Grills and Barbeque

The Most Fantastic Grills

2013-05-05T07:58:00.000-07:00

These are the most fantastic grills on the market today. If you have the cash you can drop one of these on your patio and impress all the visiting dignitaries. From gas to charcoal and everything else you can imagine, these top end grills can do it all with professional quality whether you are grilling up burgers or a 7-course meal for heads of state.

1. Komodo Kamado - Ultimate Beauty

Komodo Kamado

The history of the Kamado Charcoal Grill is too long and confusing to recount. Suffice to say that when Dennis Linkletter stumbled across these ceramic charcoal wonders, he knew he could make them better. From a reinvention of airflow, spring assisted lid, and laser cut stainless steel parts this is one loaded grill. It includes the EZQ Rotisserie system and the BBQ Guru temperature control blower. Anyone who knows eggs about Kamado grills know that they grill at incredible temperatures and smoke at a perfect low and slow pace. This unit takes it to the next level and does it inside a shell of pure beauty.

2. TEC G-Sport FR - Ultimate Infrared

TEC Infra-Red Grills

From the inventor of infrared grilling comes this latest, greatest breakthrough in infrared grill technology. This 100% infrared grill uses the ceramic radiant emitter system that separates the fire from the food, eliminating flare-ups while giving you intense heating power (over 800 degrees F). What makes this latest version so revolutionary is that this grill can hold temperatures as low as 200 degrees F meaning this infrared gas grill can go low and slow while still generating smoke from wood chips dropped through the cooking grate. In the past infrared was all about searing power. Now it is about versatility and this fantastically constructed grill will do it all.

3. Coates Grill - Ultimate Craftsmanship

Coates Grill

Handmade from cast aluminum, this charcoal or wood (or both) grill is truly a work of art. Styled after classic stoves of long ago, one would hardly know that it was a grill to look at it. The lid opens vertically from the top opening the grill completely and allowing the cook to approach from any direction. The fire can be accessed from the side without ever disturbing the food. And, with an additional propane burner, this charcoal grill can be as easy to light as a gas grill. With a price tag of $2,500 and made by hand in Michigan, you can be certain that yours will be one of a kind, at least in your neighborhood.

4. Fire Magic Diamond Series Echelon E1060S - Ultimate Power

R. H. Peterson Company

This is the most expensive production gas grill currently on the market. It is beautiful, flashy, and loaded with features. Fire Magic is the manufacturer of a wide range of some of the best outdoor cooking equipment available. The Diamond Series Echelon E1060S is the largest they make. It has over 1,000 square inches of primary grilling space and seven burners under the hood. That's not counting the side burner unit that comes in a number of configurations. The construction of this gas grill is solid 304 stainless steel with all welded seams and a high degree of attention to detail.

5. Weber Ranch Kettle - Ultimate Kettle

Weber-Stephen Products Company

Need a couple dozen grilled chickens? Feeding your family, cousins and their parole officers included? You need this giant kettle charcoal grill from Weber. Built with the same quality and features of the most popular charcoal grill in the world, this 1,104 square inch, $1,000 charcoal grill is the ultimate kettle, a grill so big you have to walk around it to flip all 200 burgers. This is the perfect grill for the company party, family reunion or small military operation. The best part is, it's a Weber.

6. Evo Grill - Ultimate Tech

Evo

Show off like a Benihana cook. This ultra-cool gas powered grilled pumps out 48,000 BTUs through two circular burners under a round, flat top cooking surface. Want to scrabble 500 eggs? Sear steaks? Make a mountain of Fajitas? This is the unit for you. The dual burner design gives you two cooking zones so you can crank up the middle to sear steaks, while finishing off a few hundred shrimp to perfection. With 650 inches of cooking space you can cook for the next company party. And since you can approach this grill from every direction you can have several people cooking at once. Truly the perfect entertaining grill.

7. The Grillery Grillworks - Ultimate Purity

Grillworks

Put the lid down on your grill and you are instantly roasting. Grilling, real grilling is food and fire, direct flame power. The Grillworks Stainless Steel grill is perfect simplicity in a charcoal (or hardwood) grill. The adjustable cooking grate lets you control the exposure of food to fire and regulate heat without adjusting vents or control valves. This is grilling at its purist level. In fast, forget those little briquettes of pressed coal and filler. Build yourself a real fire in the heart of this beauty and grill the way people were meant to, over a real fire. Primitive, but ultimately civilized in its high quality stainless steel construction. This unit will run you about $3,000 for handmade grilling purity.

8. Traeger Longhorn Steer Smoker/Grill - Ultimate Q-Cool

Traeger Pellet Grills, LLC.

This grill/smoker is the perfect place to cook up your beef. With smoke shooting out the nose of this longhorn steer everyone will know dinner isn't far behind. Traeger's pellet powered cooking gives you real hardwood smoke flavor without having to split logs. This unit lets you grill burgers or smoke briskets so no matter what you have a hankering for you can cook it in here. Computer controlled pellet feed makes it virtually foolproof for the laziest smoker. Running around $1,600 this solidly built unit will last for years of great grilling and great barbecue. Plus no one can resist talking about this cooker.

9. Kalamazoo 900GS Hybrid Grill - Ultimate Heavy Metal

Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet, LLC

Imagine a grill virtually custom made for you. That's what Kalamazoo does and has been doing for about 100 years. This grill is probably the ultimate gas grill and at over $12,000USD it has to be. Every part of this grill from the 3/16 inch laser cut cooking grates to the hinges on the doors is custom made from 304 stainless steel. The "dragon" burners are cast stainless, heavy and so beautiful you'll be showing them off. This grill also has a side mounted smoker system that actually works.

10. Fuego 01 - Ultimate Design

Fuego North America

Winner of virtually every design award on the market, the Fuego is billed as a social hub that just so happens to grill. Designed by Robert Brunner the former Director of Industrial Design at Apple Computer, this unit appears amazingly simple, but has the power to rival any grill on the market. Built to handle a wide range of options the Fuego 01 is basically two grills in one that gives you the choice of infrared, electric, charcoal, propane or natural gas. With internal storage and fold away weather cover this grill is a complete self contained unit designed to move where you need it and bring the table space along for the ride. Unfortunately this grill doesn't cook as well as it looks.

Cooking Tips for the Grill

2013-04-03T20:20:00.000-07:00

Despite the fact that most people believe grilling is easy and that anyone can be successful on the barbeque grill, grilling is actually one of the most challenging of cooking methods. Now more than ever, savvy home cooks are looking for the best cooking tips for gas grills. As the weather starts to get nicer and the great outdoors beckons, attention starts to turn to outdoor cooking - and gas barbeque grills can't be beat for simplicity and convenience. But grilling only becomes EASY when you know the basic procedure for grilling and the important cooking tips for gas grills that ensure better results every time. The greatest challenge presented by grilling is that it is the most intense form of direct heat cooking there is. If cooking is like driving a car, grilling is like being strapped to a rocket ship! The good news is that grilling, like any basic cooking method, can be mastered. And these cooking tips for gas grills will get you started on the road to awesome grilling all year round.

