Grill TipsGrills, Barbecues & Food

Barbecue is a mix of talents. There is the choice of meat (or in some cases vegetables), the creation and choice of sauce, and of course the flame. Once the components are gathered together, then the real talent starts with the maintenance of the flame, smoke, turnings and sauce applications.

We are going to focus on the flame, and the types of flame sources for our barbecue. There are basically three main sources in use today: Wood, Charcoal, and Natural gas or propane.

Natural gas and propane

Gas grills are easy to light. The heat is easy to control (via knob-controlled gas valves on the burners), so the outcome is very predictable. They result in a very consistent and tasty result, although some charcoal purists argue it lacks the flavors available only from cooking with charcoal. Advocates of gas grills claim that gas cooking lets you “taste the meat, not the heat” because it is claimed that charcoal grills may deposit traces of coal tar on the food. Many grills are equipped with thermometers, further simplifying the barbecuing experience. However propane and natural gas produce a “wet” heat that can change the texture of foods cooked over such fuels.

Gas grills are significantly more expensive due to their added complexity, and higher heat. They are also considered much cleaner as they do not result in ashes (which must be disposed of) and also in terms of air pollution. Proper maintenance may further help reduce pollution.

Charcoal

This generally begins with purchasing a bag of processed charcoal briquettes. A charcoal chimney starter is a traditional (but generally underused) method for getting a consistent heat from your coals. Alternatively, they can be lit in a pyramid directly inside the charcoal grill after presoaking with lighter fluid.

After all coals are ashed-over (generally 15-25 minutes), they are spread around the perimeter of the grill, and the meat is placed in the center for indirect cooking. For additional flavor and attractive appearance, thicker cuts of meat may optionally be seared over direct heat (outer perimeter of grill) prior to indirect cooking in the center. Water-soaked wood chips (such as mesquite, hickory, or fruit trees) are often added atop the coals for an extra smoky flavor. The temperature of the grill is controlled by the amount and distribution of coal within the grill and through careful venting.

An alternative to charcoal briquettes is lump charcoal. Lump charcoal is wood that has been turned into charcoal but unlike briquettes it has not been ground and shaped. Lump charcoal is a pure form of charcoal and is preferred by many purists who fear that artificial binders may be used to hold briquettes in their shape.

Wood

The choice and combination of woods burned result in different flavors imparted to the meat. Different types of wood burn at different temperatures. The heat also varies by the amount of wood and controlling the rate of burn through careful venting.

The type of wood chosen is really what sets this method apart from the others. This is where the gourmet can really experiment. Let’s go through some of the woods available to get a feel for the differences we can expect.

Golden Birch is very delicate & slightly sweet, typically used with fish, pork, lamb, goat, poultry, and light-meat game birds. As a smoke source Golden birch would be used to smoke Salmon.

Wild Apple is slightly sweet with a fruity smoke flavor. Used mainly for beef, poultry, game birds, and pork (particularly hams).

Sugar Maple has a mild smoky, sweet flavor. Good with lamb, goat, pork, poultry, cheese, vegetables and small game birds.

White Cedar has a fine light smoke, and doesn’t add much in the way of other flavors. Ideal for cooking fish, beef, and pork.

Wild Black Cherry, is hard to get a hold of but offers a distinctively sweet and fruity smoke. Great with beef, poultry & game birds.

About the Author

Jerry Powell is the Owner of a Popular site Know as Gourmet911.com. As you can see from our name, we are here to help you learn more about different kinds of Gourmet food and Wines, Coffees from all around the world. http://www.gourmet911.com/

Written By: Jerry Powell

There is not much better in this world than sitting down to eat a perfectly grilled, tender, and juicy Porterhouse or T-Bone steak. There are many opinions and techniques available regarding the best way to master cooking a steak including whether or not to marinade or use a rub, how long the steak should be grilled, and how to correctly grill the steak. In my book there is only one way to grill a steak, and you will find instructions below for grilling a Porterhouse steak, which will also work for a T-Bone steak.

