Mastering the Grill

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Mastering the Grill

Barbecues power backyard living By Shelley Sakala

Right about the time the rest of the country is winding down their summer activities, Phoenix is just hitting that sweet spot.

Hot during the day, but not too hot. Cooler temps in the evening, but not too cool. Th at back patio you’ve worked so hard to prepare is about to get some heavy-duty usage for the next few months. And the engine that powers backyard living is your grill.

There’s something special about food cooked outside. Nobody gathers around an oven or a frying pan. But hanging out and shooting the breeze while you’re fl ipping drumsticks and brats is completely acceptable. Th e sizzle … the smells … the sight of an open fl ame … it’s all part of a wonderfully American ritual as familiar as the Pledge of Allegiance.

We are in a golden age of grilling. Never before have there been so many equipment choices, ranging from the classic charcoal briquettes and lighter fl uid setup to superslick, gas-burning, Bluetooth-enabled barbecue battle stations. You can get in the game for $25 and be cooking within the hour. Or put the next stimulus check toward a grill that costs more than your fi rst car. Th ere are price points for everyone, not to mention options like smokers, hibachi tops, rotisseries, pizza ovens and deep fryers. To help stave off choice overload, here are fi ve ways to get cookin’ this fall:

Cuisinart CCG190 Portable Charcoal Grill:

Little grill, little price tag. Th is super-popular charcoal grill got our attention by averaging 4 stars out of more than 2,000 customer reviews. It’s 14 inches of fury—perfect for a few burgers or a couple of steaks. Great for small groups and small outdoor spaces. An excellent grill for road trips and campouts. Portable and aff ordable. $25 on Amazon. Th e Geaux Backyard Hibachi Grill: Th is propane-fueled flat-top grill resembles a cooking table at a Japanese restaurant. Th is versatile unit handles high-heat searing

for perfect steaks. Or dial down the heat to make eggs, pancakes and stir-fried vegetables. Nearly 6 square feet of cooking space, and the shrimp don’t fall through the grill! $795 at backyardhibachi.com.

American Muscle Grill Freestanding Dual

Fuel Wood/Charcoal/Gas Grill: Is it over the top? Defi nitely. Do we want one anyway? Absolutely! Modeled aft er the 1969 Shelby GT 350 Mustang. Lots of steel and chrome, with a huge cooking surface and 176,000 BTU of high-performance grilling. Combines the best of gas and charcoal grilling, allowing you to use anything from charcoal to pellets to hardwood for incredible versatility. $13,700 on Amazon. Free shipping! Traeger Pro 575 Pellet Grill: Billed as the best-selling pellet grill in the world. Cooking with a smoker is a whole new experience for

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those who are used to the instant gratifi cation of a gas grill. Smoking your food requires longer cooking times and lower temperatures. It’s like a Crock Pot for your backyard but more manly. Advanced planning and patience are your friends. Delicious food is your reward. $800 at traegergrills.com.

Stark Deluxe 30 QT Aluminum Tur

key Deep Fryer: Big enough to handle an 18-pound Th anksgiving turkey and just about anything else you throw at it. Soups, stews, gumbo, jambalaya and crowd-pleasing seafood boils. Th e included thermometer measures from 50 to 500 degrees, removing the guesswork from your cooking experience. $130 on Amazon.

Shelley Sakala is a local Realtor with The Sakala Group, and an 85085 resident.

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