Preparing Recipes for the Grill

When preparing recipes for the grill, the most important thing to consider is how the grilling method of cooking acts differently on different types of foods. Careful product selection is extremely important. You must start with a tender product if you want to end with a tender product. Marinating meats when making recipes for the grill is the best way to apply some tenderizing properties before cooking because the grill will not tenderize meats. You want to also make sure the product you choose will be able to withstand direct high-heat cooking. Different products will handle this differently and some are just not the best choice for grilling. A very delicate fish, such as tilapia, will not perform very well on the grill because the high heat may burn the outside of the fish before the inside cooks at all. Vegetables all cook at different rates, too, depending on their texture and fimness. When cooking different combinations of vegetables together (as in skewering), you will achieve far better results by par-cooking the "harder" items prior to skewering so that all vegetables are the correct done-ness at the same time. These are just a few examples of the types of things you want to consider in cooking recipes for the grill.

A Gas Grill Cooking Twist

Although GRILLING is always done with the lid cover open, gas grill cooking can incorporate additional cooking methods that make it preferable to cook with the grill cover closed. With the grill lid closed, the grill changes from a CONDUCTIVE cooking vehicle to a CONVECTIVE cooking one - more like your oven. Of course you could just use your oven for using these cooking methods, but outdoor cooking does have some advantages over indoor cooking - particularly in warmer weather. So how do you turn your dry heat, direct source cooking vehicle (the grill) into one that can utilize a moist convective cooking process? It's actually a pretty cool technique for gas grill cooking. This is a trick I use most often with delicate fish, such as tilapia. First, I turn the heat OFF on the side of the grill that my tilapia will cook. Then, I add a pan of water to the bottom of the other side of the grill - right on top of the heat elements. Keep in mind that this "water" can be any kind of liquid you like. I use shrimp stock sometimes with fish, but you can season it with chicken broth, wine - anything that is liquid and imparts nice, complimentary flavors to the product you are cooking. Then, the fish is placed either directly on the grill (if you have a flat grate option) or you can put it in a cast iron pan and put it on the grill grates. The rest of the procedure for this type of gas grill cooking follows the normal grilling process - cook with your eyes and observations, flip after 75% done, use a thermometer to determine final temperature and remove a bit "early" to allow for the carry-over cooking that occurs. And that's it, now you can consider gas grill COOKING in addition to standard GRILLING for great outdoor cooking results.

Gas Barbeque Grills vs Charcoal Grills

You will hear from many self-proclaimed GRILLMASTERS that the traditional charcoal grill is far superior to the gas barbeque grill, but the gas grill has many advantages that make it a great choice for any outdoor cooking situation. I will admit that the charcoal grill provides opportunity for a deep, smoky flavor that is not fully achievable with the gas barbeque grill, but after that all of the "pros" go into the gas grill's column. For starters, the gas grill is much easier and safer to start because it uses propane as fuel and starts at the press of a button. Charcoal grills can be easily started with lighter fluid, but this can be dangerous, and can impart an undesirable taste into the food. Plus, the gas grill turns OFF as easily as it turned on! No waiting for coals to cool so that you can empty and clean the grill and no messy coals to dispose of. The other nice thing about gas barbeque grills is that they allow for consistent heat throughout the cooking process. With the charcoal variety, the cook has to really control the heat by actually moving products closer and further and this takes some practice and experience.

So the cooking tips for gas grills are pretty simple and easy to master, after all! Like all of cooking, it is just a matter of starting with the end in mind and understanding some basics about heat, food and cooking methods. What will you make on the barbeque tonight?

About The Author:

Chef Todd Mohr is a classically trained chef, entrepreneur and educator. Since 2007, he has been the creator and host of the “Cooking Coarse” video series, which is known for its straight-forward and entertaining approach to cooking instruction. Chef Todd's simple philosophy - burn your recipes and learn how to really cook - has helped many home cooks and professionals alike finally achieve success in the kitchen.Chef Todd Mohr is a classically trained chef, entrepreneur, cooking educator and founder of Web Cooking Classes. Learn his #1 Chef Secret now for FREE in this video that will show you how you can cook better everyday at home. The secret is simple, but it will change the way you think about cooking forever.

Grill Tips

2013-02-27T18:30:00.000-08:00

Tips: Never use more charcoal then you need to, start off with a small amount and add as you need. Use approximately 20 to 25 briquettes for every kilogram of meat you cooking.

Make sure there is enough ventilation when lighting the charcoal.

The closer the food rack is to the charcoal the faster the food will cook and if the heat is too intense you may burn the food.

When the charcoal turns 50% gray you can start cooking.

Keep your charcoal dry, always store in a place where it can't get wet, damp charcoal causes a lot of smoke.

Never leave grill unattended, flare ups and food burning can happen really quickly.

In cooler weather you might find you need more briquettes to get to ideal cooking temperature.

Wind can make the fire hotter. On humid days coal tends to burn slower.

Oil dripping from your meat onto charcoal can cause flare-ups.

Never use gasoline to light your charcoal. Never use lighter fluid on already lit charcoal.

These charcoal grill tips should give you peace of mind and confidence when you are grilling. Not all these charcoal grilling tips are suitable for gas grills.

Barbecue Tips - BBQ Grilling Tips

Trim meat of excess fat for healthier meals.

When cooking chicken or turkey do not use utensils that can pierce the skin as you will loose flavour.

Your grill should be clear of anything that can catch a light and cause a fire.

Always try marinate your meat before grilling, some recipes will require you to marinate the meat while you grill.

Do not put cooked food back onto the same plate as the raw food was to prevent food poisoning.

Try to grill with oven gloves to prevent burns.

Use wire hinges for cooking vegetables & fish.

Use grill brushes to brush away any left over food and oil on the grid.

Turn meat over readily to prevent burning.

Use direct heat cooking when making hot dogs or burgers.

Use in-direct heat when making whole chickens and large steaks.

On a hot day do not let food stand outside for longer then an hour especially if food is in direct sunlight.

Wash all utensils and containers before using them.

Some dishes will require you to precook the meat to ensure it gets cooked properly.

Grilling Safety Tips - Tips On Grilling

Food illnesses are caused by bacteria or viruses in the food you eat. Please follow these simple steps of precaution to ensure your families health.

Bacteria thrive in warm temperatures keeping food at temperatures between 40°F and 140°F is dangerous as bacteria multiply rapidly in warm temperatures. This is not just for charcoal grill tips, but also in your everyday lives.

Always try keeping your food in the fridge,leaving it at room temperature for longer then two hours becomes unsafe. Make sure your refrigerator is set below 40°F. Make sure your food is properly cooked, food needs to be cooked at a hot enough temperature and for a sustained period

of time. Your temperature needs to be at least 145°F or higher. Always wash your hands thoroughly before preparing food, make sure all your utensils are not only clean but clean from bacteria. Use a cleaning liquid that will destroy bacteria and make all your utensils safe to use.

To prevent cross-contamination, bacteria can travel from one food product to the other. As we have said before never place cooked food in the same dish as you placed raw food.

Clean your utensils after every use, do not cut chicken with a knife then use it on steak without cleaning it.

Do not defrost your meat by leaving it on the counter rather use warm running water or the microwave.

Maintain cooked food above 145°F.

Keep your hot foods hot and your cold foods cold.

Put left over food in the fridge or freezer straight after you have eaten.

Do not leave food to marinate at room temperature always place it in the fridge.

Keep left over food in small containers and ensure there is space between them so it cools quickly.

Use low fat marinates.

Use alternatives to oils as much as you can like spray and cook for example.

Your first priority should always be health and safety for your family.

