Knowing you've got a summer's worth of outdoor cooking ahead of you, Popular Mechanics spent all winter testing grills that use all types of fuel.

We grilled everything imaginable—swordfish, some kind of spicy Portuguese sausage, more steak than you could shake a pair of tongs at. We didn't go hungry during this test. And we did it all for you.

THE STATE OF THE GRILL, 2017

We grilled in a blizzard. We grilled in the dampness of early spring, the smell of cold mud competing with brisket. We grilled morning, noon, and night, dragging these contraptions in and out of the barn, running test after test, all so that we could deliver this report with timeliness and authority.

Not that we're complaining. And through it all, we learned that we are living in the golden age of grilling. So often we hear that things were better decades ago—the food was fresher, the sky bluer, and all you needed was a Weber in the backyard. But patio cooking has been reanimated. Across this great land people are searing, roasting, braising, and smoking like never before, learning from the Internet or those chefs on TV. Grills have proliferated.

We came to many conclusions, the most important of which is this: There is one here for you.

One of the best gas grills is the SABER gas grill

• FUEL: Propane
• COOKING SURFACE: 675 sq. in.
• LIKES: A beautiful cooking surface with a diffuser underneath that allows nothing to fall on the burners. Heats up quickly and evenly, even in the corners. You can use every square inch of its cooking surface.
• DISLIKES: A small complaint: The temperature markings on the knob are these thin, little lines that are difficult to read.

For more information on SABER gas grills, contact West Sport in Sudbury.

popularmechanics.com

The Adirondack chairs in Sudbury, MA have a traditional look, complete with slanted seat and wide arms ideal for keeping drinks or books close by. Designed for use outdoors, these chairs are perfect for patios or on the lawn. They are constructed of environmentally friendly high density polyethylene (HDPE), a recycled plastic that resists rot, mildew, mold, termites, and decay.

Malibu Outdoor Living is committed to manufacturing the highest quality recycled plastic outdoor furniture products utilizing the finest materials available - and they use green materials on all their outdoor furniture.

For Malibu outdoor furniture, "green" furniture takes on a whole different meaning. That is because the company is doing its part for the environment by manufacturing it's entire line of stylish casual furniture from recycled plastics.

The Hyannis Collection of Outdoor Furniture made from recycled plastics

The Hyannis Collections brings a crisp satisfying style to the Malibu chair line. On all of the Adirondacks, gliders, and dining style chairs, many find the Hyannis’ contoured back to be one of Malibu’s most comfortable styles. When paired with a custom cushion, this collection becomes the ultimate way to relax or enjoy guests in your outdoor living space. This collection is available in Black, Blue, Red, Lime, Yellow, Tangerine, Aruba Blue, Turf Green, Cherry, Dark Brown, Weathered Wood, Light Gray, Dark Gray, and White. For dining or just relaxing in the backyard, the Hyannis dining and Adirondack chairs offer comfort with its contoured back. The clean lines on these chairs make it a classic.

For more information or to try one out and see how comfortable they really are, contact West Sport in Sudbury.

You don’t have to be a chef to cook like one—even the first time you fire up a SABER gas grill. You may have heard about infrared grills (IR). Maybe you even have one. But you have not had one like this.

SABER infrared grills use a proprietary IR cooking system that’s so advanced you can actually taste the difference. It keeps meat naturally juicy and tender, even when cooked medium or well done.

INFRARED VS. TRADITIONAL CONVECTIVE COOKING SYSTEMS

The Juiciest, Most Mouth-watering Meals You’ve Ever Cooked

SABER gas grill’s exclusive and patented Infrared cooking system generates infrared heat. Radiant heat, unlike convection heat used by traditional gas grills, directly cooks your food. Convection cooking relies on hot, dry air and radically reduces food’s natural moisture content. Our patented Infrared cooking system directs airflow away from the cooking surface, locking the food’s natural moisture, producing moister, more juicy results.

Flare-ups Have Been Eliminated

The unique, patented design of SABER® grill’s cooking grate and IR emitter prevents flare-ups that char meat and create dramatic temperature fluctuations. Instead, our exclusive system vaporizes any drippings and adds natural smoke flavor to grilled foods. Since liquids and debris are prevented from reaching the burner system, maintenance and clean-up are much easier.

