As kids, one of our favorite family events was a backyard barbecue. To our curious eyes, there was something mysterious and fascinating about the barbecue and the process.

While we are sure that the barbecue, charcoal and lighting fluid had much to do with the success of the meal, we now know that it takes a patient and experienced chef. In our case, that was our dad. He would stand over the barbecue monitoring every aspect of the process. What we didn't know as kids was that, when it came to cooking and grilling, he had one up on most other dads. During World War II, he was a meat cutter in the U.S. Army and had had a lot of cooking experience.

Thanks to innovations in barbecue equipment, you neither need to spend time in the military or attend a culinary academy to barbecue like a pro. As a matter of fact, some of today's high-end gas grills do everything but flip the burgers for you, and some will even do that using a rotisserie.

There are more choices in outdoor cooking equipment (today's term for what were once called barbecues) than ever before. Construction material, finish, cooking area, fuel type and accessories are a few of the features that can influence the lasting quality of the grill and, more important, the tastiness of the food.

What will work for you? An inexpensive stamped steel pan with a flimsy grate might be all you need for those once-a-year cookouts on the beach. On the other hand, if you're into serious backyard entertaining, consider investing in a high-end outdoor cooking center. The beach model can usually be had for well under $50 but is considered a “disposable” model at best.

At the other end of the spectrum are the baronial outdoor cooking centers that contain everything but the kitchen sink...an option with some. These professional models range in price from $2,000 to $5,000 depending upon the size, features and accessories. Pricier models offer better construction, a stainless steel housing, heavy-gauge stainless steel burners, heavy-duty stainless steel or porcelain-coated steel grates and a more durable igniter.

Some models are designed to be built in while others are housed in an elaborate cart that makes grilling mobile. With proper care and maintenance, one of these should be the last grill you'll ever buy. If you're not at either end of the spectrum, chances are you that you will find a model somewhere in between that will suit your needs and budget.

Here's what to look for when shopping for a new grill. Start with the type of fuel that best meets your needs. Charcoal models are the most portable, the least costly and, unfortunately, the most maintenance intense. If you don't mind lugging bags of charcoal, waiting for the coals to heat or cleaning up the ash, a charcoal model might be just fine. Look for a heavy-duty model constructed of heavy gauge steel, cast iron or cast aluminum.

If, on the other hand, the notion of toting charcoal does not appeal to you, your best bet is a gas grill. There are two basic types: propane and natural gas. Which is better? All else being equal...natural gas. Natural gas is less expensive and will fuel a hotter fire. Plus, there are no propane bottles to lug around. However, natural gas units are designed to be stationary. Therefore, if you want gas and like the idea of portability, propane is for you. Though you'll trade toting charcoal for propane tanks, you'll get many more grilling sessions out of a tank of propane than you will from a bag of charcoal.

Less is not more when it comes to the number of burners on a gas grill. The more burners, the greater control of heat, the more thorough the cooking. For instance, indirect heating can be accomplished by using the gas burner on one end of the grill while placing the meat on the other. This can avoid burning that results from grease-fired flare-ups. Better models have a radiant burner that will speed rotisserie cooking. More burners usually mean more cooking area. Though you don't need to use all of the cooking area, it's nice to have it when cooking for a large group.

Ample space for food preparation and cleanup, stovetop side burners for cooking, a smoking tray for flavor enhancement, easy cleanup features, a thermometer for grilling perfection and a high-quality grill cover are features and accessories that will lend many years of enjoyment and the best that barbecuing has to offer.

Regardless of the model you choose, always follow the manufacturer's directions. Never use it in an enclosed area such as a garage or indoors. Doing so could cause deadly carbon monoxide poisoning. apbookstore.com.