About The Author:

http://www.bonfeu-bbq.com/charcoal-grill-tips.html

Your First Charcoal Grill

2013-01-02T16:59:00.000-08:00

Perhaps you have just moved into your first place, or you decided that you wanted to broaden your horizons and try new things. Maybe you went to a Fourth of July barbeque party and tasted the beautiful smoked flavor, and decided you wanted to try to replicate it. After doing your research, you decided that a charcoal grill is right for you. Now what?

Now that you have decided you want a charcoal grill, you have to decide what type of charcoal grill will suit your needs. Are you planning on traveling and using your charcoal grill? If so, you will need a charcoal grill that is small enough to travel with you. Smaller charcoal grills are ideal for cookouts, camping, and tail gate parties, but would not be useful if you were cooking for a larger amount of people. If you plan on feeding a larger amount of people, a larger charcoal grill will better suit your needs. If you are having issues deciding on which type you should get, you may consider getting both. Smaller charcoals grills can cost as little as $10 to $15 dollars, and will give you the ability to travel.

Charcoal grills contain hot embers and fire when it is in use. Safety should also be a major concern when you are picking out your first Charcoal grill. Look for a charcoal grill with a sturdy structure and sturdy legs. If you grill does now have sturdy legs, it’s chances of falling over is much greater. When a charcoal grill falls over, it will send the hot coals flying. Many charcoal grills also have built in safety features such as a water reservoir and smothering valves. Undoubtedly, when you are cooking with fire, accidents can happen. In the case that your grill gets out of control or become to hot, these safety features will prevent potentially dangerous fires. The fire department has much better things to do then help you cook.

One of the most noticeable features when using charcoal is the flavor of the food you cook. To cook with a charcoal grill, you must buy charcoal briquettes and lighter fluid. Charcoal is a one use item, and will need to be discarded after each use. Charcoal can be picked up at your local superstore, gas station, or grocery store, and is typically pretty inexpensive. Charcoal must be light and allowed to burn until the charcoal is no longer on fire, but is red embers. The best way to get the pile to burn is by stacking it in a pyramid.

While no one likes to clean their grill, it is necessary to maintain your grill if you want it to last it’s intended lifetime. One problem you will face is the fact that Charcoal grills stay hot for a long period of time. You can remedy this situation 2 ways. First you can leave your grill open, allowing it to burn out. This method typically burns a lot of the grease off, but can potentially cause problems if you are not near your barbeque grill. You do not want to start a fire. Another way is to completely close off your grill and deny the fire oxygen. As soon as the grill is cold, or cold enough not to burn you, you will want to clean the grill. Leaving the grill dirty for any amount of time will cause the buildup to become hard, and may make it harder to remove. Use a wire brush to clean off the surface areas of your grill, and then spray cooking oil on the surface. Take the racks off and clean them with dishwashing soap. Dawn or other brands that have degreasers work best. Rinse the racks off, and replace them in the grill.

Grilling Gift Basket

2009-11-27T07:47:00.000-08:00

The perfect gift for anyone who loves to cook on the grill, "The Flame Enthusiast"™ is made with award-winning BBQ sauces and marinades that turn ordinary meals into gourmet grill affairs! A part of our best-selling BBQ gift baskets collection, this grilling gift basket will have people lining up to taste the goodness that comes from this collection of sauces that covers everything from smoky and spicy, to sweet and savory. For anyone who loves to cook, this is the perfect grilling gift! Visit http://www.GiftGivingExpress
for this grilling gift basket and more. Just type in "grilling" under search.

Tips for First Time Grill Owners

2009-11-14T19:54:00.001-08:00

Grilling, or Barbequing is a true American tradition. Many Americans are finding themselves with a grill for the first time. Good experiences with your grill will surely lead to using your grill more and more.

Planning Ahead

Barbequing has been around since early cavemen figured out that food tasted great after being cooked on an open fire. Perhaps one of the main memories attached to a family barbeque is what was on the menu that day. Barbequing opens a whole array of types of foods available. The type of foods you serve should largely depend on your crowd and the event in which you are celebrating. With the wide range of possibilities, you are sure to find at least a few items that will please your crowd.

Another potential issue when barbequing is the weather. While you will not be able to guarantee that the weather stays nice your barbeque event, a certain amount of planning will help you avoid the days in which barbequing is just simply out of the picture. Watch the weather channel or check online for your weekly forecast. If rain or cold weather is likely on the day you were thinking about having your barbeque, it may be a good idea to wait for a better forecast.

Make sure that you prepare ahead for your barbeque. 12 to 24 hours before you plan on beginning the party, make sure to thaw, prepare, and marinate the meat you will be cooking. Once you have the meat stored away, soaking up the marinate, then you must start thinking about what types of side dishes you will be having. If you want a completely tradition barbeque, you may want to stick with traditional sizes. Traditional barbeque sides include potatoes, potato salad, baked beans, and coleslaw.

Maintenance

You will need some common household items on hand when it comes
time to clean your barbeque grill.

Brass wire grill brush

Steel wool pads, preferably that contains soap already.

Mild dish soap

Sponge or dishcloth

Spray cooking oil

Dry baking soda

Aluminum foil

The first thing that should always be done to your grill is a routine brushing. Using your brass wire grill brush (or other brush suitable to your type of grill) you should brush off all the surfaces. By routinely brushing your barbeque grill, you will prevent any type of buildup. If buildup from food is left to long, it can become increasingly difficult to remove. Once you have cleaned the surfaces of your grill, then you must focus on its racks. The racks in your grill are especially important as this is where the food touches when it is cooking. You will have to use the wire brush to remove as much buildup as possible. Once you remove as much as possible, start washing the racks with dish soap. If the racks are really dirty, you may also want to use the steel wool pads. Be sure to completely rinse off all soap and residue before cooking on these racks again.

This process should be completed each and every time you cook on your barbeque grill. If these steps are not taken, you may find it increasingly difficult to clean your grill, and may find that damage will occur.

The majority of problems that arise from barbeque grills comes from lack of cleaning and maintenance. That means if you notice something does not seem quite right with your barbeque grill, chances are it can be fixed with just a simple cleaning. Even if you clean it, and still find that it is having problems, at least you saved yourself the potential embarrassment of taking it to a professional only to find out all it needed was to be cleaned.

Finally, one method of preventing problems with your barbeque grill is protecting it from the outdoors. Covers are available for grills in all shapes and sizes, so chances are, you will find one that fits your grill. If you have a cover for your barbeque grill, then all you will ever need to do is do the regular maintenance listed above.

Wading Through Various Grill Features

2009-11-14T19:52:00.001-08:00

When looking into different grills features, you may be faced with what seems like a foreign language. How are you suppose to pick the grill that is best for you if you do not understand what you are reading? While the language used when describing grills will not get any easier to read, understanding what the majority if what it means will help you make an informed decision.

Perhaps one of the most important things you should consider is the fuel type. Charcoal grills are one of the most used types of grills. Charcoal grills utilize charcoal and lighter fluid to heat up and cook your food. Charcoal grills come in all shapes and sizes, and vary in cost. Charcoal requires you to buy charcoal and lighter fluid each time you cook with it. It must also be cleaned out each time. Charcoal grills come in small sizes, which are ideal for apartment dwellers or people with small homes. Once you have used your charcoal grill, you can clean it, and store it away. Propane grills are also useful for someone in small areas, since they can come in smaller sizes. Propane grills use propane gas to cook your food. If you want to quickly cook foods while still maintaining a grilled flavor, you may want to consider Propane grills. Natural gas grills are a little more complicated then smaller grills, so they require more room. Natural gas grills are meant to hook up directly to your home’s natural gas line, and can cook meat in record time. Smoker Grills are used when flavor is the number one priority. Smoker grills use wood to slow cook your meat. Flavor can be controlled by using different types of woods.

