Grill TipsGrills, Barbecues & Food

There are many types of grills, the majority of them being in one of two types – gas-fuelled or charcoal. There is a debate over the virtues of charcoal or gas for use as a cooking method.

Grilling is a tradition in the United States. There are “cook-offs” for steak-grilling and barbecue (Southern and MidWestern style) around the United States with large cash prizes involved in many of them. The majority of people in these competitions use charcoal, usually in large, custom-designed steel or brick grills. Some are simply a couple of large oil drums sawed lengthwise on their sides to make a lid and grill base, whilst others are large, vehicle sized grills made of brick, weighing close to a 1000 Kg !

Gas-fuelled grills normally use Natural Gas (NG) or Propane (LP) as their fuel, with the gas-flame either directly cooking the food, or otherwise indirectly, by heating grilling elements, which in turn emit the heat necessary to cook food. Gas grills come all in sizes, ranging from small, single steak grills up to large, industrial sized restaurant grills which have the capacity to cook enough meat to feed scores of people. Gas grills are manufactured to EITHER use LP or NG, though it is possible to convert a grill from one gas fuel source to the other.

Charcoal grills often use charcoal briquettes as their fuel. The burnt briquettes will transform into embers radiating the heat necessary to cook food. E.G. Kingsford was the major influence behind the American grilling tradition. He was a relative of Henry Ford, who saw that Ford’s Model T production lines were producing a large amount of wood scraps, that were just being discarded. Mr Kingsford proposed a simple idea to Ford, namely to set up a charcoal manufacturing facility next to the car assembly line, and sell the charcoal, with the Ford name, in Ford dealerships. Ford immediately implemented his idea. After Kingsford’s death, the charcoal company was renamed Kingsford Charcoal Co. in his honour.

Another personality in the charcoal grilling arena is George Stephen. The typical American charcoal grill is a metal, hollow hemisphere with three legs & a small metal disc to catch ash, with another grate lower down, to hold the charcoal and an upper grate to hold the food to be cooked. He is credited with creating this hemispherical grill design, jokingly called “Sputnik”, at the time, by his neighbours. Stephen, who was a welder, worked for Weber Brothers Metal Works, a metal fabrication shop, who mainly welded steel spheres together to make life buoys.

Stephen was sick of wind blowing ash onto the food when it was grilled. Luckily, he had an epiphany one day: he took the lower half of a buoy, welded three steel legs onto it, and constructed a more shallow hemisphere for use as a lid. He took it home and within months was selling the grills, first to his neighbours, then to customers who had heard of the grill’s reputation through word of mouth, and finally started the Weber-Stephen Products Company.

There is nothing that says summer like grillin’ and chillin’ at the backyard BBQ. Steaks, chicken, ribs or burgers, they all seem to taste better when cooked on the grill. But as good as they taste now, there are a number of “tips” that can help you make the most of your summer grill

Jack Daniel’s has long been a part of BBQing in the US, sponsoring a number of BBQ contests and being a key ingredient in some of the best BBQ sauces. We’ve assembled a few of the tips that have helped past winners of those competitions, and have listed them here for you:

Start with a clean grill. Although that salmon you prepared last night was the best ever, it probably won’t enhance the taste of the hamburgers you’re having today. Scrub the grill with a wire brush and abrasive pad to remove all remnants of your past successes. You’re about to create a new masterpiece!

Oil the grill with a good vegetable or olive oil. You’ve paid good money for the food you’re about to cook. Let’s not leave part of it stuck to the grill!

Pre-heat the grill on high for at least 10 – 15 minutes, or light the charcoal about 20 – 30 minutes before you start the cooking. You want to be sure the grill is hot enough to sear the meat to seal in the natural juices.

Place a foil pie plate half-filled with extra marinade mixed with water on the searing surface (flavourizer bars, lava rocks, etc) directly under the part of the grill where the meat will be. Used with thicker cuts of meat, this will help to add flavour and keep the meat juicy.

Season the food lightly before placing it on the grill. Food has wonderful natural flavour that BBQing enhances. If you like a bit of spice, try a dry rub or a marinade (which will also help to tenderize less expensive cuts of meat).

