With warm weather finally on the way, it’s a time of joy and getting together for backyard events. One tried and true American tradition, the backyard barbecue, is a fun event for the entire family (and your friends). But a rusty old charcoal grill just isn’t going to give your food the right amount of sizzle, it means to impress everyone at the party. To unlock the best in flavor, cooking ability, and taste, you need an upgrade. That’s why you might want to consider getting a modern pellet grill for your barbecue this year. Pellet grills are inefficient and ingenious designs that can help you make worthwhile food for the entire season. Here are five reasons why you should consider getting one this summer.
Clean and Efficient
A key selling point of pellet grills is the delicious food they can help cooks create at any time of year. But did you also know that they’re incredibly clean and efficient? Pellet grills are some of the easiest grills to clean. Because of the way they’re designed, they can be cleaned quickly and efficiently. All you need to do is turn up the heat, let the temperature come down with the lid open, and give it a quick scrub. That’s it. Since cleaning and storage are so simple, you’ll probably use the grill a lot more often as well, making it an exceptional value you won’t want to live without.
Quality Construction and Distinct Functions
A grill is only as good as its construction quality. When you have an appliance, you want it to be of the utmost quality so it will last a long time. Grills are no different in this regard. One of the most significant signs of high quality is a large grilling surface. Control knobs should be diecast or heavy-duty, so they don’t break easily. Sometimes, accessories such as rotisserie grills and loads of extra features can also speak to the quality of a grill. Extra space, more burners, and built-in features are something to look out for when purchasing a new grill. Some grills can be built into an outdoor kitchen or be a completely independent unit. Pellet grills are also pretty versatile, so if you’re interested in simmering, frying, or sauteing, you certainly can do so on some types of smart pellet grills. Simply look for the features you desire and you’ll be grilling fine food in no time!
Wi-Fi
Among the many wonders of modern technology, you probably wouldn’t expect to find wi-fi-enabled tech on a grill. But in the case of modern pellet grills like the smart Traeger Timberline XL Wood Pellet Grill, users can take advantage of several smart features with built-in screens, functions, and Wi-Fi technology. If you want to monitor your food from your phone via an app (or just control your grill remotely), wifi can be a very useful feature for your grill. When you stop to consider what technology can accomplish in the world of cooking, it makes sense to select a grill that incorporates it effectively.
Large Stainless Steel Cooking Surface
When handling different cuts of meat, following the right procedures will always lead to a delicious, satisfying meal that won’t make you sick. The process always begins with thawing out your meat. Your grilling meats (but notably poultry and seafood) will all need to be cooked at different temperatures to avoid foodborne illness, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Remember to separate the distinct cuts of meat to avoid any possible cross-contamination. Mixing shellfish with burgers might not seem like a big deal when before cooking, but keep in mind that if they cross-contaminate, someone with a shellfish allergy can potentially get sick. And that’s precisely why you need a large grilling surface! A larger grilling surface lets you cook plenty of food simultaneously while avoiding cross-contamination. Stainless steel is also durable and easy to clean, making it one of the best materials for a cooking surface. There’s less potential for hotspots (parts of the grill that cook at different temperatures) and more potential for a magnificent, expertly grilled feast!
Built-in Temperature Sensing
Cooking food isn’t as complicated as it seems. Both cooking and preparing food should be pretty straightforward for most of us. Not everyone is going to be a five-star chef capable of preparing gourmet meals on a whim (nor should they want to be). Sometimes, nothing beats the satisfaction and succulence of perfectly grilled food. But there’s always that one caveat that comes with any form of cooking: getting them to the proper temperatures. In food safety, temperatures that fall between a certain range—between 40 and 140 degrees—
All poultry needs to be at 165 degrees or higher, hamburgers (and other beef-based foods) need to be temped at 160, and whole cuts of pork, beef, or fish need to be cooked up to at least 145 degrees to be safe for consumption. So, how do you ensure you don’t undercook any of these foods on your awesome grill? By using temperature sensors and built-in temperature sensing. Some newer grills offer such features, so be sure to look out for them when choosing the right grill for your summertime gatherings.