Maybe you have just moved into your first place, or you made a call that you needed to broaden your horizons and try out new things.

Perhaps you went to a 4th of July barbeque party and tasted the shocking smoked flavour, and decided you needed to try and copy it. If you are depending on feeding a bigger quantity of folks, a larger charcoal grill will better suit your wishes. If you’re having issues deciding on which type you have to get, you’ll think about getting both. Smaller charcoals grills can cost as little as to dollars, and will give you the facility to travel. Charcoal grills contain hot embers and fire when it is in use.

Safety also should be a very important concern when you’re choosing your first Charcoal grill. Look for a charcoal grill with a strong structure and powerful legs. If you grill does now have robust legs, it’s chances of falling over is much bigger. When a charcoal grill falls over, it’ll send the hot coals flying. Many charcoal grills also have in-built security features like a water reservoir and smothering valves.

Undeniably, when you are cooking with fire, accidents can happen. In the case that your grill gets beyond control or become to hot, these security features will stop possibly dangerous fires.

The fire department has better things worth doing then help you cook. One of the most conspicuous features when using charcoal is the flavor of the food you cook. Charcoal is an one use item, and will have to be dropped after every use. Charcoal can get picked up at your local shop, gas station, or food store, and is frequently fairly cheap. Charcoal must be light and permitted to burn until the charcoal isn’t on fire, but is red coals. The proper way to get the pile to burn is by stacking it in a pyramid. While nobody likes to clean their grill, it’s a prerequisite to maintain your grill if you want it to last it’s intended lifetime. One problem you’ll face is the definite fact that Charcoal grills stay hot for a long period. First you can leave your grill open, allowing it to burn out. This technique generally burns a huge amount of the grease off, but can doubtless cause issues if you’re not near your barbeque grill. An alternate way is to totally close off your grill and reject the fire oxygen. As quickly as the grill is cold, or cold enough not to burn you, you may want to clean the grill. Leaving the grill dirtied for any time period will cause the buildup to become hard, and may make it harder to lose.

exploit a wire brush to scrub off the surface areas of your grill, and then spray cooking oil on the surface. Take the racks off and clean them with dishwashing soap.

Dawn or other brands that have degreasers work most efficiently. Wash the racks off, and replace them in the grill.

By: George Sandler
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Here at the Pit, we call them “Jacks Ribs” but typically they are known as Country Style Pork Ribs. They are simple to grill and a great recipe to have on hand if you need a quick and easy meal hot off the BBQ grill. Although most Ribmen describe this cut of meat more as a “chop” than a “rib”, the pork industry prefers to call them Ribs. So Ribs they are! All you need to get started is 4-5lbs. Country Style Pork Ribs, 3 -18oz. bottles of your favorite barbecue sauce, 12oz. beer (or water will do). Get your charcoal grill good and hot and in about an hour you’ll be serving up delicious, moist and tender Barbecue Pork Ribs. You can print out this BBQ Pit Boys recipe at www.BBQPitBoys.com —

Whether you’re getting ready to upgrade your current grill or making your first purchase, you do have decisions to make. One of those decisions is do I buy gas or charcoal.

First of all however, we should probably get the language correct.

There is a difference between barbeque and grilling. When you barbeque you are cooking your food slowly at much lower temperatures than when grilling. You are using a smoker at temperatures around 225 to 250 degrees and your cooking time is measure in hours not minutes. When using a gas or charcoal grill to cook, you are cooking at much higher temperatures and your cooking time is measured in minutes not hours. That is unless you are using a cooking method called indirect grilling. That does slow the cooking process somewhat.

Having said all that, if your game plan is to get a grill, then you need to decide whether you buy a gas grill or charcoal grill. Both have advantages and disadvantages that I want to share with you.

Advantages to charcoal grills

1)      First of all these grills are relatively inexpensive to buy. If you find yourself on a limited budget this could very well be the way to go.

2)      Charcoal grills do tend to burn hotter than gas, especially if you ventilate them. This is perfect for the grilling experience.

3)      Another advantage is many people feel that you get a better taste with charcoal verse gas.

Disadvantages of a charcoal grill

1)      Charcoal can be very messy to deal with.

2)      Another disadvantage is that these grills take so long to heat up. Generally around 40 minutes or so.

3)      One of the biggest challenges using this grill is the fact that it is harder to hold steady temperatures in the wintertime. This is something that is important to me since I cook all year long.

Advantages to gas grills

1)      I feel the biggest advantage of a gas grill is the fact they light so easy and heat up so quickly. They are heated and ready to go in only 15 to 20 minutes compared to 40 minutes with charcoal.

2)      These grills hold a steady temperature very well in the wintertime. It is very easy to cook all year round with this equipment. I happen to know this from first hand experience.

3)      Of course you don’t have to deal with the mess that charcoal makes.

4)      I also feel gas grills are easier to use when indirect grilling than charcoal grills.

5)      These grills are definitely more expensive to buy, but when it comes right down to it they are just so much more convenient to use.

Disadvantages to a gas grill

1)      First of all they are more expensive to buy. This can be an issue if you are on a limited budget.

2)      The purists in the group would tell you the taste is just not as good as charcoal.

For many years I owned only a charcoal grill, however once I tried a gas grill, I decided that I would always own one going forward. There may be times that I would want charcoal, but I will always have gas as well.

Also as far as grilling tips go, whether you are just learning how to grill or you are an old hand at it, the one other buying tip I can give you is, if you are going to buy a gas grill get one with at least 400 square inches of cooking space (preferably 500 square inches) and get one with three burners. The three burners (cooking zones) give you much greater flexibility when cooking and make it much easier for indirect grilling. Personally I would not have it any other way.

By: Tom Savas
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