Barbecue Grills That Are Fun
Posted: Friday, January 09, 2009
by Thom Richards
http://barbecuegrillsplus.blogspot.com/
There are a many barbecue grills to choose from. Trying to find just the right grill for you can be challenging. Let's review some of the different types, and see just which one will fit your needs and lifestyle.
First, let's talk about gas grills. They are the most convenient type of grill you can buy. They are easy to start, and get up to temperature in a snap of the fingers. Best of all, you can be grilling, barbecuing in a matter of minutes.
First you can use barbecue rubs and marinades, just like all the so-called barbecue experts use. You can also cook with indirect heat, you can slow cook, and you can use a water smoker feature if the hood on your unit is high enough to accommodate it. You can even give your meat a smoky flavor that will impress.
For searing steaks, a high temperature is mandatory. An important feature of a gas barbecue is that you can cook at very high temperatures that will lock in all those fine juices when grilling steaks for company.
Most gas grills are setup for propane. To convert it to natural gas, (if you want natural gas) you are better off taking it to your local barbecue shop than doing it yourself.
You can purchase gas grills very reasonably. But, be careful! You don't want it to fall apart after the first week. The number one thing to look for is high temperature capabilities. Better units reach 48,000 BTUs, or so. You can buy a quality grill in the low three hundred price range. Get a cover for it. The grill will last you twice as long.
Pros:
- Gas grills are extremely convenient to use and store
- Easily cook for a large crowd because of grill size, and side burners
- With a few tricks you can become a gourmet cook
- Gas grills are reasonably priced.you can buy an excellent unit for $325
- Gas grills can be easily built-in or free standing
- Of all the barbecue grills out there, the gas ones are the coolest looking
- Steak will be grilled, eaten by the time the purist get their hickory wood going
Cons:
- Pricier than charcoal grills, cheaper than a Cadillac
- The purist may stick up their noses at you, but there are pro barbecue folks that compete with gas grills
Charcoal grills are the most economical of all in initial price. They can also be a pain in the backside, mainly because of charcoal itself. I won't get into all the different grades of charcoal, but buy the best if you go this route.
Ideally, you want to use natural charcoal. It's quite different than what you get at your local grocery store, but you will find it in stores that specialize in organic foods. Once you have experienced using natural charcoal you won't use anything else.
Nothing spoils the thrill of barbecuing more than having to deal with trying to light charcoal. Worse is trying to get it going with charcoal lighting fluid. Next, is cleaning up and disposing of the ashes.
Along comes technology! Now days, there are certain brands of charcoal grills that start the charcoal for you very easily through propane gas assistance. And, then make it very easy for you to cleanup afterwards without getting the hands dirty.
Now with grills like these, barbecuing can be a joy and the cooking results will be fantastic.
Pros:
- The results of using natural charcoal will make the end results right up there
- The purist will now talk you
- Certain charcoal grills are now very easy to use, and are very versatile
- A quality grill is around $300
Cons:
- Cheaper grills are a nuance when it comes to the charcoal factor
- Cleanup and disposal can be annoying in a cheaper grill
- Natural charcoal is little pricy
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The third type of grill to consider is a wood pellet grill.
Pellet grills have been around for a while, and are very easy to use. Pellets especially manufactured for barbecuing are placed in a hopper and are feed to a small fire pit by means of an auger. They come in all kinds of flavors.
It usually takes fifteen minutes, or so to get a pellet stove up to temperature. Once you do, it is time to slow cook, and smoke whatever you are putting on the grill.
Pellet grills are, in a way, the best of all worlds. Getting them started is very easy and the results are astonishing. They are sort of a convenient wood-burning pit. Which, is probably the best way to get extremely good barbecue.
Pros:
- Barbecuing results are phenomenal
- Unit is easy to use and easy to clean
- Wood pellets add very good taste
- Pellets are fairly economical
Cons: - Units are fairly expensive, prices start at $475 or so
- Have to have electricity available to run them
- Not meant for fast grilling because of indirect heating, but you can
In a nutshell:
Thom Richards absolutely loves to barbecue for family and friends. Please join me at Barbecue Grills for all kind of information, recipes, tips to make your barbecuing the best. This article is free for republishing, but the resource links must be retained.
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Top-level comments on this article: (10 total)Thom,I'm just waiting for an invite to a delicious meal....by the sound of this article, you are the KING of the Grill!
A very informative and excellently written article Thom. I appreciate your willingness to share this expertise with us.
Thom, Thanks for your article. I'm debating what to do next season as our gas grill needs to be replaced. I have never been satisfied with it, preferring the charcoal taste over the gas. Didn't know about the wood pellet grill but since most of our barbequing is for convenience, I guess we will go back to charcoal and take advantage of the propane gas assisance.Nancy:There are a lot of tricks that make barbecuing on a gas grill a joy. Go to my blog and see the post on Gas Grill Tips.I have an article posted here, but there is a little more info on my blog on where to get all the stuff you need, like water pans and wood smoker boxes. These are not affiliate links.All the things you need to get really good barbecue out of a gas grill can be boughtpretty reasonably. I have three barbecues: A gas grill, a charcoal water smoker and a wood pellet barbie.I use the gas grill the most, mainly because it convenient and fast. You can searsteaks like a pro and can slow cook if you add a water pan and smoking box.Thom
This is a great primer of features and advantages that are developing in outdoor cooking--the author willing shared this knowledge and insights without having to be "grilled."
Excellent material! I'm going to have to use some of this insight on my show.Thx!
I never knew there was so much to BBQ-ing. I only like to cook steaks on the grill, they have never turned out well in the oven. I'm thinking of actually having a BBQ built into my backyard. An outside kitchen so to speak, but won't go with the propane as a built in. I would still keep my propane (just as you mentioned-they're quick) and use it for time savings. I also love to cook chicken outside on grill, I prefer cooking outside, especially when temperatures increase and I don't have central air in my home. Keep writing excellent articles like this!
Hi Thom, this is a wonderful article! Very well put together. My husband is the BBQ King in our home as well, we will be getting a bigger and better one this summer. Ours has been well-used and needs a permanent resting place. Great job!! I bet you have some awesome recipes (hint, hint) Blessings to you, Teresa
Thom,I wish I could have shared this article with my husband over this past summer; as he purchased both gas and electric! Not that it would've stopped him, but, very good information on which to base a decision!
Great article, Thom. I'm a fan of the gas grill. Actually, I must confess that my husband is the 'griller' of the family. Any cooking outside is his territory--unless, we're roasting weiners on a bon-fire. Now that I can do.But as far as grills, I like the bright shiny stainless steel--I go for the looks. I let my husband worry about the technicalities. Ha.Great article. Thanks.Sandra
Hi Thom,Great article. I brought a huge grill five years ago and for three months while my husband was away working, it sat there on the patio staring at me. Upon his return he took ownership over it and we've been happy ever since. This article and the wonderful pointers you give will definitely be past on to him.Deborah
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