BTU is the measure of the amount of cooking power the barbeque grill as. Simple math will be needed in determining the amount of heat that your grill produces. Take the amount of space available for cooking (typically measured by square inch) and divide it by the total amount of BTU’s. Ideally you will want at least 95 to 100 BTU’s per square inch of cooking space. So for example, if you have a grill with 50,000 BTU’s and 450 square inches of cooking space, then you will be receiving about 111 BTU’s of cooking power per square inch. Anything less, and you may want to consider a different grill.

The next thing you will want to consider is the cooking surfaces. How much space does it have? Will you be able to cook for just yourself, or you entire family? Depending on your situation, you may want to consider a larger or smaller grill.

What about cleaning? Does your grill have anything type of features that allow you to clean it easier? Some grills offer such things as a cleaning door, which allows you to easier remove the used fuels. This is handy if you decide on a charcoal and smoker grill. Some grills have a none stick surface, which allows you to cook without food sticking, and allows for very easy cleanup.

Another feature some grills offer the ability to control different areas of your grill with different temperatures. This is typically controlled by knobs on the front, similar to an oven. This allows you to cook different types of foods at the same time. If you want to cook a whole meal on the grill, this can be possible.

Starting your grill changed drastically with each type of grill. Smokers and Charcoal burners require you to light the media, the wait for it to burn out and turn to embers before cooking. This can take anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes. Natural gas and propane gar grills can be started instantly, wither by lighting the burners with a lighter, or by a knob on the front, which is attached to a small hammer that slams into a crystal, causing enough spark to ignite the fuel.

BBQ Beef Short Ribs

2009-11-07T06:34:00.000-08:00

Ingredients

10 pounds short ribs of beef, 2 inches thick
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon garlic
1 teaspoon thyme leaves
1 tablespoon ancho powder ( pablano pepper/chili powder)

Directions

Mix all seasoning in a large bowl. Add short ribs and coat evenly. Allow to sit for two hours before smoking. Build a hickory fire in grill on one side only. Place the beef ribs on the grill on the opposite side of the fire and close off the air so the fire goes down. Maintain a temperature of 275 degrees for 3 hours, basting with mop every 15 minutes for the last 45 minutes.

Short Rib Mop:

3 tablespoons mustard
3 tablespoons ketchup
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 cup apple cider

Mix all ingredients together.

The Good One Open Range Smoker (Model 30-P)

2009-11-01T19:17:00.000-08:00

Chris Marks and his Three Little Pigs barbecue team are one of the top teams in competition barbecue (8 time grand champion of the American Royal BBQ Competition). The Good One Open Range smoker is the smallest version of the smoker Chris takes to competitions. What makes this smoker different than other big, black smokers is the precision of air flow control. The Good One uses rotating vents called spinners that can be turned open with a very fine level of control.

With many heavy steel smokers you get a great deal of smoke leakage around the doors and connections. This smoker fits together with incredible accuracy so the air flows through the vents and not through the doors. Add to that the precision of the vents and you can shut this smoker down, put out the fire, and save your remaining charcoal for your next cook.

This unit comes standard with a 360 square inch smoking grate and similar grilling grate. You can purchase an additional smoking grate or half grate to give you as much as 720 square inches of smoking space. That is more than enough to smoke 4 full size briskets.

The nearly $1,000 price tag makes this an expensive smoker, but the durable construction, excellent cooking abilities, and efficient design make it a perfect smoker for the person who is serious about barbecue. But more than just a great smoker, this unit is amazingly versatile. You can use the fire box area for direct grilling of the smoking chamber as a roasting or baking oven. This is one cooker that really can do it all.

Traeger Pellet Lil' Tex

2009-11-01T19:12:00.000-08:00

Wood pellets are a byproduct of the wood industry that can be used to heat or for cooking. Traeger has taken high quality, hardwood pellets and used them to make great barbecue. It works something like this:

Wood pellets, held in a small hopper are moved into the cooking chamber by a mechanical auger. In the center of the cooking chamber is a small fire-pot with a small electric heating element. The heat element ignites the pellets to create the cooking heat and the smoke. During the ignition period (4 minutes) the unit uses 300 watts. After that the unit uses 50 watts. This means that the electric usage is low and won't drive up your power bills.

Years of design improvements and practical testing have improved the Traeger grills and smokers to the point of being some of the best outdoor cooking equipment on the market. If you are serious about barbecue and want a unit that will grill a steak and smoke a brisket, then this is a unit for you to seriously consider.

The Lil' Tex smoker is Traeger's smallest unit, but at 418 square inches of cooking space you will have plenty of room for any family cookout. This unit will run you about $700, but I would recommend the thermostatic control unit as a necessarily accessory. This will put the price at closer to $900.

The wood pellets that this unit runs on are specialized fuel and you will need a good source of these to run your smoker. You can purchase them online. There are several companies that supply these pellets, including Traeger.

Char-Broil Electric H2O Smoker

2009-11-01T19:08:00.001-08:00

Of the vertical water smokers on the market for around or under $100USD this one of the easiest to operate. Basically a big can (sometimes referred to as a trash can smoker) with a large electric heating element in the bottom. The 1650 watt (120 volt) heating element can produce enough heat to grill over so it can heat this smoker quickly and easily. The control lets you set the temperature but remember that this unit is not thermostatically controlled.

Above the heating element of this unit is a pan for wood chips to produce the smoker for true barbecue. Above this is a large porcelain coated water pan that serves to catch drippings, produce moisture for the smoking chamber, and to help keep the heat even and consistent. Above the water pan are the two chrome plated cooking grates to hold up to 50 pounds of food. The whole unit is topped off with the lid.

This is a good unit that is perfect for the person just starting out in barbecue or the person who wants good barbecue without spending a lot of money or doing a lot of work.

I consider the Old Smokey Electric Smoker as a similar but superior smoker. However the Char-Broil is generally easier to find.

Weber Smokey Mountain 22.5 Inch Smoker

2009-11-01T19:01:00.001-08:00

You've probably seen pictures of the incredible smokers that hit this barbecue competition circuit every year. Custom smokers costing tens of thousands of dollars (or more) that are the pride of serious barbecue cooks. Well for every one of these on the road there are probably a dozen Weber Smokey Mountains (WSMs). These easy to use smokers produce fantastic barbecue, hold temperatures for very long periods of time cost a whole lot less (list price is $499 but can be found for $399).

With this kind of popularity Weber has finally come up with a larger version of this smoker. With 726 square inches of cooking space divided between two cooking surfaces, the 22.5 inch Smokey Mountain is perfect for the person who wants to produce a lot of barbecue. What is particularly good about this size is that it more easily holds whole racks of spare ribs in addition to giving you enough space for 60 pound of pork butts or perhaps 4 large turkeys.

