Categories
Grill Types

Stovetop Grills

Are you looking for great grill flavor without the grief of a grill? Then you should consider the versatility of stovetop grills.

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner— a stovetop grill gives you the flexibility of creativity to prepare any meal for any occasion for any sized group.

Stovetop Grills: Features

Most stovetop grills come with nonstick surfaces that function as a grill on one side and a griddle on the other. They fit over one or more burners on almost any stove top, be it electric or gas; they even work on flat-top stoves. They come in a variety of shapes but primarily rectangular and circular. Some even come with stovetop grill pans that you can fill with water to add moisture to your meal as well as to catch the drippings from those tasty morsels you are cooking up; this in turn helps prevent smoke and splatter and makes for easier cleanup. Other features to look for when purchasing a grill for your stovetop include heat-resistant handles for safety in handling and grill presses to squeeze out excess fat or flatten meat or sandwiches.

Stovetop Grills: Pros and Cons

The great thing about a stovetop grill, even cast iron stove top grills, is that it is compact and affordable; you can pick up some models for just under $10 or go as high as $100, depending on the features you are looking for, with the average price being around $25. And you do not have to worry about the weather; you can have great grill food during a blizzard. The griddle side allows you to turn out great pancakes, French toast, or tortillas as well as roast delicious, nutritious vegetables. Now, you may have to contend with grease splatter and smoke, and there is the fact that the grill can take up half of your stovetop; however, the biggest drawback to a stovetop grill is the time it takes to heat the entire grill evenly. Maintaining even heat can be difficult because of the dead space between the burners, but preheating the grill for 10-15 minutes before cooking will go a long way in solving that problem.

Stovetop Grills: Is It For You?

If you live alone or in an apartment type setting or if you are just looking for a more healthy way to cook, then you should definitely consider getting a grill that fits on top of your stove. The smaller size means easier storage, and you don’t have to heat up an entire grill to cook up smaller portions. Also, if you live in an area that is prone to bad weather or cold weather, then being able to grill inside is a big advantage; no more cookout cancellations. A stovetop grill is really for everyone and adds a new dimension to your cooking.

Go back to Types of Grills Main Page
Go to iGrillBBQ.com Home Page from Stovetop Grills

Categories
Grill Types

Smoker Grills

Choosing the right smoker can be a difficult chore. Knowing about different type of smokers can help you save time, money and make sure you are among the satisfied owners of smoker grills.

Smoker grills come in various types and can run from under one hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. But don’t worry, the right smoker is out there for you that can do a great job and still fit within your budget.

Smoker Grills: Features

One thing that sets all types of smokers apart from other grills is the “low and slow” feature. The cooking process is usually no less than a few hours and can last days.

Whatever the flavor, usually determined by the type of wood that is the source of the smoke, it thoroughly penetrates the meat. They all have racks and a firebox with vents and a water pan for controlling temperature, airflow and moisture.

Like conventional grills, smokers can be fueled by gas, charcoal, electricity and wood.

Smoker Grills: Pros and Cons

When choosing smokers, the first step is knowing the different types of smokers. After you do your homework and know what your choices are you will see that all smokers do not work the same way and some types have features that others do not. Types of smokers include:

  • Vertical water smokers.  If you are new to smoking, a vertical water smoker is ideal. It looks like a garbage can containing racks, a fire pit and a water pan for regulating temperature and moisture.
    • Pros: fuel choice; ease of use; portable; affordable; efficient
    • Cons: need to watch temperature with care; many cheap and flimsy models out there
  • Electric smokers. Due to ease of use, has become a popular fuel.
    • Pros: can fuel all types of smokers; the easiest fuel for cleaning and maintaining; set it and forget it until the meat is done
    • Cons: lack of portability; must have power source.
  • Offset smokers.  Offset smokers are for the serious minded smoker, whether you are a professional or dedicated amateur. Designed for those who definitely not in a hurry. The offset smoker separates the firebox from the smoking chamber. This offset means that the meat gets only indirect heat and has little chance of burning. The heat and smoke have to pass through a baffle before being drawn through the smoking chamber and over the meat and out the chimney.
    • Pros: large chamber can hold a lot of meat of several varieties at once; little chance of burning meat
    • Cons: cheaper units may not seal tight and have inconsistent temperatures; generally more expensive

Smoker Grills: Is It for You?

Perhaps this give you an idea of what to look for if you are new to smoking. You have various types of smokers and fuel options. The types mentioned here should serve anyone thinking of getting into smoking very well. Do your research on smokers, take your time and you will soon be cooking fabulous bbq with the best of them.

Go back to Types of Grills Main Page
Go to iGrillBBQ.com Home Page from Smoker Grills