layout image layout image
 
BBQ header image

Buying Your First Charcoal Grill

Once you’ve decided to own your own grill the first thing you would do is check out the different kinds of grill available and check out the pros and cons of each. When you finally decide that a charcoal grill is the perfect one for you, you then find out that there are different kinds of charcoal grills too, and again each one has its own advantages and disadvantages. So you have to find the right one that suits your purpose.

 

If you travel a lot and the places you visit often are the kind where you can use your charcoal grill, then you need to look at charcoal grills that are smaller in size and travel-friendly. These smaller sized charcoal grills would be extremely handy for camping, tail gate parties and small family cook-outs. Smaller charcoal grill are relatively cheap and you can buy one for an extremely wallet-friendly price of $10 or $15. If you will be using your charcoal grill for a larger crowd, then you should consider the larger sizes.

When buying a charcoal grill, besides the size of the grill, safety should be your prime concern. Charcoal grills use fire and hot embers for cooking and cooking is normally done when guests are around. If the grill is unsteady and falls over, hot coals could fly off in all directions and this could be real fire hazard. You should buy a grill which has sturdy legs as well as a sturdy structure. If the grill has flimsy, shaky legs at the outset, it will just get worse while barbequing is in progress.

The more expensive charcoal grills could have safety features that are built in. They may have smothering valves or a water reservoir. It is always a chance that an accident could occur and your grill could get too hot or get out of control. These safety features automatically kick in and help prevent potential fire hazards.

A charcoal grill uses charcoal briquettes as well a lighter fluid as fuel to cook the food. Charcoal cannot be re-used but it is rather inexpensive and available in plenty at any local store, grocery store or gas station. Charcoal should be light and must be stacked in a pyramid for the best results. It must be allowed to burn for a while, till the fire goes out and used only when red embers of charcoal are burning.

Getting the grill and the meats ready for barbequing is the fun part, whereas cleaning up after the party could be a real drag. But if you intend to keep re-using your grill over and over, it is equally important to make sure it is properly cleaned after every use to prevent the formation of rust. Charcoal grill should only be cleaned after they have cooled down completely but you will find they do take a long time to cool down. One option is to leave the grill open and let the fire burn itself out. Be sure though not to leave the fire unattended as it can be a potential fire hazard. The faster option is to close the grill, cutting off the oxygen supply to the fire. Clean the grill as soon as the grill has cooled off sufficiently. Food debris left on the grill for too long can harden, making it even more difficult to clean off later.

Clean off all the grill surfaces using a wire brush and then spray the surface with spray cooking oil. Remove the racks and then clean them with dishwashing soap that has grease fighting properties.

 

BBQ Recommended Products
Gas Bbq Smokers Headlines

Barbecue 101: Grilling and smoking for newbies - San Jose Mercury News


Barbecue 101: Grilling and smoking for newbies
San Jose Mercury News
These days not only are there are smokers, gas grills and Weber kettles, but also wood planks, chips. charcoal chimneys, grill racks, salt plates, slider molds, asparagus grabbers and, of course, jalapeño racks to keep your peppers erect.

Read more...


'Cue Up! — Great options for Memorial Day weekend BBQ - Chicago Sun-Times


'Cue Up! — Great options for Memorial Day weekend BBQ
Chicago Sun-Times
By MICHAEL NAGRANT diningout@suntimes.com May 23, 2012 4:38PM A serving of smoked chicken with sides is plated at Honky Tonk BBQ on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 in Chicago. | Richard A. Chapman~Sun-Times There is never enough time for the beer, the family, ...

Read more...


Barbecue 101: Grilling and smoking for newbies - Contra Costa Times


BlissTree

Barbecue 101: Grilling and smoking for newbies
Contra Costa Times
These days not only are there are smokers, gas grills and Weber kettles, but also wood planks, chips. charcoal chimneys, grill racks, salt plates, slider molds, asparagus grabbers and, of course, jalapeño racks to keep your peppers erect.
Grill, baby, GRILLWinston-Salem Journal

all 21 news articles »

Read more...


PHOTOS: BBQ State Championship Smokes in Lexington Center - Patch.com


PHOTOS: BBQ State Championship Smokes in Lexington Center
Patch.com
Nope, this was a do-or-die-trying State Championship BBQ Cook-Off. Last Friday, May 18, 30 New England teams dragged black wrought iron ovens, mini home kitchens, one on-wheels diner and every form and sort of smoker onto the turf green off Mass Ave ...

Read more...


Fire up the grill at the fifth annual Holy Smoke Bar-B-Que Showdown - Canon City Daily Record


Fire up the grill at the fifth annual Holy Smoke Bar-B-Que Showdown
Canon City Daily Record
This year, the Fremont Community Foundation will host its fifth annual Holy Smoke Bar-B-Que Showdown on June 1-2 at the Abbey at 2951 US 50. "We're looking for between 30 and 35 teams," said foundation member Jay Bouton. "It's a Kansas City Barbecue ...

Read more...


 
layout image layout image