Different Types of Barbecue Grills

Summer is here and the steaks are ready to grill, the only problem is that you don't know exactly what type of barbeque grill to buy. There are many questions that need to be asked when buying a grill. Things such as cost, ease of use, other uses besides grilling, flavor and portability should be considered. The most important item in this list depends on what you want. This article looks in detail at the different categories and makes a judgment on which grills would be best in that category, charcoal, propane, natural gas or smokers.

Cost

Barbecue

If cost is the main factor, the grill to go for is charcoal. They start at .00 for a small, basic unit and only .00 for a standard 22" kettle grill. Propane grills are the next lowest in price, starting at around 0.00 for a basic unit. A small smoker starts at around 0.00. Since natural gas grills are supposed to be hooked to a home's gas line, they tend to be larger units, and more expensive starting around 0.00. They now have dual fuel grills as well that use natural gas most of the time but can also use propane; these are the most expensive with an asking price of 0.00 up.

Ease of Use

The easiest grill to use is probably the natural gas grill. It is hooked to your homes natural gas line and therefore doesn't require you to buy large propane tanks on a regular basis. Getting a grill that has a battery powered or electric starter makes things even easier. Propane is probably the next easiest to use since there are no charcoal briquettes or wood chips to worry about. While it seems that a larger grill is a better grill, remember that larger also means a larger area to clean.

Additional Features

Natural gas or propane grills can offer additional cook spaces that a charcoal or smoker unit cannot. If you plan to cook full meals on your grill, gas burners and a warming tray come in handy. A rotisserie option may also be important to you depending on what you want to grill.

Flavor

If flavor is the most important item on your list, a smoker or a charcoal grill should be your first priority. Smokers are meant to slow cook over time and impart a smoky flavor to meats. You can choose the type of wood to smoke that will give you the flavor you are looking for. The only problem with a smoker is when you want a quick pork chop or hamburger, it isn't so quick. Consider a gas grill for quicker cook meals and a smoker when you really want to impress the neighbors. Charcoal is the next best in the flavor department with no gas undertone. Gas grills can also impart a good grilled flavor, and now many gas grills have a smoker option on them.

Portability

When portability is the most imporant requirement, propane is the way to go. Charcoal grills run a close second. Small propane tanks make it easy to take your grill camping or to a tailgate party and you aren't left wondering where to put the smoldering coals. Charcoal can work and there are several small portable units available; just make sure you have a plan for what to do with the used briquettes.

Copyright 2006 Emma Snow

Different Types of Barbecue Grills

Emma Snow is contributing author and publisher to http://www.bbq-shop.net an online resource that provides you with information, articles of interest related to barbecues.

Related : Steak Recipe BBQ Recipe

Different Type of Chocolate

It is hard to find someone who doesn't like chocolates. Many know that chocolate is refined product obtained from cocoa beans but have you ever given a thought to how many chocolate types are there? You will be surprised to know that there are a number of enticing types of chocolates.

Cocoa powder is unsweetened powder of cocoa beans slightly defatted. The powder renders an intense chocolate taste. This is available in two varieties; one is Dutch processed which is alkalized and other is natural variety. The powder is light brown and has a pronounced flavor. The alkalized variety is milder, less acidic, and darker in color.

Bar-B-Q

Unsweetened chocolate is called as 'bitter' and is pure chocolate liquor obtained from ground cocoa beans. This has quite a bitter taste and is usually used for cooking purposes. Since cocoa is rich in cocoa solids and cocoa butter this unsweetened chocolate gives a deep flavor to baked goods. This is used as the base ingredient to prepare all other forms of chocolate except the white chocolate.

Dark chocolate contains sugar, vanilla, cocoa butter, lecithin which is an emulsifier along with chocolate liquor. No milk solids are ever added in the dark chocolate. The darkness of dark chocolate depends upon the cocoa percentage in it which may vary from 30% to 70%.

Bittersweet chocolates and semi sweet chocolates belong to the category of dark chocolates. As defined by the Food and Drug Administration department, bittersweet chocolate should contain at least 35% of cocoa solids. Most of the bittersweet bars contain 50% chocolate liquor. These types of chocolates have a bitter flavor than sweet dark and semi sweet chocolates. Since the amount of sugar is not regulated by FDA the sweetness may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Semi sweet chocolates also contain at least 35% of cocoa solids but are sweeter than the bitter sweet chocolates.

Sweet dark chocolate is dark in the sense that it does not contain milk solids. This chocolate contains a high percentage of sugar which gives it a much sweeter taste than other types of chocolates. Many available brands of sweet dark chocolates contain 20 to 40 percent of cocoa solids.

One of the most popular chocolate types is milk chocolate that contains condensed milk or dry milk solids along with the chocolate liquor. These milk solids may constitute up to 12 percent of chocolate. These are typically much sweeter with light color and a mild chocolate taste.

The class of white chocolates derives its name from the ingredient cocoa butter in it. This chocolate does not contain any other product other than cocoa butter. This is the reason why this chocolate has a mild chocolate flavor, has a vanilla taste, and a lighter color.

Couverture chocolates and related chocolate types are used by confectioners and are rich in cocoa butter and cocoa liquor percentage which contribute to the high price of this chocolate. These chocolates are smooth and melt quickly.

Gianduja chocolates are made from the chocolate and the nut paste. These are used for flavoring milk or dark chocolates. Candy coating chocolates are candy products and contain a little amount of cocoa. There are lots of chocolate types to enjoy and suitable for various occasions. All of these assortments of chocolates are very interesting and are bound to add flavor to your life.

Different Type of Chocolate

Chocolate is something people love, and what better gift to give someone than those hand made truffles and chocolate delights. The problem is which one should you aim for? The best solution is to be part of a tasting club, where you can sample different chocolates. http://www.mychocolateblog.com is a great site to get tips and recipes for your favourite food, chocolate. Tips like dip a coffee spoon in chocolate, allow to set and then stir your coffee. Take a look today at http://www.mychocolateblog.com for everything chocolate.

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