Maybe you’ve been cooking outdoors since those Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts days. Or maybe you learned the craft from that wise old parent, who explained the joys (and dangers) of a fire-cooked dinner on the back porch. The magic of grilling isn’t something that’s lost with age – but it is enhanced with the always-evolving tools of the trade. Here are five grills that can take your cooking game to the next level.
Cook like a pro with this grill/griddle from Blackstone. The griddle top is great for stir-fry dishes or breakfast items – make the world’s largest omelette with it. But the griddle top is easily removed, revealing a four-burner gas grill underneath. Throw the block’s largest cookout, and you’ll still have room for more burgers and dogs. An electric push-button starter gets the action going fast while secure wheels keep the unit in place.
Offering 240 square inches of grilling space means there’s room to accommodate more than 15 servings of food at once. A nonstick coating makes cleaning a breeze – and allows you to grill without butter or oil. If the weather outside isn’t ideal for grilling, just move the George Foreman indoors where it can be safely operated. (Hint: Because it’s an electric grill, it’s typically safe for use on apartment balconies too.)
Didn’t everyone grow up with a replica of this kettle grill on the back porch? This charcoal grill from Weber is so old school that it’s actually new school now. It can hold up to 13 burgers, and cleanup isn’t a chore anymore with the one-touch cleaning system. Don’t worry about leaving it in the rain; the porcelain-enameled lid won’t rust or peel, and dampers allow you to better control the grill’s temperature.
Buying and using a smoker might be intimidating to some backyard chefs. If you’ve watched too many TV shows about barbecue, you get the impression that smoking is an all-day, all-night endeavor. This digital electric smoker from Masterbuilt was designed for beginners or pros. Put away the charcoal and propane; just plug this smoker in, set the controls and relax. Four chrome-plated smoking racks offer plenty of cooking space for ribs, roasts, chicken and more.
It might seem unusual to see the name Cuisinart associated with a grill. The kitchen gear experts, however, offer a portable gas grill that will turn heads at your next tailgating party. A 146-inch enameled steel cooking grate is spacious (and removable for easy cleaning after the feast). And the best part? The grill requires no assembly. You can be cooking 10 minutes after this arrives at the front door.
