Why Outdoor Charcoal Grills Are Better Than Gas Grills

It was June 2004. We were camping on beach side forested land in India. The beach was sun kissed and not very far away, some friends had gone fishing. I lay in an hammock reading Great Expectations. The convict is shivering of cold and a little boy offers him food, which the former asked the latter to steal. The convict wonders how nice it would be to have a party only if he had warmer clothes. The shack close by has got a gas grill.

If you catch a fish, you have an option to use a charcoal grill or a gas grill. We had not decided which one to choose from after the boys returned with five large tuna fish, a fish which generally swims in areas closer to the Indian Ocean. We choose the charcoal grill. It retains the flavor a friend said who believed himself to a master chef. He could whip a seven course meal in ten minutes flat he said. Whatever the truth may be. We lit the charcoal. It resembled the fading sun. The fishes lay quiet now next to the fire, fresh out of water. Forgive us dear fishes for we must kill you to survive I remember reading in the old man and the sea.

Indian spices are among the best in the world. It was rare commodity five thousand years ago as well. The fish is cleaned up with a knife and marinated with all the spices. Finally, it is grilled. Apart from the fun you have in making your own food, deciding how to cook your fish can sometimes be quite the dilemma. I prefer charcoal grills because I think it is healthier than gas grills. Charcoal grilling helps preserve the spices. It adds to the texture of the food and give you an option to decide how much of cooking happens at various parts of the body. Gas grills are those boring indoor activities but not something you would want to do after you return from fishing, would you?

Beef Steaks, Roasts, And Hamburger - A Brief History of Beef With Recipes

A little beef history...

Beef is the culinary term for Bovines (cows). If you have never seen a cow before you need to get out more often. There are somewhere around 800 different breeds of Bovine worldwide. Around 55 B.C. it has been recorded that the Red Devon cattle were being raised and used in south-western England, thus are one of the oldest breeds of cattle on the planet. That is what you call well aged steak or a lot of milk. Cattle were first herded and domesticated about 6-7000 B.C. The remains of domestic cattle have been found in and about Turkey.

Now we know that beef is not native to North America. It first arrived in Mexico via the Spanish and the French in the mid 1500s. It was around the time of the American civil war when beef started to appear on the dinner plates around North America.

Argentina knows where the Beef is, they consume, per capital, more beef than any other country in the whole world. They consume 65.2 kilograms per person. Argentina is BAR-B-Q CENTRAL for the whole planet. Also among the worlds largest consumers of beef are USA, Brazil, Japan, and China.

Beef, what do we do with it? In most cases that I am aware of, WE EAT IT! If there is any other uses for it, I am not aware of them.

There are many different cuts of beef that are used in home cooking and there are a number of cuts that you would normally find in a restaurant. Most popular cuts being steaks, roasts, and ground beef, (hamburger). There are not very many pieces of beef that taste quite like a properly grilled NEW YORK STEAK.

1-Start with one steak per-person. (cut to the weight of your choice), and at least 1" thick.

2-In a zip lock style plastic bag combine the following ingredients: 2-3 table spoons minced garlic cloves, a couple of tablespoons each of Worcestershire sauce, hot mustard, soy sauce, olive oil, and red wine vinegar.

3-Place the steaks into the zip lock bag and marinate for at least 1 hour at room temperature or up to 24 hours in the refrigerator.

4-Grill at a high heat for about 6-7 minutes on each side for rare, 10 minutes or more on each side for well done. Medium will be somewhere in-between 6 to 10 minutes.

Roast Beef

1-Start with your favourite roast whether it be a Prime Rib or a Sirloin Tip roast it is all the same to the oven.

2-Lay carrot sticks, celery sticks, and thick slices of onion on the bottom of your roasting pan. You can add a little olive oil to this pan if you want.

3-Place the roast, fat side up, onto the vegetables.

4-What you season your roast with is you choice, salt and pepper are all that is really needed, though some fresh garlic is a natural with just about all beef.