Added to the WSM with this model is a lid mounted thermometer which is a necessarily addition. Previously people had been drilling holes in this smokers to put in a thermometer so they could determine the cooking temperature without having to open the lid. The large thermometer mounted in this unit is accurate and divided at the 5 degree mark giving it a high level of accuracy. Also added is a bottom heat shield to help protect any surface that the smoker is put on. This heat shield also seems to have the affect of reflecting heat upwards making the smoker more efficient.

On the one down side, the front access door is a little flimsy so you should be careful not to bend it out of shape. The upside of this is that you can "custom" fit it so that it holds in the smoke better.

Or try the: Weber Smokey Mountain 18.5 Inch Smoker.

Smoker: Fast Eddy's by Cookshack FEC100

2009-11-01T18:55:00.000-08:00

They say that nothing succeeds like success, and the FEC (Fast Eddy Cooker) line of competition smokers have proven it. In the last decade this smoker has become the cooker of choice for competition cooks who want to win. More and more you see grand championships going to teams using FEC smokers including two the last three Jack Daniel's Invitational.

The secret is in the simplicity, simplicity of use. The basic design of this smoker is a dual layer of thick 304 stainless steel separated by high temperature insulation to hold in heat. Heat is provided by an electronically controlled 36,000 BTU pellet burner fed from an external hopper (you can add more pellets without opening the smoker). The computer controlled system maintains the smoker temperature with a high degree of precision so you don't have to deal with fluctuations. With the optional (definitely a must) temperature probe you can put your meat in the smoker, set the desired target temperature and the FEC will take it from there. Once the target temperature is reached the smoker temperature will drop into a holding position until you are ready to remove your barbecue.

This smoker is expertly constructed by Cookshack, makers of some of the best electric smokers on the market, from Ed Maurin's design. The attention to detail is amazing. This smoker is not only perfect for competitions but a perfect unit for anyone serious about barbecue who has the cash and the need for a lot of great food. The FEC 100 is the smallest of the FEC smokers and you will find many of the larger units being used in some of the best barbecue joints in the world.

Classic Barbecue Sauce

2009-11-01T06:46:00.001-08:00

If you like a rich, thick barbecue sauce on your ribs, then this is the perfect one for you. By using tomato sauce and tomato paste instead of ketchup you get a richer flavor in your barbecue sauce.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
1 6-ounce can tomato paste
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic crushed
4 tablespoons minced onion
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon cayenne
fresh ground pepper to taste

Preparation:

Cook minced onion and garlic in olive oil until onions turns opaque. Add remaining ingredients, mix thoroughly and allow to simmer for about 20 minutes. Makes about 1 1/2 cups of barbecue sauce.

Carolina Style Sauce

2009-11-01T06:44:00.001-08:00

Big Daddy says, "This is Carolina style barbecue sauce." This means that it is vinegar and mustard based, as opposed to the ketchup and molasses based sauces of the mid and southwest. The combination of sweet and tangy flavors brings out the absolute best in grilled or smoked pork or chicken.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

1 cup prepared yellow mustard
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar
3/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon soy sauce
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon liquid smoke (hickory flavoring)

Preparation:

Mix all except soy, butter and smoke. Simmer 30 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients and simmer for 10 more minutes.

Barbequing: An American Tradition

2009-10-24T19:50:00.000-07:00

No matter if it is the 4th of July, or just another day in the summer, chances are someone in your area is barbequing. Barbequing has become a standard American tradition for families. The reason as clear as to why, not only does the food that comes from barbequing have a taste that is unmatched by other cooking methods, but barbequing presents a reason for families to gather together. Some on my most memorial experiences happened outdoors at one of my families many get-togethers.

Planning A Barbeque

First, no barbeque would be complete without guests and proper outdoors weather. Plan ahead of time, checking with your potential guests for scheduling conflicts and issues. Finding a date and time that is suitable for everyone should not be to hard as long as you everyone enough advanced notice. Alternatively, be sure to check the weather for that type of year. If you live in a climate that cannot be predicted, then you may want to have a backup plan just incase unusual weather comes. You cannot predict things like rain and thunderstorms ahead of time, but you can make sure that you hold you barbeque during the time of year that will be pleasant to your guests. A barbeque in cold weather may hold more negative memories of trying to keep warm rather then good memories of family and friends.

Barbequing has been around since early cavemen figured out that food tasted great after being cooked on an open fire. Perhaps one of the main memories attached to a family barbeque is what was on the menu that day. Barbequing opens a whole array of types of foods available. The type of foods you serve should largely depend on your crowd and the event in which you are celebrating. With the wide range of possibilities, you are sure to find at least a few items that will please your crowd.

Make sure that you prepare ahead for your barbeque. 12 to 24 hours before you plan on beginning the party, make sure to thaw, prepare, and marinate the meat you will be cooking. Once you have the meat stored away, soaking up the marinate, then you must start thinking about what types of side dishes you will be having. If you want a completely tradition barbeque, you may want to stick with traditional sizes. Traditional barbeque sides include potatoes and potato salad, baked beans, and coleslaw. Your traditional condiment bar should include pickles, relish, and onions. These foods are typically severed at barbeques because they are easy to prepare and store until the event happens. You may want to cook other items, but any barbeque is complete with just the items listed above.

A themed barbeque may present more opportunities to hold a festive event. With a themed event, you can splurge on the atmosphere and decorations. Matching tablecloths, napkins, and plates can be found at any local store. You can also match your décor to the party. For example, a luau could simply be creative colored utensils, leis, and Tiki torches, all of which are extremely cheap. You can even reuse the Tiki torches later!

Your party area should be set up before guest arrive. It only takes a few minutes to get everything ready, but the reaction you get from your arriving guests may make you feel like you were preparing and decorating all day. Depending on the situation, you may or may not want to have the food already cooking on the grill. The smell will surely be inviting if you start cooking ahead!

Properly Cleaning Your Grill

2009-10-16T20:22:00.000-07:00

When purchasing your barbeque grill, think of it as an investment rather then just another item for your outdoor entertainment. You should expect this item to become a large part of your outdoor activities for many years to come. But like any other investments, proper maintenance and care is needed to ensure that your barbeque grill will work for you for many years to come.

Leaving you grill messy after each use will not only make it harder on you when you finally do clean the grill, but it will also drastically decrease the lifespan of your grill. If you grill sits dirty, you increase the risk of rust.

While some maintenance and cleaning is specific to the type of barbeque grill your own (gas, electric, charcoal or smoke barbecue grill), the majority of maintenance that should be carried on does not change from grill to grill.

Step 1- Gathering The Necessary Items

You will need some common household items on hand when it comes time to clean your barbeque grill.

Brass wire grill brush
Steel wool pads, preferably that contains soap already.
Mild dish soap
Sponge or dishcloth
Spray cooking oil
Dry baking soda
Aluminum foil

Step 2- Brushing Your Grill Off

The first thing that should always be done to your grill is a routine brushing. Using your brass wire grill brush (or other brush suitable to your type of grill) you should brush off all the surfaces. By routinely brushing your barbeque grill, you will prevent any type of buildup. If buildup from food is left to long, it can become increasingly difficult to remove, and can end up causing problems such as rust.

Step 3- Spray Cooking Oil

Once you are sure that your grill is free of all buildup and debris, and that your grill is completely cooled off, you will want to spray it down with a light layer of cooking oil. Spraying it down with cooking oil will prevent your barbeque grill from rusting. It is especially important to make sure you barbeque grill is completely cold, as spraying cooking oil on a hot surface may cause the oil to heat up and ignite, which could be potentially dangerous to you and your barbeque grill.

