When shopping around for an outdoor grill, there are a few things you might want to consider before you take your plunge. There are obvious questions and some things that may not have even occurred to you.
The most important question is what does a grill cost to buy or build? I've been a professional griller for over 15 years. The price of a grill does not in any way affect the flavor of your food. I have also owned my fair share of grills. There are two levels: cheap and expensive, which seem to correlate perfectly with how soon they will need to be replaced.
My suggestion is to buy a cheap grill for your first time around so that you can familiarize yourself with the features (or, more importantly the lack thereof) of the grill you're going to live with permanently. In short, the first grill is a "starter" grill that should cost under a hundred dollars.
Secondly, you might consider the source of the energy that is necessary to cook your cuisine. You have a handful of options with heat source. Electric grills are the least recommended for flavor, but perfect for an apartment balcony where other types violate the lease agreement. Propane and/or Butane are "okay" for flavor but score high points for their convenience. Finally, my favorite grilling style for flavor is charcoal! Beware of the time consumption that charcoal takes (often times, 20 minutes from light to cook temp.) But, nothing beats a charcoal grill in flavor!
If you're considering a charcoal grill, keep these things in mind: how much area has the manufacturer provided as a "work area"? Usually, I take tongs, a few plates, some sauces, and a rag with me when I grill. When char-grilling, I like grills that have some designated work space fashioned to the design. Also, consider the engineering of the grill. I have used fantastic grills for under 20 bucks and some horrible grills that cost thousands. What makes a charcoal grill fantastic? Air supply control and clean up! Air control is essential in charcoal-grilling because there is no thermostat: the air flow is what you use to raise and lower the temperature. And clean up, well, that speaks for itself! Most grills have an "ash pan" that collect the char from the grilling process.
Select a grill that lets you access this easily and swiftly. Happy grilling!
No comments:
Post a Comment