Kamado Archives | Grills Forever

3 Tested Ways to Clean Your Big Green Egg Fast! Try One of Them Now!

Dan Morrison — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 09:27:03 +0000

If you have a Big Green Egg, it is of the utmost importance to clean and maintain it to preserve its quality and usability. They are expensive, costing upwards of $1000, but they are also versatile and extremely hardy. Now, because they are so valuable, you should not only know how to use these amazing kamado smokers but also how to clean them well. There are many ways to clean your Big Green Egg, including basic cleaning, ash cleaning, mold cleaning, and burn cleaning. These types of cleaning may sound complicated, but in reality, they are similar. Whenever cleaning the Big Green Egg, it is important to note not to use water or liquids, as opposed to cleaning wood pellet grills. Because the Big Tree Egg is made of ceramic, it requires care and attention with a specific cleaning method. These methods all follow the same steps and warnings. Along with these regular cleanings, it is also important to know how to maintain it in order to preserve it for years to come.

How to Clean Your Big Green Egg?

There are many ways to clean your Big Green Egg, with each way being suited for a different purpose. Here are some cleaning tips that we at Grills Forever often follow. Check them out!

1. Basic Cleaning:

For basic cleanup, simply let it burn for a bit after cooking and scrape any residue off with a spatula or grill scraper. Then, wipe the exterior down with a damp cloth.

2. Ash Cleaning:

For ash cleanup, just attach an ash pan to the bottom of the egg and use an ash tool to scrape the ash from inside of the egg. Because the Big Green Egg does not produce large amounts of ash, this is only required every so often. The method of cleaning explained below, which you should do regularly, every so often, is relatively easy and simple to do.

First, scrape off any gunk or residue off of the insides in the lid and around the inside of the chamber using some steel wool or a rough sponge. You want to avoid using chemicals or water that can damage the ceramic inside your grill. Next, empty out any ash in the ash chamber and use around 5 pounds of a bag of charcoal to let the Big Green Egg clean burn. Let it sit for around an hour while it burns at around 600 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the grill has cooled down enough, scrape as much ash as possible through the bottom vent. Then, use a tough sponge or a piece of aluminum foil to clean out the vent holes along the sides. Remove the grate and them clean out any remaining ash. If you have a stainless steel grill, you can wash it with soapy water and a sponge. With a cast iron grill, however, you should use a wire brush to scrub it down and scrape off all the food particles.

3. Mold Cleaning:

To clean any mold or other residues, simply burn it off like the method shown above. If the mold is on the outside, simply wipe it down with a damp cloth. Be sure to clean off any mold you find as if you happen to leave it, it may be detrimental to your healthy grilling efforts. These Big Green Egg cleaning methods will help you preserve it for as long as possible.

Maintenance Tips:

Along with cleaning the Big Green Egg, storing it properly and maintaining it well is also essential.

When not in use, never allow any rain or water to get inside your grill. Especially during cold weather, it is important to either store it or keep it completely covered as if rain happens to get in the inside, it will seep through the ceramic. Once it turns into ice, it will expand and possibly crack your grill.

Never use water or any other chemicals to clean out the grill as this may lead to the same issue.

Always clean and cover your Big Green Egg before storage. This will require a thorough cleaning, described in the paragraph above.

It is advised to clean your Big Green Egg right after each use and any time before storage. This will discourage the buildup of food particles or residue from sauces when cooking the next time or the buildup of mold when being stored.

Clean out the interior and dispose of any ash before storing your Big Green Egg. Since it doesn’t come with any ash cleaning system, you’ve to do it manually.

Make sure everything is dry and be sure to clean out any vents. During storage, check periodically for any moisture that may have built up under the cover and just to be safe, store it in a cool dry space.

If you find that in storage, your Big Green Egg has come to collect any mold, just clean it off using the methods described above as quickly as possible.

If you maintain and store it properly, this expensive investment will serve you for years to come.

Conclusion:

A Big Green Egg may be an expensive grill, but it is versatile and extremely sturdy. By taking care of it properly, it will remain usable for many, many years. When cleaning the Big Green Egg, it is always important to remember to never ever use water or liquids to clean the insides. Usually, scraping off any gunk with a tough sponge or aluminum foil and burning off the rest will clean it just fine. Make sure to clean out the vents, grill, grates, insides, and outsides every so often.

make good use

The post 3 Tested Ways to Clean Your Big Green Egg Fast! Try One of Them Now! appeared first on Grills Forever.