5-Place the whole pan into a preheated (400 F) oven for about 20-25 minutes, just to sear in the juices.

6-Turn the oven down to 350 F and let the roast cook for about 20 -30 minutes per pound. If you are using a meat thermometer the internal temperature should be no less than 140 F at the center of the roast.

7-Let the roast sit for about 10-15 minutes before you serve it. Letting the roast sit helps makes it easier to carve.

How to Protect Your Barbecue Using Grill Covers

Grill covers protect your grills and prolong their life. Not keeping your grill covered, particularly if it is part of your outdoor cooking equipment could expose it to extreme weather and damage it. Added to this, there is the problem of debris, dried leaves, dust and bird droppings settling on the grill, making it quite tedious to clean.

A barbecue grill cover is an essential accessory for your grill regardless of whether you have just a basic charcoal grill or a state of the art gas grill. Outdoor grill covers are best bought from the barbecue grill manufacturer or dealer from whom you purchase your grill, mainly so that you can get the right fit, preventing the cover from coming off in a strong breeze. There are also several outdoor barbecue covers available in the market that could work just as well. You will probably have to get a cover that comes with the facility to hook it or cinch it to the grill to hold it down securely.

Barbecue grill covers are available in different sizes and come with straps that you can adjust and use to ensure a tight fit to your grill so that if there is a really wild wind, you do not want to go searching for your grill cover.

In terms of material outdoor barbecue grill covers can be made from a variety of materials and priced accordingly. Covers can be in fabric, vinyl and polyester as these are the most commonly used materials. Polyester is considered one of the best when it comes to grill covers as it is lightweight, while being very durable and can be used in any season, be it winter, summer or during heavy rains. Even when it snows, a polyester cover will not become stuff at minus 40 degrees. Your barbecue grill will stay safe under its polyester cover all through winter. What makes polyester so special is that it is treated with chemicals that make it resistant to water and ultraviolet rays. It does not fade. Even though polyester is a woven product, it is highly water resistant because of the polyurethane lining inside.

Vinyl barbecue grill covers, on the other hand must always be at least of 12 gauge vinyl although you are likely to get a lesser gauge in the market. These tend to wear out fast and worse still, in very cold weather, can become brittle and break.

An important component of the outdoor barbecue covers is the inner lining that gives it the strength to withstand different weather conditions. Some grill covers are made of fleece, which is not a very good idea as it can just fall apart. Moreover, if it becomes damp or wet, it can take a very long time to dry out, making it prone to mold and mildew. Worse still, it attracts pests that like to reside in it.

Compared to vinyl, plastic and fleece, polyester grill covers always score high because they dry quickly, stay durable and do not attract pests.

All grill manufacturers offer grill covers for the barbecue grilling equipment they sell. Some top names are Weber, Vermont Castings, Charmglow, Broil King, Char Broil, Duane, etc. Weber grill covers are made of premium quality heavy duty vinyl for their charcoal grills, gas grills and smokers. When it comes to the largest complete barbecue, hearths and stoves Vermont Castings ranks among the top three manufacturers. Vermont Castings Grill covers are custom made to fit their bbq grill models and can be purchased by quoting the model number of the bbq grill. Charmglow is another manufacturer of grills that offers vinyl covers with felt backing and Velcro closures. You can find Charmglow gas grill covers by model number online from several sources.

Natural Gas Grills

Over the centuries, man has used a number of ways to cook his food. The cooking method called barbecuing has long been a favorite. In modern times, people use modified grills for cooking or barbecuing. Grills can be classified based on the igniting substance that is used such as charcoal, gas or wood pellets. Amongst these, gas grills are the most reliable and are further classified into natural gas grills and propane grills.

Natural gas grills have many benefits when used for cooking, since natural gas is cheap and costs one-third the price of propane. Also, natural gas burns a lot cleaner than propane and is therefore better for the environment. It is directly supplied to people's home and removes the hassle of refilling gas tanks. It is also very convenient to use natural gas grills. There are many companies that manufacture natural gas grills that are ideal for cooking food, especially at outdoor events such as barbecues and backyard parties.

