Grilling has become a national obsession. About 86 percent of U.S. households have at least one outdoor grill. Care to guess the three most frequently grilled foods? If you guessed hamburgers, steak, and hot dogs, you're right. Chicken (whole, half, or in pieces) gets an honorable mention.
A relatively new type of grill that is quickly gaining popularity is the pellet grill. These grills burn small, wooden pellets, which are available in a variety of different types. Pellet grills are exceptionally clean, and infuse food with strong flavor.
We recognize that it can be difficult to pick between the fast cooking of a gas grill and the richly layered flavor provided by a charcoal grill. If your backyard has the available space, you may want to join the grilling enthusiasts who keep both types of grill on hand.
Keep in mind that, when it comes to grilling, the key to successful cooking lies in temperature control. Thus, you want to invest in a grill that allows you to set up multi-zone, lid down, roasting, with at least two zones: one higher heat and the other lower.
One thing to consider before buying a BBQ grill is how much space you have. If you only have a small patio or even a simple apartment balcony, then a portable grill is your best option. However, if you regularly serve a crowd, and have the space, then you will want a larger grill.
An effective innovation in lighting charcoal is fuel blocks or block starter. Simply scatter a few of these strategically among the coals and light them. They quickly ignite the surrounding coals, and do not leave that liquid starter aftertaste.
Did you know that gas grills are the number one selling grill type in America? In fact, gas grills are the most effective and pragmatic of all grills because they fire up instantly and begin cooking food quickly. These grills can be fueled by propane, methane, or a natural gas line if you have one.
Electric barbecue grills use heated grill plates to cook meats, and because of this, they can be used indoors or outdoors. Electric grills leave grill marks like other types of grills and do well at cooking meats, but are not the ideal if you are looking for the authentic, smoky flavor of a traditional grill.
For the best grilling results, it’s recommended that you turn the meat just once on the grill. For steaks, the key is to turn them when the juices start to bubble on the uncooked side. Generally, the clearer the juice, the more well done the meat will be.
When purchasing a gas grill, there are a couple of safety considerations to keep in mind. For instance, to minimize flaring, you want a greater distance between the grates and burners or flavorizer bars. Also, the more stable the grill, the safer it will be.
Are you looking for a greener alternative to traditional charcoal and gas grills? Infrared grills are extremely energy efficient, as they take less time to heat up and actually grill the food.
If you’re scared of overcooking meat while grilling, we have a wide selection of gas grills that take out the guesswork. Gas grills in particular have great temperature control, because they let you adjust heat and flame size to your needs.