6 Major Types of Grills: Which One Do You Want?

Dan Morrison — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 12:53:23 +0000

Picking the right grill for yourself can be a challenging task! For many it’s almost the same as purchasing a new car. There are a ton of different aspects that must be considered when making your perfect selection. Ranging from the material of the grill, surface area, energy consumption, and a plethora of other criteria. Different types of grills suit different user’s needs, that’s why there are so many options out there!

Any barbecuer who has been around the block would tell you that the most important thing to look for when considering to buy a grill is to decide what matters the most to you such as speed, efficiency, convenience, and flavor.

However, everything comes down to personal preference and that’s why it’s important to choose a grill that fits your lifestyle perfectly and that will make every meal an amazing one.

Types of Grills

Gas Grills

Gas grills are the most popular grills being sold in the United States. Quick to reach optimal heat temperatures and efficient liquid propane consumption makes gas grills an attractive purchase for the casual barbecuer who likes to make some burgers and ribs for a family get together or a party without putting in too much time or effort. On top of that, they cool quickly and are easy to clean. There are a lot of different variations to the types of gas grills, let’s get started.

1.Freestanding Gas Grills

Freestanding gas grills have a major advantage over your classic big grilling that they can be easily transported and moved around without extra hassle. Easy, and convenient, like an outdoor high powered microwave.

2.Built-In Gas Grills

A built-in gas grill is much smaller than a freestanding or full sized gas grill. They are designed to take up a minimal amount of space and to sit soundly on top of an island cooking base. Perfect for barbecue aficionados who are limited by space but still want to experience the pleasure of delicious home cooked barbecue food! Generally, freestanding grills are less expensive than your standard grill. The flexibility built in gas grills provide is perfect for those who are looking to design a backyard cooking space.

3.Infrared Gas Grills

Infrared gas grills work by igniting elements such as propane or natural gas in order to head ceramic tile. The benefit of this is that the heat from the grill spreads equally across the entire cooking surface, allowing users to quickly sear and prepare their foods and cook burgers, steaks, vegetables, kebabs, veggies, fish, and sausages the same way a normal gas grill can.

4.Natural gas grills

Natural gas grills have been seeing an increase in popularity during recent years. Efficient, fast, functional, and easy to use. Natural gas grills are usually powered by the same pipeline that connects the gas line that you use inside your home.

Things to be considered

Best for:Anybody who wants some delicious and healthy grilled meat, vegetables or fish fast and conveniently made without any extra hassle during a weeknight or weekend. Perfect for anyone who wants to pop out a tasty quick burger or steak without spending too much time on grilling.
Disadvantages:The heat from gas grills does not get as hot as charcoal grills, also consider high costs. The general consensus is that foods cooked on gas grills carries less of a “classic bbq” taste than charcoal grills.
What to Look for:We recommend looking for a grill that has various heat sources, good propane consumption. Pay attention to the grill material – is it stainless steel? Is it thick or thin? Does the size of the grill fit within your constraints?And of course, how many burgers you can cook at the same time.
Price range:Gas grills can cost anywhere between 100$-2,000$+ Depending on the size, type, quality, and name brand.

Charcoal Grills

Charcoal type grills are the second most popular type of grill. They require store bought charcoal to function. The coal is lit with fire and lighter fluid, and burns out over the course of a few hours. These grills are best suited for people who have a little bit more time on their hands to mess around with the whole coal process. However, after getting their hands a little dirty, barbecuers get to enjoy fine, smoky, classical barbecue food of a unique quality that’s hard to match on other grills!

1. Charcoal Kettle Grills

Charcoal Kettle Grills are much smaller than your standard sized charcoal grill, and thus are easier to transport around. Ideal for those wanting to bring that classic smoky barbecue flavor with them wherever they go. Perfect for an on the go bbq.

2. Kamado Grills

Traditionally Kamado grills were designed to be a movable type of grill. The idea for these grills originated in Japan, though it has become rather popular in the United States as of recent. Sometimes known as the Kamado style cooker. It’s recommended that lump wood charcoal be used when utilizing these grills so that the food retains its natural taste and doesn’t get contaminated with metals or charcoal residue.

3. Traditional Charcoal Grills

Aah, the traditional charcoal grill. For those seeking the ultimate flavor. Usually made with thick cast iron. These grills are heavy duty, and the quality of the food made in these is pure mouthwatering pleasure.

