Grills and smokers

Nothing says outdoor cooking like grills and smokers. Finding the outdoor cooking device to suit you best comes down to a few key factors. Be sure to consider the following when shopping for a grill or smoker:

• Price – a grill or smoker are available in many price points. This is an area where the adage, “you get what you pay for” is a reasonable point. Lesser expensive models will normally cook food just fine; however the superb results you get from a high-end grill or professional smoker are unbeatable. Inexpensive grills and smokers will sometimes have dramatic variances in of heat in different parts of the cooker. Cheaper versions may also have hot spots that can be dangerous and cook meat at different temperatures.
• Size – typical grills will take at least two people to move. The fancier models will be larger. Small hibachi type grills are lightweight and portable enough to take on a picnic outing.
• Finish – the trend today towards stainless steel appliances in the kitchen has spread to the outdoor barbeque as well. Grills with stainless steel finish are immensely popular.
• Brickets or gas – the fuel for grills has at least two options.
• Dual purpose units: many units combine the features of the other, for example some smokers also convert to conventional grills.

Most people are familiar with grills; however smokers tend to be used less often. A smoker is a cooking device comprised of a smoker box with cooking racks and also hanging racks. Smokers utilize the smoke from charcoal to cook food. Smokers also often utilize a water pan for water smoking; which alleviates food shrinkage and burning. Smoker are available in huge professional versions which have a trailer hitch mounted onto them so that they may be pulled by a vehicle for catering or cooking on-site for large groups. These are often used for large parties or professionally catered events.

Grills are famously used out of doors in warm climates to quickly cook meats and side dishes. In hot weather, one advantage of grilling or smoking foods outdoors is that you can avoid heating up your home to cook food. Instead the heat stays outdoors. During stormy weather, many people who prefer grilled food turn to indoor grill pans that they use on the stove burner. These pans have raised lines to create the grill markings. Most cooks notice no difference between the taste of meat grilled on a grill pan and from the outdoor grill. As it is difficult to grill outside in cold, windy or stormy weather, it is nice t have the alternative of the grill pan.

Grills and smokers are the quintessential barbeque supplies. They are used by catering professionals and individual home cooks alike. Enjoy the signature flavor of your next barbeque with a grill or smoker.

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