INDULGENCES house and home by joel martens We Be Grillin’
THE TIME OF YEAR FOR GRILLING IN SOCAL—HMMM EVERY DAMN DAY! I learned early on how to work a grill, even in the frozen
tundra of Northern Wisconsin, the summers allowed us the luxury of meats, vegetables, fruits and just about everything you can imagine seared to perfection. I have always had an immense amount of respect for the successful operator of a grill, be it traditional charcoal or, as my father would say: “those new-fangled gas contraptions.”
DAD’S IDEA OF A GRILL WAS VERY TRADITIONAL AND VERY HOMEMADE:
Step One: Take a 50-gallon steel drum (preferably one that has never housed a flammable liquid). Step Two: Fire up your acetylene torch (hence the non- flammable liquid precursor) and cut the sucker in half. Step Three: Get out your arc welder (I am so butch, cuz’ I ac- tually know how to operate both items mentioned so far). Step Four: Weld (DO NOT look into the light) four pipe flanges, two hinges and one handle on to said 50-gallon barrel. Step Five: Attach four galvanized pipes (preferably the same length) by screwing them into said flanges. Step Six: Add a steel grid to the bottom, and a grilling rack at cut level (laying charcoal and prodigious amounts of
lighter fluid between for terrifying pyrotechnic display while lighting) and presto! You have a grill to last at least five years (or until the bottom rusts out forcing you to repeat steps one through five).
I have chosen to take a more civilized approach to grill- ing and invested in my very own gas “contraption.” I have dragged it from place to place gleefully charring food for friends. You haven’t lived until you’ve had my grilled tortellini, it is amazing! Generally speaking, there are as many grills out there
as there are models of cars (and then some). Literally, you can spend as little as $19 or up to $10,000 for what some would consider the Bentley in the category. I’ve kept the price range below $500 so most everyone has an option.
TABLETOP GRILLS: For about $200 the Weber Q-220 Portable is a great little number, it packs up to be less than 32 inches, yet this grill is big enough to cook a whole chicken. The unit has push-button ignition for easy, reliable lighting, an infinitely adjustable burner valve with a high-quality regulator, two tuck-away work tables with built-in tool holders, a cast aluminum lid and body, and it operates on a standard 14.1 ounce propane cylinder. A lot of bang for your buck and perfect if you have a tiny yard or deck. Napoleon Prestige II Freestyle is the ugly duckling in the portable grill pond, but it is made from T304 stainless steel, has electronic ignition, folding legs and a removable drip pan. It has 215 sq. in. of primary cooking area, a fold-up warming rack that offers great versatility when you cook and operates on a one-pound propane cylinder or optional four-inch hose to attach a 20-pound tank.
It is perfect for condo/apartment living and has mounting kits for boats or the tailgate of your truck!
UNDER $250.00: Budget, budget, budget—it seems like we are all suffering from starved-wallet-syndrome.
If that is part
of your concern, and you are a serious griller, the Broil- Mate Reddi-Bilt 15516 is the one for you. It isn’t pretty compared to the shiny modern versions but if you are looking for solid construction that will last for years, plenty of cooking space at 700 sq. in., a side burner and a whopping 44,000 BTUs on the main burners, you’ll flip your chuck-wagon for this baby. Next is the Brinkmann Four-Burner Gas Grill 810- 9410-S. A grill with a lot of features for the money, but be aware that you do get what you pay for. Care of these lower end grills is essential, cover them, clean them and you will have it for several years. It puts out 40,000 BTUs, has a primary cooking area of 700 sq. in., a side burner, and a bonus rotisserie burner (though you have to buy the rotisserie kit separately), a grill that lets you do virtu- ally anything.
UNDER $500.00: Priced at approximately $350 or so, the Ducane Affin-
ity 3100 Series Grill offers long life for a truly moderate price. This three-burner grill has 750 sq. in. of cooking area, has a 36,000 BTU output and is the most inexpen- sive grill made by Weber— a name long associated with grilling. This means a good design with great support and decent longevity. The Stok Quattro is a sexy and innovative grill because
of their exclusive insert system that allows you to ex- change the grill grate for a pizza stone, griddle, veggie tray or any other of their grilling attachments. It has four burners with 48,000 BTUs, a large cooking area at 600 sq. in. including its warming unit. It also has an innovative heat tenting system that optimizes even heating and controls flare-ups. All in all this is just a beginning list and there are a myriad of choices, hopefully this will help you narrow your search. Remember there is more than one perfect way to have a BBQ, all you do is invite friends, fire up the grill, eat, drink and be merry!
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RAGE monthly | APRIL 2011
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