Three Most Popular Grill Comparison

Comparison by Grilling Styles
With so many grills on the market today, it can be little confusing when you're ready to buy one. We understand. That's why we put together an easy-to-read guide for you can compare the most popular grilling methods. In the end, it's all about helpings you find the grilling style, that's right for you. What's the best grill for you? That depends on what's important to you. Generally, it should be a grill that satisfies your taste, lifestyle and falls within your budget. Whatever you decide, happy grilling! 

Gas Grills
Pros: If convenience is a priority, then a gas grill may be your best choice. It's the most common grill and offers multiple burners, warmers, side shelves and several accessories for specialty cooking like rotisserie attachments. Start up and shut down is quick and temperature control is easy with a low cost per use. Cleaning is fairly easy, although cast iron grates require little more care. Gas grills are attractive and come in a variety of stainless steel designs. A good quality gas grill will cost $500-$1,500 and upwards of that for commercial outdoor versions.
Cons: As convenience goes up the flavor goes down. You will sacrifice some level of taste by using gas, because the grilled taste can only come from the vaporized drippings of the food. Space is another consideration if you have a small patio or deck. Also, you may unknowingly run out fuel in the middle of cooking if you don't check your tank before cooking. All metal grills become very hot while grilling, so they pose a burn hazard. The real drawback to metal grills is that they radiate great amounts of heat, which pulls the moisture from food very efficiently. It's likely that the driest chicken breast you ever ate came from a gas grill.

Briquette Charcoal Grills
Pros: These grills offer a good charcoal taste and are generally inexpensive compared to other grilling styles-as low as $20 with average pricing of $75-$150. Briquette charcoal is widely available and is offered in a variety of brands and features such as mesquite flavored and "ready-to-light" versions. They typically have a large grilling area for direct and indirect grilling and you can even use them as a smoker on a limited basis by controlling the air vents. They are also a good choice if you have limited space.
Cons: Briquette charcoal grills typically take 20-30 minutes or more for start up. There is no thermometer on basic models so these grills take quite a bit of guesswork when it comes to temperature. Once again, all metal grills pose a burn hazard, and they radiate great amounts of heat which pulls the moisture from food very efficiently.

Kamado Charcoal Grills 
Pros: If you are a serious outdoor cooker and put a priority on taste, then a Kamado-style grill is likely your best choice. These grills use a combination of ceramic shell, natural lump charcoal and air flow to offer a superior charcoal taste and the ability to cook food at high temperatures and have it retain its moistness . You can cook as low as 225 F or well over 750 F, so you can use it as an oven, a grill or a smoker. They have a small footprint and costs range from $850-$1,000. A wide range of accessories are available. Kamado grills are ready to use in 15 minutes.
Cons: Kamado grills have an initial learning curve when it comes to adjust the airflow to achieve the desired temperature. The weight of these grills averages around 150lbs, so you may need help placing it in the cart or moving it up stairs to a raised deck or balcony. Kamado grills are ceramic and while not fragile, they are susceptible to chipping or breaking if dropped or hit with significant force.

The next post will Comparison by Criteria

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Three Most Popular Grill Comparison II

Comparison by Criteria

HEAT SOURCE

Gas grills: LP Gas, Natural Gas

Charcoal Grills: Briquette Charcoal

Kamado Grills: Natural Lump Charcoal

TASTE
Gas grills: Allows for some level of grilled taste by allowing, dripping to vaporize on hot lava rocks and burner covers. A smoker box with wood chips can add a modest level of smokiness.
Charcoal Grills: Adds charcoal smoked, flavor to grilled food; even more if used in a smoker. Briquettes contain additives like borax, starch and sawdust from waste lumber. "Ready to Light" briquettes can leave an after taste to food.
Kamado Grills: True charcoal flavor. Natural lump charcoal is made from charred hardwoods like oak, hickory and maple. Excellent for grilling and especially for smoking meats.

EASE OF USE
Gas grills:  Very convenient for start up and shut down after cooking. Great for "last minute" grilling.
Charcoal Grills: Less convenient than gas and requires little guesswork to achieve the desired temperature.
Kamado Grills: Less convenient than gas and the desired temperature is achieved adjusting the air flow. Easy-to-read thermometer.

START UP TIME
Gas grills: Lights immediately and ready in 10-15 minutes.
Charcoal Grills: The longest start up time at 20-30 minutes.
Kamado Grills: Ready to cook in 15 minutes.

TEMPERATURE RANGES
Gas grills: Low temperatures can be easily achieved. Entry levels units average 500 F for the highest temperature, while more expensive models are required to go above 600 F properly to sear meats. Low temperatures can be achieved.
Charcoal Grills: Depending on the amount of briquette charcoal, you can achieve temperatures near 700 F. Average high temperatures hover around 500 F for most models.
Kamado Grills: Consistent temperatures as low as 225 F and as high as 750 F+ can be achieved easily. Low temperatures can be retained for 12 hours or longer for smoking.

