Grill TipsGrills, Barbecues & Food

The cast brass and cast stainless steel burners have the smallest burrs — by far. This will mean less chaos in the gas flow, fewer trapped particulate matter in the burner and a cleaner burning grill. The following comparison shows how the ports are formed.

Why is port formation important? Several reasons. If the hole is punched into a sheet metal burner, it leaves a large tab inside the burner that will cause more chaos while burning. It is more apt to hold trapped food particles and grease, and is therefore more likely to burn through. (Note the Alfresco burner photo.)

Molded ports in cast burners seem like they would be a good idea, but there is considerable difficulty in making them uniform. Thus, it is quicker and less expensive to drill.

Drilled ports are the most uniform and the most precisely placed. They tend to leave a burr on the inside of the burner, which is more noticeable (oddly enough) in a sheet metal burner. Cast burners tend to have smaller burrs.

Fire Magic grill burner has drilled orifices.

Notice (from the photo on our site) the lack of extensive burring, allowing for a smooth flow of gas. Cast stainless leaves few, if any, burrs when drilled. This burner has a lifetime warranty, including against rust and burn-through.

Notice the placement of the ports: on the side, safely below the ridge. This placement will help prevent grease from dripping into the burner, minimizing the possibility of grease entering the burner.

Lynx grill burner is drilled.

Notice (from the picture on our site) the lack of extensive burring, allowing for a smooth flow of gas. Cast brass is similar to cast stainless steel when drilled, leaving few, if any, burrs. This burner carries a lifetime warranty, including against rust and burn-through. It is also interesting to note that Lynx does not offer a replacement burner for any of their grills: simply, you’ll never need one.

Orifice placement is not as good with this burner as with the Fire Magic, but when you consider that you’ll never replace this burner, it probably doesn’t matter all that much.

Alfresco grill burner has punched orifices.

Punched ports like these create substantial ledges where carbon particles and moisture can collect and foster burn-through. This burner has a limited lifetime warranty that only covers manufacturer’s defect. With this design, this burner *will* burn through, and faster than most other burners on the market.

Further, notice the placement of the ports: at 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock; if any grease were to drip onto this burner, it is almost guaranteed to enter these ports, thereby compounding the rust and burn-through issue.

DCS grill burner has drilled orifices.

At least DCS drills burner ports. The burrs, however, are substantial when compared to cast stainless steel, and these will also collect particulates and moisture, which will foster burn-through. This burner also has a limited lifetime warranty that covers manufacturer’s defects only, not rust or burn-through.

This burner has a thicker steel than the Alfresco, but it also has a serious design flaw: the ports are drilled directly on top. If grease were to drip on this burner, it is guaranteed to enter the burner, compounding the rust and burn-through issue!

About The Author

Will Kessel is a contributing author for GasGrillsNow.com. Gas Grills Now has a large selection of charcoal, electric and gas grills from the top name brands at low wholesale prices with free shipping. Click on our link or call toll free 1-877-669-4669 anytime.

Written By: Will Kessel

Everyone loves good, old fashioned charcoal grilling. Aside from being cheaper than other grilling methods, it adds a raw, distinctive taste to your sausages, burgers, ribs, and other grilled items. Some people prefer charcoal grills over gas grills because they are easier to transport and are safer to use than gas. While there are differences in opinion and preference among grillers, it still remains that charcoal grills are here to stay. So be it an picnic, or an outdoor grill, charcoal grills will more that make up their worth in usefulness and reliability. When choosing charcoal grills, however, it pays to know what your needs are and to know the pros and cons of having such a grill over the other available grills around.

1. Cooking Space

First of all, you have to determine how much space you need for grilling. If you are grilling for a small family of three, you will do well enough with a 75 square-inch grill. You will have to consider larger grills if you are cooking for more people. It doesnt make sense if you bring a puny sub-75 inch grill to a large picnic. Remember that the size of your grill increases the amount of items you can grill exponentially. Just looking at the grill wont give you a clear idea on how big the grilling area is. Some grills have a warming rack that increases the perceived size of your grill.

