Charcoal Grill Buyers Guide

Filed under Charcoal , Tips

What To Look For In A Charcoal Grill

Okay, you’ve got the fever. But do you have the right grill? Remember, your food’s only going to be as good as your grill, so make sure a one-time bargain doesn’t turn into a long-term disappointment. Invest in a good grill and you can focus on dinner, not your toolbox.

The Elements of a Charcoal Grill

The beauty of a charcoal grill is its simplicity. At the core of a good charcoal grill is a charcoal grate to place the fuel on. Above that is a cooking grate. A lid with air vents tops it off. Simple and uncomplicated.

Solid Construction

A good, well-built grill will feel solid and sturdy; a poorly made grill will wiggle. If a grill isn’t solid on the sales floor, chances are it will fall apart rather quickly on the patio or deck. Choose a grill made of high grade U.S. steel. Also opt for a baked-on, porcelain-enamel finish. The legs should be sturdy, wheels should roll easily, and the grill should display a good fit and finish.

Cooking grates are generally made from heavy-duty plated steel or chrome-plated aluminum. A thicker, heavier-gauge cook- ing grate will last longer and distribute and retain heat better. Grates coated with porcelain enamel are a common step-up feature. The best grates are made of cast iron, stainless steel, or porcelain-coated aluminum or cast iron.

Assembly

When you buy a barbecue you want to grill, not drill, so fast, easy assembly is a priority. Some grills require hours (and an engineering degree) to assemble. Better brands reduce or eliminate the amount of assembly required by the consumer.

Service & Maintenance

Top-notch after-market service supports any quality made grill, including thorough, easy-to-read information about the product, and a toll-free service line. A good grill is easy to clean and to maintain, and long-life is assured by easy access to replacement parts and service through a well-established servicing dealer network.

Safety

A good grill controls heat easily, has handles that stay cool to the touch, and has added safety features.

Long Warranty

It makes sense: the best manufacturers can afford to stand behind their products. Don’t settle for less than a 10 year warranty.

Charcoal or Gas?

Filed under Charcoal , Gas Grills , Tips

It's a Lifestyle Choice

This is really your first decision. Are you convinced there’s nothing like the taste and smell of food grilled over hot coals? Do you take a certain pride in your ability to get the fire started and keep it properly tended while you cook? Do you need that hands-on, primal experience? Or do you want a perfect fire at the push of a button? Do you appreciate the precision temperature adjustments gas grills can provide? Would you rather avoid the whole charcoal set-up and the post-cookout ashes?

Whether you’re in the charcoal or gas grill camp, you’re in luck. Taste tests indicate there’s no significant flavor difference either way. The choice is strictly personal. Consider how you plan to use your grill. Will you grill every night or just on special occasions? Will that change over time? Is cost an issue? While gas grills are initially more expensive, they generally cost less to operate in the long run. Both are great choices. Pick the one that’s right for you!

BBQ Charcoal Grills

Filed under Grilling , Charcoal

Although a favorite, there are pros and cons to using a charcoal bbq grill. One of the greatest drawbacks has to do with convenience and mess. Charcoal bbq grills require a set amount of time to prepare before you can begin to grill your food. Charcoal briquettes must be lit and burnt down to hot coals before you can place your food on the grill. Once you are finished cooking, you will need to empty the cooled burnt charcoal dust from the grill.

However, there are several reasons why a charcoal grill is the way to go.

Charcoal bbq grills will give you the greatest amount of flavor in your food. You also have many options for creating the perfect smoke and flavor combination. You can easily use charcoal briquettes one day and a hardened wood, such as cherry or apple the next day. These various charcoal and wood combinations will create a pleasing smoke that will permeate your meats, bringing out their natural flavors and enhancing their texture.

Additionally, you can cook over a broader range of temperatures with a charcoal grill than any other. By stoking your embers closer together you can achieve much hotter temperatures than with any other form of grill. Likewise, by separating the embers over the bottom of the grill, you can cook at very low temps. You can also easily move the embers around the bottom of your charcoal grill to create even heating space and differing temperatures within the grill itself.

Charcoal bbq grills come in a variety of sizes and shapes. The kettle grill, known best as the “Weber grill” features a round grilling surface with a domed top. Other sizes and shapes include the egg, an oblong grill that cooks well at low temperatures. Many charcoal grills are also being designed similarly to conventional propane bbq grills. These are charcoal bbq grills with sides for holding utensils and plates and are rectangular in shape.

If you decide to purchase a charcoal grill, you may want to purchase a chimney starter as an accessory. This is a cylindrical tower that will allow your charcoal to light and burn quicker than conventional means. Other accessories include cooking utensils, a cover to protect against the elements, and a long handled wire bristle brush for cleaning the cooking surface.

There are many charcoal grill manufacturers and most grills can be purchased online or at your local convenience retail or home supply store. Weber is the leading manufacturer of the kettle style grill and offers their unique shape in a variety of sizes. Other manufacturers include the Big Green Egg and Char-Broil.

Charcoal bbq grills can average between $50 USD and $2,500 USD, depending on size, style, and manufacturer. Things to look for in a charcoal grill include the ability to empty the cinders, air vents, cooking surface, and quality of materials.

Charcoal adds flavor. That's what charcoal afficionados say, and they're probably right. Although most charcoal grills don't have the push-button convenience of gas grills, they still put out plenty of heat to sear any food you want to cook.

There are many different kinds of charcoal grills, ranging from the most simple of boxes to complex, multi-level contraptions. Here is a quick summary of some of the types of charcoal bbq grills.

Freestanding charcoal bbq grills are the most common kind of charcoal grill. They have their own legs and stand alone on your porch or patio. Their grilling surface can be as small as a piece of paper, or as large as an executive desk. Most homeowners with charcoal grills own a freestanding grill since they are relatively inexpensive and easy to cook with.

Portable charcoal bbq grills are also very popular. These small grills usually have legs that fold up, a small cooking surface, and lightweight design. They are often taken around on camping trips and to sporting events for tailgating. Most of them cost between $20 and $200, but their are disposable one-time-use models that can be purchased at some grocery stores for merely $5.

Ceramic smoker bbq grills are made out of ceramic which holds in smoke and heat very well. Since they are built with ceramic, these bbq grills are very heavy and often expensive. Since charcoal adds great flavor, these grills are great for smoking ribs, chicken, and pork.