Although surrounded by many outdoor appliances, the grill is the heart of your outdoor kitchen. Barbecuing and searing meats are the most popular activity done in an outdoor kitchen because it is not only fast, it also serves delicious and juicy grilled meat.
Americans love grilling and they had made it a part of their lives; weekend gatherings with family and friends, birthday celebrations, and holidays, are not complete without grilling.
We have listed some ideas that will help you paint a concrete picture of what you need and what you want. Based on these factors, you may be able to decide on what kind of grill best suits you.
What are the factors to consider before getting an outdoor kitchen grill?
If you don’t own a grill or you are planning to upgrade, take some time to put many factors into consideration. A good grill is a big investment; therefore, make sure that you are really getting what you pay for.
Don’t rush to buy a grill; since it is considered as the most important feature of your outdoor kitchen, you really have to take into consideration whether or not you need to invest a big chunk of your budget.
Material – The main body of the grill can be made from cast aluminum, sheet metal, cast iron, stainless steel, or in the case of the Kamado Grill, ceramic. The preferred material for the gas and charcoal grills, especially for outdoor kitchens, is the stainless steel. This type of material is the most expensive out of the others mentioned but lasts longer.
Stainless Steel would most likely endure the changing climates with ease, as it doesn’t corrode. Before buying the grill, check if all components are made of stainless steel, such as the frames. Some parts are made of painted steel frames that can rust. Be wary.
Accessories – Also known as the other features that come with the outdoor kitchen grill. Do you want your grill to come with a side burner, smoker box, rotisserie burner, and metal cabinets underneath? The question is, do you need any of these features? Remember, additions cost money. Only purchase something that you need.
Size – How many burger and hotdogs do you plan to cook? Do you need something big that cooks up to 40 burgers at a time or grill a big turkey? If you will only cook a few pieces of chicken breasts, hotdogs, and steak for less than ten people, then you probably don’t need to buy a big one.
Location and Ventilation – Do you have a small space that you can’t afford to have your grill installed for fear that smoke and exhaust would clump in one area? Then maybe you should consider having the grill on wheels to move it whenever needed. If you have an outdoor kitchen and have a dedicated space for your grill, then make sure that it is located strategically: away from the cold and the wet areas.
Longevity – Although the thickness and thinness and the type of material plays a role on how long your grill can last, it all boils down to how well you take good care of your grill. Even if you have the best grill out there, it will rust and fall apart if left uncovered especially under the harsh outside weathers. Get a proper cover for your grill such as the:
Thick Heavy Duty Premium BBQ Grill Cover
What are the types of outdoor kitchen grill?
There are different types of grills that will suit your needs, preferences, and budget. Below, we have listed and briefly discussed each kind so you may get a better grasp of what can each type do.
Gas Grill
People pick gas grill for convenience. It ignites at a push of a button or at a turn of a knob. Heat can be easily controlled without having to constantly stroke the fire lest the meat might burn. Generally, gas grills are more expensive and are more difficult to install. You need a line for your gas utility if you want to use natural gas. Otherwise, you can stick with refillable bottled propane. Frequent trips to the propane store may be costly so it is better to invest in a natural gas line. Maintenance may be a bit of an issue; you need to take good care of this type of grill because replacement of parts may be expensive. A good example of a gas grill is the:
Char-Broil Performance Series 2-Burner Cabinet Liquid Propane Gas Grill
Charcoal Grill
Barbecue enthusiasts pick this type of grill because it gives out an additional smoky flavor to the meat. Since charcoal burns hotter than gas grills, searing meat is possible. However, unlike the gas grill, you have to spend at least 40 minutes just heating the charcoal and maintaining the heat before you may start to grill. You also have to continually stoke the fire while cooking and clean the mess of ashes afterwards. The good point is that this type of grill is cheaper and easier to maintain. For an example, check out the:
Charbroil 30-Inch Charcoal Grill
Kamado Grill
Although considered as a type of a charcoal grill because it uses charcoal as fuel, the Kamado grill is much different in function and form. It is a traditional Japanese earthen vessel fired up for grilling, baking, and smoking. Usually, the Kamado Grill is made of ceramic and claims to enhance to flavor and smokiness of the meat. The ceramic material provides excellent insulation, efficiency, and ability to hold very high or very low temperature. People with budget to spare splurges on the Kamado Grill because of its versatility; you may smoke and grill meat, and also bake pizza and bread. A good type of:
Kamado Kettle Joe 22 inch Charcoal Grill
Conclusion
There is nothing like dining outdoors and enjoying the beautiful weather with your friends and loved ones. Having an outdoor kitchen grill makes this experience much more wonderful as you can whip up flavorful dishes in the nick of time. Not to mention, you won’t be putting much effort in preparing dishes for everyone and you won’t be left behind in socializing.
You don’t need the most expensive grill in the market; pick whatever suits your preferences and your budget and you’re good to go. So long as you know how to take care of your outdoor kitchen grill, then it will promise to last a lifetime.