The Perfect, Grilled Steak

Choosing the Cut of Meat:

1. The first step is to choose a great cut of meat to grill. You will probably need a good butcher’s help to do this. He or she can cut the steak for you. Choose a steak that is at least 1-inch thick, up to 1.5 inches thick. The Porterhouse needs to be fresh, not previously frozen, and it should be a nice, med-dark red color.

Marinade and Seasoning:

2. When you marinade a steak, you are not trying to change the flavor of the steak, you are trying to compliment the delicious, natural flavors produced by grilling and already present in the meat. You do not have to use a marinade, but a good marinade will help in tenderizing the meat.

Steak Marinade:

1. 12-ounces of a dark beer such as Amber Bock 2. 3-Cloves of Garlic, Peeled and mashed 3. 1/4-Cup Chopped Onion 4. 1-TSP Fresh Ground Pepper 5. 1/4-TSP Salt 6. 1/4-Cup Vegetable Oil 7. 1/4-TSP Cumin 8. 1/4 TSP Dried Thyme

Instructions:

1. Whisk together all Ingredients 2. Place steak in a safe container, such as Tupperware, and pour marinade over the steak 3. Turn the steak over, put a lid on the container, and refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours

Grilling the Steak

1. Remove the steak from the marinade, and let it sit for about 1 hour before you grill it. This will bring the temperature of the meat closer to room temperature.

2. Before lighting the grill, spray on pam to prevent sticking.

3. Gas Grill Method: If you are using a gas grill, hopefully it has two burners. Heat the grill by turning one of the burners on high, and the other on low. This will allow you to sear the steak and seal in the juices. Place the steak on the hot side of the grill for 1.5-2 minutes. Turn the steak over and cook for 2 minutes. Move the steak to the cooler side of the grill and cook it for about 7-8 minutes for medium rare. The internal temperature should reach about 135F degrees.

4. Charcoal Grill Method: Build a fire in 1/2 of the pit, and let the charcoal burn down; they will turn white, and you should not be able to hold your hand over the top of the grill for more than 1-2 seconds. Place the steak on the hot side of the grill for 1.5-2 minutes. Turn the steak over and cook for 2 minutes. Move the steak to the cooler side of the grill and cook it for about 7-8 minutes for medium rare. The internal temperature should reach about 135F degrees.

5. Let the steak rest by placing it on a plate and covering it with foil for about 5 minutes or so. This will help in making the steak tender and juicy because if you cut the steak too early, the juices will be hot, causing them to ooze out.

Steak Toppings:

1. Sauteed mushrooms and onions are two of my favorite steak toppings.

Directions:

1. Heat 4-TBSP of butter in a non-stick frying pan. 2. When the butter melts, add sliced onions and cook for 4 minutes 3. Add mushrooms and cook for another 4 minutes or until onions are opaque.

Options:

1.You can add 3-TBSP of heavy cream when you add the mushrooms to produce a creamier topping

2. Add 1-2TBSP of Soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce to butter.

Eat Up!

About the author:

Aaron Ralston, also known as The Smoker King, is the owner of Outdoor Cooking: Barbeque, Sauces, Mops, Rubs. Visit http://www.thesmokerking.com to find many great barbeque recipes and techniques.

Written By: Aaron Ralston

We have all either heard or have been a part of a debate about which grilling method is better, using gas, or using charcoal. There are mixed opions on this issue, and this article explores some of the benefits of both types of grills.

Everyone I have met either strongly believes in using gas grills, or solely using charcoal grills. There are a few who use both. Which one is right for you?

Gas Grills

Gas grills come in many flavors, big, small, stainless, ones with side burners for pots, and many more. They are very easy to light, usually by the push of a button, and controlling heat on them is not a problem at all. With the simple turn of a dial, and you can cook food anywhere from 200 to 500 degrees. They use propane to fuel them, and a typical, full propane tank will supply enough fuel to cook many meals. The prices of gas grills typically range from $150.00 to $500.00, and even well up into the $1,000.00 dollar range.