For more information, contact West Sport in Sudbury.

You've looked at all types, sizes and price ranges of gas grills. You've listened to salespeople tell you about surface areas, BTUs, rotisserie burners, side burners, infrared burners, and a dozen things you've never heard of. Now you're more confused than before. Here is a little friendly advice in your grill shopping.

Price

Rule number one: You get what you pay for! If you drop in your local department or hardware store (even grocery store) you will see gas grills in the price range of around $150 to $300.

However, there are some that can run over $10,000. There are literally hundreds of gas grills on the market each year through your local stores may only carry a few, so having an idea of how much you want to spend will help narrow your search. When comparing prices, find out whether or not a propane tank is included. This can add about $20 to $30 to your total cost if you have to buy it separately.

Fuel

The second thing to take into consideration is the fuel. Do you want propane or natural gas? Natural gas requires a gas line at the location of your grill. Many grills can be bought in either configuration but you can't run a propane grill on natural gas or visa-versa. Many lower priced grills do not have the natural gas option although more and more grills do these days. Watch the price, though. Some natural gas conversion kits can cost between $50USD and $100USD.

Of course, natural gas will cost you less in the long run and save you trips to the propane store.

Material

Next is the material the grill is made out of. The main body of the grill is usually made from cast aluminum, sheet metal, cast iron, or stainless steel. Stainless steel is the preferred material of professional cooking equipment and the most expensive, but not all stainless steel is created equally.

One thing to watch for is not just the body, but also the frame. There are many "stainless steel" grills that have painted steel frames that can rust. Once you decide on the material, look over the whole grill to see how it's put together. Is it all stainless steel (try using a magnet)? Manufacturers take shortcuts with metal! The truth is that cast aluminum will typically outlast any quality of stainless steel.

Size

Once you have these factors decided, you need to pick the size and features you want. For the size, think about the kinds of things you will want to cook on your grill and for how many people you might want to cook for. If you're planning on a large turkey or being able to cook up 40 hamburgers at a time you'll want a larger grill. If you just cook a few steaks or chicken breasts once in a while, you'll probably want a smaller one. Also, look at the space you have for the grill. Get one that will fit safely and conveniently.

Features

Do you want a side burner? How about multiple level cooking surfaces, or a smoker box, side burner, rotisserie burner, lights, or any one of a dozen things that get added to a grill these days. Remember that a basic grill will do lots of stuff and most of the extras get very little use.

Features cost Money! Only buy the features you know you'll use.

Heat

Another factor is the BTU rating. This is a measurement of the amount of heat created by the burner. A grill with higher BTUs doesn't necessarily produce more heat. It is a factor of the heat created, the size of the grill and how well it holds and distributes that heat. Don't buy a grill just because it has a high BTU number. Compare that number with the size and the shape of the grill. Smaller more compact grills can produce higher cooking temperatures with lower BTUs.

Durability

Materials, the thickness of metals, and quality of parts play a major role in how long a grill will last. However, the biggest part of the lifespan of your gas grill is how well it is taken care of. A well taken care of grill can last a long time! The best grill out there will rust and fall apart if it is left uncovered and uncleaned.

Of course, a better grill will last longer, but you can get a long time out of a cheap grill is you take care of it.

One way to separate the bad from the good is to look for name brand grills versus store brands. Name brand gas grills have replacement parts, customer support and a company that will survive or not based on the quality of their products. Store brands change factories annually and lack the depth of support that will help keep you grill working for years to come, because if you take good care of it, it should last for many, many years.

For more information on the best gas grill for you, contact West Sport in Sudbury.

The Spruce

Primo ceramic grills are the only ceramic grills that are made in the USA. Cooking good food is done best on a Primo charcoal grill and smoker. With ceramic grills, the heat and moisture are retained inside the grill. No matter how hot the temperature inside, the exterior of the grill gets only warm to the touch. Metal retains heat and lets it escape. Ceramic keeps the heat inside, along with the moisture in your meat.