Buyers should carefully evaluate the features before purchasing natural gas grills, since there are many branded companies, which claim their products to be the best. They should analyze their needs such as the required size of the cooking surface, requirement of side shelves, warming shelves, a side burner or a grease catcher. They should also consider the appearance of the grill and ensure that it matches with the surroundings where it is likely to be placed. For instance, it is necessary to select a model based on whether it has to fit into an outdoor kitchen or match the décor of the interior of the house.

Natural gas grills are ideal for people looking for barbecues that offer great convenience and ease. The other frequently used grills are the charcoal grills, but they take a long time to heat up. While using natural gas grills, users do not have to worry about running short of fuel, as the barbecues are connected to the natural gas supply piping of the home, which ensures a regular supply of fuel.

Fire Magic Charcoal Grills 30 Inch Legacy Smoker Grill - Built In

Fire Magic Charcoal Grills 30 Inch Legacy Smoker Grill - Built In Review

Fire Magic Charcoal Grills 30 Inch Legacy Smoker Grill - Built In Overview

The Fire Magic 30 Inch Smoker Charcoal Grill features 540 sq. In. Cooking Surface (30 x 18 Cooking Area), All stainless steel construction, Heavy-duty stainless smoker hood with precise oven thermometer, Adjustable air shutters for temperature control, Adjustable cooking surface and Easy-access charcoal drawer for adding charcoal and smoker chips. Opening Reguired (in inches): 32. 25 W x 19. 75 D x 12 H. Allow 10-12 inches from the back of the grill to the backsplash/wall for lid clearance when lid is open.

Available at Amazon Check Price Now!

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Apr 17, 2010 22:41:26

18 Inch Portable Open Flame Grill with Adjustable Cooking Grid Portable Barbeque

18 Inch Portable Open Flame Grill with Adjustable Cooking Grid Portable Barbeque Review

18 Inch Portable Open Flame Grill with Adjustable Cooking Grid Portable Barbeque Feature

• 18 diameter
• Tough baked enamel for durability and easy cleaning
• Chrome plated cooking area
• 3-way adjustable grill
• Dimensions: 47 x 11 x 66 (cm)

18 Inch Portable Open Flame Grill with Adjustable Cooking Grid Portable Barbeque Overview

18" portable folding grill. Heavy-duty steel construction. A 3-position adjustable cooking grid allows for food to be closer/further away from flame. This allows the food to come out just the way you want it! Convenient handles for easy grill moving. Legs fold for easy storage and portability. Take this grill with you on your next trip! 210 sq. inch cooking space.

Available at Amazon Check Price Now!

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Apr 16, 2010 20:45:01

How Grilling Accessories Can Simplify Your Barbecue

Outdoor cooking equipment in the form of grills and barbecues enhance the value of a home, while being a great source of enjoyment. When you add grill accessories, it can make your task a lot easier, as well as assist you in producing fabulous food that your family and guests will appreciate. Not all grill accessories are must haves, but most of them do serve a purpose in making life easier with your cooking equipment. After you buy your grill, check out the accessories that are available, both with the manufacturer and online, so that you have a good idea of what could be useful to you.

What follows is a brief look at the barbecue grill accessories available in the market. The most commonly used accessories are rotisseries. People who enjoy grilling and barbecuing simply love this. What makes rotisseries so popular? A rotisserie can cook your meat to perfect tenderness, just the way you like it. Your meat will be roasted rather than grilled and you will enjoy the delicious flavor. You will get two types of rotisseries. One is used with an outdoor grill. The other is a standalone indoor rotisserie. Rotisseries come with a spit and a rod on which to put the meat. The rod rotates the meat. A motor turns the rod above a heat source. Rotisseries can be used as gas grill accessories, charcoal grill accessories or electric grill accessories.

Most manufacturers like Weber, Char Grill, Char Broil, Brinkmann etc. offer grill accessories with their barbecuing equipment. Weber grill accessories include rotisseries that range from $ 40 to $ 800 depending on which model you buy.