When purchasing a gas grill, make sure that it has at least two burners so you can cook with indirect heat on one side of the grill if you choose to do so. Many seafood items, such as fish, require a low and slow method of cooking for certain recipes, and being able to light one side of the grill and cook on the other side will make it much easier on you to achieve the desired cooking temperature you are looking for.

Tips for Purchasing a Gas Grill

1. Make sure it has 2 burners 2. Sturdy Construction- When you lift the lid, the pit seems sturdy and not shakey 3. Know your price range, and know what you want to accomplish with the grill. Will you be cooking for lots of people, or will you be cooking for a few? 4. Top brands do produce very good pits, but shop around. Many cheaper brands produce very good quality grills too. 5. What kind of warranty does the pit have? Does the company pay for shipping if something breaks on the pit and you have to send it off to get it repaired, or even recieve a new part?

Charcoal Grills

Charcoal grills are fueled by lump charcoal or charcoal briquettes. They grills are usually in the shape of a round kettle, but many other shapes of pits, such as squares and rectangles exist. Many people will only use charcoal grills because they believe a better taste is produced by using charcoal instead of gas. I will talk more about this later.

Charcoal grills can be priced anywhere from the small, $20 dollar Hibachi, to a typical $50.00 Weber, to an expensive, $450.00 kettle, which is usually pretty large. Normally, the $50.00 Weber grill is the best way to go because it has the surface area to cook lots of food, and Webers usually last a very long time. I have used one for 4 years now, cooking 4-5 times a month on it, and it has not let me down yet.

When using a charcoal grill, the best and easiest way to light the grill is to use a charcoal starter. This will cut your pit heating time down by 15 minutes or so becuase the coals will be already be lit when you put them into the pit.

Adjusting the heat on a charcoal grill can be a bit of a challenge until you get used to your pit. After a while, you will understand the exact combination of closing dampers and adjusting the lid to produce the heat you want from your grill.

Tips for Purchasing a Charcoal Grill

1. What are your intentions for the grill? Are you cooking for many people, or a few? 2. Is the pit easy to move around? 3. How easy is it to clean? 4. What is your price range? Do some research on the internet to find out what grills are priced at now.

About the author:

Aaron Ralston, also known as The Smoker King, is the owner of Outdoor Cooking: Barbeque, Sauces, Mops, Rubs. Visit http://www.thesmokerking.com to find many great barbeque recipes and techniques.

Written By: Aaron Ralston

America’s favorite food has long been the pizza cooked in a traditional oven but is that about to change? While most Americans have probably never indulged in a grilled pizza, the origins of pizza are making a big comeback. There is no denying that we love our traditional backyard barbeque but rarely, if ever has the barbeque included grilling a pizza. Despite the seemingly odd combination of grill and pizza, the grill is the ideal tool for cooking pizza and in fact is deep in the origin of pizza making. The high, dry heat is ideal for a nice crisp crust and the flavor provided from your grill will on a whole new world of backyard grilling.

Before the word pizza was ever used, Greeks and Romans used wood-fired brick ovens to prepare the original version of pizza – flatbread. In ancient times each diner was given a piece of flat bread along with a piece of meat on the bread. This food was eaten with the fingers with an occasional knife to cut the meat. Little did they know that this would eventually spark the creation one of the America’s favorite foods.

Grilled Pizza Techniques:

Ingredients: 1 teaspoon dried yeast 1 tablespoon soy oil 1 teaspoon sugar cup warm water (110F) 1 cup bread flour 1 tablespoon soy flour 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions: Combine yeast, sugar and cup very warm water in bowl, let sit for five minutes. Combine flour and salt in bowl. Mix yeast mixture with bowl containing dry ingredients. Add a little extra flour if dough is sticky. Knead for a good 10 minutes. Put into a greased bowl and let rise for 60 minutes until it doubles in size. Turn out onto a floured surface then knead lightly until smooth. Roll out into a ” thick, 12″ diameter circle. The thinner the dough is rolled, the better.

