About Barbecue Grills

History

The traditional barbecue grill design, which consists of two hemispherical shapes that are hinged together to create a full globe when closed, was created by George Stephen, a welder. This creation took the market by storm, and it has since evolved into the broad array of grill varieties that are available today.

Size

Barbecue grills vary in sizes and shapes from small, countertop grills that are used in the home to huge industrial grills used for commercial purposes. The grill's size determines the cooking surface area it offers, which in turn determines the amount of food that can be cooked on it. Typically, the larger the grill, the more function options it is likely to have. The size, design and operation of the different grills vary based on product manufacture, the consumer's needs and demands, as well as the fuel used to operate the grill.

Types

The two most common types of barbecue grills are gas or charcoal. Both are excellent grills in their own right, but each is favored by different people for a number of reasons. Brazilian rodizio, Brazier grills and pellet grill are three other types of barbecue grills.
Charcoal grills require the use of charcoal briquettes or wood as the main fuel source and give off an odor that is reminiscent of charcoal or wood burning. Gas grills use bottled gas or propane for fuel, and only give off an odor if there is a gas leak in the line or improper flow control. Some favor gas grills because they have a tendency to heat faster, burn less and cook better while others favor charcoal grills because they offer a smoky flavor, excellent grill marks, and are preferred for open and outdoor camping and cooking.

Features

Brazilian rodizio is a gas grill that ranks high in the industrial-type grills. It is a spit roast machine that uses top radiant gas burners to roast the food, which is rotated on metal spits. This variety is popular for roasted meats and vegetables. This grill works best for large quantities of food that can be cooked slowly over the course of a day.
A Brazier grill is the least complicated and the least expensive type of grill available for purchase. Usually standing on four short legs, this grill is designed to be set atop a picnic table or outdoor surfaces. This grill has no lid, and the grill rack is raised or lowered according to the need for more or less heat to cook the food.

Function

The Pellet grill is fueled using compressed hardwood, sawdust and vegetable oil in the form of pellets, which are available in alder, oak, grapevine, hickory, maple and apple woods. The pellets operate in a similar fashion as charcoal grills, and are formulated to deliver a smoke flavoring to the grilled food. The pellets are available in varying hardness so as to lengthen and/or shorten the amount of burning time. They can also function as smokers for smoking a variety of meats.