2. Portability

- Get grills that have wheels
- Try choosing grills whose parts are ergonomic and efficient
- Lessen the risk of damaging your grill when transporting
- Your grill also has to withstand the rigors of outdoor use
- It does not pay to purchase a flimsy looking grill – go for those that are durable and lasting

3. Convenience

Some charcoal grills come with their own igniters. Try choosing grills that have this option. Other grills need lighter fluid to fire up. With the built-in igniter, you will not need lighter fluid anymore. On the other hand, you may want to avoid lighter fluid altogether. Some people dislike the taste and smell this fluid adds to the grill. If you must, use alcohol instead. It burns odorless and does not ruin the flavor of your food. Choose grills that allow you to easily access the ash pan. This makes cleaning the grill a lot easier. It also lessens the amount of ash flakes that may settle in your food. Also, lids are a very important part of the grill. Choose a grill that has a lid to keep the heat trapped within the grill. This allows for faster and smokeless grilling.

4. Quality

The materials used in making the grill are also very important. Some grills are made of material that easily corrodes or does not stand up well against the elements. Stainless steel grills hold up remarkably well to both the weather and the heat of the grill. Try avoiding painted grills as the paint may easily flake of. Although lightweight, durable materials are hard to come by among grills, you would do best to look for such. Remember, though, that first and foremost, the most important built characteristic you are looking for in a grill is durability.

About the Author:

For more great charcoal grill related articles and resources check out http://charcoalgrills.dinningstyle.com

Written By: John Morris

(NC)This is one of those easy recipes with a real Mediterranean feel. If extra guests arrive, stretch the meal with more pita bread, or rice cooked with fried onions and spinach. Buy some tzatziki, make a Greek salad or serve with thinly sliced cucumbers dressed with sour cream, lemon juice and fresh dill.

Ingredients

3 lbs boneless leg or shoulder of lamb 750 g

1 cup olive oil 250 mL

1/2 cup lemon juice 125 mL

1 tsp each of salt and pepper 5 mL

3 cloves garlic, pressed in a garlic press

2 bay leaves, crumbled

2 tbsp fresh chopped dill (or 2 tsp/10mL dried dill) 25 mL

whole cherry tomatoes

1 red pepper

1 yellow pepper

1 large red onion

Procedure

Trim the lamb of fat and cut into large, 2-inch cubes. Combine the oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper, garlic, bay leaves and dill in a bowl or sealed plastic bag. Add the lamb and toss to coat well. Marinate overnight in the refrigerator or up to 24 hours.

Cut the peppers and onion into large chunks. Thread the meat on long metal skewers alternating with tomatoes, peppers and onions. Make sure the meat and vegetables are not crowded on the skewers. You can also cook the meat and vegetables on separate skewers, which gives you more control and ensures the vegetables don’t overcook.

Grill the meat skewers over direct medium high heat for 8 minutes for rare, or 10-12 minutes for medium, turning three or four times during cooking. Grill vegetables until starting to char but still crisp. Serve lamb and grilled vegetables over rice or wrapped in a pita bread with tzatziki on the side.

Serves 6

Recipe courtesy of Weber-Stephen Products Co.

Easy Extras

Good quality pita bread

A jar of roasted hot peppers

Yogurt and cucumber tzatziki or Greek salad from the deli counter

Fruity sangria or fresh mint tea

Sliced oranges and take-out baklava for dessert

News Canada

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News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial “fill” items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.

Written By: News Canada

Note By Grill-Tips Admin – Here in Kazakhstan, you’ll find grilled kebabs referred to as sashlik…

If you are considering purchasing a new grill, or barbecue, you will be faced with a multitude of options to choose between. However, there is one choice which you will need to make fairly quickly in your quest for the perfect grill for you. That decision is whether to buy a charcoal or gas grill.