Before placing your crust on the grill, be sure that your grill is both clean and well oiled. This will help prevent the dough from sticking to the grill. You will need something large enough to transport your dough to the grill. A pizza spatula is highly recommended for this task. Brush an even coat of extra virgin olive oil on the side that will be facing down first. The oil will introduce flavor and help to keep the dough from sticking to the grill as well as giving the crust a nice crisp finish. Before placing your pizza on the grill, you may want to remove the top rack of your grill to make it easier to flip your pizza. Cook the first side from 1-3 minutes before flipping depending on the heat of your grill. During this time you will need to brush olive oil on the side that is facing up. While cooking the first side, peak under the edge of the crust to monitor its finish. Cook until you are satisfied with the finish and then flip your crust over. After flipping, immediately apply any topping that you would like. It’s highly recommended that you keep the topping very light, as they will not have a chance to cook on the grill without burning the crust. You may consider precooking certain ingredients such as meats and thick vegetables. Be sure to lower the lid as soon as possible to trap the heat in and finish cooking the toppings. Cook the pizza for an additional 2-3 minutes or until you are satisfied with the crust’s finish.

You are now ready to experience one great pizza with deep tradition. Cut your pizza into triangle shaped slices or try cutting them into 1″ wide strips. This shape is great for a party snacks!

About the author:

Scott Schirkofsky is the chef and owner of At Home Gourmet. You can find more recipes, cooking tips along with food and beverage articles on his highly recommended website: http://www.athomegourmet.com. Scott is also the owner of http://www.americasfavoritefood.com and http://www.thetravelassistant.com.

Written By: Scott Schirkofsky

Looking for a delicious and simple way to grill up that fresh tuna steak that you just caught or bought from the local seafood market? Grilled tuna steak is a delightful and exciting entree for any special meal. There are various methods to spice up and flavor your catch, but today we want to talk about a popular method using wasabi powder. This unique spice is being used by many top chefs to add a special flare and flavoring to the tuna.

Assemble the following recipe ingredients:

* tuna steaks, cut to a thickness of 3/4 inch to 1 1/2 inch each ( your preference ) * 4 to 6 ounces of butter * 1 cup of teriyaki marinade * 1 tablespoon of wasabi powder * 2 chopped green onions * 1 tablespoon of olive oil, peanut oil, or vegetable oil * salt and pepper to taste

Get started by marinating the tuna in the teriyaki marinade. Place the tuna into the marinade and completely coat both sides of the meat. Cover, place into the refrigerator and let the tuna sit and marnate for an hour or more, overnight is good too.

When ready, start up your grill and get it good and hot, but not too hot. Ideally bring it to the same temperature as if you were grilling a regular beef steak on the grill. Then mix the wasabi powder, butter and the green onions together and place it aside for the time being. Once the grill is to the ideal temperature and you are ready, then brush the oil onto the tuna steaks and season the meat with salt and pepper to taste. While grilling, periodically baste the tuna with the left over teriyaki marinade. This will help to keep the tuna moist and add additional flavor. Cook until they are done to your desired temperature, then serve with the butter. You can also let some butter melt on the tuna fillets as they are cooking as well.

Alternative set of recipe ingredients and marinade flavoring:

* tuna steaks, 1-inch thick * Sesame oil * 1 rounded tsp. cornstarch * 1/3 c. rice vinegar * 1/3 c. mirin * 1/3 c. soy sauce * 3 tbsp. minced crystallized ginger

Popular tuna species:

Tuna is a popular, delicious and rich tasting seafood that is prepared in many ways. It is perfect for grilling, sautee, and broiling. The flesh of tuna is pink because the tuna’s muscle tissue has a higher oxygen capacity than other fish species.

* Bluefin: An important source of seafood, providing much of the tuna used in sushi. It is a particular delicacy in Japan where it has been reported that the price of a single giant tuna can exceed $100,000 on the Tokyo fish market.

* Yellowfin: found in open waters of tropical and subtropical seas worldwide, though not in the Mediterranean Sea. It has been reported to be up to 94 inches in length and 440 lb in weight. The second dorsal fin and the anal fin are both bright yellow, thus the common name, and they are very long, as are the pectoral fins. The main body is very dark metallic blue, changing to silver on the belly.

