There are three main categories of barbecue grills that are commonly available to consumers: Within each of those categories, there are a number of possible options and variations. George Gonzales, of Barbeques Galore, offers some advice for selecting the right type of barbecue equipment for your own use. The propane-gas grill is one of the most popular styles of grill because of its ease of use. These use pressurized propane gas -- supplied from a tank via a hose and control valves -- as the fuel. When selecting a propane-gas grill, inspect it from the inside out. - The burner is the element that supplies heat to the grill, and burners come in two basic types:
- The simple I-type, also known as a bar-burner, which supplies heat from the center of the grill.
- The H-type, which supplies heat to the periphery of the grill as well. The H-type is considered an upgrade over the I-type.
- Burners may be constructed of stainless steel in light or heavy gauges, cast iron or red brass.
- The cooking surface or grill itself may be porcelain-coated metal on a basic model, or cast iron or heavy brass (figure A) on a higher-end model.
- Most propane grills are equipped with a built-in temperature gauge (figure B) to help you be more precise in cooking.
- Options on propane-gas grills may include separate burners with separate temperature controls, cooking griddles, pull-out grease trays and warming shelves. A particularly useful option is a side burner (figure C) that can be used for cooking side dishes such as beans or corn while you're barbecuing an entree.
Electric barbecue grills are convenient and easy to use and don't take up a lot of space. This style is especially well suited for apartment and condo dwellers, who in some cases are prohibited from using charcoal or gas barbecue grills. In this style of grill, an electrical heating element is used to cook the food and can be regulated precisely, much like an ordinary electric-stove element.
Charcoal Grills The kettle barbecue is perhaps the most popular of the charcoal-style grills. It was developed in the late 1950s to improve upon the old pancake-style grills. That older style had a basic design flaw in that the flat shape often allowed wind to blow out the flame. The deep design of the kettle barbecue protects the coal bed from wind as the coals are readied for cooking. Because the heat source is so low, the kettle design facilitates convection-style cooking. Additionally, the deep design can accommodate two separate shelves -- stacked one on top of the other -- so that you can prepare more food over a single flame. Most have adjustable upper and lower vents so that you can regulate the flow of air and thus the temperature of your fire. Though they're a simpler design, the kettle barbecue is practically as versatile as the gas grill. Higher-end charcoal grills have sturdier construction, more durable features such as cast-iron grills, and useful options that may include the following: - Larger cooking surfaces
- Stainless-steel handles
- Front-loading fireboxes with cranks for adjusting flame-height
- Pull-out drip tray for easy clean-up.
Water smokers are tall, cylindrical cookers that may use a charcoal, gas or electric heat source, depending on the model. The most common ones are charcoal grills. The heat source is housed in the lower section, allowing for slow convection cooking. The vertical design of these cookers is made to hold two or more cooking shelves and a reservoir for water or other liquid to help keep the meat or other foods moist as they cook. For added flavor, fruit juice or wine may be substituted for water, or herbs or other flavoring agents may be added to the liquid. Indirect smokers use an offset firebox so that the heat source is separated from the cooking chamber. A system of dampers is used to draw the heated air and smoke flavoring from the firebox across the food as it slowly cooks. The egg-shaped ceramic smoker emulates the cooking techniques employed by brick-oven cookers. The thick ceramic walls hold the heat and moisture in, allowing food to be cooked very quickly at very high temperatures. Web site resources for gas grills, general barbecue information and Brazilian barbecue (churrasco): Information and supplies for gas grills and accessories Barbecue gift packages and accessories One of the most popular sites about barbecue on the Internet -- great general information. A site dedicated to Brazilian barbecue (churrasco) About.com barbecue information, including a list of associations
RESOURCES :
Skewer Cooking on the Grill
Model: 1558671226
Author: Bob Simmons and Coleen Simmons
(1995)
Bristol Publishing Enterprises
Website: www.bristolpublishing.com
National Barbecue Association
National Barbecue Association
Douglas , GA 31533
Website: www.rbjb.com/rbjb/nbbq.htm
Barbecue Supplies (Barbeques Galore)
Barbeques Galore
Website: www.bbqgalore.com
The Great Barbecue Companion: Mops, Sops, Sauces, and Rubs
Model: 0895948060
Author: Bruce Bjorkman
(March 1996)
Crossing Press
The New Grilling Book: Charcoal, Gas, Smokers, Indoor Grills, Rotisseries
Model: 0696210290
Author: Kristi Fuller
(April 2000)
Better Homes & Gardens Books
National Agricultural Library (USDA)
USDA's national agricultural library
National Agricultural Library
Website: www.nal.usda.gov
Memphis Barbecue, Barbeque, Bar-B-Que, Bar-B-Q, B-B-Q
Model: 0925175161
Author: Carolyn S. Wells
Finger Lickin, Rib Stickin, Great Tasting Barbecue
Model: 0894802089
Author: Jane Butel
Workman Publishing Co. Inc.
Website: www.workman.com
Weber's Art of the Grill : Recipes for Outdoor Living
Model: 0811824195
Author: Jamie Purviance
(1999)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
Chronicle Publishing Company
Website: www.chroniclebooks.com
On the Grill : A Complete Guide to Hot-Smoking and Barbecuing Meat, Fish, and Game
Model: 1558218068
Author: A.D. Livingston
Jerk: Barbecue from Jamaica
Model: 0895944391
Author: Helen Willinsky
The Cook's Encyclopedia of Barbecues, Grills & Outdoor Eating
Model: 0754808025
Author: Christine France
Weber's Big Book of Grilling
Model: 0811831973
Author: Jamie Purviance
Chronicle Publishing Company
Website: www.chroniclebooks.com
The Gas Grill Gourmet: Great Grilled Food for Everyday Meals & Fantastic Feasts
Model: 1558321101
Author: A. Cort Sinnes, John Puscheck
Harvard Common Press
Website: www.harvardcommonpress.com
Better Homes and Gardens Gas Grill Cookbook
Model: 0696000628
Author: Shelli McConnell (Editor)
Better Homes and Gardens Books
Website: www.bhg.com
GUESTS :
George Gonzales
Barbeques Galore (see Resources for information)
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