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    4 Reasons Not to Shop BBQ Grills at Major Appliance Stores

    by Olly Mason

    Barbecue party in a backyard

    At a Glance:

    Why We Have Better Grills

    How We Protect Your Purchase

    What You’ll Learn Shopping with Us

    How We Make Your Shopping Experience A+

    Our Favorite Grill Brands

    Why Trust Us?

    You might think you’re getting a great deal on a BBQ grill at your local big-box appliance store, but do you know all the secrets they aren’t telling you? Low price tags are a big incentive for serious grillers, but jumping on a sale at a major appliance chain can prove to be the last thing you want if you expect long years of grilling on a new BBQ.

    These are the facts: Local shops like Don’s Appliances aren’t going to outsell big-box stores anytime soon. But we don’t necessarily want to. Instead, we focus on what the other guys can’t do. So, if you’re ready to discover four huge reasons why you should shop local for your next grill, follow along. At the end, you’ll also get recommendations for the best types of grills and brands to kick off your grilling season with a bang.

    1. Local Appliance Stores Offer High-Quality Grills

    Wide shot of several DCS appliances in an outdoor kitchen

    From proteins to vegetables, every ingredient you grill has a chance to become a savory success — or a culinary disaster. The difference comes down to grill quality. Does your barbecue grill have advanced heat management or a reinforced lid that locks heat in tight? How about premium grates that create iconic grill marks full of seared flavor?

    The truth is, many of the grills from big box stores are made quickly with the purpose of selling fast. On the other hand, high-end grill brands are crafted with quality in mind and use the best materials. To maintain that level of craftsmanship, many luxury grill brands, like Lynx, DCS, and Coyote, only sell to select authorized dealers. That means premium grill brands don’t have to skimp on quality or manufacture at high outputs to meet the demands of box store juggernauts.

    Shop In-Stock Grills at Don's

    In-Stock Grills

     2. We’ve Got Your Back 

    Part of the joy of grilling is becoming one with your BBQ setup. But that doesn’t mean you have to know how to repair it. When you purchase a grill from an appliance chain, servicing a broken grill or finding a replacement part most likely means dealing with the manufacturer directly.

    We’ll skip detailing the drama of waiting on the phone for a representative. But if you want a more pleasant experience when your grill goes down, the best solution is to shop local from the start. Unlike major appliance stores, we work one-on-one with our appliance brands — and that means we have a direct line to quick and reliable replacement parts.

    These big-box stores lure shoppers in with tempting prices, but keep in mind, service is not part of the purchase.

    • Lowe’s
    • The Home Depot
    • Best Buy
    • Costco
    • Wayfair

    On the other hand, when you shop at Don’s Appliance, your purchase is backed by a team of over 25 trained technicians certified to service over 25 major appliance brands. Best of all, requesting appliance service is easy. No phone call necessary. Just fill out our easy online form and we’ll reach back to you at the earliest availability to get your BBQ back to grilling burgers, dogs, and sides.

    3. We Know Grill Secrets

    Did you know Weber was the first brand to make the now iconic kettle grill? Or that the best grills are made of 304 stainless steel? What about explaining how a pellet grill works?

    We know this and so much more because we’ve had over 50 years of experience with every kind of appliance on the market — including grills. That’s thanks to a small but important detail: We’re a family-owned business with industry secrets that have been passed down from generation to generation. You know, like your family recipe for the best barbecue ribs.

    We know it’s a small detail, but for us, it makes all the difference when it comes to servicing our customers. Rather than go to a chain hoping an associate can answer your grill questions, come to a place where you know you can find the answers (and maybe even a few new recipes).

    We specialize in:

    4. We Install, Too!

    A built-in grill with a built-in beverage center installed into an outdoor kitchen island

    You did it. You bought a built-in grill and now your outdoor kitchen is ready to venture into new territories. Only you don’t really know how to install a grill. If you purchased your built-in grill from a major appliance store, chances are they won’t install it for you, either.

    At Don’s Appliances, we go beyond the purchase with appliance installation Pittsburgh and surrounding towns in Ohio, West Virginia, and Maryland can trust. That way, all you have to worry about is what you’ll grill first on your favorite new BBQ.

    Getting Familiar with BBQ Grills

    Get ready to crank up the heat and make some great BBQ. Here are five top BBQ grill brands that deliver great performance found in no other brands on the market.

    Napoleon Grills

    There are three great reasons why Napoleon grills are quickly becoming a big name in the world of barbecue.

    1. JETFIRE Ignition: Even heating with high-performance output.
    2. Exclusive gas burner design: Grill without worry, thanks to more fuel ports.
    3. Infrared SIZZLE ZONE: Unleash up to 1,800 degrees of infrared heat to sear meat like the pros.

    That’s on top of other patented features like Iconic Wave Grids with increased surface area for more charring, insulated lids that keep heat in the grill, and even upgrades like integrated lighting for late-night grilling sessions.

    Take a better look with this all natural gas grill from Napoleon’s premier Prestige PRO line. Complete with eight cooking zones, JETFIRE Ignition, and an infrared rotisserie burner, your grill sessions will be unlike any other before.