FUEL COST
Gas grills: Depending on current LP gas prices you can expect it to cost about $1.00 an hour to operate. Natural gas cost is lower, but a new regulator will need to be installed as well as a main line connection.
Charcoal Grills: Using a volume of six quarts of briquettes, you can expect a cost on average of $3.00-$3.50 per cooking and depending on the brand.
Kamado Grills: Using a volume of six quarts of natural lump charcoal for cooking, on average you can expect a cost of about $1.50-$1.75 depending on the brand.

ASSEMBLY
Gas grills: They can be complicated to assemble; especially the high-end models. You should expect a 2-3 hour assembly time.
Charcoal Grills: Pretty straightforward when it comes to assembly. Depending on the model you can expect a 15-30 minute assembly time.
Kamado Grills: Comes fully or partially assembled. Typically, it's a matter of inserting the internal parts and placing it in the cart. Average times is 15-30 minutes.

MAINTENANCE
Gas grills: Carries the most maintenance and monitoring time. You'll need to refill the tank, check the lines, venturi tubes and replace the grates as needed.
Charcoal Grills: Typically a very simple design, so there is not a lot to maintain other than replacing the cooking grate if it begins to chip or rust.
Kamado Grills: Annually check the tightness of the band screws that hold the base and lid and connect to the hinge. Replace felt gaskets as needed; generally every 2-3 years.

CLEANING
Gas grills: Regularly clean the burners, igniter collector box, and drip trays. Clean the cooking grate before grilling by turning the grill to high for 10-15 minutes, then brush the grates. Cast irons grates require regular oiling. And ceramic coated grated should not be scraped to prevent flaking of the coating.
Charcoal Grills: Briquette charcoal produces a lot of ash residue. If you grill often, consider a model with an ash catcher can. Brush or scrape the cooking grate before cooking and occasionally clean the outside.
Kamado Grills: Produces one-third the ash of briquettes, however an ash tool is usually provided that removes it. Brush or scrape the cooking grate before cooking.

SPACE
Gas grills: Typically needs the most space, and should only be considered for good-sized patios and decks.
Charcoal Grills: A small area is needed and they are a good choice for limited outdoor space like an apartment balcony. Check your rental agreement for restrictions.
Kamado Grills: Works well in a limited outdoor space. They can also be inserted in a grill table for an additional working surface and storage.

PRICE RANGES
Gas grills: Entry level gas grills can be as low as $100, expect to pay $500-$1,500 for a durable grill with decent features. Commercial grades outdoor grills can cost in the thousands.
Charcoal Grills: You can get a tailgate style grill for as low as $20. Standard models will run around $75-$150 and up to $500 for deluxe models.
Kamado Grills: Standard size Kamado grills range in price from $850-$1,000. Depending on the desired accessories you can spend $50-$250. If you add a grill table plan to spend $250-$750 more.

PURCHASING CONSIDERATIONS
Gas grills: If you prefer added flavor you should consider a model with a smoker box. Consider how much working space you need on the grill itself and if you will regularly need side burners to keep food warm. Determine how much you plan to cook and the maximum amount of food you will grill at any one time. This help you determing the cooking area needed.
Charcoal Grills: The model and features you need depends on how much you grill. If you're an infrequent griller look for a basic model with enough capacity of your needs. If you grill often an ash can catcher will be invaluable. The more expensive models allow you to adjust the cooking grate for flexible cooking and some offer fireboxes for indirect cooking and a propane gas feature for starting.
Kamado Grills: All Kamado grills are not the same. Some use inferior ceramics and cheap hardware. Choose a manufacturer with a full line of accessories for the types of cooking you plan to do. Heat deflector are a good choice for indirect cooking whether you're grilling , baking or smoking. If you're looking for working space and/or storage space, consider a grill table

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Smoked Turkey Tips

For those who long for the wonderful taste of smoked turkey but forgo the luxury because of how much it costs in stores, take heart! It's surprising just how easy and economical it is to make your own smoked turkey at home. Not only will you enjoy this tempting hose who long for the wonderful taste of smoked turkey but forgo the luxury because of how much it costs in stores, take heart! It's surprising just how easy and economical it is to make your own smoked turkey at home. Not only will you enjoy this tempting morsel, but just think how much you'll impress your friends and family.morsel, but just think how much you'll impress your friends and family.



You don't need a smoker; any covered grill will give the same effect. Simply place the turkey breast on the cool side of the grill and use soaked wood chips.

It's important to allow yourself plenty of time to smoke the turkey until it is completely cooked. Smoking time depends on the size of the turkey, the distance from the heat, temperature of the coals, as well as the outside air temperature. You can roughly estimate about 20 to 30 minutes per pound of turkey, but it's important to use a meat thermometer to be sure your turkey is thoroughly cooked. The turkey is done when the food thermometer, placed in the inner thigh, reaches 180  degrees (be sure the thermometer is not touching the bone).

