Evening Edge

Infrared burners, which sear meat at high temperatures and can then be turned down for further cooking, are the newest must-have for serious grillers. Previously available only on models that cost several thousand dollars, they're now available on grills costing about $500.

Otherwise, selecting a grill involves deciding on size, fuel, cost and features like side burners, rotisseries, stainless steel finishes and the like. Consumer Reports rated 37 gas grills in its June issue after putting them to the test. Here are its best buys for midsize grills:

Consumer Reports (ENLARGE)

One midsize option is Blue Ember ($450) by Fiesta, available at Home Depot. Consumer Reports rating: 84 out of 100.

Consumer Reports (ENLARGE)

The Kenmore 16315 from Sears is $570. Consumer Reports rating: 76 out of 100.

Consumer Reports (ENLARGE)

Char-Broil Quantum, a large grill, is at Lowe's for $500. It has an infrared burner. Consumer Reports rating: 72 out of 100.

GRILLING • Atlanta Summer Grilling Guide • Photo gallery New products for the grill • Fish and chicken recipes for the grill • Rating the grills | Grilling gear • Cookbooks | Tasty time-savers • Griling basics: Keys to a great cookout • Grilling safety: Follow these tips to reduce cancer risks from the grill • Recipes for the grill, with photos, plus sauces, marinades and rubs • Cookout blog: Which is best, charcoal or gas? • Pain on the porch: Your cookout is costing more ATLANTA SUMMER GUIDE • Outdoor dining: Dinner spots with great decks or patios • Summer events calendar • Summer music guide

• Blue Ember by Fiesta FG50069-U401, at Home Depot, $450

• Brinkmann 810-8410S, at Home Depot, $200

• Char-Broil Commercial Series 463268008, at Lowe's, $300

The magazine's best buys for large grills were:

• Kenmore 16315, at Sears, $570

• Char-Broil Quantum 463248208, with an infrared burner, at Lowe's, $500

For Father's Day, what better gift could you give the family than a meal lovingly prepared by you, on your favorite appliance?

What's that, you say? You're expecting the family to prepare the meal for you?

Hold that thought.

Whether you're the one doing the grilling or the one sitting back with a cold one and enjoying a feast of smoke-flavored delights, there's one thing that's not in question. Americans are spending more time cooking out, and guys are more likely to be the grill master.

The stats keepers at market research firm NPD Group also say that we're twice as likely to grill out weekly as we were 20 years ago, with 38 percent of Americans turning to a grill — usually gas — to prepare dinner once every two weeks.

That's one reason so many grilling accessories appear each year, from tools to spice rubs, cookbooks and the latest must-have, an infrared burner to put a pro-style sear on steaks.