No matter what you want to cook, from grilling to smoking to baking, this charcoal keg style grill is the way to do it. This grill is an oval keg-style grill, and oval is better than round every time!

Watch the video to find out more about Primo Ceramic charcoal grills.

Contact West Sport in Sudbury for more information.

You have a beautiful home, why not add a beautiful outdoor kitchen to your living space? Outdoor kitchens provide a gorgeous and unique space where you can relax, dine, entertain, and play. Enjoy family, friends, and the outdoors this summer by adding a dynamic and enviable space in your yard.

Fire magic gas grills offer the best in built-in grills, outdoor kitchen appliances and other outdoor kitchen components. At West Sport, we have the lowest prices around, and we'll match online pricing as well. Right now, you can receive 20% off your entire outdoor kitchen project.

Watch the video for more information on Fire Magic built-in gas grills. Contact West Sport in Sudbury for more information.

Midpriced gas grills look great in store displays, all shiny and new. That’s because they’re protected from the elements, grease free, and spiders haven’t had a chance to take up residence in the burner tubes. Looks aside, even if you spend up to $1,000 there’s no guarantee you’re buying a grill that’s impressive at grilling.

With the swipe of a credit card spending $450 to $1,000 can get you a small, medium, or a large gas grill that delivers impressive performance. Here’s what you can expect:

• Construction tends to be sturdier than less expensive models. When shopping test sturdiness by nudging the grill from different points. Inspect the cart, lid, firebox, and wheels. Grip the handle to check for clearance: You don’t want your knuckles to be too close to a hot lid.
• Grates should be heavy-duty stainless or cast-iron. Both are good at maintaining even temperatures and for searing. Stainless are more durable.
• Fire up with an electronic igniter. Most grills in this price range have one and it’s usually more convenient than one that’s rotary or push button.
• Features often include four wheels or casters for easy moving, a fuel gauge that reminds you it’s time for a refill, and a side burner for cooking corn or simmering sauce. Check the manual to find out the side burner’s weight limit. You’ll want to know how heavy a pot it can hold.
• Warranty on burners, the most replaced part, is typically 10 years or longer.

Choosing a Size

Measure the grill's main cooking area so you can match it to the number of people gathered around your table. Manufacturers may include racks and searing burners when tallying their measurements. Consider how much space the grill will eat up on your patio or deck.

Brand Reliability and Satisfaction

Ask your friends about their experience with a grill brand. Ask your local grill retailer about their experiences and about customer feedback. There are all kinds of online reviews as well.

For more information on buying the right gas grill for your home, contact West Sport in Sudbury.

consumerreports.org

The Commonwealth Woodstove Change-Out program, a partnership between MassCEC and the Department of Energy Resources, offers rebates to assist Massachusetts residents in replacing non-EPA-certified wood stoves with cleaner, more efficient EPA-certified wood stoves or pellet stoves.

Homeowners are eligible for the standard rebate if:

• Their old woodstove is currently operational, non-EPA certified, and located in a residential building.
  The stove they plan to purchase is EPA-certified and meets Commonwealth Woodstove Change-Out Program emissions requirements for new stoves.

Homeowners are not eligible for the program if:

• They are not replacing an existing operational woodstove or fireplace insert.
• Their existing woodstove or fireplace insert is EPA-certified. Only non-EPA certified stoves are eligible for replacement under the Commonwealth Woodstove Change-Out Program.
• They wish to replace an existing pellet stove. Existing pellet stoves are not eligible for replacement under the Commonwealth Woodstove Change-Out Program.

Homeowners who are not eligible to participate in the Commonwealth Woodstove Change-Out Program may be eligible for rebates for other clean heating and cooling technologies.

How Do I Apply?

Step 1: Contact a Participating Stove Professional

Each homeowner should first select a participating stove professional, who will submit the rebate application on his or her behalf. MassCEC maintains a list of stove professionals and tips for finding an installer participating in the 2017 Commonwealth Woodstove Change-Out Program.

When contacting a wood stove shop, a homeowner should be prepared to provide:

• The year the stove was manufactured.
• Pictures of the front and back of the stove, if possible. All EPA-certified stoves have a metal tag on the back of the stove indicating EPA certification. Homeowners can also learn more about woodstoves, including information on stove pricing and the differences between non-catalytic, catalytic, pellet stoves, and fully automotive woodstoves.