Both charcoal and gas grills have advantages over each other depending on what you are looking for and how you intend to use it. However, the good news is that they both produce food which has been found to have very little difference in taste. Whether you choose the gas or charcoal version you can rest assured that they will both have the capability to produce great tasting fare.

For many, a barbecue is not a proper barbecue if it does not involve cooking over hot coals. This can take a long time to be at the optimum cooking temperature and can be difficult to master, and in addition there are ashes to be dealt with once the cooking is over. However, the primal instinct in many people (particularly men!) makes the charcoal grill appeal to them as they are required to start and tend the fire for the duration of the time for which they are cooking. In addition, many feel that cooking over coals gives the food a distinctive taste and smell which you do not get with a gas grill. However, as mentioned previously, this has not been found to be the case.

A gas grill can make life less complicated. The flames are produced at the touch of a button and the temperature can be controlled at the turn of a knob. This is more like cooking over a traditional kitchen cooker, only outside. A gas grill also removes the debris once the cooking is over as there are no coals to clean up.

As you can see, both types of grill have their advantages. However, it is important to think about your use of your grill before making your decision. If you plan to use it infrequently you may prefer a charcoal grill as they are less costly. A gas grill will cost more to buy, but if you are going to use it regularly it will become more efficient over time. For the newcomer to the grill, a charcoal grill may be the most sensible option. If you find you are using it a lot and it is becoming expensive to buy new coals you will then have the opportunity to upgrade to a gas barbecue if you wish. If you splash out for a gas grill immediately you may find that if you use it infrequently it will be an unnecessary expense that you need not have made.

Whichever you choose, there is little between the two types of grill in terms of the quality of the food cooked on them. Make your decision wisely and your grill is sure to be enjoyed on many occasions over time and makes a great addition to any summer evening.

About The Author:

The author is a regular contributor to Jay’s Grills http://www.jaysgrills.com where more barbecue and grill advice and recipes are freely available.

Written By: Roy Green

Many accident reports from consumers are proof of the frequently occurring flaws in gas grills manufacturing.

Grills, especially gas grills, are an equipment to be used with caution and care, as they may just put you in danger. Most of the times, fires are started by gas tanks of such grills.

No further than November 17, a fire devastated the back porch of a house. It was started from a debris fire that was not completely extinguished and came dangerously close to three propane tanks for a gas grill that Robert Delphia was keeping on the porch. The pressure relief valve on one of the tanks activated, resulting in a loud noise that was initially described as an explosion, but the tanks did not explode. Fortunately, the incident ended quickly without victims or injuries, as the fire was noticed and reported in an incipient stage by the Police Officer on patrol.

This was a case of external ignition factor, but there are many reported cases when fire is started as a result of manufacturing flaws. Thus, although confined within manufacturing standard limitations, there are still reported cases of home accidents occurring because of manufacturing problems.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission receives reports of such accidents or malfunction cases that might endanger the user, analyzes the situation and may decide to recall dangerous products. These are some examples of recalled grills and their producers:

* Jenn-Air Downdraft Gas Cooktops produced by Maytag Corp., of Newton, Iowa.
o November 18: 1,170 units were recalled.
o Cause: switches are located too close to the gas tubing that leads to the grill burner. The produced electrical arch represents a fire hazard.
o Reports: 4 reports – fire catching during use as a result of a gas leak, no injuries.
* Five-burner Vermont Castings barbeque grills produced by CFM Corporation, Canada.
o November 10: 12,500 units were recalled.
o Cause: gas leak and fire hazard.
o Reports: 38 reports – gas leaks, but no injuries or property damage.
* Beefmaster Explorer Outdoor Gas Grill produced by Nexgrill Industries, Inc., of Walnut, Los Angeles County.
o October 21: 10,000 units were recalled.
o Cause: when adjusting the gas pressure regulator the label on the valve can become positioned so consumers cannot see what it indicates, thus it could be left on by mistake.
o Reports: 2 reports gas leaks but no injuries or property damage.

And these are only few of the dangerous products reported lately. A little too many, aren’t they? So, how come that so many inappropriately manufactured products get to reach the stores and finally the consumers?

