GRILL BUYING GUIDE
Cooking outside is an American tradition. We’ve come a long way with outdoor cooking. With so many grilling methods – for small to large gatherings – here are a few things to consider when choosing the right grill and accessories for you and your family.
Dinner for Two
When you want all the flavor without a lot of fuss.
- Cooking – and cleaning up – is easy with electric, infrared and gas grills.
- For small spaces or balconies, electric or wood pellet grills provide safer cooking that are apartment-approved.
- A kettle charcoal grill takes a small footprint in 14-, 18- and 22-in. diameters.
Family of Four
When the family meal goes the extra mile.
- A Kamado charcoal grill will let you show off your cooking skills, from basic grilling to searing, smoking, roasting and even baking.
- Get a juicy, consistent cook with an infrared grill. Look for a gas grill with infrared side burners or rotisserie for a savory meal with easy clean-up.
- For a weekend meal, smokers come in a wide range of sizes, starting at 250 square inches.
Backyard Party
When you’re feeding a small army of family and friends.
- A barrel charcoal grill offers a larger cooking surface and a classic grilling flavor.
- When grilling big with gas, consider a grill with a direct hook up to a gas line so you don’t run out of fuel.
- Electric grills give a consistent, even cook that’s easy to clean up, too.
- Larger smokers can smoke up to 50 lbs. of meat at one time for savory sensations on a large scale.
GRILL OVERHAUL
- Cleaner and more cost effective
- Easy ignition
- Temperature control to cook more evenly
- Kitchen options: Side burners, shelves, tool hooks
Hint: A standard propane tank holds 20 lbs. of fuel and can last up to nine hours.
- Different shapes – Kamado, barrel or kettle
- Different sizes – small to very large
- Versatile: grilling, searing, smoking, roasting, baking
Hint: Use 4 lbs. of charcoal per cook, unless you’re using a larger grill or smoker.
- Specialty wood pellets – a great alternative to gas and charcoal
- Approved for apartment balcony use
Hint: Use only food-grade wood pellets created specifically for pellet grills.
- Higher wattage for a more consistent cook
- Balcony and apartment friendly – No open flames
Hint: Only use an extension cord that is rated for outdoor use. Use a minimum of a 16-gauge cord.
- Special grates cook with radiant heat for a thorough, consistent cook that seals in juices
- Safer way to grill since dripping won’t hit burners
Hint: Some gas grills have infrared side burners or rotisseries.
- Vertical (gas, electric or charcoal) or horizontal (wood burning)
- Size choices – 250 to 1,000 square inches
- Smoke and grill with a dual monitor grill
- Options: digital controls, fuel gauges, temperature probes, timers, viewing windows, fuel loading systems, shelves, racks and drip pans
Hint: Add a wood chip box or water pan to infuse different flavors while smoking.
Grilling accessories –
Make yourself at home . . . outdoors
Home-Style Cooking Accessories:
- Griddles
- Grill sheets and baskets
- Rib racks
- Woks
- Pizza stones
- Rotisseries
Outdoor Extras:
- Thermometers
- Wood chips
- Grill covers
- Camping or tailgating grills
Outdoor Cooking Safety
Have fun, but be safe. Grills can get as hot as 800 degrees Fahrenheit. Caution should always be used when grilling outdoors. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use and safety. Refer to meat temperature guides online for specific temperatures by meat type.
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