Alright Pittsburgh, grilling season has arrived! After months of crockpot chili and oven roasted chicken we move our kitchens outside for summer favorites like grilled vegetables, shish kabobs and crowd pleasers like hamburgers & hot dogs! And, unless you’ve braved the cold winter grilling outside or you have an indoor grill, you may be itching to cross off a new grill from your “honey-do” list.
But what type of grill should you buy? And what are the BTUs all about?
With so many grills on the market, it’s important to think about why you really need one. Ask yourself the following questions:
Whatever the reason, here are a few tips and suggestions from your friends at Ed’s Woodshed.
The Entertainer. So, yours is the house where everyone flocks to for summer get-togethers. If this is the case, it’s best to buy a grill that boasts at least 600-900 square inches so you have enough surface area to grill juicy burgers, marinated chicken and brats evenly. Don’t skimp on size if you like entertaining a crowd or your looking at an all-night grilling event!
Ed Suggests: Vermont Castings Grill-VCS525
The Grillmaster. There is simply nothing better than the taste of barbeque chicken or char-grilled burgers cooked on a traditional charcoal grill. While it takes some time to get charcoal to the right state for grilling perfection, you’ll be hard-pressed to get this smoky flavor out of your gas grill. And while cleanup is a bit more cumbersome than its gas grill counterpart, various briquette flavors and smoker accessories make charcoal grills a favorite among backyard grillmasters!
Ed Suggests: Napoleon Charcoal Professional Grill & Smoker-PRO605CSS
The Weeknight Griller. Gas grills are the best for someone who wants to come home and throw a few steaks on the grill without having to wait for charcoal briquettes to reach their grilling potential. Gas grills heat up very quickly and since there is no charcoal involved here, clean-up is a cinch!
Ed Suggests: Vermont Castings Grills-VC325
The Stainless Steel Outdoor Kitchen. If you’re investing in an outdoor kitchen it’s best to invest in a high-quality stainless steel grill with a grade of 304 stainless steel or the gold-standard, 316L. Grades of stainless steel for your grill matter most when you’re using them outdoors and you want it to be able to withstand weather and not succumb to rust. Be sure to do your homework when you’re planning for an outdoor kitchen.
Ed’s Suggests: Napoleon OASIS™ Outdoor Kitchens
The Camper. Camping isn’t just about sleeping in a dependable tent. If you or your family are the adventurous type and plan on spending some time in the Great Outdoors, you need to eat just as if you were at home. If trail mix and deli sandwiches aren’t your thing, invest in a travel grill as you’ll need a dependable cooking source for cooking breakfast, lunch & dinner. From pancakes to quesadillas or pizza-logs, you’ll feel right at home with a travel grill. And don’t store it away in the winter; travel grills are great for tailgating!
Ed Suggests: Napoleon TRAVELQ™ 285 and Scissor Cart with Griddle
Lastly, what are the BTUs all about?
Essentially, the more BTUs in your model the faster it will heat thus the faster it will cook your food. If you’re purchasing a gas grill, it’s best to look for a model that has at least 12,000 BTUs per gas-burner.
If you’re in the market for a new grill this Summer, come to Pittsburgh one-stop-shop for all your grilling needs! Visit Ed’s Woodshed in Bridgeville, PA or call us at 412-257-0492.