* Albacore: found in the open waters of all tropical and temperate oceans, and the Mediterranean Sea. It is a prized food, and a significant fishery. Methods of fishing include rod and reel, long-line fishing and purse seining and are highly sought after by sport fishers and recreational fisherman.

* Bigeye * Blackfin

About the author:

For more Gourmet Food Articles visit: http://www.gourmetfoodarticles.com . This article may be freely reprinted as long as the author’s resource box and url links remain intact.

Written By: James Smith

No matter what you preference in a steak, maintaining good moisture should always be your goal. When searching for a good cut of beef, look for a cut with good consistent marbling. Fat equals flavor so very low fat content in meat will tend to dry it out and have much less flavor. You should not have to coat a great piece of meat with sauce just to get flavor, in fact you should avoid using a sauce at all. You want to see visible grains of fat running through the meat but not large pieces of fat. If you do see larger pieces simply trim them off. As you cook your steak the fat will melt and naturally tenderize the meat.

After removing the meat from refrigeration seasoning the meat with generous amounts of salt and pepper. Many other herb and spice combinations can be added to your taste just be sure you have plenty of salt and pepper in addition to any other seasonings. Allow the meat to come to room temperature before grilling.

When grilling your steak first make sure that you have your grill nice and hot. This will give the outside a nice crust and will also help seal in its natural juices. If you fire flares up at any point, move the meat off the flame. While you want a hot grill, you do not want direct flame on the meat for any extended time period. The worst mistake that most grillers make is to continually flip the meat time and time again. Continually flipping the meat does nothing but cause the meat to dry out. Flipping the steak over and over does not make you a grill master, doing it right, does. In the end you will flip your steak 3 times which will mean you have cooked both sides twice for 3 minutes on each side. For cross-hatch marks on your meat simply turn it 45 degrees when flipping. Total cooking time should be roughly 12 minutes. This will achieve a medium rare steak depending on how hot your grill is. Because every grill it different you will need to experiment to get the desired results.

There is no exact way to tell when the steak is done. Without cutting the meat open and risking the release of its juices, the best way is to either press the meat to judge its tenderness or use a meat thermometer. If you choose not to press the meat, you can use you hand as a guide. For instance if you take you index finger and touch the fleshy part of your palm right under your thumb, that is what rare should feel like. Conversely if you touch you pinky to that same part of your palm that is the consistency of well done. So from finger to the next starting with your index finger and ending with the pinky it would be: rare, medium-rare, medium and well done.

Herb rub:

1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper
2 teaspoons mustard powder
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon onion

Mix all ingredients thoroughly in a bowl. Brush the steak lightly with olive oil and rub in herb rub.

About the author:

Scott Schirkofsky is the chef and owner of At Home Gourmet. You can find more recipes, cooking tips, food and beverage articles on his highly recommended website: http://www.athomegourmet.com. Scott is also the owner of http://www.americasfavoritefood.com and http://www.thetravelassistant.com .

Written By: Scott Schirkofsky

All stainless steel burners are not created equal. When comparing burner systems, there are a few key points to look for. Most manufacturers use stainless steel sheet metal to make their burner systems. The downside of sheet metal burners is that they are prone to a process called burn-through. The manufacturer’s warranty covers sheet metal burners against rust-through, but does not cover against burn-through. To combat burn-through, select manufacturers use CAST stainless steel burners. The warranty on these burners does cover burn-through as well as rust-through, twisting, warping and any other problems.

Compared side by side it is plain to see by our photos at Gas Grills Now, that where a sheet metal burner is not as thick as a U.S. quarter, a cast stainless steel burner is a full INCH thick. Along with being thicker, note the placement of the burner ports on the side of the burner. On the sheet metal burners, the ports are exposed to grease drippings, and food particles, which can clog the ports and speed up the burn-through process. The cast burner is designed with a protective ridge, so that drippings cannot contact the ports.