Another excellent grill accessory is a grilling tool set available with basic tools as well as more advanced kits. The large sets come with a variety of tools. You will most certainly find a fork, a barbecue turner or spatula, tongs and a grill brush. Tongs are used for flipping food and kindling the charcoal, wood or grate. There are a variety of brushes available as grill accessories for different purposes. Basting brushes are used to smear sauce and marinades evenly on the food. Cleaning brushes help in clearing up the grill after cooking. Skewers help you cook kebabs with ease. Thermometers help keep track of the temperature of the food enabling you ensure that the food is done exactly how you like it.

You will find rib racks are very handy to cook tasty ribs and chicken. Directly placing several ribs on the grill can be a hassle as the food could topple on to the heat source. Instead, investing in a rib rack that is durable is a better idea. You can simply arrange the ribs together on the rack and grill them. Gourmet chefs suggest that you must smoke the ribs to get them right, although grilling is fine, too.

You can also go in for extra burners with manufacturers like Weber and Char Grill and accessories like these burners can be very convenient to warm starters or the side dishes while you concentrate on the main dish. These manufactures identify their grill parts by part number to make it easier for the user. Ensure that you have information about your grills make and model number in order to choose the right fit.

As one among the most popular brands in for outdoor cooking, the Weber grill accessories range is quite wide. Char Grill, another reputed manufacturer offers warming racks, side fire box tongs, fork covers, bbq hook and so on. No matter what your budget, you can always enhance the functionality of your cooking equipment with grill accessories.

Backyard Games

When spring and summer arrives, the desire to play backyard games goes up dramatically. This is because most of us don't like staying in the house when the weather is really nice. If you are one of those individuals, and your family is like mine, it is highly likely that you and your family will be spending a large amount of time outside. To make the time memorable and enjoyable, you may want to consider playing some of the popular backyard games, especially those that are designed with the whole family in mind.

One activity that everyone enjoys is eating. Whether it's breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you should think about having your next meal outdoors. If you have a barbeque grill, you and your family may enjoy having delicious food that was cooked on the grill. If you do not have a grill, but are interested in purchasing one, you have a number of options. A large number of retail stores, both on and offline, carry a fairly large selection of barbeque grills. Charcoal grills are a cheap way to cook; many can sell for as low as twenty or thirty dollars.

Now what goes good with a backyard barbeque, is a good old fashion backyard picnic. Backyard picnics are often easier to prepare than most barbequed meals. If you wish, you could easily prepare all of your food inside. Popular picnic foods may include, but should not be limited to, sandwiches, subs, coleslaw, salads, crackers, cookies, and pretzels. If the weather is warm, you may also want to make sure that you include extra water. Water, especially during hot weather, is important for hydration.

While eating outdoors is a great way to spend time in your backyard, it will only take a few hours. If you are interested in spending the whole day in your backyard, you will want to find other backyard games and activities. One of those games is likely to be played in the pool. Swimming is a favorite summer pastime, for individuals of all ages. The only downside to swimming is that you must have a swimming pool, of course. If you do not have a swimming pool and cannot afford to purchase one, do not worry. There are literally an unlimited number of other backyard games that your whole family could enjoy, even without a pool.

Other popular backyard games involve the playing of sports games or water games. Water games, like many other backyard games, are ideal for individuals of all ages. To cool off or just participate in a family fun activity, you can purchase a water sprinkler, water balloons, or water guns. Many of these items can be purchased for an affordable price at most, on and offline, retailers.

If sports are more your family's style, you should think about buying a volleyball net or a basketball hoop. While a basketball hoop or a volleyball net may be an expensive purchase, it is likely that you and your children will enjoy them on more than one occasion. If you are concerned with the cost of a basketball hoop, volleyball net, or other sports equipment, you can purchase cheaper alternatives. Other popular sports games, which do not require the purchase of expensive equipment, may include kickball, softball, or flimsee.

