| CHOOSING
A GRILL
There
is a huge choice of ready-made grills on the market,
and it's important to choose one that suits your
particular needs. First decide how many people
you want to cook for and where you are likely
to use the grill. For instance, do you usually
have barbecues just for the family, or are you
likely to have barbecue parties for lots of friends?
Once you've decided on your basic requirements,
you will be able to choose between the different
types more easily.
| HIBACHIS:
These small cast-iron grills originated in
Japan - the word hibachi translated
literally as "firebox." They are
inexpensive, easy to use and easily transportable.
Lightweight versions are now made in steel
or aluminum. |
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| DISPOSABLE
GRILLS: These will last for about an hour
and are convenient idea for picnic-style barbecues
or for cooking just a few small pieces of
food. |
|
| PORTABLE
GRILLS: These are usually quite light and
fold away to fit into a car trunk so you can
take then on picnics. Some are even small
enough to fit into a backpack. |
|
| BRAZIER
GRILLS: These open grills are suitable for
use on a patio or in the garden. Most have
legs or wheels, and it's a good idea to check
that the height suits you. The grill area
of a brazier varies in size, and the brazier
may be round or rectangular. It's useful to
choose one that has a shelf attached to the
side. Other extras may include an electric,
battery-powered or clockwork spit: Choose
one on which you can adjust the height of
the spit. Many brazier grills have a hood,
which is useful as a windbreak and gives a
place to mount the spit. |
 |
KETTLE
GRILLS: These
have a large, hinged lid, which can be used as
a windbreak; when closed, the lid allows you to
use the grill rather like an oven. Even large
cuts of meat or whole turkeys cook successfully,
as the heat reflected within the dome helps to
brown the meat evenly. The heat is easily controlled
by the use of efficient air vents. This type of
grill can also be used for home-smoking foods.
| GAS
GRILLS: The main advantage of these is their
convenience - the heat is instant and easily
controllable. The disadvantage is that they
tend to be quite expensive. |
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| PERMANENT
GRILLS: These
are a good idea if you often have barbecues
at home. They can be built simply and cheaply.
Choose a sheltered site that is a little way
from the house, but with easy access to the
kitchen. Permanent grills can be built with
ordinary house bricks, but it's best to line
the inside with firebricks, which will withstand
the heat better. Use a metal shelf for the
fuel and a grid at whatever height you choose.
Kits are available containing all you need
to build a grill. |
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| IMPROVISED
GRILLS: Barbecue cooking adds to the fun of
eating outdoors on picnics and camping, trips
but transporting the grill for the rest of
the day can make the idea more of a chore
than a treat. Basic grills can be built at
almost no cost and can be dismantled after
use as quickly as they were put together.
A pile of stones topped with chicken wire
and fueled with driftwood or kindling makes
a very efficient grill. Or take a large cookie
tin with you and punch a few holes in it;
fill it with charcoal and place a grid on
top. With just a little planning, you can
turn your trip into a truly memorable event. |
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