Jenn-Air

The Best Grills for Outdoor Barbecues

There's nothing better during the summer months than firing up the grill and barbecuing for family and friends. Today, more than 85 million American households own an outdoor grill.

There's an enormous variety of charcoal and gas grills, which come in hundreds of sizes, shapes, colors and prices. Consumers are demanding more features on their gas grills---from side burners and rotisseries, to sear stations and infrared burners. According to a survey conducted by Weber, 61% of consumers now own a side burner, while 32% own a rotisserie and 17% have a gas grill with an infrared burner. The survey also revealed that 89% of America grill owners are using full-size grills, rather than portables.

"As dedicated grillers continue to become more experienced in cooking a wider variety of foods, the barbecue is increasingly being viewed as an outdoor appliance," says Sherry Bale, public relations director for Weber Grills. "As consumers want good value for their money during these tough economic times, they're seeing the advantages of paying for a durable grill that will stand up to punishing weather and give them years of dependable service."

To figure out the best of breed, we asked our Luxist readers to nominate their favorite manufacturers of outdoor grills. The top five nominees are:

Jenn-Air
Kenmore
Lynx
Viking
Weber

Jenn-Air is known for its precision craftsmanship and distinctive styling while Kenmore, which has a line of grills, is also well-known for its broad range of home appliances it manufactures. Lynx was founded by a group of individuals who started out by manufacturing restaurant ranges while Viking makes grills that one might expect to find in a restaurant setting. Finally, there's Weber, which is a household name that is credited with revolutionizing the backyard barbecue.

Interested in finding out what the best online meat companies are? Check out the Luxist Award's Readers' Choice Nominees for Best in Online Meats.

Tags: awards-main, barbecue, barbecue-and-grilling, barbecuing, barbeque, grill, grilling, grills, Jenn-Air, Kenmore, luxist-awards, Lynx, outdoor grills, Viking, Weber

Jenn-Air: Precision Craftsmanship and Distinctive Styling

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Gadgets

Though Jenn-Air sounds more like the moniker of a company that flies people around the country in jets than one that makes cooking surfaces, its reputation for durability and quality have earned it a nominee for a Luxist award in the best grills category.

Founded by Louis J. Jenn in 1947, the Jenn-Air Products Company of Indianapolis, Indiana soon had its moniker shortened to Jenn-Air. The company was focused on manufacturing and marketing industrial fans in its early years. In 1961, Jenn-Air integrated one of these fans with a stovetop and created the world's first self-ventilated downdraft range.

The company then expanded its product line to include many other kitchen appliances. Among Jenn-Air's offerings were microwave ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, and small appliances including mixers and blenders. Thanks to the name Jenn-Air made for itself, Maytag purchased the brand in the 1980s; two decades later, Whirlpool bought Maytag.

In recent years, Jenn-Air brought its indoor expertise into the outdoor grilling arena. Boasting the same sleek stainless-steel look and sturdy construction, the brand quickly became one of the favorites in its space. Jenn-Air's products still can't fly you from New York to Los Angeles, but they sure can help you cook up a sumptuous meal in the comfort of your own kitchen or back yard.

Vote for the Grill line that you believe is the best of breed. The voting period runs through July 31 and winners will be announced on August 1.

Tags: awards-main, Best grill, best grills, grill, grilling, grills, Jenn-Air, luxist-awards