About the Author

Laura Ciocan writes for http://www.natural-gas-grills.info where you can find articles, buying tips and reviews of popular gas grills.

Please feel free to use this article in your Newsletter or on your website. If you use this article, please include the resource box and send a brief message to let me know where it appeared; lauracio@gmail.com

Written By: Laura Ciocan

This article provides useful, detailed information about Grilling Steak.

Steaks are the most palatable when they are grilled. The best steak for grilling is the sirloin steak, but it tends to be a bit tough. The T-bone steak and the porterhouse steak are both excellent choices and the bone in them give them an added flavor. Rib-eye steaks also grill well, as do the rib steaks. Filet mignon steaks do not generally find their way to the backyard barbeques owing to their steep prices. Thick steaks grill well than thin ones the thin ones tend to form a hard crust, which interferes with the cooking of the interior of the steak.

There\’s nothing comparable to a backyard barbeque on a pleasant summer day and what better ingredient to barbeque than a steak!

For grilling, a good marbled steak is preferred. The marbling of a steak is the shreds of white fat that are visible in the red meat. More the specks of fat; better will be their flavor. Most of the fat liquefies while cooking and the steak simmers in its own fat giving it an incomparable taste.

The basic trick of a good grilled steak is not in the actual grilling process, but in the marinade. Marinating must be done not earlier than 2-3 hours of the grilling, unless it is a flank steak, in which case it can be marinated overnight. Acidic liquids are the best marinades, such as curds, lemon juice and tomato juice; even whiskey and wine. Marinades make the steaks tender and easier to grill.

Another important factor for the grilling is the barbeque grill. It is wise to buy decent charcoal and lighter fluid. Cheap varieties would burn non-uniformly and this would not grill the steak evenly. The coals should burn with bright steady flames and should turn white when the steaks are ready to be placed on the grill. Ideally, steak grilling requires constant attention and someone must be beside the grill throughout the process to turn the steaks. Steaks are to be turned a couple of times depending on the type of steak that is used. Thrice is usually enough.

Steak aficionados know that basting a steak with butter as soon as it is done gives it an extra flavor. Properly grilled steaks do not require much garnishing. A dash of salt and a sprinkling of peppercorn are usually sufficient. Steaks should be let be for a couple of minutes before serving to allow the juices to settle. Grilled steaks are usually eaten with boiled potatoes, salad and sauces such as Worcestershire and mustard.

Before arranging for a barbeque, it is necessary to check out with the local authorities as some neighborhoods have regulations concerning the use of charcoal grills. These regulations may be about the distance that a grill should be placed from the house and that someone tends the fire constantly.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Steak Recipe provides detailed information on Steak, Steak Recipe, How To Cook Steak, Grilling Steak and more. Steak Recipe is affiliated with Turkey Recipes.

Written By: Max Bellamy

Cooking fish tips for the best cooked fish in your neighborhood!

When grilling, use a wire basket to hold the fish. Fish can be a real pain on the grill grates, because it gets so brittle when done. Firmer fish, such as tuna, salmon, and shark can be cooking directly on the grill, but handle carefully.
Grill fish over medium heat. Fish cooks quicker than most meats, and can burn rapidly over high heat.
If you marinate fish and plan to use the marinade for basting, boil it for about 5 mins to cook out any bacteria that may have settled in it.
To grill shellfish, place them directly on the hottest part of the grill. They’re done when the shell opens. If it doesn’t open, throw them away!