Spending the day in your own backyard is great to not only have fun, but to spend quality time with your family. A backyard campout may be the perfect end to the perfect day. Camping is enjoyed by many. Backyard camping is great, especially if you have small children. They will not only enjoy the new experience, but you will also be close to your home if something goes wrong. For a reasonable price, if you don't already have one, you should be able to purchase a tent and other camping supplies.

As you can see, there are a large number of backyard games activities that your whole family may be able to enjoy. In fact, the above mentioned backyard games and activities are just a few of the many that are available. For additional activities, you may want to ask the rest of your family for suggestions. It is possible that they may alert you to some fun backyard games or activities that you never even heard of before.

Getting the Best Results When Cooking on Outdoor Grills

Bar-b-q cook-outs and also camping grilling is about to hit full force, because of warmer temperatures simply shaping up to occur in many areas. Although people actually feel as though outdoor grilling and barbecuing isn't extremely hard, folks are searching for even better and more flavorsome outcomes.

Make sure that prior to deciding to even look at putting anything on your own exterior griddle, that it's sizzling hot. For folk with a gas griddle or perhaps a propane grill, make sure you pre-heat it on high.

An expert guideline with a charcoal grill is to lay your hand three inches on top of the actual grill grate and count to 3 knowing that if you should happen to feel inclined to take your hands away as fast as you reach three, the grill is sizzling hot enough so as to cook dinner on.

There are several advantages to lubricating your grill, including the plain fact it'll help your food avoid sticking to the grill and will also give stunning restaurant style grill marks onto it also. To simply handle this activity, utilize a paper towel folded into a tiny pad and place oil onto it.

After that, rub the paper towel over the grill plates using some tongs to support the towel. If you make this error, a flare-up may happen and you might end up with singed hair or eyebrows.

You can use a fire box, smoke chamber or perhaps an upright water smoker to get great results. To get good smoke results when barbecuing, do not forget to use low heat, slow food preparation and smoky tastes. Briskets, pork, ribs, salmon and tofu are good options to try on an outdoor smoker grill.

How to Keep Food Fresh Naturally

How can you ensure that your food lasts longer and keeps fresh?
There are many things you can do, such as regularly clean your refrigerator and regularly check the food in there and also that you keep in the cupboards or anywhere else. But its not just about checking them. This cannot prevent anything. All you will be doing is throwing away food items before they stink up the entire kitchen. So, what can you do to keep the food fresh?

Practical List of Tips for Ensuring Food is Cleaner and Fresher:

1) Spread some cloves on and around the marble surface of your kitchen, and also spread some cloves under the sink.
Why?
The Cloves keeps ants away.

2) Place some bay leaves inside your bags of dough, rice and the rest of the packs that insects prefer.
Why?
Bay leaves keep insects and other such lice away from food products. By placing bay leaves inside the packets, we ensure that insects do not reside there. But please remember to change the bay leaves once every three months.

3) Place half a potato in the refrigerator.
Why?
If there is any kind of bad smell from food or cooked items, the half potato will absorb it. To make sure that this works, remember to exchange the potato every three days.

4) Store eggs with the pointed side down.
Why?
Storing eggs with the pointed side down keeps them fresh for a longer period.

5) Place a few cubes of sugar in the jar where you store American cheese.
Why?
When you place two or three cubes of sugar with the American cheese in an air tight jar, the sugar absorbs the moisture and prevents the cheese from getting bad.

6) Do not store tomatoes and cucumbers in the same draw.
Why?
Tomatoes give out gases that cause cucumbers to rot faster so make sure that you keep these two apart.

7) Do not store apples along with the rest of the fruits and vegetables.
Why?
Apples give out certain gases that cause fruits and vegetables to rot.

8) Place slices of apples or raw potatoes in the bread compartment or jar.
Why?
By adding a few slices of raw potatoes or apples with the bread, you ensure that the bread remains fresh for longer than usual.

9) Store radish in a vessel along with some water.
Why?
You should store radish in a vessel along with water because water will keep the radish fresh and crisp for a long time. For the same reason, if the radishes have shriveled, place them in a jar of cold water. Water will restore the radish to its previous splendor.