There are several choices offered to the consumer: Cast stainless steel, Tube stainless steel, Sheet stainless steel, porcelain, cast iron and chrome burners.

* Stainless Steel: Sheet Metal burners are the least expensive. They are mainly used on grills under $800. A tube burner is better than sheet metal, but is still very thin compared to cast. The tube burner is a great place for high end grill manufactures to cut costs. They are not even as thick as a quarter. As far as I know, all tube burners do not cover burn through.

Cast Stainless Steel is the best. Look at the burner pictures and you will see that the cast is 1/4 inch thick.

Warranty covers burn through!

* Cast Iron: Cast-iron conducts heat better which makes it the preferred cooking surface for many cooks. To protect against the natural rusting process, cast-iron cooking grids have a porcelain finish which requires special maintenance.

* Porcelain: Porcelain enamel is essentially a highly durable glass which, with coloring oxides and other inorganic materials, is fused to metal at extremely high temperatures. Most grids are made of steel rods; some are coated with porcelain to make them rust resistant and easier to clean.

* Chrome: Chromium is a silver-gray, lustrous, brittle, hard metal that can be highly polished. It does Not tarnish in air, but burns when heated, forming the green chromic oxide. It is used in plating other metals because of its hardness and non-tarnishing properties. In alloys with other metals it contributes hardness, strength, and heat resistance. This is quicker to burn through. It takes about 1 to 2 years.

About the author:

Harold Wagner has over 15 years experience in the barbecue grill industry and regularly attends the annual HPBA shows to keep current with the latest developments. Gas Grills Now is a member of the Hearth Patio Barbeque Association (HPBA) and has been in business since 1981 with an internet presence since 1997. For more information call toll free 1-877-669-4669.

Written By: Harold Wagner

Having a craving for pasta? Want to enjoy a casual yet savoury dining experience? Look no further than Romano’s Macaroni Grill. This restaurant has more than 35 Italian specialties to make one’s mouth water. There are 228 Macaroni Grill locations in the United States, which can be found in almost every state in the country, and more locations are being built.

The dining experience begins upon entering the restaurant and seeing the chefs preparing any one of the menu’s numerous dishes in the exhibition kitchen. The delicious aromas fill the air, along with the sounds of opera that can be heard coming from the mouths of the Macaroni Grill’s staff members.

When it comes making a tasty meal with macaroni, or any other type of pasta, Macaroni Grill is supreme, and the menu offers a wide variety of dishes. One can either select from the delicious menu entrees that have been expertly prepared, or opt to take the design-you-own-pasta-dish route. This allows for an entirely different dining experience every time at The Macaroni Grill.

Along with delicious pasta selections, The Macaroni Grill offers a wide variety of other entre menu choices. A craving for veal, steak, seafood, roasted chicken, wood baked pizza, soups, and tempting desserts, can all be satisfied at Macaroni Grill. The rosemary infused bread that is served piping hot to every table is a fantastic start to lunch or dinner, and may be enjoyed with a selection from Macaroni Grill’s vast wine cellar. For those not sure about what type of wine best suits a meal, the knowledgeable serving staff is quick to offer a fitting suggestion.

There is an opportunity to share the Macaroni Grill experience with friends and family members who don’t live near a Macaroni Grill location. Macaroni Grill gift cards can be purchased either on line or at any Macaroni Grill location, and given as thoughtful gifts. Macaroni Grill can also be enjoyed at home. Many locations offer curb side pick up: this quick service allows individuals to call in orders and have them delivered to their car in the parking lot, bypassing standard delivery fees or the need to wait in line inside. For those people interested in feeding the whole family, Macaroni Grill also offers family-style meals that serve 8 to 10 people. For individuals wanting specific items for a large group, Macaroni Grill also provides desserts, salads, party platters, side dishes and entrees portioned to suit family gatherings or team events Macaroni Grill is a restaurant that offers something for everyone. From the wide selection of delicious entrees, appetizers, salads, wines and desserts, to the comfortable and welcoming atmosphere, Macaroni Grill provides a delicious and memorable dining experience.

