Great Grilling Cooking Series

Cave dwellers might have lacked quite a few things in the “fine living” category, but they did know that meat tastes great when it’s cooked over open flame!

Today, beef is what’s for dinner, and grilled entrées taste delicious. When looking to buy a grill for the first time or to upgrade an existing grill, there are three basic choices: charcoal, gas, and electric.

Charcoal grills use briquettes, wood, or a combination of the two. Charcoal is unmatched for its ability to give beef an intense smoked flavor, but it does take time. After lighting the fire, it takes 15 – 30 minutes before the grill is ready. The best quality grills use air vents to control cooking temperatures. Another issue with charcoal is disposing of ashes on a regular basis.

Gas grills use liquid propane or natural gas, which burns cleaner and is less expensive per use than charcoal. The grill heats quickly, and often added burners let you prepare sidedishes all at the same time. A standard tank of propane holds 20 lbs. of fuel and cooks 25 - 30 meals. Still, it's good to have a spare on hand so you don’t run out of fuel halfway through your steak.

Electric grills are great options for apartment dwellers or anyone in an area that doesn’t accommodate charcoal or gas. Ceramic briquettes and a great marinade means you’ll get great taste, not just striped hamburgers.

Regardless of which kind of grill you choose, it’s important to remember that the heavier the gauge of metal the grill is made of, the more durable it will be.

Proceed to Lesson Two