Charcoal grill: selection criteria

Charcoal cooking is the oldest method of cooking. It was used by our ancient ancestors. Juicy steaks and aromatic kebabs, baked vegetables and fish are rightfully considered delicious dishes. And in order to cook them properly, you should pay attention to the charcoal grill.

Almost everyone has tried home-grilled food, be it juicy chicken, barbecued or non-nutritive vegetables. And for sure, everyone knows that it is impossible to imitate the aroma that products are saturated with during charcoal cooking. The charcoal grill is a unique unit in the field of cooking, which has not yet been replaced.

The main feature of food cooked on a charcoal grill is the aroma - the aroma of a fire, which gives the dishes a special, unique smell and taste. The very process of cooking on a charcoal grill can be called “delicious”. It can also be used as a stove or tandoor - a brazier oven especially common among the indigenous peoples of Asia.

A properly sized grill maintains a high temperature for several hours, which also saves coal consumption. Due to rapid heating (20-30 minutes), the cooking process is reduced by almost 2-3 times. Do not forget that on a charcoal grill you can not only fry food, but also smoke.

In addition to coal, there are two more types of grills - electric and gas... The charcoal version, in addition to its unique aroma, has several other advantages. For example, unlike electric, it can be used anywhere, since it is not tied to a power supply. He is both street and home. It is several times smaller and more compact than its gas counterpart, it does not need gas cylinders on which the gas grill works.

Grills are traditionally divided into coal, gas and electric. Each of these species is further subdivided into several more subspecies. So, among the coal options, there are several types:

• Tuscan grill. One of the simplest and easiest grills to use. The classic version is represented by a simple sturdy metal grate, which is put on fire. It can even be used in a fireplace or on an open fire, on a fire with burnt embers. There are some modifications of such a grill, for example, with a double grate or hinges, various attachments.

• Hibachi... This is a traditional Japanese grill, so popular that its modifications are used not only by Asian peoples. This is a very compact model, which is a sturdy metal firebox. The product is equipped with metal grates with coals underneath and ventilation from below. The grates can be raised and lowered by changing the power level and temperature, which facilitates manual grill settings.

• Grill boiler. This option is not difficult, and simplicity in the case of a grill is always a plus. It is very easy to use such a device - the coals are poured out to its bottom, and the products are placed on the top of the grate.The fire does not go out thanks to the high walls, the temperature is controlled by ventilation, and the domed lid allows this model to be used as a smokehouse.

• Ceramic oven. It has another name - the ceramic grill smoker. This variant appeared on the market in 1974, and is somewhat similar to the symbiosis of a ceramic charcoal grill and a hibachi. The ceramic stove consists of a firebox, a grate and a dome-shaped lid. It is economical - ceramic walls retain heat so well that very little coal is needed. Temperature control is handled by vents on the bottom and top, and a tight-fitting lid traps moisture and steam inside, allowing food to absorb as much as possible.

• Grill table. This is a grill that is similar in shape and size to a rectangular table with a charcoal box. It is equipped with adjustable grates, which allows you to regulate the heat by raising or lowering the working surface (the process itself takes place thanks to the lifting mechanisms).

And according to the method of transportation, there are several types of charcoal grill:

• Stationary... This grill is installed in a certain place, it cannot be carried. As a rule, it has medium or large sizes, a hinged lid, is placed on the veranda and, together with the countertops, forms a whole kitchen set.
• Mobile or portable. This option is equipped with wheels or other equipment that allows you to carry it from place to place. The dimensions of such models are not the largest, they often also tend to fold. The beauty of this grill is that you can take it with you to the forest or to a picnic, which is very convenient.

There are a huge variety of charcoal grills on the world market, but most of them are made from three materials - steel, cast iron and ceramics... For example, ceramic grills are recognized by renowned chefs. They are lighter than their counterparts in weight, warm well and keep warm, and food does not burn on them - they are easier to wash, since food pieces do not get stuck on them.

In addition to the body, the grill has another important part - the grill. It can be made of cast iron or steel, including stainless steel. Cast iron grates are famous for the fact that they can withstand high temperatures without deformation, they are also durable and environmentally friendly, but they also weigh more than their counterparts.

The size of a charcoal grill depends on its intended use. Grills are traditionally divided into large, medium and small.

Large charcoal grills are suitable for people who often gather large groups of people, like to organize parties, meetings, or simply prefer to eat large portions. These grills make it easy to cook large amounts of food (for 15-30 people). They are also often used in high-traffic restaurants and cafes.

Medium grills are the best option for a traditional family of parents and two children. It is these models that are most often chosen for home use.

