Arizona residents can take particular pleasure in the fact that they are able to satisfy these urges all year round, in contrast to their counterparts back in other parts of the country. A top quality grill is one of the smartest, most practical purchases that a Valley resident can make. Grilling has recently been elevated to an art form. Though few art forms evoke the sentimental feelings and perfumed mystique that the wafting scent of food on an outdoor grill does. Inhaling the aroma of an outdoor grill while on an evening walk through the desert calls to mind memories of childhood outings, pool parties, and good times shared with family friends. When your senses are stimulated you are inspired to plan future holiday grilling parties during the warmer weather, creating new memories.
In order to insure many future happy grilling experiences, you should consider some key factors when choosing your grill, grilling accessories, gadgets, and recipes for your parties. The pages ahead are jam-packed with basic grill information as well as resources for gourmet grilling. |
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Hopefully this information will inspire you to forge ahead with your grilling season (which is virtually all-year-round in Arizona's climate!) treading where you may not have tread before. Let your adventurous nature take over and bring the spirit of the untamed Wild West to your cookout. Happy grilling!
Is She the Grill For You?
When choosing your outdoor grill, the first thing you will want to consider is whether you're in the market for a gas grill or a charcoal grill. The decision basically comes down to taste and convenience. The flavor of meat cooked with a hardwood or charcoal grill can't be beat - but neither can the convenience of simply flipping a switch to light your grill (as is the case with a gas or electric grill.) The authentic off-the-fire taste of grilled foods is strongest with the original heat source, wood. As you move to gas and electric grills, you find little of this flavor remaining.
You should also take into consideration the future placement of the grill. A small patio or covered area may not be the best place for a large charcoal grill. Gas grills do produce flare-ups and need to be placed away from any structure to avoid house fires. Electric grills produce no flare-ups and are safer in small areas.
Another point you will want to consider is your personal "grilling style." If you want the flexibility of coming home from a long day of work and throwing a couple of steaks or chicken breasts on the grill and walking away with virtually no hassle, then electric or gas may be what you are looking for.
If price is an issue, keep in mind that gas grills are generally more expensive than electric or charcoal, with charcoal being the cheapest. Though price should never be your main concern. Keep in mind that the average retail grill customer needs new parts every 14 months. So, in three years a customer should spend $400 to $600 on new parts for a cheap grill that maybe never satisfied them in the first place. As Benjamin Franklin said, "The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten." |
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No matter what type of grill you choose, there are some universal rules that should be adhered to when making your purchase:
- Make sure that the manufacturer offers a good warranty on the model you are considering - at least five years. A good warranty will keep you from having to spend money on parts that should not have been broken in the first place.
- Check out the flame taming devices and make sure they cover the entire burner. The salt and grease from the food you cook causes most of the damage to the grill. The more exposed the burner is, the faster it burns out. Always make sure the flame tamer is directly over the gas grill burner - not to the side like some grills. They put lava rocks to the side of the burner, and it defeats the purpose. To get maximum vaporization, you must have a good, even heat. Stay away from lava rocks. They are irregularly shaped and do not hold heat evenly. That's why most grills with lava rocks are a flare-up nightmare!
- Grill temperature is a concern. If you like steaks, the grill needs to reach at least 600 degrees. You need to get a steak on and off of the grill as soon as possible so it does not dry out.
- Manufacturer stability is an issue. Make sure the manufacturer of your model has been in business for at least ten years. When you need new parts for your grill, it will be extremely frustrating to find out that the manufacturer of the grill that you purchased on sale last year is already out of business. Viking is one popular and quality brand that has been around for many years.
Most importantly, buy a model that you feel fits you lifestyle and suits your needs. Purchase one that you are comfortable and happy with. .Don't spend years to come dreaming about the "grill that got away." Remember, you get what you pay for!
Gadgets for the Grilling Gourmet
You should be able to have as much fun with your grill as you plan on having at your cookouts. Once you purchase your grill, the fun really begins. You then get to "dress it up" and accessorize according to your personal preferences and taste. There are many gadgets to fit your lifestyle and individual cooking style. These are just a few:
Sidekick and serving carts: These are great for holding rubs, sauces, and brushes.
Warming Drawers: a popular addition to the built-in grill, a warming drawer keeps food hot while you're waiting to serve everything else.
Wood trays and smoker boxes: These are designed to release wood smoke and subsequently flavor your meat. A great way to add "authentic" flavor to your gas grilled items. |
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Rubs, sauces, and mixes: These are great for flavoring your grilled items before, during, and after you cook them. The Eccentric Gourmet (www.eccentricgourmet.com; 623-551-4445) right here in Anthem, has an impressive assortment of barbecue and hot sauces including a roasted Raspberry Chipotle, a Honey Chipotle, and even a sauce using the prickly pear. They also have the Jazz Inferno line as well as chili-based sauces and rubs from Napa Valley. Mad Coyote Joe has a great assortment of award-winning rubs for sale on his website, or you can order by mail. (The Mad Coyote Spice Company, 480-488-1985.)
Backyard accessories (patio heaters, tiki torches, insect electrocuter bug traps, more commonly known as "bug zappers"): These items make the difference between having an "ok" cookout, and having a comfortable, enjoyable one. Check them out!
Gourmet Grilling Resources
Gourmet Grilling Guides
When planning your cookout or barbecue menus, there is no need to reinvent the grill. There are many who have gone before us, figuring out the best recipes for the grill, and menus for every type of cookout party you may be considering.
The following books have been written with the novice griller as well as the master gourmet griller, in mind. They are all relatively recent publications - some of the "hottest" grilling guides burning up the bookshelves today!
- Weber's Real Grilling by Jamie Purviance, Tim Turner. ISBN 0376020466, Sunset Publishing Corporation; 304 pp, January 2005.
- Get Grilling by Food Network Kitchens (Editor), Jennifer Darling (Editor). ISBN 0696222132, Food Network Kitchens; 288 pp, March 2005.
- The Sonoran Grill by Mad Coyote Joe, Christopher Marchetti. ISBN 0873587596, Northland Publishers; 144 pp, April 2000.
- Bobby Flay's Grilling for Life: 75 Healthier Ideas for Big Flavor from the Fire by Bobby Flay. ISBN 0743272722, Scribner; 224 pp, May 2005.
- The Cook's Illustrated Guide to Grilling and Barbecue by Cook's Illustrated Magazine (Editor). ISBN 0936184868, America's Test Kitchen; 498 pp, May 2005.
- Fearless Guide to Grilling by Reece Williams and Tricia Lanning. ISBN 0696223244, Meredith Books; 192 pp, March 2005.
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