shower passes through. An easy test is to try picking up that monster stainless steel gas grill. If it is the real McCoy, it feels heavy and solid and hard. Then, when no one is looking press down hard in the center on the middle of the hood. If it gives way just say ooops. You now know it’s not 100% stainless steel, because real steel won’t budge.

Mixed metals create imperfections during the curing process. This is revealed on the surface of the metal. The moisture and chemicals will eat the grill alive if this is the case and in short order.

Granted, you can do all these tests and feel comfortable with your purchase; however a stainless steel gas grill will have problems. To maximize the qualities of a stainless steel bbq, it should be assembled with solid welds, not spot welded. The best grills are completely welded. That’s one of the major differences between lower end grills and properly constructed stainless steel grills. The higher end ones undergo this expensive continuous welding process. Stainless steel fasteners are used where needed, but overall any bolted joints need to be checked. Remember the old magnet trick.

Now that you can confidently shake the salesman with your knowledge go out and get that shiny new grill. Treat it like any other high end appliance, keep away from chemicals, keep it clean, keep it covered and you’ll have a back yard darling that looks great and performs great into the future.