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Barbeque Grill Features You Can't Live Without
from: Maxx Home GuidesDon't be surprised when looking over the features of a barbeque grill if you find yourself scratching your head in puzzelment with the seeming foreign language you have to deal with. Let's face it, it's difficult to choose the best grill if you don't understand what you're reading. However, even though the language that describes grills can be difficult, the main thing is to understand what it means so you can make an reasonably informed decision.
Let's start with the term BTU, which measures the amount of cooking power the barbeque grill has. Simple math determines how much heat your grill produces. Take the amount of space available for cooking (usually measured in square inches) and divide it by the total amount of BTU's. You'll ideally want at least 95 to 100 BTU's per square inch of cooking space. Therefore, if your grill has 50,000 BTU's and 450 square inches of cooking space, you'll get about 111 BTU's of cooking power per square inch. If your calculations end up with less, then consider a different grill.
Of course, you should also consider your cooking surface. How much space is available? Are you cooking just for yourself, your entire family, or large gatherings of family and friends? The answer to this will determine whether you should get larger or smaller grill.
BBQ Grills are available in a large variety of surface types, including a BBQ surface, a flat grill and a ribbed grill. There are also grills that provide non stick surfaces, allowing you to cook a large variety of foods you wouldn't otherwise be able to cook on a grill. There are also gas grills that contain a Wok type surface that allow you to cook pasta and rice dishes, or a full rotisserie set for rotisserie chicken.
Consider your options, and be aware that some grills also come with interchangable surfaces. If you know you may someday want one of these added features, such as a rotisserie, all you have to do is purchase the accessory kit when you're ready.
Another very important consideration is the fuel type. Charcoal grills are very popular. They utilize charcoal and lighter fluid to heat up and cook your food and come in lots of shapes and sizes at a variety of price points. Of course, you're going to need a regular supply of charcoal and lighter fluid and these types of grills must also be cleaned out each time they're used. You can purchase portable charcoal grills which are small enought for apartment dwellers or people with small homes as well great for bringing along on camping trips.
Propane Grills can also be used in smaller areas since they're also available in smaller sizes. These grills use propane gas for cooking your food. If your goal is to cook your food quickly while still maintaining a nice grilled flavor, consider a Propane Grill.
Natural Gas Grills are more complicated then other types of grills, and thus they require more room. These grills hook up directly to your home's natural gas line and can cook meat in record time. The main benefit of a Smoker Grill is the superior barbeque flavor. These grills use wood to slow cook your meat and the flavor can be controlled and adjusted by using different types of woods.
If you're still having difficulties understanding this basic information about grills, just drop by your local department store and talk with a professional. You'll find there are stores specifically for barbeque grills and barbeque grill accessories, as well as larger department stores who may not have a professionally trained barbeque specialist, but likely there's an employee in the store who likes to barbeque and should be able to help you with some of your questions.
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