Everyone dreams about an outdoor kitchen. A place where you can gather your family and have a nice dinner, where you can bring your friends together and have a good time while having BBQ and a beer. Or simply a place where you can cook your meal and enjoy the al fresco dining on your own. This is a big but smart investment you’ll never regret. If you have a barbeque kitchen combined with a sink, fridge and counter space, you’ll never want to cook inside again.
Types of Grills
The main distinction between grills is the type of fuel they use. They can be gas, electric, charcoal or pellet grills. All of them have their pros and cons, and it’s up to you to consider all the options before buying.
Gas
There are many reasons why gas burners are so popular. One of the biggest ones is that they only have one knob or a switch that gets them started. Their temperature is easily regulated, and it work similarly to an oven. It doesn’t matter if you choose from the multi-purpose 6 burner outdoor grills or from the smaller, 3 burner ones, they’ll always be easy to handle. They come in many sizes which is very convenient.
This means you can fit them anywhere, even if you have limited space to work with. They can be fitted permanently in a counter or railing, moved around on a movable cart or base, or inserted into countertops. Gas grills are great if your outdoor area is covered or if you have local restrictions about charcoal or wood.
With these grills, you can use both natural gas and liquid propane. If you want to go with natural gas, you’ll have to connect the grill to your home’s natural gas pipelines. This can be a bit complicated and expensive to make, but it’s worth the investment in the long run. If you choose propane, you’ll save money in the beginning, but you’ll have to replace the tank as soon as it’s done. Keep in mind that these grills are big and not suitable for smaller spaces.
Charcoal
The invention of these grills led to the development of barbecuing and the beloved smoky flavour we all know and love. In addition to grilling, you can also use them for simmering, searing, baking and slow cooking. Price-wise, they’re cheaper than gas grills and come in many shapes and sizes. You can use briquettes or lump charcoal.
Lumps can be more expensive but are often the first choice of many experienced BBQ masters. They’re a good fire starter, are made of natural wood and don’t have any additives. Briquettes on the other hand have additives in them. Once burned, it can be hard to clean off the grill. Plus, they need more time to heat and cool down.
Electric
Electric grills are a great choice for people who don’t want to deal with an open flame. They can be used both outdoors and indoors if you have a good ventilation system. They’re simple to use. You plug them into an outlet, set the temperature and you’re ready to go. The only downside is that they’re smaller in size. But this can be a good fit for balconies or small patios.
Pellet
These grills are a combo of gas and charcoal grills. They heat up fast, are simple to handle and work perfectly for handling slow-cooking meat and vegetables. Plus, you can make a great smoke with them. You can also use them for baking because they work as a convection oven. In the most recent models, manufacturers included infrared cooking.
You can find them as big as 6-burner outdoor grills, or small to fit on a countertop. They come in a kettle or barrel style and can be freestanding or built-in. The only drawback is that they’re more expensive than the rest and you’ll have to use both pellets and electricity.
Kitchen Accessories
It’s time to complete and accessorise your outdoor kitchen now that you’ve learned all about the ideal BBQ for your outdoor kitchen. A few things will enable you to fully enjoy the experience and prepare the tastiest dishes ever.
Side Burners
This is a tool that will make doing the side dishes easier for you. Without ruining your 6-burner grill, you can boil potatoes, simmer food, heat water, cook beans slowly, and prepare sauces. Estimate your needs, how much you’ll cook, how many people will you host, and how much food you’ll prepare, and choose the right burner because they come in many different sizes. They can have different power levels which means different prices.
Griddles
Griddles can be a very practical thing to have in the kitchen. They’re basically a flat surface that goes on top of the grill and it helps you during your cooking. They’re great if you want to cook eggs, fish and vegetables, or some bacon. You can place griddles on the whole grill or cover just a part of it, depending on what you’re cooking. These accessories work on both gas and charcoal grills. But make sure you have the right measurements so you can get the right fit.
Deep Fryer
One of the best ways to enjoy a deep-fried fish is to prepare it in a deep frier. This is a favourite meal of many Australians and cooking it is always a good idea. There are so many things you can deep fry, potatoes, turkey, chicken, fish and many others.
Everything you cook will be crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside, the perfect textural combo. Deep fryers can be powered by gas or electricity and you should place them on a flat surface to avoid hot oil spills and accidents.
Pizza Oven
In addition to making pizza, these ovens are great for baking bread, and desserts and for cooking appetizers. One of the best ways to do it, is with the traditional, wood-fired oven. You may take some time to learn how to make a proper fire and how to control it, but it’s worth the time and effort.
Everything you get out of this oven will smell and taste amazing. If you don’t want to deal with wood, you can get a gas-fuelled pizza oven. It’s easier to control, can hold a temperature and it’s often portable.
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