Conclusion:

Here, I have presented only a few of the more practical actions you should follow to ensure that the food you and your family consume remains fresh and tasty.

Brinkmann 852-7080-V Gourmet Charcoal Smoker and Grill with Vinyl Cover, Black

Brinkmann 852-7080-V Gourmet Charcoal Smoker and Grill with Vinyl Cover, Black Review

ANYONE WHO DISHES THIS PIT HAS NO CLUE.A 5 YEAR OLD COULD COOK ANY CUT OF MEAT IN 1HR 15 MIN.WATER TRAY ADDS MOISTURE AND REMOVED AFTER 1HR GETS THE FIRE BACK UP.BEST I HAVE EVER OWNED.MY PROBLEM IS FINDING IT AGAIN.TARGET HAD IT BUT NO LONGER DOES.I GOT A SPARE STILL IN THE BOX.10 MORE YEARS OF WORRY-FREE Q-ING.

Brinkmann 852-7080-V Gourmet Charcoal Smoker and Grill with Vinyl Cover, Black Feature

• Charcoal smoker and grill with thermometer in domed lid
• 2 chrome-plated steel cooking grills can hold up to 50 pounds of food
• Front-hinged door; porcelain-coated steel water pan; aluminized-steel charcoal pan
• Stay-cool wooden handles for safe transport; vinyl cover included
• Measures 17 by 17 by 35 inches; 1-year limited warranty

Brinkmann 852-7080-V Gourmet Charcoal Smoker and Grill with Vinyl Cover, Black Overview

The Gourmet Charcoal is our top-of-the-line double grill charcoal water smoker. It has two chrome plated steel cooking grills for a 50 pound cooking capacity. The smoker body lifts off the base for easy access to an extra-large charcoal pan, and also allows for quick and easy conversion to a waist high barbecue grill. A heat indicator in the lid eliminates guesswork. Features include porcelain coated steel water pan, front hinged door for easy access to water and charcoal pans, and wooden handles that stay cool to the touch. Includes heavy-duty outdoor vinyl cover.

Available at Amazon Check Price Now!

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Apr 08, 2010 21:18:05

Add Charm and Warmth to Your Outdoor Living Space

If you have an patio or outdoor living area and wish to bring a bit more character and life to that area, then there are a few things you can do that will make it a more pleasant place to spend time relaxing.

Garden wind chimes not only are charming and a delight to look at, but the soothing sounds will calm your nerves and rejuvenate your mind. You can create a relaxing atmosphere in your yard or patio with the addition of wind chimes. From the delicate sound of glass to the richness of metal, wind chimes are a unique way to bring added visual beauty to your garden or patio. You can find wind chimes in an unending variety and in sizes to fit practically anywhere you want to display them. Wind chimes also make ideal gifts and they are available at costs that can fit anyone's budget.

One of the most popular ways to enhance a yard or garden area is by selecting one of the many types of outdoor fire pits that are on the market today. An outdoor fire pit is a free standing unit that allows you to bring the beauty and warmth of that bonfire directly to your yard. With unique decorative patterns available, the ambiance and light these sturdy fire pits provide makes a great addition to any backyard. Many of the outdoor fire pits that are for sale today offer you a 360 degree view of the fire and come with a lid so that the fire will remain in the pit. These fire pits are easy to move from place to place, simple to clean and often contain a charcoal grate that can be used for cooking food.

A great way to enjoy the outdoors a bit longer when the summer ends and the days and nights turn colder is by selecting one or several of the many types of outdoor heaters that are for sale. There are standing heaters, tabletop heaters and ceiling mounted heaters available that are burn a wide variety of fuels such as propane, gas and electricity. There is no reason to let your outdoor fun end just because there is a chill in the air. These heaters allow you to still enjoy the outdoors in total comfort-all you need to do is to select the heater that best suits your needs. These portable heaters are designed to be able to be easily moved from place to place so if you want to entertain guests one weekend on the patio and then enjoy the comfort and warmth of your back porch the following week, a portable outdoor heater is just what you need. An outdoor grill extends your kitchen to your back yard. You could enjoy your favirate BBQ with one of Viking grills.