Step 4- Use Baking Soda and Aluminum Foil on Your Grill

Baking soda is a very nice cleaning and polishing agent. Once you have removed any extra debris and buildup, lightly scrubbing your barbeque grill with baking soda will give it that extra shine, similar to the day that you brought it home from the store. This can also be used on handles and knobs to remove any extra buildup tat cannot be taken off with a wire brush.

Aluminum foil can also be used to keep your grill looking nice. Gently rub the aluminum foil on your grill, and you will notice that it removes grim and buildup. This is a cheap and inexpensive way to clean your grill.

Step 5- Clean Your Racks

The racks in your grill are especially important as this is where the food touches when it is cooking. You will have to use the wire brush to remove as much buildup as possible. Once you remove as much as possible, start washing the racks with dish soap. If the racks are really dirty, you may also want to use the steel wool pads. Be sure to completely rinse off all soap and residue before cooking on these racks again.

Stainless Steel Gas Grills

2009-10-16T20:19:00.001-07:00

Once you decide that you are more then just your average griller, you may want to consider investing in a gas grills. Gas grills give an array of features and options that other types of grills simply do not have. If you are looking for a grill that will be beautiful, reliable, and will last for many years to come, you may want to consider looking into stainless steel gas grills.

Gas grills, unlike some of the other grills types, have the ability to come with many different types of cooking surfaces. These different cooking surfaces include a BBQ surface, a flat grill, and a ribbed grill. Some grills even offer these types of surfaces as none stick, which allow you to cook a whole array of foods that you would not be able to cook on a grill otherwise. You will be able to cook your whole meal, including side dishes if you plan correctly. Some gas grills even contain a Wok type surface for cooking pasta and rise dishes, or a full rotisserie set that allows you to cook rotisserie chicken.

A feature that comes with different cooking surfaces is the ability to cook different foods, at different temperatures, at the same time. This feature is available if your gas grill have separate burners. This allows you to cook your meals much more quickly. Some gas grills even come with a warming feature, which will keep your food warm while the rest of it finishes cooking.

Gas grills usually contain a built in thermometer, which will aide you in cooking. You will know the exact temperature you are cooking at. Charcoal and Smoker grills do not typically contain this feature, which either leaves you guessing what temperatures you are cooking at, or requires you to buy extra equipment in order to find out what temperature your food is.

Gas grills have safely concerns all of its own, but they are unmatched by other types of grills. Propane gas is extremely flammable if not used correctly. Other grills however, present higher opportunities for fire as they cook with an open flame. Gas grills are typical built much sturdier then their more simpler counterparts.

Popular Stainless Steel Gas Grills

Broilmaster- One of the most popular brands of natural gas grills is the Broilmasters. This company has been around for a long time and prides itself by creating great grills, even in its companies early years. If you are looking for a reliable name, Broilmaster would be the way to go. One of the most popular Broilmaster grills is the Super Premium Series, which puts out 40,000 BTU’s of cooking power, and has a cooking surface area of over 695 square inches.

Brinkman- These simple natural gas grills put out a lot of power, and can be purchased for much less then it’s competition. The Brinkmans, like the Broilmasters, are built of solid construction and meant to last a long time. Typical power output is around 45,000 BTU’s. Smaller units can range from 12,000 to 15,00 BTU’s.

Lynx- Lynx natural gas grills were specially designed for cooking higher end meats such as steaks and ribs. This grill have a patent design that is suppose to lock in flavor and juices. The Lynx run on the higher end of the price range, anywhere from $500 to $3000. The typical cooking power is about 50,000 BTU and has a cooking surface area of 840 square inches.

Hulk Hogan Grill

2009-10-11T06:25:00.001-07:00

It's "Hulkamania" all over again! Hulk Hogan is famous for ripping his yellow shirt off in the ring and no one will be able to top his career, but he is back and this time ripping the wrapper off of some steaks. Since he has already did the wrestling thing he's now trying to dominate grilling. The Hulk Hogan Grill is going to be the best selling product of the year. My wife went at me for at least two weeks for the Hulk Hogan Grill until I finally got it for her.

When it came to our door about 3 days later I have to admit I was really ready to try it out myself and I have got to say that the Hulk Hogan Grill really does a great job! Over the next 7 days after we got it we cooked everything on it, from grilled sandwiches, fresh fish, hamburgers, and steaks. My wife even baked me some perfect cookies on it and waffles for breakfast. It's great! I think the ability to cook cookies on the Hulk Hogan Grill is what sold her in the first place.

I have to say the that the George Foreman has been in the cabinet since we got the Hulk Hogan Grill. A nice feature on the Hulk Hogan Grill is the hidden grease catcher that doesn't create a big mess when cooking fatty foods, unlike the trap that's in front of the Foreman that is so prone to tip over. I can't speak for everyone, but I don't like looking at all of that fat seeping out of my food. I like to try and eat as healthy as I can and the Hulk Hogan Grill really makes it possible. I noticed too, that the Hulk Hogan Grill takes way more fat out of food than the Foreman.

When the grill came to our house it had a few extras like: the "Hogan Knows Grilling Cookbook", one skillet plate, two grill plates, and a 60 day money back refund ( I say that like I am special, but they give that to everyone). We love ours and use it everyday so we won't be sending ours back. It's so easy to use, just throw a steak or two on it and in 20-25 minutes they are done! The Hulk Hogan Grill can do so much. You can use it as a grill(obviously), cook pizzas, bake cookies, waffles, and grilled sandwiches.

A couple of other nice features that the Hulk Hogan Grill has are the fold out double top cooking surface that you can cook a few of different items on. You can set the grill plates to different temperatures from 210 degrees to 450. Also, clean up for the Hulk Hogan Grill is a breeze. Just put the cook plates into the dishwasher and walk away, it take less than a minute.

If you like easy convenient cooking I would suggest you pick one of these grills up. It will eliminate most of the cooking appliances in your home. If you are craving something just fire up the Hulk Hogan Grill and "BOOM" it's cooked to perfection in just a few minutes, the thing I love the most is this grill is affordable. This grill is just great!

Grill Baskets

2009-10-11T06:13:00.001-07:00

You just had one of the most delicious grilled fish in one of the best restaurants of your city. Don’t you feel like trying the dish at home? But the very idea of trying something so elaborate puts you off. We have a solution to your problem-try the grill basket. Yes, grill baskets are easy to handle metallic baskets which are available in different sizes.

A grill basket is especially used for foods which fall through the grill bars and even for small dices of meat as well as veggies. There are different varieties of grill baskets which depends on the type of food you want to grill i.e. they are food specific. There is a grill basket which is perforated, allowing the nicely cut vegetables to be grilled properly; the perforations or holes allows the excess oil to be drained out. There is also a flat variant which is ideal for hot dogs and corn. Fish baskets come with a handle, making it simple to cook an entire fish and turning it over.

The stainless-steel ones with handles are available in sizes that would suit you; it’s just right for vegetables, prawns and meat. The soft grip for the handle makes it easier to hold over fire. These baskets are also found in different shapes like for examples the round and square or rectangular shaped ones. The material with which the grill basket is made speaks volumes of its functionality. A non-stick and silicone based ones are more durable than the rest and being non-stick, the food items can be easily stirred without it sticking to the body of the basket. A copper basket can take extreme temperatures.

