The Top 5 Barbeques
What’s the centerpiece of any outdoor party? You might think it’s Uncle Benny and his fascinating (if not inebriated) stories. But in fact, guess again: it’s your BBQ grill. People gather by the grill to savor the smells of whatever meats or veggies adorn the flame; to salivate in anticipation of the delicacies to come, and to watch the grill master perform that secret combination of magic and science that creates the perfectly grilled steak. But what is a grill master without the perfect grill? This can’t be some kind of sketchy, Sterno Stove-style operation – no, only the best will do. So how do you choose the best barbeque grill for your style of grilling? Leave it to us – we make Bobby Flay look like, well, like Uncle Glen. Behold the 5 best barbeques on the market today.
Master Cook Three-Burner Gas Grill
Master Of The Grill
When it’s time to throw a grass-fed, hormone-free, center-cut rib eye on the grill, you want to know for certain that it’s going to cook perfectly, evenly, and reliably. Master Cook’s propane gas grill provides 30,000-BTU per hour heat perfectly dispersed across three cooking surfaces, providing reliable cooking temperatures every time. A stainless steel control panel with chromium plating makes the moving parts of this grill rugged and dependable, while the piezoelectric ignition system means no more blowing your eyebrows off trying to manually light a gas grill.
Pros:
- Two folding tables for storage
- Porcelain & enamel wire cooking grates
- Built-in thermometer made of stainless steel
Cons:
- Assembly required
- Grill floor hard to reach for cleaning
Weber Q1200
Weber or Not You Love Grilling
One of the best parts of going camping or having a party by the beach or lake is grilling up dinner in the great outdoors. Of course, you could start a campfire and grill over that, but it’s hard to get consistent heat – and not burn yourself at the same time. That’s where the Weber Q1200 comes into action. Its stainless steel burner produces 8,500 BTU of power across 189 square inches of grill space, yet the entire barbecue folds up to less than three feet across. Powered by a disposable LP cylinder, the grill can either sit on the ground or cradle inside a sturdy, portable cart with lock-in clips (sold separately). It’s also available in six different colors.
Pros:
- Built-in thermometer
- Removable catch pan
- LP canisters last up to five hours
Cons:
- Runs hotter than temperature control indicates
- Best for two to four people
Realcook Charcoal BBQ Smoker
Real Chefs Love Realcook
Just like grilling, smoking is an art form of its own. At some point, most outdoor chefs want the versatility to use both methods, and sometimes both at the same time; after all, there’s nothing like searing a brisket, then letting it smoke for several hours. Realcook is perfect for this magic combination. With its multi-layered design and large capacity, Realcook has enough vertical space to hang turkeys, chickens and long slabs of beef. With its unique two-door access, you can check the status of food or charcoal without allowing all the heat to escape. Or you can simply fill the bottom portion with charcoal and use it as a standard charcoal grill. As they say, versatility is the spice of life.
Pros:
- Bottom damper and ash collector
- Heat resistant handles
- Convenient locking system
Cons:
- Temperature control difficult with single vent
- Lots of parts
Giantex BBQ Charcoal Grill
Old Skool Grilling At Its Finest
There’s just no substitute for charcoal. Though some people may prefer the heat consistency of gas, for some people it’s just not a barbecue unless it’s cooked on charcoal. Because Giantex understands this, they’ve created the ultimate grill for charcoal lovers. With two side air vents and a charcoal tray that can be raised or lowered, you’re sure to create the perfect cooking temperature. A foldable side shelf gives you space for sauces and spices, while four easy hooks hold your important grilling tools. The removable charcoal grid and attached ashtray make clean up a breeze, too.
Pros:
- Wheeled cart for easy storage
- Heavy duty porcelain enameled cooking grates
- Heat-dissipating top handle
Cons:
- Soft metal frame
- No thermometer
EasyGoProducts Big Bad Barrel Pit
Bad To The Bone(less Rib Eye)
The EasyGo Big Bad Barrel Pit is anything you need it to be, and then some. As a charcoal grill, it has an adjustable cooking rack that allows you to cook anything from meat to pizza; as a smoker, the double-chamber provides enough room to hand an entire rack or ribs, and with dual air vents, you can maintain a constant and consistent 225 degrees; as a firepit, simply remove the top section and keep your cool evenings warm, or simply use the whole unit as a flattop table to store or display your outdoor party accessories. It’s the all-in-one outdoor cooking machine!
Pros:
- Stainless steel cooking racks
- Quick-locking mechanisms
- Four heat-resistant carry handles
Cons:
- Tool hooks too close to heat source
- Vent holes on bottom not adjustable
Frequently Asked Questions
To me, nothing can replace the flavor of food cooked over charcoal, but I hear there are health risks to cooking that way. Is this true?
Yes and no. Simply put, charred meats in general are not very good for you. When grilling a steak, for example, and the fat drips off the meat and hits the charcoal, the resulting smoke contains a chemical called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The charred skin of the meat becomes packed with another chemical called heterocyclic amines (HCA). Both of these have been linked in separate studies to increased levels of colorectal cancer. But don’t panic. The studies did not show how much of these chemicals must be ingested to become carcinogenic. So, as with all things, a moderate amount of charcoal-grilled meat is probably fine. Probably. Maybe.
Is it bad for the environment to use a charcoal grill?
Unfortunately, yes. According to a 2009 study by Swiss researcher Eric Johnson, your typical charcoal grilling session puts up to 11 pounds of carbon dioxide into the air. That’s comparable to driving your car around for 22 miles. In comparison, a gas grill emits 5.6 pounds of carbon dioxide, or the same as driving 8 miles. If you’re trying to be conscious of your carbon footprint, this is something to take into consideration.
I keep seeing this “BTU” term when reading about the power of a particular barbecue grill. What is that?
BTU is the acronym for British Thermal Unit. A BTU is a unit of heat, specifically (as defined by the experts) as “the amount of heat it takes to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree fahrenheit”. With barbecue grills, higher BTUs mean the burner is capable of heating the grills faster and potentially hotter, creating the highly-coveted sear, which locks in juices.
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