Small grills are ideal if there is not enough free space, but sometimes you want to cook a shish kebab or steak. Such models can even be located on the veranda of the cottage or the balcony of the apartment. They are suitable for preparing 1-2 servings of delicious meats or vegetables.

Production does not stand still. Charcoal grills are constantly undergoing changes to improve them. The design sphere is not lagging behind - the shapes and appearance of many charcoal grills are so strikingly different that every buyer will find something to their liking.

The question of choosing a manufacturer is always relevant. Most buyers want to save money, and trusted brands often cost a lot of money. Therefore, it is necessary to choose between price and quality. After all, the cheapest unit made in China may stop working after a couple of uses, and even a little money in this case will be thrown to the wind.

Perhaps, when choosing a charcoal grill, you need to rely on brand awareness. After all, popularity is gained not by advertising and marketing, but by customer reviews and their experience in using the equipment of a particular company. The leading manufacturers have a warranty - sometimes even a lifetime, and the stores in which they are sold, within 1-3 years undertake to perform free repair or replacement of a product that is out of order.

Several companies are among the popular and proven manufacturers of charcoal grills:

• Big green egg Is a unique brand from the USA, famous for its egg-shaped ceramic grills, which are used even by famous chefs, Michelin stars. In addition to egg-shaped grills, the company produces models of other shapes, as well as various kitchen and grill accessories - covers, thermometers, cleaning brushes, dishes - made of aluminum, cast iron, stainless steel and ceramics. The cheapest charcoal grill will cost 67-70 thousand rubles, and the most expensive one - under half a million.

• Broil King. This company manufactures stainless steel grills and accessories. The most inexpensive representative of the line of this family is Porta-Chef 120, which costs about 30 thousand rubles. The most expensive model is Imperial XL, the cost of which is about 300 thousand rubles. The grills of this company are equipped with precise temperature control, there is a mode of baking, roasting and simmering of food, and a patented burner with a tube-in-tube design ensures uniform frying.

• Weber - This is a more budgetary option in comparison with the above companies. The cheapest grill can be purchased for 8 thousand, an expensive one - for 200 thousand rubles. The models of this company are made of steel, the grilles are presented in stainless or chrome-plated steel. The handles are heat resistant. Some of the more expensive models come complete with folding tabletops, lids, and are also equipped with a porcelain coating, have wheels for movement. The grill legs are foldable, which has a positive effect on their portability.

• CMI... The grills of this brand are made of cast iron. They are presented as mobile models with a cover on wheels. The kit also includes a temperature sensor. CMI is a well-known representative of the budget segment.

When it comes to the shape of the grill, most often experts advise choosing the option of an egg-shaped or round shape. Due to their shape, they retain heat longer, and are also cheaper, look neater, they can even become an additional art object. Due to the pronounced heat preservation effect, they can be used with equal success as a smokehouse, as a bread maker, and as a pan for cooking borscht or pilaf. They can cook any type of food, from meat and fish to baked goods.

When choosing a grill, be sure to decide on what will be cooked in it in the future. The choice of the thermal mode of the device depends on this. For example, a power of 180 ° C is sufficient for sausages or vegetables. But for cooking kebabs and steaks, the temperature should be higher. The best option would be a model with a temperature controller or with the ability to adjust the height of the grate. In such a simple way, the temperature will be regulated by itself, and you will not have to fill the coals with water to lower the temperature.Portable models are ideal not only for the home, but also for the apartment.

Each buyer pays great attention to the price, which depends on the quality, size and manufacturer. So, small models of unknown manufacturers can cost about 5 thousand rubles, but they will last a very short time. Often, it is with such grills that a number of dangerous breakdowns occur, since they are made of fragile material, they are difficult to clean, and coal can catch fire and not only spoil the food, but also undermine peace.

Average price grills can be purchased from 30 thousand rubles and more. In this category you can find a quality unit. Most manufacturing firms produce grills in the middle price segment, so everyone tries to please the buyer, to improve their own product. As a result, today there is a huge selection of various models.

Premium charcoal grills are models from well-known brands, mostly made of ceramics. Each of which is characterized by a long service life, because well-known companies value their reputation.

Do not forget about accessories that can diversify and facilitate the cooking process. These include wheels, a spit for chicken or shawarma, and various attachments. You will need a cover to protect your grill from the elements, and a brush with a hard metal bristle for cleaning. And for the most comfortable cooking process, you will definitely need gloves, spatulas or tongs, as well as coal.

For information on how to light a charcoal grill, see the next video.