    Front view of Napoleon BIPRO665RBPS 42” Prestige PRO grill

    Coyote Grills

    Front view of Coyote C1CH36 36” charcoal grill

    As part of the Coyote Outdoor Living brand, you can count on Coyote grills to be a perfect match for any backyard kitchen. Designed for built-in installation, these premium grills were made for high-end outdoor cooking setups, but with the option to buy a separate grill cart, these BBQs offer the freedom of freestanding models.

    Coyote is the ultimate for grilling versatility, offering BBQs in gas, charcoal, pellet, and portable options for every type of outdoor layout. Across the lineup, you’ll find Coyote’s signature grill feature, the Infinity Burners that deliver non-stop heat at precise temperatures, plus the RapidSear burner that chars foods to fine steakhouse quality.

    Together with premium 304 stainless steel and insulated hoods, Coyote is a brand with a lot worth howling about.

    If you’re ready to experience the ultimate natural flame-cooked flavor, this Coyote 36” setup is a BBQ grill charcoal fans will fall in love with. Built with premium stainless steel and an integrated design, its presentation is a worthy canvas of your finest grilled favorites.

    DCS Grills

    DCS BE1-48RC-N 48” gas grill with its hood open and steaks

    A lifetime warranty on every DCS grill means endless barbecuing possibilities. While DCS grills run exclusively on gas, their performances are impressive enough to grab the attention of charcoal grillers with burners that produce up to 25,000 BTUs of firepower. That equates to up to 1,100 degrees of heat to achieve restaurant-quality sears and roasts.

    Like most high-end grills, DCS manufactures its products only with the best materials, including premium 304 stainless steel and double-sided cast grates. And with freestanding and built-in options, this family of outdoor cooking appliances provides the versatility to integrate into an outdoor kitchen island or go mobile with a grill cart (purchased separately).

    Weber Grills

    Weber pellet grill shown in the foreground while a family enjoys BBQ in the background

    Weber grills have come a long way since they’re revolutionary 1952 design. These days, shoppers can find a Weber BBQ for every type of griller, from charcoal to gas to electric and pellet. Between the SPIRIT Series, GENESIS Series, and Summit Series, Weber offers a lineup of BBQs for mid-end to high-end budgets. Just as impressive is the Weber Connect Smart Grilling Hub, a separate accessory that easily attaches to any existing Weber grill to turn it into a smart grill.

    Overall, Weber delivers when it comes to firepower, with select models performing at up to 48,000 BTUs of heat per hour. Coupled with large grill surfaces and the ability to sear, sauté, smoke, and roast, these grills prove why they were the standard of grilling then and one of the best BBQ brands today. If you’re looking for a grill for your small outdoor BBQ setup, Weber also manufactures several electric outdoor grill models that are safe for patio and backyard use.

    Learn More: Broil King vs. Weber Grills

    Lynx Grills

    As the leader of “The finest outdoor kitchens & grills,” Lynx grills have a big reputation to uphold. Luckily, the brand delivers with professional grills designed to take the experience of a luxury kitchen to the great outdoors. You can truly see how dedicated Lynx is to creating quality outdoor kitchen appliances. The brand says it best in this quick video.

    You won’t find these BBQs at big box stores, so the best way to experience them is online in our catalog or in-store. A good place to start is this Lynx Sedona 30” grill. This two-burner grill is ideal for smaller patios that want larger-than-life performance, which comes from a ProSear Infrared Burner and a stainless steel burner. Together, you get up to 46,000 BTUs of firepower on a space-friendly build that also includes two-level grates for even more space to barbecue all your favorites.

    Front view of Lynx Sedona 30” grill model number L500PS-LP

    Grill FAQs

    Let’s answer a couple of questions we get from grillers like you!

    Which brands are considered the best outdoor grills?

    The best BBQ grill will depend on your budget. Overall, reputable brands include Weber, Coyote, and Napoleon.

    Which is the best pellet grill brand on the market?

    When shopping for pellet grills, look for models such as this Broil King Crown Pellet grill that comes with winning features like:

    • An easy-to-read digital interface
    • An ample grill surface with 635 square inches of cooking capability
    • A large pellet hopper that lasts for long BBQ sessions
    • Built-in heat probes
    • Multi-level cooking

    Why Trust Us?

    Founded in 1971, Don’s Appliances is a family-owned, independent appliance retailer based out of Pittsburgh, PA. Don’s has since expanded to 10 locations selling, delivering, installing, and servicing all major appliance brands. Large enough to offer competitive pricing yet small enough to continue offering the “white glove” service we pride ourselves on, our focus is always on the customer experience — from the first step into a showroom to the purchase transaction to well after your new appliance has been installed.

    When our customers are remodeling or building a new house, Don’s has all the expertise, product knowledge, inventory, brands, displays, and services to meet and exceed your needs. And in the event an appliance breaks, we are there, right on time and with the right product, delivery, installation, and service.

    Shop Grills at Don’s Appliances

    Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today, and shop outdoor kitchen appliances online at Don’s Appliance. Our friendly experts are always happy to help you discover BBQ grills for your style — whether you call us at 866-544-1711, email us, or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by any of our Don’s Appliances Pittsburgh, PA warehouse locations. Visit us today!

    Learn More: The Difference Between Grill Fuels