There is just something about having a meal outdoors that appeals to most. Regardless of how beautiful our home might be on the inside, we look forward every year to the real first sign of spring - the time we can fire up the grill and eat outside. Gone are the days when outdoor BBQs were just clumsy charcoal messes that took forever to get ready and were difficult, if not downright dangerous, to use.

Today's outdoor BBQs can of course be the charcoal variety if you're a purist, but the use of propane has opened up a wide range of options for today's outdoor enthusiast. Outdoor BBQs today are not only easier to use and faster to prepare, they are also safer and much more controllable.

For example, most outdoor BBQs that operate on propane allow you to control the heat that is being produced with the simple turn of a dial. This means less chance of burning your food and yourself. Many are also designed to direct the drippings from the food away from the heat source, so there are fewer flare-ups than you would get with a charcoal grill.

Children are curious and will often hover around the outdoor bbq grills and this is always a concern for parents. Most outdoor bbqs or grills now start with press of a button, no more getting burnt like you would with flammable charcoal fluid and matches. Another good feature with modern outdoor grills is the heat is deeper than the charcoal frills. This allows you to reach the food more easily than you otherwise would with the charcoal grill without getting burnt

It goes without saying most modern great outdoor bbqs are very impressive. They have over 650 square inches of cooking space, and a decent amount of storage space for your accessories. The modern day outdoor bbqs may also have specialized areas such as a bun warmer, stovetop burner, a rotisserie and so on. Some great outdoor bbqs may very well include a stereo system, television and what ever else that can make the outdoor party great.

Now who in their wildest imagination would have thought that outdoor grills would be part of everyday life? Many have different sizes and styles to choose from that can blend into your surroundings. Believe it some outdoor bbqs have logos worked into the grill. Now you can enjoy your steak or burger with your team logo grill into it.

There is no end to the amount of money you can spend on outdoor BBQs, so if you're in the market for a new one then it's a good idea to have your budget in mind before you even open up the internet or get in your car. It also helps to have an idea of what features you definitely need when it comes to outdoor BBQs so that you don't get swept up in the moment and spend money on an accessory or cooking feature that you'll never actually use.