About the author:

Visit MacaroniGrillFeast.Com

Gary Prestwich is a traveller and author who creates informative web sites regarding the most pleasant and rewarding experiences of his travels

Written By: Gary Prestwich

For many of us, summer will forever be associated with grills. Grills mean Fathers Day cookouts, graduation parties, and relaxing family get-togethers. You may think that the scent of bratwurst on the grill is one of the best aromas around. Therefore, if youve just moved into a home with a deckor an apartment with a patioyou may want to invest in a grill in order to make your time outdoors a bit more memorable.

Yet, finding the right grill for your particular lifestyle can be a challenge. This is because there are so many options to choose from. With so many choices available, you may not know where to begin as you conduct your search. However, if you keep a few simple things in mind, both the browsing and the buying process should be much easier.

Undoubtedly, an important consideration is the weight of a grill. Experts say that heavier gauge metal is far more durable. Therefore, if you want to buy a grill thats really built to last, consider a heavy-duty model.

Youll also want to decide what kind of fuel power you would like for your grill. A charcoal grill, for example, tends to add an intense smoked flavor to food. It can also be time-consuming, since it will take about 15 to 30 minutes after you light the grill before it will be ready for cooking. The higher-quality charcoal grills have air vents to control cooking temperature.

The main advantage of grills that use liquid propane or natural gas is that they burn cleaner and less expensively than charcoal. They also ignite quite quickly, thanks to a push-button, rotary or electronic lighter that is built right into the grill. After only ten minutes of pre-heating, you can begin to grill.

Meanwhile, if you live in an area that cannot really accommodate a charcoal or gas grill, you might want to invest in an electric one. Newer models tend to create a fascinating flavorespecially when you use a high-quality marinade. An electric grill is especially well-suited for residents of apartments. Yet, a key disadvantage is that the grill must be plugged into an electrical outlet.

Be sure to take your time when shopping for a grill. After all, youll want one that you will be happy with over the long term. The more time you invest in searching for the right grill, the happier youre likely to be with your final purchase.

About the Author:

Donna Somerkin specializes in cooking on grills and electric grills

Written By: Donna Somerkin

Solaire gas grills have a unique cooking system. Instead of using briquettes for lava rock as a convection heat source, Solaire gas grills use radiant infrared heat to cook the food. This is the same cooking technology that is used in the finest steak houses, so the great taste of professional grills is available in your own backyard.

Most gas grills on the market today cook by convection. There are several disadvantages to this method. The hood must be closed in order to raise the temperature of the cooking area, and whenever the hood is opened the temperature quickly drops. The food is cooked by the heated air, and this results in dried out food.

Solaire gas grills on the other hand, are specially designed to produce high temperature, radiant heat. The hood on Solaire gas grills can be left open because the heating elements are cooking the food rather than the heated air. The intense heat of the infrared burner seers the outside of the food, locking in taste and moisture. The result is succulent, flavorful food which cooks in a fraction of the time of traditional gas grills.

There are several models of Solaire gas grills to choose from. The 27″ Petite Solaire Infrared Built-in Gas Grill (model number SOL-IRBQ-27G) has three infrared burners producing 27,000 BTUs. The total grilling area is 461 square inches, and there is a an optional electric rotisserie available. This model can operate on either propane or natural gas with the conversion kit which is included with the grill.

The Solaire 30 Inch Infra-Red Gas Grill has two infrared burners producing 55,000 BTUs. There is a total of 703 square inches of cooking area, and an optional electric rotisserie. This model can be installed on a portable cart or it can be built in to a customized cabinet. It can operate on either propane or natural gas.

For heavy-duty professional style cooking, the Solaire 42 Inch Infra-Red Gas Grill on Cart offers 82,500 BTUs and 1027 square inches of grilling area. On the other end of the scale, the Solaire Portable Gas Grill is a compact grill that can be carried anywhere. It operates on 1 pound propane bottles that offer one hour of cooking time.

About the Author

Ross is editor of Patio Furniture and Barbeque Grills and is specialized in Barbecue related products

Written By: Ross MacIver