Grilling Tips

Always cook more than you intend to eat-you’ll thank yourself later! BBQ lends itself well to freezing and refrigerating, and already having cooked meats gives you a huge jumpstart on meal-planning for the upcoming week!
When using a dry rub, let the meat cook for about 1/3 of cooking time before basting with any other sauce. This allows the rub to absorb into the meat first.
If you want to use wood chips for extra wood flavoring, soak the wood in water for at least an hour, then wrap in heavy-duty aluminum foil
To prevent rusted grill grates, thoroughly scrape the grill down after cooking and, while the grate is still warm, rub some cooking oil on it using tongs and a small cloth. Close the lid to keep the grate from the elements!
Veggies taste wonderful on the grill!! Coat the veggies lightly in vegetable oil, sprinkle a little seasonings- such as rosemary- on them, and use a shaker basket or grilling wok over the fire, so the pieces don’t fall out!
Add BBQ sauce to your meats during the last 1/3 of cooking time- BBQ sauce is made up of tomatoes and sugar, both of which burn quickly

Charcoal VS. Gas

Ah, the age old debate rages on….what’s better, charcoal or gas grills? We’ll the answer is “both”. See how I cleared that up? Seriously, there are strong supporters on both sides of this debate, so we thought we’d throw some pointers out to you, and you can decide from there!
Charcoal grills generally will capture a more distinct “fire” or smokey flavor than gas will
Gas grills are much easier and faster to light and bring to proper cooking temp.
Gas grills cost substantially more than their charcoal counterparts
Charcoal grills are generally much more portable than a gas unit
Heck, I know a few people that own one of each! They cook with charcoal if they’re tailgating and/or have some extra time, and use the gas grill when the want things a bit easier!

Rob Moore cooks up quick and easy recipes from HIWAY-cafe.com, a site devoted to Recipes As Fast As Your Life! Visit for more quick easy crockpot recipes and more!

Written By: rob moore

Do you enjoy eating outdoors? Many people appreciate the fresh air and attractive views available at many camping spots or sometimes from their own backyard. One way to get the most from having a meal outside is by cooking it yourself over a barbeque grill, which is not difficult if you become familiar with a few safety tips and helpful hints. But before reaching that point, you will want to purchase a suitable grill for outdoor use. Here are some tips that can help you select one that will suit your lifestyle. 1. Decide how much you can afford to spend. A $50 charcoal brazier might fit your budget best for now. Over time, you could save a few hundred dollars to buy a more deluxe model with an outdoor light and optional side shelves. Plan your purchase before walking into the store so you won’t be talked into spending more than you can afford.

2. Select a preferred style of cooking grill. Some people prefer the old fashioned method of charcoal briquettes that are ignited by lighter fluid. Other folks like to use a plug-in electric model that cooks more evenly. Some outdoor cooks want to use a gas grill. Check out each type at your favorite sporting goods or department store. Each style requires the purchase or preparation and storage or maintenance of fuel components like charcoal, kerosene, gas, or electric outlets.

3. Carefully choose the most useful auxiliary items. Don’t be lured into paying hundreds of dollars more for items you won’t use. You can get stainless steel casings, a warming section, burner controls, a nighttime light, the barbeque utensil kit, and a host of other options that look great at the store but may sit idle at home. You can always add more features later if you feel they are needed.

4. Shop for the best deal. Try to plan ahead and buy your grill at the end of the summer when patio and lawn items go on sale. Compare styles, costs, and features among various stores, and ask about sales events or rebates to further reduce the cost.

5. Have a storage area in mind. To make your barbeque last, get one that will fit a suitable place in the garage, shed, patio, or basement. You may want to invest in a vinyl or other type of cover to help prevent rust and mold.

If you plan to cook outdoors, it may be helpful to check out patio furniture or a picnic table when you shop for a grill. Sometimes you can buy a certain amount of merchandise and get a ten percent or higher discount. To cut costs, think about using paper plates and plastic table service for family and/or guests. If desired, you can always use regular dishes for special occasions.

About the Author

For more information about selecting and using barbeque grills, along with a variety of features and options as well as safety tips, visit The Barbeque Spot at http://www.barbequespot.com

Written By: Charles Kassotis

There’s nothing better than a nicely grilled juicy steak.
But how come I can’t duplicate that restaurant, expensive, juicy, melt-in-your mouth, perfectly grilled steak?
Well, I found out how to grill steak perfectly – and here’s how you can too.