Grill baskets are not expensive and are quite readily available. The size and material of a grill basket decide its price. While buying compare the prices of different manufacturers and their ratings. Consider the various cooking surface options in which they are available. Obviously a basket with a non-stick coating will be more expensive and so will be the one with a huge size. You even have the baskets with rigged, special BBQ, flat and Wok type (ideal for rice) type surfaces. The size is a big factor to know for how many people’s food can be made in single grill basket.

Grill baskets use different type of fuels. The charcoal gas one is the most common one. The other types include natural gas and propane. There are various advantages of grill baskets. The food cooked on a grill basket has a better taste owing to the strong aroma and flavor of the food that it retains. Moreover the food is cooked very slowly owing to which the food is cooked better and no wonder it’s simply delicious.

These grill baskets can be easily washed and cleaned and doesn’t require any additional maintenance. It can easily fit into your dishwasher. On a bright sunny day, arrange a small picnic in your gardens with freshly grilled fish, hot dog and hamburgers, can it get any better than this? All you need is the right grill basket!

BBQ Grilling Tips - Best Grilling

2009-10-11T06:11:00.000-07:00

Tips Never use more charcoal then you need to, start off with a small amount and add as you need. Use approximately 20 to 25 briquettes for every kilogram of meat you cooking.

Make sure there is enough ventilation when lighting the charcoal.

The closer the food rack is to the charcoal the faster the food will cook and if the heat is too intense you may burn the food.

When the charcoal turns 50% gray you can start cooking.

Keep your charcoal dry, always store in a place where it can't get wet, damp charcoal causes a lot of smoke.

Never leave grill unattended, flare ups and food burning can happen really quickly.

In cooler weather you might find you need more briquettes to get to ideal cooking temperature.

Wind can make the fire hotter. On humid days coal tends to burn slower.

Oil dripping from your meat onto charcoal can cause flare-ups.

Never use gasoline to light your charcoal. Never use lighter fluid on already lit charcoal.

These charcoal grill tips should give you peace of mind and confidence when you are grilling. Not all these charcoal grilling tips are suitable for gas grills.

Barbecue Tips - BBQ Grilling Tips

Trim meat of excess fat for healthier meals.

When cooking chicken or turkey do not use utensils that can pierce the skin as you will loose flavour.

Your grill should be clear of anything that can catch a light and cause a fire.

Always try marinate your meat before grilling, some recipes will require you to marinate the meat while you grill.

Do not put cooked food back onto the same plate as the raw food was to prevent food poisoning.

Try to grill with oven gloves to prevent burns.

Use wire hinges for cooking vegetables & fish.

Use grill brushes to brush away any left over food and oil on the grid.

Turn meat over readily to prevent burning.

Use direct heat cooking when making hot dogs or burgers.

Use in-direct heat when making whole chickens and large steaks.

On a hot day do not let food stand outside for longer then an hour especially if food is in direct sunlight.

Wash all utensils and containers before using them.

Some dishes will require you to precook the meat to ensure it gets cooked properly.

Grilling Safety Tips - Tips On Grilling

Food illnesses are caused by bacteria or viruses in the food you eat. Please follow these simple steps of precaution to ensure your families health.

Bacteria thrive in warm temperatures keeping food at temperatures between 40°F and 140°F is dangerous as bacteria multiply rapidly in warm temperatures. This is not just for charcoal grill tips, but also in your everyday lives.

Always try keeping your food in the fridge,leaving it at room temperature for longer then two hours becomes unsafe. Make sure your refrigerator is set below 40°F. Make sure your food is properly cooked, food needs to be cooked at a hot enough temperature and for a sustained period

of time. Your temperature needs to be at least 145°F or higher. Always wash your hands thoroughly before preparing food, make sure all your utensils are not only clean but clean from bacteria. Use a cleaning liquid that will destroy bacteria and make all your utensils safe to use.

To prevent cross-contamination, bacteria can travel from one food product to the other. As we have said before never place cooked food in the same dish as you placed raw food.

Clean your utensils after every use, do not cut chicken with a knife then use it on steak without cleaning it.

Do not defrost your meat by leaving it on the counter rather use warm running water or the microwave.

Maintain cooked food above 145°F.

Keep your hot foods hot and your cold foods cold.

Put left over food in the fridge or freezer straight after you have eaten.

Do not leave food to marinate at room temperature always place it in the fridge.

Keep left over food in small containers and ensure there is space between them so it cools quickly.

Use low fat marinates.

Use alternatives to oils as much as you can like spray and cook for example.

Your first priority should always be health and safety for your family.

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The Benefits of Barbeque Gas Grills

2009-10-04T06:44:00.001-07:00

Gas grills work by a spark igniting the gas within the grill. Gas grills typically have a knob or button in which you push, which in turn activates a small hammer. The hammer hit’s the top of an ignition crystal. Then the burner mixes the gas with oxygen and spreads it all over the cooking surface.

Barbequing is typically thought of as a summer event, but some diehard fans of barbeque will not think twice about breaking out their barbeque grills right in the middle of winter. Grillers in the southern states may not face the problem, but if you live past the lower states, then chances are your Winter includes a large amount of snow. Smokers and charcoal grills present a problem as you must set the grill up properly, and then wait for the grill to get ready. This can take hours, so the idea of standing outside waiting on the grill may not sound appealing in 3 foot of snow. Gas grills give you the opportunity of quickly cooking barbeque.

Another issue found with out types of grills is the cleanup involved. Once you are done grilling with a smoker or charcoal grill, you are then required to clean out the burned remains. In 3 feet of snow, chances are that you do not have a place readily available for disposal. Fire hazards come with the burnt coals and wood chips. Gas grills will simply need a wipe down before it can be stored away for the next time.

Gas grills, unlike some of the other grills types, have the ability to come with many different types of cooking surfaces. These different cooking surfaces include a BBQ surface, a flat grill, and a ribbed grill. Some grills even offer these types of surfaces as none stick, which allow you to cook a whole array of foods that you would not be able to cook on a grill otherwise. You will be able to cook your whole meal, including side dishes if you plan correctly. Some gas grills even contain a Wok type surface for cooking pasta and rise dishes, or a full rotisserie set that allows you to cook rotisserie chicken.

A feature that comes with different cooking surfaces is the ability to cook different foods, at different temperatures, at the same time. This feature is available if your gas grill have separate burners. This allows you to cook your meals much more quickly. Some gas grills even come with a warming feature, which will keep your food warm while the rest of it finishes cooking.

Gas grills usually contain a built in thermometer, which will aide you in cooking. You will know the exact temperature you are cooking at. Charcoal and Smoker grills do not typically contain this feature, which either leaves you guessing what temperatures you are cooking at, or requires you to buy extra equipment in order to find out what temperature your food is.

Gas grills have safely concerns all of its own, but they are unmatched by other types of grills. Propane gas is extremely flammable if not used correctly. Other grills however, present higher opportunities for fire as they cook with an open flame. Gas grills are typical built much sturdier then their more simpler counterparts.

If you are considering traveling with your barbeque grill, a gas grill may be the best option. Gas grills come in small sizes which are perfect for traveling. Small size gas containers are available at your local grocery store or department store, which allows you to easily transport the fuel source as well.

Tips for Better Barbequing

2009-10-04T06:43:00.001-07:00

If you are new to barbequing, chances are you have run into some problems when it comes to barbequing. Barbequing, like anything else, takes practice. Learning from your mistakes, as well as the mistakes of other will help you learn quickly.