Important points about how to smoke a turkey:

Food safety is of primary concern when smoking turkey. Turkey breasts, drumsticks, wings and whole turkeys are all suited for smoking, although for safety's sake, stick with whole turkeys that weigh 12 pounds or less. A larger turkey remains in the "Danger Zone" - between 40 degrees and 140 degrees for too long.

Do not stuff a turkey destined for smoking. Because smoking takes place at a low temperature, it can take too long for the temperature of the stuffing to reach the required temperature of 165 degrees, not to mention that smoked stuffing has an undesirable flavor.

Here's a wonderful and easy recipe:

Chili-Spiced Smoked Turkey Breast

 1/4  cup fresh lime juice
2  tablespoons olive oil
2  teaspoons unsweetened cocoa
2  teaspoons paprika
2  teaspoons brown sugar
1  teaspoon salt
1  teaspoon dried oregano
1  teaspoon chili powder
1  teaspoon dried thyme
2  garlic cloves, minced
1  (6-pound) whole turkey breast
2  cups mesquite chips
Cooking spray

Combine the first 10 ingredients in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Remove from heat; cool. Combine lime juice mixture and turkey in a large zip-top plastic bag. Seal and marinate in refrigerator 2 hours. Soak wood chips in water at least 30 minutes. Drain wells.

Preheat gas grill to medium-hot (350 to 400) using both burners. Turn left burner off. Place wood chips in a disposable foil pan or a foil packet pierced with holes on grill over right burner. Remove turkey from marinade; discard marinade. Place turkey, skin side up, on grill rack coated with cooking spray over left burner. Cover and cook 1 1/2 hours. Turn turkey over; cook 15 minutes or, until meat thermometer registers 170 degrees. Remove turkey from grill. Cover loosely with foil, and let stand at least 10 minutes before carving. Discard skin.

Yield: 16 servings (serving size: 3 ounces)

If you prefer an actual smoker, water smokers are available in electric, gas or charcoal model, and all work well. Charcoal smokers have two pans - one for charcoal and one for liquid which creates the moist, hot smoke needed for cooking. These are available wherever barbecue grills are found, but here's an economical secret: start going to garage sales. For some reason, smokers seem to be a popular item, possibly because a lot of folks don't know how to use them. However, as stated above, a smoker is not necessary to get the full, smoky flavor you desire.  Unless you're really into smoking many different things (cooking, not inhaling!), it's an expense you can do without.  Not only will you save money, you'll also save space.

However, if you do have a smoker, here's an easy how to smoke a turkey recipe:

1 15 pound turkey, fresh or thawed
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup white wine
1/2 cup honey
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Prepare smoker for a 6 to 8 hour smoke about 230 degrees. In a saucepan melt butter. Add wine, honey and cinnamon. Heat on low temperature until mixture is smooth and thin. Using a turkey injector, inject half the mixture into the turkey in all meaty areas. Brush remaining mixture over turkey. You can reserve some of the baste to apply later, during the cooking process. Place turkey in smoker. When the internal temperature of the turkey reaches 165 degrees the turkey is done. Remove from smoker and let rest for 10-15 minutes. Carve and serve.

Enjoy!

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Stuff you don't know about Barbecue

 

Every spring, North Americans to join grill stock up on the meat and prepare for many mouth-watering barbecues. But how many folk know about origins to surprising tips and tactics, art of barbecuing. This list will provide you with all the information you need to wow your friends at the next neighbourhood barbecue!

• Barbecues originated in pig-pickin’s, whole pigs were cooked and eaten by the crowd.  Feasts that were common in the Southern United States prior to the Civil War.
• “Smoking” The meat was exposed to smoke and low heat in order to prevent bacteria and enzymes from growing. begining as far as 6000 years ago in order to make meats safe to eat and store.
• Barbecue is commonly referred to as a barbie In Australia. The famous statement “I’ll slip an extra shrimp on the barbie for you”. Which appeared in Australian tourism advertisements.
• Barbecuing is cooking at temperatures around the boiling point of water (180-220 F). While, the method most commonly used is in fact broiling: cooking at 475-700 F in much less time.
• The Barbecue Industry Association according half of all marshmallows eaten in America have been toasted over a grill.

• Easy way to check how much propane, just bring your bathroom scale to outside and weigh the gas tank.
• Some believe the word barbecue came from the french words “de barbequeue,” meaning “whiskers to tail.” Others say it came from the American-Indian word barbacoa for a wood on which foods were cooked.  
• To add a smokey flavour to your gas-grill-cooked foods or foods cooked inside the house. A condensation of actual smoke can be easily added to your barbecue marinade or sauce.
• Takes one to two hours per pound to barbecue for the extremely hard cut of meat such as Brisket. That’s an average 12 hours on the grill for a 8-pound piece!
• Lexington, North Carolina and  Kansas City, Missouri claim to be the barbecue capitals of the world. Meanwhile, Memphis stakes a claim to being the pork barbecue capital.

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