According to Napoleon Gourmet Grills, today’s barbecues are much more than just cooking racks over a fire. A high-quality grill—with some features that make more experimentation with different cooking methods and styles possible and others that help make life easier and complement the backyard oasis where people escape from the daily grind—is an investment in a home.

Stephen Schroeter, senior vice president of Napoleon, says, “The versatility of today’s grills makes them vital tools for your culinary adventure. The innovations and features in new grills hitting the market this year build on making your barbecue an extension of your kitchen and an integral part of your backyard’s living space.”

Multiple features are trending for grills in 2014. Charcoal-tray inserts (used with gas grills) enhance flavor, as well as improving convenience. Infrared grilling provides intense heat to sear foods quickly, locking in flavor and moisture while reducing grilling time. Rotisserie attachments aren’t new to the market, but they have become popular accessory items. Rotisserie cooking improves flavor and allows fats to drip away from the grilled meat. Smoker tubes and trays make it easier for backyard chefs to experiment with new flavors and cooking styles— without having to fumble with foil packets.

Barbecue grills are also available with interior halogen lights that illuminate cooking surfaces and interior cabinets. While stainless steel remains a popular choice for grills, porcelain covered lids in different colors are making their way into the market. These lids are easy to clean and are aesthetically pleasing.

“Homeowners are increasingly looking for high quality and value in their backyard grills,” Schroeter says. “They are looking for well-built barbecues that enhance their cooking and their lifestyles.”