After quickly searing the meat on both sides, reduce the heat to medium (raise the rack if using charcoal) and close the grill cover. Resist the temptation to open the grill cover more than just twice moreonce to turn the meat, and then for the final five minutes. Doing this will make the food wonderfully tender.

Put sauces on the food in the last 5 minutes of grilling time. Most sauces have fats and sugar in them which will burn if put on too early. The fire department has better things to do than helping you cook.

This sauce is great for perking up any simply grilled meats, poultry or fish. Brush it on just minutes before you pull the meat off the grill.

Jack’s Secret Weapon All-Purpose BBQ Glaze

1/2 cup Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup ketchup
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon garlic powder

Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan. Simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

Visit the Jack Daniel’s website at www.jackdaniels.com, to find lots of good ideas to help with your Summer Grill.

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Written By: News Canada

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

Grilling and Barbecuing, two of the most popular cooking methods in the U.S., especially in warmer weather. There are some who know the difference between grilling and barbecuing, and some who don’t. Do you?

To put it simply, Grilling is fast cooking over high heat, while barbecuing involves a slower cooking method, over a lower heat.

Grilling is generally done over a gas flame, or hot coals. Tender cuts of meat are best for this cooking method. The quick cooking and the high heat seal in the juices, creating a juicy piece of meat, but leave the meat on too long, and it will dry out, as with any dry cooking method. Barbecue sauces can be used, but since the heat is so high, it should be added right at the end of the cooking time, especially for sweeter barbecue sauces, so that the sugar in the sauce doesn’t burn. Vegetables and fruits can also be grilled, as they don’t need a long cooking time. Peaches and pineapple are particularly good for grilling, the natural sugars in the fruit carmelize over the high heat. When you grill food, you need to pay attention to it, so it doesn’t get overcooked. You need to stay by the grill the whole time.

Barbecuing is typically done over charcoal or wood, although gas can be used. I’ve seen kalhua pig being cooked slowly on a gas grill, but usually, barbecuers will use either charcoal or wood. The meats usually used in barbecuing are tougher cuts of meat, such as the beef brisket, or pork ribs. These meats benefit from the long, slow cooking process, becoming so tender that they will just fall off the bone. Since the cooking process is slower, and the heat not as high as grilling, barbecue sauce can be brushed onto the meat throughout the cooking process, forming a delicious glaze on the outside of the meat. Apple juice is sometimes sprayed onto the meat to keep it moist and flavorful. Damp wood chips added to the fire add a delicious smoky flavor to the meat.

Some meats, like chicken, will benefit from either cooking method. It’s great either grilled quickly with a glaze or barbecue sauce applied towards the end of the cooking time, or slowly barbecued, absorbing the flavors of the smoke.

About the Author

Tim Sousa is the webmaster of http://www.classy-cooking.com>Classy Cooking, an online library of delicous food recipes.

Written By: Tim Sousa

Johnsonville Big Taste Grill is a popular presence at American outdoor events, especially when funds raising is needed for charity.

Still, for those who have never heard of the touring big grill, here are some details: in 1995, at the 50th anniversary of the famous sausage producer Johnsonville Sausage a family owned business in Wisconsin, the first Johnsonville Big Taste Grill was launched, world’s largest touring grill. Largest gas grill, that is a truck weighing more than 53,000 pounds and measuring 65 feet long, equipped with all necessary utilities to feed a hungry crowd hot and cold running water, a prep station and a refrigeration unit. The capacity of the grill is 750 brats at a time and around 2,500 per hour.

The funds raised by sales at the grill are used for the benefit of local charities or non-profit organizations. Over the years, over 1.5 million dollars were raised for charities across the United States and Canada.

The Big Taste Grill is a sight itself: even those who are familiar with truck grills, seeing this one for the first time are impressed with its enormity and uniqueness. Thus a great opportunity is offered for people to contribute to preferred charities in a pleasant way.

One of the latest apparitions was at a fund raise for a local non-profit, at the Oconee County on 26-27 November.

A recent event of great popularity was the one at the Pentagon, on October 7, “The Pentagon Brats & Music Festival”, where funds were raised for the Pentagon Memorial Fund by selling lunches to the 23,000 employees of the Pentagon. Serving from Johnsonville’s Big Taste Grill were Miss America, Miss Virginia and Washington Redskin Cheerleaders.

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