Grilling out is a favorite pastime of summer but choosing the right type of grill can be tricky. The best grill for you is determined by a number of factors, including the amount of space you have to store it, the flavors you want to impart on the foods you’re cooking, the amount of time and attention you’d like to spend cooking, and the amount of experience you have behind the barbecue.
Gas Grills
These are the most popular type of grill and they’re super convenient. They ignite with the push of a button, and they heat up and cook quickly. Control knobs allow you to control the heat settings, and most offer multiple burners, so you can create various cooking zones. They’re a good option if you want to grill frequently and without fuss.
Charcoal
These deliver high heat and mouthwatering char-grilled flavor into whatever you’re cooking. They’re the least expensive option, can be used to grill both directly and indirectly, and can even be used to smoke foods. There are no temperature control knobs like a gas grill, you’ll have the ashes to deal with, and the charcoal can be tricky to ignite, especially if you’re a novice.
Pellet Grills
Pellet grills are an increasingly popular style on the market. They use hardwood pellets as their fuel and offer a combination of desirable features from both gas and charcoal-style grills. They’re electronically powered with variable temperature settings and are ignited by a switch! A hopper beside the grill fills it with pellets to maintain your set temperature and they plug into a standard electrical outlet.
Big Green Egg
This is a kamado-type grill and operates similarly to charcoal grills, in that you fill them with your charcoal, light the briquettes, and then use vents to control the interior temperature. Stacking racks allow you to cook with more radiant heat instead of keeping your food directly over the open flame. This will enable you to lock in flavor without charbroiling your food over an open flame. The Big Green Egg functions as more of an outdoor oven than a standalone grill. They’re manufactured using a ceramic material that’s ideal for regulating the interior temperatures of your grill.
If you need assistance in choosing the right grill, come see us at Tri-County Hearth & Patio. We are a family-owned and operated business located on Old Washington Road in Waldorf, Maryland, and have been serving the area for over 30 years. We offer our customers the largest selection of patio furniture, fireplaces, inserts, stoves, BBQ grills, and outdoor accessories in all of Southern Maryland. Plus, all of our sales and service professionals are proficient in all things patio and hearth. Visit our website for more information, or if you’re ready to optimize the enjoyment of your home, give us a call at 301-843-1771.