Step 2: Stove Professional Completes Change-Out and Applies for Rebate

Once a homeowner has determined the old stove’s eligibility, selected a stove professional and signed a contract with stove professional to complete the change-out, he or she can move forward with the project.

The stove professional should:

1. Ensure that the change-out can be completed by the August 21, 2017 application deadline.
2. Ensure that the project meets program eligibility requirements, and that program procedures are followed, as described in the program manual.
3. Complete the change-out. This includes:

• Removing the old stove and having it rendered inoperable by a stove recycler.
• Installing the new stove.
• Discussing best practices for operating and maintaining the stove, including best practices for wood burning and chimney cleaning. Additional information on how to burn wood more cleanly and efficiency can be found on the EPA’s Burn Wise website and on the Department of Energy’s wood and pellet heating website.

4. Apply for the rebate on behalf of the homeowner. The rebate amount should be treated as an instant discount to the homeowner on the total cost of the project and listed as such on the project invoice. The homeowner will need to provide the stove professional with:

• A signed participant's agreement
• An electric bill from the past six months
• Pictures of the old stove (before removal) and new stove (after installation)

For more information, contact West Sport in Sudbury.

masscec.com

The Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association says roughly 45% of adults will buy a new grill or smoker this year. If you are one of those people, consider looking at the hottest trend in outdoor cooking: pellet grills.

The popularity of pellet grills is surging thanks to word-of-mouth accolades.

It’s easy to see what the fuss is all about: Wood pellet grills give backyard chefs all the convenience of a gas grill with the oh-so-primitive flavor they seek from wood smoke. And they double as pellet smokers.

Pellets are made from select hardwoods or natural lump charcoal, which grilling enthusiasts say produce a much more natural flavor than either charcoal briquettes – whose production process destroys the wood’s flavor-producing molecules – or propane, which produces no taste signature.

Wood pellet grills vary in size and design, but operate in the same basic manner: An auger draws pellets from a hopper into the combustion chamber where they are ignited by a hot metal rod and fed with air from a combustion fan. Sensors mounted inside the grill display real-time data.

Because everything is electronically controlled, precise temperatures can be maintained in the cooker, enabling everything from a low-and-slow heat to a searing temperature, reducing the need to own multiple backyard grilling appliances.

Not only is the indirect cooking method thought to be healthier, it is more versatile as well. Besides being a grill, most pellet models also double as a smoker and an outdoor oven, which some die-hard enthusiasts insist makes the best pizza around.

If you needed another reason to feel good about pellet grills, it’s that they are a renewable resource made from compressed sawdust that might have otherwise ended up in a landfill. And being one of the lowest-emission solid-fuel-burning products on the market, you won’t have to worry about disturbing the neighbors or coming in from the backyard with watery eyes.

Of course pellet grill prices vary depending on the model and features, but all cost less to operate than the typical charcoal grill because of the efficiencies of the pellets. One 20-pound bag of pellets will give you about a dozen cooking sessions, compared to three or four for the same amount of charcoal.

And just because fall is approaching doesn’t mean you should put off your decision to invest in a pellet grill. The Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association’s latest grill survey says 63 percent use theirs year-round, with 43 percent cooking at least monthly during the winter.

So what are you waiting for? Check out a pellet grill for yourself and see what all the fuss is about. Contact West Sport in Sudbury for more information.

Augusta Chronicle

Have you seen the new propane station going in a The Fireplace Shop and Grill Center in Sudbury? If not, come take a look. The trees have been removed, the concrete has been poured. Just those two things made the space look so much more attractive.

But, today, the brand-new fence is being added as well as the brand new, rust-free, sparkling-white new propane tank. The old tank has been removed and properly disposed of. On Tuesday, the electrical is going in, which means the filling cabinet and scale will soon follow. In fact, the inspections are scheduled for next week and the tank should be filled by Thursday.

This means everyone in Sudbury and the surrounding towns can start getting propane tanks filled here again on Friday, one week from today!