What are the two main types of grilling methods? Grilling with direct heat and grilling with indirect heat. Mastering both of these techniques on your grill – whether it is a gas, electric, or charcoal grill – will result in grilling perfection for thin and thick cuts of meat.
Vertical water smokers have a heat source in the bottom, below a water pan. The heat causes the water to rise as steam, which not only cooks the meat, but also provides moisture to prevent it from drying.
When it comes to grilling, playing with meat is still pretty popular. Actually, many grill masters like to use marinades and rubs. Why? Both add lots of flavor to beef, chicken, pork and fish.
Two of the biggest issues with charcoal grills are temperature control and ash control, but the right grill accessories can make these easy. Heat vents can help control temperature, and ash catches make it much easier to clean up ashes when you’re done.
If you like to use barbecue sauce when you grill, hold off on basting with it until the end of cooking times. The sugars in the sauce will caramelize quickly (especially with a charcoal grill) and can burn if left on too long.
The first thing you should consider when buying a new grill is your fuel source. Whether it’s propane, natural gas, electric, or charcoal, you should think about what is most convenient for the location of your grill.
Although a lot of people follow the “bigger is better” mentality about a grill’s BTUs, keep it sensible. Consider efficiency—a large grill with a huge BTU is not necessarily the best choice for you if you are only grilling a single chicken breast.
We recognize that some families rely on their grills for more of their meals than others. Whether your grill only gets used occasionally, or it’s the only surface you want to cook on when the weather’s nice, we’re always happy to help you find the right model for your needs.
One of the advantages of cooking food by grilling lies in the flavor that results. Since barbequing uses fire, it seals the flavor of meats and vegetables and caramelizes as it cooks. Foods that are smoked or cooked on a charcoal grill can have their flavors further intensified by the use of mesquite, hickory, or apple wood coals.
Portable grills are perfect for camping or for those who live in an apartment. Here, you have a choice of charcoal and propane. These grills are lightweight, durable, convenient, and relatively inexpensive.
When shopping for a BBQ grill, keep in mind that some grills are more convenient to use than others. For instance, if you don’t have a lot of time to grill, then an electric grill will be most convenient, as it will heat up much faster than a propane or charcoal grill.
Do you live in a small apartment? That doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy the great taste of grilling. Electric grills have electric coils instead of burners, and can come in small sizes. Simply plug them in and you’re ready to grill up some burgers.
Did you know that, if you are cooking on a charcoal grill, you should light the coals 30 to 40 minutes beforehand? This allows for a more even cooking of your foods. You should also remember that, if you are using lighter fluid, you should wait until the flames are out before adding meats.
It’s important to remember that modern BBQ grills are often affordable enough that you don’t have to limit your backyard to just one type. Some grilling enthusiasts like to have gas and charcoal grills available for when they have different cooking needs.
Gas grills are extremely popular, and there are a couple of different types. Propane grills run on refillable propane gas tanks, while natural gas grills connect to natural gas lines. Both types use the gas to produce cooking heat.
If you are a passionate griller, then the size of your gas grill is going to matter. When you have three or four burners, this enables you to have hot, medium, and low temperature zones for maximum versatility. You will also want to look for a lid that closes fairly tight for smoking.
When your home is the summertime gathering place for all your friends and family, cooking out over a small grill can be a time-consuming process. Let’s talk about how much food you need to grill at once, so that we can help you find a grill that will allow you to spend more time socializing than you cooking.
If you’re looking to grill or barbecue professionally, there are options for portability and stationary grills. Some even have trailer hitches and wheels to be pulled behind a vehicle. Stationary grills can be built out of brick and mortar.
Cooking chicken on a grill can be aggravating because breasts cook faster, and dark meat may not cook all the way through. Try this: quickly sear the dark meat pieces, then move them to cooler areas of the grill. After about eight minutes, add the breasts, and follow the same procedure. Cook until the juices run clear.
Electric grills are powered by electricity, and use heated grill plates to cook the food. Because there is no flame involved, electric grills are ideal for areas that prohibit the use of gas or charcoal grills.
What types of meat will grill to perfection with consistent direct heat on gas, charcoal or electric grills? Hamburgers, hot dogs, three-quarter-inch cuts of steak or pork chops, chicken breast, chicken legs, turkey burgers, kabobs, fish filet and sausages.
When turning meats, it is better to use tongs or a spatula than a fork. Whenever you pierce the meat, juices run out, drying the flesh. Also, there is less risk of awkwardly dropping the item when turning or moving it.
If you're a grilling enthusiast, chances are you spend plenty of holidays and weekends cooking. Care to guess the most popular holiday for grilling in the U.S.? That would be Independence Day. The next-most-popular holiday is Memorial Day.
Have you ever tried cooking breakfast on a barbecue grill in the morning? It is one of life’s great treats. Just make sure to use a griddle for the eggs and pancakes – otherwise they will drip through the spaces.