Before you begin cooking, spray your cooking area with a nonstick cooking spray. This will prevent your meat from sticking when you are rotating or removing it. If your meat sticks and tears, you will lose a large amount of juice, and your meat may dry out.

Never place food on the grill until the temperature is correct. The fluctuation in temperatures will cause your food to dry out or burn. If you are using a charcoal grill, make sure that the coals are completely gray before putting the meat on the grill. This will allow the temperatures to level out, and the majority of the lighter fluid to burn off.

Cooking with charcoal lighter fluid can be good or bad. The lighter fluid will cause the food you are cooking to taste different then with other types of grills. Alternatively, attempting to not use lighter fluid may cause a lot of frustration due to the fact that charcoal can be difficult if not impossible to light without lighter fluid.

You must properly prepare the meat you are cooking, before cooking it. You should never attempt to cook meat on a grill when it is still frozen, or even partially frozen. Thaw your meat by sitting it out about 12 to 24 hours before you plan on cooking it, or by thawing it in a microwave. If you meat is thawed, but in the refrigerator, set it out long enough for the meat to get to room temperature.

Once meat is cooked, never put it back in on the same plate you had it on when it was raw. This could cause the spread of many unwanted illnesses. Do not handle cooked meat with the same utensils that you used when it was raw.

Never poke you meat while it is cooking. Poking holes in meat will cause the juice inside to leak out into the bottom of the grill. Not only will this make your food dry and unappealing in the end, but it also could potentially ruin your barbeque grill. At the very least, it will cause a buildup of unwanted grease and juices on your girll, which will make cleanup harder.

Once the meat is on the grill, try not to open the lid to many times. Each time you open the lid, you change the temperature in the grill. The constant change in temperature and the air flow will cause your meat to dry up quickly.

Remember that the higher the heat is not always the better. While it is ok to quickly cook food, turning the heat up will just cause the meat to dry up and potentially burn.

While using tin foil or aluminum foil will make cleaning easier, it will cause your food to have more of a fried taste then a grilled taste.

If you are planning on using your favorite barbeque sauce, be sure to wait as long as possible to put it on the meat. Putting barbeque sauce on to early will not only potentially cause your meat to dry out, but it could also burn.

Using a Charcoal Grill

2009-09-27T08:00:00.001-07:00

So you have decided that you want to start barbequing. What more, you have done your research and decided that a charcoal grill is the right type of grill for you. So now you have to pick out the charcoal grill that suits you best.

One of the first things to consider when purchasing your first charcoal grill is what you will be using it for. If you plan on traveling and using your charcoal grill, you will want something small enough to travel with you. Smaller charcoal grills are ideal for cookouts, camping, and tail gate parties, but would not be useful if you were cooking for a larger amount of people. Smaller grills that are easy to transport usually cost under 20 dollars, so you may want to consider purchasing a separate grill for smaller occasions.

Safety should also be a major concern when you are picking out your first charcoal grill. Since you grill will contain hot coals, the number one concern should be whether or not your grill is sturdy. Look for a charcoal grill with a sturdy structure and sturdy legs. If you grill does now have sturdy legs, it’s chances of falling over is much greater. When a charcoal grill falls over, it send hot coals flying. Many charcoal grills also have built in safety features such as a water reservoir and smothering valves. Undoubtedly, when you are cooking with fire, accidents can happen. In the case that your grill gets out of control or becomes to hot, these safety features will prevent potentially dangerous fires.

One of the most noticeable features when using charcoal is the flavor of the food you cook. To cook with a charcoal grill, you must buy charcoal briquettes and lighter fluid. Charcoal is a one use item, and will need to be discarded after each use. Charcoal can be picked up at your local superstore, gas station, or grocery store, and is typically pretty inexpensive. Charcoal must be light and allowed to burn until the charcoal is no longer on fire, but is red embers. The best way to get the pile to burn is by stacking it in a pyramid.

While no one likes to clean their grill, it is necessary to maintain your grill if you want it to last it’s intended lifetime. One problem you will face is the fact that Charcoal grills stay hot for a long period of time. You can remedy this situation 2 ways. First you can leave your grill open, allowing it to burn out. This method typically burns a lot of the grease off, but can potentially cause problems if you are not near your barbeque grill. You do not want to start a fire. Another way is to completely close off your grill and deny the fire oxygen. As soon as the grill is cold, or cold enough not to burn you, you will want to clean the grill. Leaving the grill dirty for any amount of time will cause the buildup to become hard, and may make it harder to remove. Use a wire brush to clean off the surface areas of your grill, and then spray cooking oil on the surface. Take the racks off and clean them with dishwashing soap. Dawn or other brands that have degreasers work best. Rinse the racks off, and replace them in the grill.

Using Gas Grills

2009-09-27T07:59:00.003-07:00

The act of Barbequing or Grilling has been around as long as humans. Cavemen quickly realized that food tasted good after it was cooked over an open fire. Barbequing has become a standard American tradition for families. The reasons as clear as to why, not only does the food that comes from barbequing have a taste that is unmatched by other cooking methods, but barbequing presents a reason for families to gather together.

Gas grills work by a spark igniting the gas within the grill. Gas grills typically have a knob or button in which you push, which in turn activates a small hammer. The hammer hit’s the top of an ignition crystal. Then the burner mixes the gas with oxygen and spreads it all over the cooking surface.

Gas grills come in all shapes and sizes, which makes then ideal for just about any type of barbequing party. Smaller gas grills give you the portability needed to plan barbeque parties away from home. Larger gas grills are handy and efficient for cooking larger amounts of food quickly, and without the mess of other types of grills.

So after deciding that you indeed are in the market for a barbeque grill, there are several factors that you must consider when you purchase your first gas grill.

Weight

Gas grills literally come in all shapes and sizes. The type of grill you get should really depend on what you plan on using the grill for. If you foresee camping trips, barbeques at the beach or tailgate parties, you may want to consider getting a smaller gas grill. Smaller gas grills can range from anywhere from 10 to 40 pounds. Portable gas containers are also available for these types of grills.

If your plans are move focused on home cooking, then larger grills should suit you fine.

Cooking Surfaces

Gas grills, unlike some of the other grills types, have the ability to come with many different types of cooking surfaces. These different cooking surfaces include a BBQ surface, a flat grill, and a ribbed grill. Some grills even offer these types of surfaces as none stick, which allow you to cook a whole array of foods that you would not be able to cook on a grill otherwise. You will be able to cook your whole meal, including side dishes if you plan correctly.

Some gas grills even contain a Wok type surface for cooking pasta and rise dishes, or a full rotisserie set that allows you to cook rotisserie chicken.

Surface Area

Similar to weight, you should consider the amount of cooking surface area you will need, depending on the situations you will be in. If you will only be cooking for yourself or you and one other, you will want a gas grill with a smaller surface area, as it will be easier to clean. If you plan on holding parties or cooking for a larger family, then you will want to consider a gas grill with a larger surface area.

This surface area may also include different types of cooking surfaces. Look for the type that suits you best, or is interchangeable.

Cost

Gas grills are typically on the higher end of the cost scale, as they require more mechanical parts then other grills. You can expect to spend anywhere from $50 for a smaller grill up to $400+ for a large stationary grill.

You also have to remember that you must also purchase the gas for your grill.