1. The choice of meat is important!!! Just because the supermarket has labeled the steak “good for grilling” doesn’t mean that it is. Lean meat does not do well. You want a piece that has marbling throughout. And these are good cuts: fillet (mignon), top loin (rib eye) – basically the same cuts that are the ones you love in the restaurant.

2. Next, proper heating of the grill is vital. If you are using charcoal, spread 2/3 of the bricks on one side and 1/3 of the bricks on the other. That way you have a hotter side for searing the meat and a cooler side for cooking the meat.

If you are using a gas grill, you will lose some of the flavor, but you will want to turn the heat down for the cooking portion.

3. Next, rub both sides of the meat with oil and cover with salt and pepper. Be generous with the salt and pepper because it will fall off during the grilling.

4. Place your meat on the hot side for searing. Cook on each side for three minutes to get the nice grilled meat crust color you love. For a hand test, I’ve been told that you should be able to hold you hand over the heat for 3 seconds before you can’t take it!

5. Place your meat on the cooler side for cooking to your taste. The hand test for the cooler side, I’ve been told, is 6-7 seconds. You will want to use a timer to cook the meat – or use the slice and peak test to see if the meat is done enough for you. Just don’t cut and peek too often or you’ll lose all the juice!

6. When the steak is done, take if off the grill and let it set for at least 5 minutes. Some people call it “resting”. It allows the juices to spread back out so that you’ll have a juicy steak with a nice crust.

Follow these steps and you’ll be enjoying perfectly grilled, juicy, melt-in-your-mouth steak that will impress and satisfy the most discriminating steak eater!

Laura Bankston is author of Internationally selling Cooking with Kids Curriculum: Homeschool Cooking in a Box and the Homeschool Cookbook. She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum and free home school support services, please visit http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com

laura@homeschoolcookbook.com

Written By: Laura Bankston

With a great number of city people living in condos, with no possibility to grill outside, Raichlen’s latest book, “Indoor! Grilling” covers a topic of large interest, especially that grilling is a tradition in America, some sort of a national custom. So, this theme surely relieves a lot of frustration for the part of audience that had been previously left out!

Steven Raichlen is a cooking teacher, lecturer, author, journalist and TV host. He founded the Carribean cooking school Cooking in Paradise. Raichlen’s TV show, Barbecue University debuted in 2003 on public television. The same year he was named the “cooking teacher of the year” by Bon Appetit magazine.

Participating in a “barbecue battle” on Japanese television and defeating Iron Chef Roksbura Michiba attracted him nicknames such as the “Michael Jordan of Barbecue”, as Howard Stern called him or, like Oprah put it, the “Gladiator of Grilling”.

Raichlen published over 25 books of which best-sellers such as Barbecue Bible Sauces, Rubs, and Marinades, Beer Can Chicken, Healthy Latin Cooking, Miami Spice, Big Flavor Cookbook and the famous first and foremost book on grilling, The Barbecue Bible, that appeared in 1998. It was the first guide on grilling, a study of barbecuing around the world and a course on live fire cooking techniques. His writing won 3 IACP awards and 4 James Beard Awards and was translated into ten different languages.

To write “Indoor! Grilling” Raichlen intensively studied these appliances and the technique to cook using them. Although the public of this category is familiarized with the many types of indoor grills, Raichlen treated them in a detailed manner, starting from the very beginning, from contact grill, grill pan, built-in grill to free-standing grill and fireplace grill. And to do this, he largely improved his knowledge about how indoor grills actually work. He tested the 270 recipes in the book on each type of grill.

What really takes grilling steps further is what the experimenting Raichlen does with sandwiches, vegetables and desserts in the recipes section.

About the Author

Laura Ciocan writes for http://www.natural-gas-grills.info where you can find articles, buying tips and reviews of popular gas grills.

Please feel free to use this article in your Newsletter or on your website. If you use this article, please include the resource box and send a brief message to let me know where it appeared; lauracio@gmail.com

Written By: Laura Ciocan