Grilling on the patio or in the backyard turns meal preparation into an event. A family BBQ with some friends and neighbors over to enjoy the feast is a very popular summer pastime.
Outdoor grilling gives you more than just great-tasting food. It also helps to make food more nutritious. A grill is especially efficient and cooks off the fat from meat. It even removes carcinogens that you otherwise would ingest.
The quality of food and the fun of family barbecue makes an outdoor kitchen a very popular addition to many homes. And it all starts with choosing the right grill for the task.
You Must Choose a Charcoal or a Gas Grill
You need fuel to make an outdoor grill work properly. Ultimately, fuel comes down to two types. You can use charcoal or gas.
There are many types of charcoal, such as mesquite that infuses your food with a smoky flavor that you cannot get from your oven. And propane or natural gas could fuel your grill.
Charcoal is the old standby and is available in many locations. It works equally well on small portable grills as it does on giant ones that are capable of roasting an entire pig or a side of beef if you are inclined to do so.
The gas grill can be stationary with a gas line leading to the grilling location in your outdoor kitchen. The gas grill could be portable with a propane tank and wheels that enable you to move and maneuver a gas grill.
Whether using charcoal or gas as fuel, you will get an excellent heat source. Cooking can be a lot more fun and efficient when you use charcoal or gas.
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Advantages and Disadvantages of Charcoal and Gas
Choosing charcoal or gas generally comes down to personal preference. If you love to infuse your foods with smoky flavors, a charcoal grill is the best way to go. It produces excellent heat that you can control with vents and placement of the hot coals.
Charcoal is readily available at most grocery stores and many gas stations. And it is very affordable. You can use it on your portable camping grill as well as your home grill in the outdoor kitchen.
Charcoal can produce up to 1,200 degrees of heat. And it enables indirect cooking when you move it to one side of the grill. Indirect cooking helps more tender meats and foods, like chicken, to cook thoroughly without overcooking the outside.
The only real disadvantage of coal is that it leaves ash that you need to cleanout. It also requires close attention to maintain the heat as the charcoal burns up.
A gas grill offers exceptional heat control and can cook at temperatures of up to 600 degrees. It can take longer to cook some meats with a gas grill than with a charcoal grill. But you can set the temperature level, close the lid and mostly leave it alone other than to turn and move your meats and vegetables as needed to even out the cooking.
Gas is very clean and generally leaves little to no mess to clean up. A grease trap can catch and dripping fats and other juices. The grease trap is easy to remove and scrape out the grease. A quick cleaning will help to make the trap as good as new.
Many Types of Grills for an Exceptional Outdoor Kitchen
There are many types of Weber charcoal grills from which you could choose the ideal one for an outdoor kitchen. A wide charcoal grill with multiple cooking decks might work very well in your outdoor kitchen. The more people you want to feed, the more a large and wide charcoal grill becomes an ideal choice.
You could choose a similar grill that burns gas instead of charcoal. You can find gas grills in a variety of configurations that enable you to cook a variety of foods at the same time.
You also might select a kettle grill, which is what many people recognize as a traditional outdoor grill. It burns charcoal, which you load onto a grate at the bottom of the grill. A large oval cover usually goes on top with vents placed strategically to improve airflow and give the charcoal more oxygen to burn hotter.
A kettle grill usually has three legs, which helps it to remain stable on slightly uneven ground. And a pair of wheels enable you to move it to wherever you need it. It is a great tool for smaller gatherings.
Some kettle grills burn gas instead of charcoal. The general design of a kettle grill enables a propane tank to fit between the legs and stay out of the way. It works great for camping trips as well as backyard BBQs.
With so many great grills available for an outdoor kitchen, you just need to determine your needs and choose accordingly.
