Grilling Guide: Through the Flame
By Mark Lucas |
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The Propane Grill
The propane grill is, quite simply, very easy to operate. The most difficult part about its operation is changing the tank, which isn't very difficult. Propane produces a hotter, cleaner flame for fast, convenient cooking, and the fuel source lasts longer, but you'll need to get refills at a gas station or other licensed vendor. A propane grill is going to cost you a little more, in the long run, but that extra money pays for convenience and ease of use. Think of it as a stovetop that you leave outside.
Buying a propane grill is a lot like buying a car; it just depends on how much you want to spend. You can spend as little as a few hundred dollars for a nice, knock-down model, or you can spend a couple thousand for a commercial-grade number. Whichever end of the spectrum you're leaning towards, there are a few key features you'll want to take into consideration before making a purchase.
Number of Burners
Your average propane grill has between two to five burners. This allows you to select relative temperatures for different parts of the grill. For example, you may want to cook vegetables and steaks at different temperatures.
Side Burner
If you're making sauces to accompany your food, a side burner is a convenient feature to have. It's also good if you're cooking a side dish like baked beans.
Surface Space
When you're cooking a lot of food, having an accessible counter surface is important. This will give you a convenient place to sit the food when it's done cooking (or before cooking - just remember not to mix up what plate had what, or you run the risk of getting food poisoning).
Materials
If you live in the city and you don't have a garage, then it's probably best to go for stainless steel. The weather in Ohio (even during the summer) can get pretty moist, and a stainless steel grill will be resistant to corrosion. Keep in mind, this feature will run you some extra cheese, and we're not talking Swiss or cheddar, here.
The Grate
Gas grills come with a number of different grate sizes, thicknesses and configurations. Some have a swinging rack on the top, which maximizes the space inside the grill. The thickness of the grate is also important. A thicker grate is more stable, so you're hamburgers won't fall through the spaces, but this also makes it more difficult to clean.
Brand
Just like a car, the brand of gas grill you choose is pretty much just a personal choice. You'd be hard pressed to find a Top 10 list of grills of any sort that didn't have a few Weber models on it (below). Char-Broil is also a trusted name, as well as Kenmore.
Charcoal
The charcoal grill is the grill of choice for the aficionado. It's a little bit more work, but at the same time, it's also more versatile, and delivers a flavor that's impossible to beat - especially in steaks. The longer the meat stays on a charcoal grill, the more the flavor is allowed to sink in. One of the important features to look for on a charcoal grill is the ease with which you can clean it.
The old stand-by model for charcoal grills comes from the aforementioned folks at Weber. It's almost impossible that you've never seen one. They're the black, kettle grills with two wheels and a standing leg. Because the design is simple, there are fewer parts to break. Of the Weber grills that are currently available, their One Touch line is the most bang for the buck. For between $100 and $150, you can get a Weber One Touch Gold, which has a hinged grate for adding more charcoal and an easy-to-operate ash can at the bottom that makes cleanup a cinch. Weber also makes the more simplified One Touch Silver, but it lacks the ash can. The One Touch Platinum is a fine grill, and it comes with two fold-out tables on the sides, if you need them, but the price tag reflects the added convenience. All in all, the Gold will get the job done. Each model comes in various sizes, so you can choose the appropriate one depending on how much meat you'd like to cook.
Originally Published: July 1, 2010
