Now that summer has arrived, we can eat al fresco. And what better way to celebrate than with a barbecue. There’s something primal about cooking over an open flame, and we love the amazing flavours a grill brings out in both vegetables and meats. If you’re in the market for a new grill, here’s a round-up of barbecues on the market today.
Charcoal grills
The Weber Summit 24-inch charcoal grilling center
Made of U.S. steel and coated with porcelain enamel inside and out, the Weber Summit 24-inch charcoal grill features a double walled bowl that traps air and acts as an insulator. This allows for a consistent temperature for up to 12 hours on a single load of charcoal. The two-position charcoal grate can also be raised to improve searing or lowered for smoking and has 452 square inches of cooking area. The Snap-Jet gas ignition system that runs on a 16-ounce propane cylinder enables you to start the fire with a gas flame. The large stainless-steel table provides a food prep/serving area as well as a removable charcoal storage container that can hold up to 22 pounds of charcoal.
Weber Original Kettle Premium 26-inch charcoal grill
The Weber Kettle charcoal grill boasts 508 square inches of cooking area. A stainless-steel, hinged cooking grate and a heavy-gauge porcelain-enameled bowl and lid provide long-lasting durability. Features such as a built-in thermometer, one-touch cleaning system and a tuck-away lid holder make it practical and beautiful.
Classic Silver cast aluminum charcoal grill and smoker by PK Grills
This portable grill from PK Grills is made of cast aluminum, and features a four-point venting system for easy temperature control. The capsule design allows heat to move around the grill, creating a convection effect, which cooks food from all sides. With 301 square inches of cooking surface and a grill that lifts off easily without tools, this barbecue is perfect for camping.
Gas/propane barbecues
Lynx Professional 30-inch propane-gas grill with one infrared trident burner and rotisserie
Perfect for outdoor kitchens, the Lynx 30-inch gas grill features high-grade stainless steel and a patented design that deflects wind from the grill surface for temperature stability during breezy conditions. The adjustable 23,000 BTU Lynx Trident infrared burner enables you to sear steaks perfectly or switch to the 25,000 BTU ceramic burner for more delicate items. There is also a three-speed rotisserie with infrared burner for slow roasting. That, combined with a 600-square-inch main cooking grid and an 840-square-inch secondary grid, makes this barbecue family-reunion ready. An added bonus is the large smoker box that allows you to add flavour.
Under $3,000
Blaze LTE 40-inch five-burner propane-gas grill with rear infrared burner and grill lights
With 915 square inches of cooking surface, the Blaze 40-inch gas grill boasts five commercial-quality stainless-steel burners that deliver a total of 70,000 BTUs of heat. It also has a 10,000 BTU infrared rear burner, perfect for rotisserie grilling. Cook multiple types of food easily using the heat zone separators. The full-width stabilizing grids minimize flare-ups and reduce cold spots. Moving the barbecue is easy because of its four, heavy-duty caster wheels. However, please note that a 110-volt power source is required wherever the barbecue is installed.
Under $1,500
Napoleon Prestige 500 propane grill with infrared rear and side burners
Manufactured in Canada, the Napoleon Prestige 500 is propane-powered, and has four stainless steel tube burners, providing up to 48,000 BTUs of power, a cooking surface of 500 square inches, and a warming area of 260 square inches. A high heat infrared side burner allows you to sear your steak while cooking other food on the grill, and a rear infrared rotisserie burner makes for perfectly roasted chicken. The stainless-steel cart also features folding shelves with integrated utensil holders and easy-roll casters for superior mobility. This grill also has the SafetyGlow illuminated controls that turns the knob from blue to red when a burner is in use. Perfect for nighttime.
Coyote C-Series 28-inch, two-burner propane gas grill
The Coyote C-Series 28-inch, two-burner propane grill comes pre-assembled (can you say “amazing”?) so you can start grilling right away. A 497-square-inch cooking area powered by two burners delivers up to 40,000 BTUs of heat, while control grids minimize flare-ups and distribute the heat evenly. A removable warming rack keeps food heated. Additional features include fold-down shelving for increased storage in the cart, an ignition system, and halogen grill lights for evening barbecuing.
Under $1,000
Napoleon Rogue XT 425 SIB stainless-steel, propane grill with infrared side burner
Manufactured in Canada, the Napolean Rogue XT 425 SIB propane grill is porcelain-coated, and has cast-iron wave cooking grids that make restaurant-style sear lines. The 9,000 BTU Sizzle Zone infrared side burners allow you to sear meat to perfection. It also features 42,000 BTUs of cooking power and a combined cooking area (grill, warming rack and side burner) of 665 square inches.
Everdure by Heston Blumenthal Furnace 52-inch, three-burner propane gas grill with stand
The Everdure Furnace propane grill by Heston Blumenthal has 27,000 BTUs of cooking power with 479 square inches of grilling space. Three burners featuring flame port holes enable a high grilling temperature within five minutes of ignition. Enamel-coated, cast-iron cooking grates have integrated tamers that prevent flare ups and burner port clogging, which keeps the grill clean. A high hood allows for enhanced air flow for convection cooking. Made of die-cast aluminum, this grill is durable and rust-proof. Available in Mint, Orange, Graphite and Stone.
Gas grills for camping
TEC G-Sport FR portable infrared propane gas grill
Featuring a unique infrared burner system, the TEC G-Sport FR grill uses 100 per cent infrared energy. This eliminates hot air and moisture loss by up to 35 per cent. Fuel efficient, the TEC patented flare-proof stainless-steel infrared burners, combined with the radiant glass emitter panel, ensures even heat distribution and no flare-ups. The 22,000 BTU self-cleaning grill has a 10-minute heat-up time and a cooking area of 309 square inches. It’s also certified to use on any surface, including wood.
Blaze professional portable propane grill
The Blaze portable gas grill brings all the quality and durability of the traditional Blaze grill on the road. With the same 12,000 BTU cast stainless-steel H-burner, 12-gauge stainless-steel flame tamer and hexagon cooking rods as in the professional series, the 201 square inches of grilling surface may be small in size but is packed with power. The ignition system ensures a steady, reliable flame with every start. This barbecue is designed to use a one-pound propane cylinder or a 20-pound tank with an included tank adapter, and the grill lid can be locked shut with two front-facing clasps when not in use. •
For more information on these grills or for info on others, visit the BBQ Guys at www.bbqguys.com. Happy grilling!
