How to Enjoy Outdoor Cooking

How to Enjoy Outdoor Cooking

By : Jane Grimshaw

Over the years, outdoor cooking has become a growing trend and barbecues have grown in popularity with bigger and better models being produced to meet an ever-increasing demand. Two types of barbecues are available to buy, gas and charcoal. Both types produce the same results; so deciding which to buy mainly comes down to personal preference and cost. Chimneas are also increasing in popularity and as well as being great for cooking in, they can be used as outdoor heaters too.



Gas Barbecues

Gas barbecues are the perfect solution for fast and efficient cooking outdoors, offering controllable and consistent heat at the touch of a button. They vary greatly in price and, as with most things in life, you definitely get what you pay for. The more basic models are fine if you only want to cook hot dogs and burgers, but if you wish to fry, saute, or use a rotisserie, then you will need to look for a more versatile model.

First of all, you will need to consider your requirements, which will also determine the size of cooking area needed on the barbecue. You will need to think about the type of food you enjoy barbecuing; how many you will need to cook for and how often the barbecue will be used. Do you entertain regularly and like to hold parties from time to time? How much space do you have available and can it be stored away easily for the winter, if necessary? Once you have established all these points, you will have more idea of the type of barbecue you need to look at.

Another area to think about is preparation area around the barbecue. You may require a unit that includes side warmers and/or warming racks. This will enable you to keep food warm whilst you are preparing other things.

The cooking system is critical in a gas grill and you should have a minimum of three independent gas burners – most grills come with electronic igniters and can be fuelled by liquid propane or natural gas. The burners should be spaced along either side or front to back and down the middle of the grill area, to avoid any ‘hot spots’. Angled steel plates, located just below the cooking grate, will collect drippings from the food and vaporise them, resulting in the wonderful grilled flavour that is enjoyed from barbecuing.

You need to look at the grate on a barbecue too, as this is going to be your main cooking area and will need to be able to retain the heat well, not rust easily and, most of all, be easy to clean. There are a number of different materials available but good quality stainless steel seems to be the best choice.

Last, and by no means least, is construction. The standard to which your barbecue is made and the materials used will determine the lifespan and ease of maintenance of your barbecue. Stainless steel is considered to be top of the range and the more expensive grills are primarily made from this, along with the burners, handles and hood. Stainless steel looks great and is highly resistant to corrosion, although it can yellow over a period of time. Painted steel will rust if the paint comes off, which is very likely to happen if kept outside. A cast aluminium body is well recommended, as it is tough and will not rust.


Charcoal Grills

As with gas barbecues, you will need to consider your requirements and preparation areas, before you start looking at what is available. Charcoal burning barbecues also come in a multitude of shapes and sizes; some have wheels on, enabling you to move them around easily and some even fold away for easy storage. The higher up the spec you go, the more accessories you will find included such as, rotisseries, griddles, hot plates, warming areas, etc - some charcoal barbecues even offer additional features such as, an easy ash disposal. This is a system, which sweeps the ash into a pan by the touch of a button.

Charcoal obviously takes a while to heat up before you can begin cooking and can be quite smoky. However, many people enjoy the aroma of the barbecue and feel that waiting for it to heat up gives them the chance to enjoy a drink with friends or family.

As with gas barbecues, look at the grate and choose one, which will stand up to the job, be easy to clean and rust-free. Nickel-plated or stainless steel are the best choices. Choose handles made from wood or plastic, as they will not get too hot to handle.

Finally, you must study the basic construction, especially the outer casings. Look for one that is made of high-grade steel and a porcelain-enamel coating. Leg couplings and grate supports should be welded for added strength. Check the lid too - it should be heavy and fit tightly.



Disposable barbecues

If you don’t want the hassle of choosing the right barbecue and you don’t barbecue very often, or you just want an additional barbecue for holidays or picnics, then disposable barbecues are an ideal option. They offer you the choice of different sizes, depending on how many people you will be cooking for, and come in a foil tray, complete with charcoal and lighter paper. These barbecues are easy to light and burn well for a reasonable length of time, but obviously only offer basic cooking.


Brick or stone barbecues
An even better way of owning the perfect barbecue tailored to your individual requirements is to construct your own from brick or stone. You can then choose a design that fits in with your garden and have the exact shape, size, height and accessories that you desire. You could even construct some kind of lid for your barbecue, which would allow you to stand a pot of flowers on top when it is not in use, thus making a feature out of it too. The only disadvantage of a fixed barbecue is not being able to move it around, so you will need to very think carefully about its location beforehand.



Chimneas

Chimneas are becoming quite popular nowadays as another method of outdoor cooking. They were first used many years ago by Mexican tribesmen, who developed them as a means of heating for the family as well as a vessel for cooking in. They were designed in their unusual style to keep the rain off the fire.

Originally, chimneas were made purely from terracotta and although fine in the summer months and in warm Mediterranean climates, they do not fare up well in cold winter climates, which causes them to crack and break - due to the fragile nature in which they are made and the type of clay used. They are now available in etched cast iron and aluminium too. Cast iron can rust if left outside during cold weather conditions and will get extremely hot once heated. This can be very dangerous, particularly if you have young children, as just brushing past it could result in a nasty burn.

The best type of chimnea to purchase for all round climate suitability is the Bushman Burner. This range can be used at any time of the year and is made from a blend of industrial clays, reinforced with wire mesh.

You can use all smokeless coals, house coals or logs for your chimnea, unless you wish to use it as a barbecue, in which case you must make your fire from wood or charcoal, as you can’t barbecue over smokeless coal. Chimneas makes an excellent outdoor heater and can radiate heat from two to four feet, as well as being great for grilling, frying, roasting and broiling. If you choose to use it as a barbecue, you must remove the fire grate and replace it with a cooking grid and trivet first.

And finally…

With so many ideas and products to choose from it is all too easy to become spoilt for choice when thinking about outdoor cooking. Depending where you live in the world, you will either have seasonal or all year round opportunities to cook outside, but either way it is a very satisfying experience. Whatever products you choose, try to make sure that they are easy to assemble and that spare parts are easy to obtain, if required. Trying your best to make all the right choices in the beginning will help to ensure that nothing spoils your enjoyment in the future.


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