Outdoor BBQ Grills And What To Look For!

If you're in the market for a new way of cooking out of doors, and are trying to sort through all the many outdoor grills available to you, there's no need to get overwhelmed. We can help you sort through the many options and varieties that are available and then make a choice for what best for you and your family.

There's really no end to the amount of money you can spend on outdoor grills, so set your budget before you even begin shopping. Is it a few hundred dollars, or a few thousands? It's very easy to get caught up in the excitement of all the fun accessories that are available with many of the outdoor grills, so be firm with yourself before you shop.

Is this for yourself and your family to enjoy an occasional outdoor meal, or do you love to entertain large groups? There are outdoor grills that are perfect for just two people and some that have hundreds of square inches of cooking space, so decide ahead of time what you're going to need the grill for.

You may want to consider some of the tabletop outdoor bbq grills if you will be cooking for only one or two people. If you decide to cook a meal for several people then the outdoor tabletop bbq grills will make it difficult for you.

Which do we choose; the charcoal or the gas outdoor bbq grills? This is not an easy question. The traditionalist will insist that charcoal gives the food a better taste or flavor. The dripping that comes of the meat mixes with the charcoal to create a more flavorful smoke that adds flavor to the meat while it cooks. If you are looking for outdoor charcoal bbq grills there are plenty on the market to choose from.

However, on the other hand propane is considered safer to deal with than charcoal. With just a press or touch of a button ignites outdoor bbq grills that use propane. No need for the lighter fluid and matches. Propane can be controlled more easily than charcoal. There is less of a chance with flare-ups with propane unlike charcoal grills when the juice from the meat drips down in a charcoal grill.

It doesn't matter what type of outdoor bbq grills you are thinking of buying, the important aspect is to stay with your budget, and it meets your needs, and learn how to use the bbq grill by following the manufacturers instructions.

Barbecue Grill Tools - Why Do We Need Them?

I have often wandered down the grill accessory isle in one of the many sporting goods stores that I frequent and wondered where all of the grilling tools came from. There are accessories to do everything on a grill from making grilled cheese sandwiches to checking the temperature of your charcoal. Wouldn't it be simpler if we just went back to the beginning when all we needed was a spatula, tongs, and a grill brush?

I know backyard chefs that even have special spatulas for every task; one for grilling fish and another for grilling burgers. Sure it makes the job a little easier, but does the food really taste much better. I would rather have a perfectly cooked fish filet that was falling apart a bit than one that looked good but didn't hit the spot. Sometimes we depend too much upon the tools when we should be focusing on technique.

I remember the first time that I tried to cook on my new charcoal grill. It was a disaster. The steaks were completely raw in the middle after sitting on the grill for over an hour and on top of that they tasted like lighter fluid. My wife begged me to never try it again. The first thing that I did was to go out and purchase a new set of tongs, some name brand charcoal, and new lighter fluid. The second try was just as awful. Why? Because I thought that nifty little gadgets could make up for my inexperience and lack of grilling technique.

One of the greatest lessons I have learned over the past few years is that tools can't make up for technique. The ability to build and maintain a three level fire and know when to cook over each level for the perfect doneness is the key to making great Barbecue.

Varieties in Catering Services

Catering is the economic activity of providing food service at distant venues. A mobile caterer from his vehicle or cart directly serves food. Mobile catering is popular at events in the outdoors (like concerts), downtown business districts, and workplaces.

Event ranges from full-service catering in Dallas to box-lunch drop-off. When people say "caterer", they refer to, a caterer who with his staff at serves food at dining tables or sets up a self-serve buffet. The food is usually cooked at the venue, i.e., made entirely at the event, or the caterer may bring cooked food and give the final touches once it arrives. His staff is not responsible for cooking the food but they help in setting up the dining place. The catering in Dallas service is typically provided at weddings, banquets, and conventions. Any event where all are served with drinks and food or occasionally with hors d'oeuvres is known as a catered event.