Things to be considered

Best for: Those who want a little bit of extra flavor once in a while and don’t mind spending the time or getting their hands a little dirty with charcoal for those extra elements of flavor to satisfy the taste buds. Definitely for the more serious and experienced grillers out there.
Disadvantages: Takes longer than a gas grill to get started, usually followed with a messy cleanup process. Coals can take up to 30 minutes to heat up. Difficult to keep hot in cold temperatures and heavy winds. Charcoal can sometimes cost more than propane gas.
What to Look for: When buying a charcoal grill, it’s important to not cheap out, as this is an investment. Keep your eye out for the type of grates your grill comes with, cast iron or stainless steel are the best. Make you sure you’re ready to put in the effort to clean these grills. And remember to always have some coal on hand!
Price range: Small portable charcoal grills are usually cheap and cost anywhere from 20$-200$. You can get a standard grill anywhere from 150$ – 1,000$+. Depending on the size, type, quality, and name brand.

Electric Grills

These types of grills are easy and simple to operate. Perfect for people who would like to use a grill indoors. Traditionally, Electric grills draw their grilling power from a 120v or 220v power source, such as a power outlet. Generally, the 120 models are usually smaller and more compact than the 220 ones. But these grills are so easy to use, its literally plug and play, perfect for an in-house bbq.

Things to be considered

Best for:Apartment dwellers, and for those who don’t want anything to do with the inconvenience of most traditional grills. Electric grills equal plug and play.
Disadvantages:You don’t get the traditional bbq experience. And you can’t use these grills if you don’t have an outlet or power source nearby. So forget grilling in the middle of nowhere!
What to Look for:Look for electric grills that are easy to start up, have a timer, doesn’t hog power, and matches your price.
Price range:Most Electric grills can be purchased for below 200$, Depending on size, type, quality, and name brand.

Wood fire Grills(Pellet grills)

Wood fire grills were the first grills ever used by man. Probably because no barbecue tastes as good as a wood fire barbecue! Usually these types of grills are sold as open grills without a good. Wood grills provide a unique smoke taste to anything that they are used to cook. It’s hard to beat that flavor.

Things to be considered

Best for:Anyone who is interested in traditional old style grilling and bbq’ing and being a little fancy and doesn’t mind spending time to get that irreplaceable woody, smoky taste.
Disadvantages:Takes a long time for the fire to get roaring and to burn down well enough to start cooking. However, you need to constantly keep an eye out for when you need to replenish he wood. Can be costly.
What to Look for:Wood grills are pretty easy to pick out. Make sure it’s safe and that the flame is easily controllable. Go by something stylish and within your price range.
Price range:A Wood grill can cost anywhere between60$-1,000$ Depending on size, type, quality, and name brand.

Ceramic Grills

Ceramic grills have been seeing a growing increase in popularity recently. They work wonders retaining optimal temperatures, the air flow on these grills is usually more limited than on others, and thus the meat comes out juicier. Perfect for maintaining steady temperatures over many hours. These grills are ideal for cooking efficiently and fast.

Things to be considered

Best for:Barbecuer’s who like to cook large amounts of food over a long period of time without having to go through a setup process over and over.
Disadvantages:Ceramic grills are more expensive than most other grills on the market. They also weigh a lot so they aren’t easy to move, which can be a big drawback for many users.
What to Look for:When buying a ceramic grill, you need to look for size and thickness of the material, and figure out how much food you are going to cook at the same time to make sure that the high cost of a ceramic grill makes sense.
Price range:Ceramic grills can cost anywhere between400$-2000$+Depending on size, type, quality, and name brand.

Portable Grills

All general grills come in a portable size. Some are actually provided with inbuilt gasoline or charcoal heat sources.

Things to be considered

Best for:Those looking to cook on the move or anyone who simply wants a smaller grill. Ideal for beach trips, parties, and tailgating.
Disadvantages:These grills are much smaller in size compared to their counterparts, so the surface area would be limited affecting the amount of food you can cook at the same time.
What to Look for:It all depends on preference and the amount of bang you can get for your buck. Pay attention to material, energy consumption, and surface area.
Price range:Portable grills can range anywhere from10$ + Depending on size, type, quality, and name brand.

What’s your style?

In the end picking a grill all comes down to personal preference and style of cooking. For those who are looking for something quick, easy, and efficient, a gas grill would be the way to go. Want to enjoy a juicy steak or burger from the comfort of your apartment? Check out electric grills. Don’t mind spending some time to get that awesome smoky flavor to your food, consider ceramic, wood, and charcoal grills. Like to travel and cook on the go? Anything portable will fulfill your bbq needs.

Final words

There’s a lot to consider when picking out the perfect grill for your needs. Approach your decision with care! Hey, and if you pick one grill and decide that you fancy another, remember, there’s no wrong in having two grills if you have enough space! In fact, the most important thing is to enjoy your food and have fun – exactly what the Grills Forever team always cares about!

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