Buying a gas grill shouldn't leave you fuming, but that's what happened to one homeowner.

In "A Slow Burn Over a New Gas Grill," in the August 3 edition of The New York Times, Vincent M. Mallozzi wrote about the trouble he had when he bought a new gas grill and tried to convert it to a natural-gas cooker.

His saga included a litany of incorrect parts, aggravating trips to several retailers to search for their replacements, escalating costs, a frustrating phone call to the manufacturer, and lots of waiting  . . . and then some more waiting.

Mallozzi's woes can probably be chalked up to a less-than-knowledgeable salesperson, poor customer service from the manufacturer, and the fact that the proper conversion kit was not available. (If you've experienced your own grill-inspired woes, share your story in our gas-grills forum.)

To keep yourself out of a similar grilling grind when shopping for a new model, read what our experts have to say about choosing a grill, discover the notable features, and look over our Ratings (available to subscribers). Remember, grill prices should come down as summer turns to fall.

If you're looking for a natural-gas grill, buy one of those if available, not a model you have to convert. If you're installing a conversion kit, be sure to carefully follow all instructions.—Kimberly Janeway

Essential information: Use our buying advice to find the grill of your dreams, try our easy-to-prepare recipes for grilled pizza, short ribs, chicken with rosemary, and other delicious fare.