In many events set up with color scheme or an entire theme is needed. A catering company is expected to know the art of cooking the food and serve it with elegance. Now a days catering in Dallas are focusing on a full-service business model. They take charge of cooking the food and also decorations, like lighting and table settings. The trend is to satisfy clients' with food as a centre point. With the right atmosphere, professional caterers can make an event memorable and special. Perfectly prepared food can appeal to senses of sight, smell, and taste, - perhaps even touch people's heart, but the ambience and decorations can play a vital role in the success of a catered event.

Make a list of your catering needs for a caterer to give you an accurate estimate for your event; you must state your needs very clearly. Do you have a venue for party/event with a kitchen on site? How many guests are expected to attend your event? Know if the caterer has requirement of minimum number of guests. Take into account that some guests of yours may have dietary requirements and make sure you tell this to your caterer. A professional caterer will be ready face anything unexpected that may come up at the event.

All You Need to Know About Barbecue Tools

You have set up the outdoor cooking equipment and are all set to use the barbecue grill. But do you have all the requisite barbecue tools to make your outdoor cooking experience a smooth and exciting one? When you bought your barbecuing equipment the store probably suggested barbecue tool sets that could be handy. In case you ordered your smokers or grills online, here is the low down on the various kinds of barbecue tools you can choose from, starting with barbecue tool sets.

Barbecue tool sets are must have accessories if you take barbecuing seriously. Just some of the grilling tools you can expect to see in these kits are barbecue turners, barbecue tongs, barbecue forks, barbecue skewers and holders for corncobs. These tools can enhance your enjoyment of great outdoor cooking. If you know someone who is passionate about BBQ these tool sets can also make wonderful gifts. The adage the right tool for the right job applies to barbecue grilling.

When it comes to tools for getting your food ready there are several options available. If you want to tenderize meat, there are helpful tools that have large spikes with which you can poke holes into the meat, enabling sauces and other flavors and spices to make their way into the meat properly. If you are stuffing and grilling jalapeños, you get tools to core and grill them.

Next come barbecue tools for grilling. This would include the barbecue tongs, preferably long handled, to handle the food, barbecue forks and barbecue turner to flip your food over. There are barbecue grate lifters and grill brushes used for basting. To turn large cuts of meat, you can use BBQ hooks. Barbecue skewers are convenient if you make kebabs often. In fact you even get disposable types or the metal ones that are reusable. Barbecue thermometers are among the essential BBQ tools since you will need to keep tabs on the grill temperature to cook that food perfectly. Consider getting an internal meat temperature thermometer along with a thermometer that will help you measure the air inside your grill.

There are plenty of barbecue tools that are optional; nevertheless, having them can make your outdoor cooking fun. Grilling baskets are very convenient when you want to cook small sized items like vegetables, shrimp and other seafood. These are ideal for containing the food that is likely to slip out on to the coal. Some people also use a basket to place an entire fish for grilling. Then there are grill racks that will take plenty of pieces to cook simultaneously.

Did you know that you could use barbecue grids and woks on your grill? With these, you can even give your stoves a rest and cook your entire meal with them. You can get a lot of outdoor cooking information from your local shop where BBQ related products are offered.

Do not forget to get ovenproof gloves made of durable rubber, as these will let you directly turn over food in the grill or smoker without getting your hands burned. You can use barbecue tongs as well. Invariably, using a fork can puncture the meat, causing it to lose its flavor. Remember to avoid tongs that have plastic coatings, as they can melt in your grill.

Other barbecue tools we can think of are heavy duty aluminum foil, a chefs knife, a chimney starter, a bucket that can hold water and of course, charcoal if you need it. Chimney starters in the form of charcoal briquettes are a better option than lighter fluid.

Lastly, and probably just as important as the grill itself, you will need a good wire grill brush to scrub your BBQ grill clean after you are through with cooking.