More burners can add more cooking flexibility. Burners are typically steel. A metal plate or metal bars, ceramic or charcoal-like briquettes , or lava rocks distribute heat and vaporize juices, flavoring the food. In our tests, we've found no particular material does a better job at ensuring even heating, but that grills that lack any heating medium at all typically cook less evenly. You can make food taste smoky by putting a pan of wet wood chips inside any grill.
Most gas grills have a propane tank , sometimes with a fuel gauge .
Most tanks sit on the base of the grill and attach to its gas line with a handwheel. A side burner , which resembles a gas-stove burner and has its own heat control, is handy if you want to cook vegetables or sauce without leaving the grill. Other step-up features include an electric rotisserie with burner, a smoker drawer, a wok, a steamer pan, a nonstick grill basket, and a fuel gauge. The lid and firebox of a gas or an electric grill are typically painted aluminum, which may become weather-beaten. Some models are made with porcelain-coated steel or stainless steel, which can be more durable.