|
|
Charcoal Grill
|
|||||
|
|
| Buy Now |
If you are like me and love the taste of food cooked on a charcoal grill, then consider yourself among friends. The charcoal grill is a versatile piece of equipment that can support direct or indirect cooking methods. Both methods are a great way to prepare food and each will impart a slightly different taste.
Indirect cooking involves building the fire to the side or away from the actual cooking area and placing the food on the other side, away from the direct heat of the fire. This method is best for large cuts of meat or bone-in poultry. It allows the food to slowly cook all the way through without burning or charring on the outside of the meat.
Direct cooking places the food directly over the coals of your charcoal grill and allows for the charring of the outside layer of the meat. Many people prefer this method when cooking steaks or chops. The choice is a matter of individual taste and the charcoal grill is capable of either method. I recommend Weber One-Touch Silver Charcoal Grill
Choosing the type of fuel you will use in your charcoal grill is relatively easy. Most prefer either briquettes or lump. Lump is a pure form of charcoal and is preferred by many purists who dislike artificial binders used to hold briquettes in their shape, and it also burns hotter and responds to changes in airflow much more quickly.
There are several ways to get your fire started in your charcoal grill. One way is to pile the briquettes or lumps up, soak them with starter fluid and light them. Another way is to use manufactured briquettes that are pre-soaked with starter fluid. Just pile them up and light them. Or, you could use a chimney starter (see my charcoal starter page ). Place the chimney in the charcoal grill, wad up a few pages of newspaper, place the briquettes on top of that and light. Lastly, there are electric starters that are simple heating elements. Place them in the charcoal grill, place the briquettes or lumps on top of the heater and plug it in. After the fire has started and the fuel has ashed over, your charcoal grill is ready to cook.