Author: John Bird

Coffee, BBQ, grill - I've done them all when I worked at the actual Boat Basin Cafe Downtown New York years ago before it closed down. I've since been sharing my expertise and knowledge here to help you make your mornings more fragrant and your backyard more exciting.

Easy Dutch Oven Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe

Posted on by John Bird

No Dutch oven corned beef and cabbage recipe is complete without talking about the origin of this dish and its connection to St. Patrick’s Day.

The Origin of Dutch Oven Corned Beef and Cabbage 

Celebrated on March 17th, St. Patrick’s Day is a religious festival that marks the passing of the Irish patron saint. The Irish immigrants in the US turned St. Patrick Day from a purely religious celebration to one that commemorates everything Irish. Down to the corned beef and cabbage meal that’s part and parcel of this special day although among the immigrant population only. Back home in Ireland, the preferred meat is bacon or lamb. 

The Irish were not traditionally beef-eaters. They raised cattle for working the farms and for milk. They did not kill their cattle for food unless they stopped giving milk or became too old. 

Ireland used to export live cattle to England as the latter loved to eat beef. But this came to an end with the Cattle Acts of 1663 and 1667. Ireland had a surplus of cattle. Fortunately, the salt tax in Ireland was 1/10th times lower than that in England. 

This meant that top-quality salt was used to preserve the premium quality Irish beef. The salt crystals were the size of corn kernels and so, the term “corned beef” stuck. 

And that’s how the Irish corned beef came into being. As far as cabbage is concerned, it was the only affordable vegetable that the Irish immigrants could afford. Torn by war and famine, the Irish were forced to flee their land and settle in the USA. 

Their fate was similar to that of the Jewish immigrants in the USA. Both the Jewish and the Irish communities forged friendly relations and the recipe of corned beef and cabbage has some Jewish influence. 

Now that we know the origin of the dish, let’s move on to the more important part – how to cook corned beef and cabbage in the oven!

How Long does it Take To Cook Dutch Oven Corned Beef 

All good things take some time and so does corned beef and cabbage in a Dutch oven.

Since we’re talking about the meat from the front part of the cattle, it takes some time to penetrate through the brisket and make it tender, flavorful, and forkable. And nothing short of 5 hours of slow cooking does the job. 

Ingredients 

  •  2 to 4 pounds of flat or point-cut beef brisket.3.5 pounds is enough for a family of five. 

While it’s easier to fork a point-cut, you’ll find it more convenient to slice through a flat cut of brisket. 

  • 1 tablespoon Steak seasoning. 
  • Seasoning packet that comes with the beef brisket. 
  • 2 bay leaves.
  • 1 large onion, cut into quarters.
  • 4 large carrots, cut into chunks.
  • 1 cabbage head, cut into wedges.
  • 6 large potatoes, quartered. 
  • 2 bottles (12 oz) dark beer or light beer.
  • 10 cups beef or vegetable broth or water for 4 pounds of corned beef. You need to adjust the amount of liquid depending on whether you’re going to add beer or not. 

Preparation

person slicing green vegetable on brown wooden chopping board

You can reduce the prepping time for the Dutch oven corned beef and cabbage in the oven recipe.

While you preheat the oven, you can tackle the brisket by washing, drying, and removing excess fat. 

While the brisket is being boiled in the first hour, you can use that time to chop the vegetables. 

So overall, the prep time is:

  • Washing and trimming the fat from the beef brisket – 10 minutes.
  • Peeling and chopping vegetables – 10 minutes.

Dutch Oven Corned Beef with Cabbage Recipe

beef slices

This traditional recipe of the Irish-American meal served on St. Patrick’s Day is a finger-licking experience for the whole family. Just one serving of corned beef with cabbage and other vegetables will make your heart and your tummy very happy!

Step-By-Step Instructions

If you’re wondering how to cook corned beef in the oven, the following steps will help you make this dish for St. Patrick’s Day or any other day. 

  1. Take out the corned beef brisket piece from its packaging and allow it to reach room temperature. 
  1. Trim off excess fat but if it’s a pointcut with some fat cap, you should leave it as fat adds flavor to this one-pot dish.
  1. Wash thoroughly and pat to dry.
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 
  1. Layer the bottom of the Dutch oven with the quartered onions. You can add the potatoes and carrots at this point or add them to the pot after three hours of cooking. 

If you’re a fan of herbs, add some rosemary at the bottom of the pot with the onions. Choose a sprig of the herb to place on the beef brisket. 

  1. Place the corned beef brisket on the onion layer and sprinkle seasoning from the packet and the bay leaves over it. 

In case you don’t get a seasoning packet with the brisket, use pickling spices.

  1. Add water or broth or beer until everything is submerged well. 
  1. Put in the oven and let cook for an hour until the corned beef is boiled. 
  1. If you see scum rising to the top of the Dutch oven, remove it with a spoon and refill it with liquid. 
  1. After one hour, reduce the heat to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and let it cook for two hours. 
  1. Turn over the corned beef piece and add to the pot carrots and potatoes with more seasoning like salt and pepper or the seasoning that came with the brisket. 
  1. Add the cabbage wedges and cook for another 30 minutes to one hour without the lid. 
  1. Remove the Dutch oven corned beef and cabbage wedges and other vegetables and wait for a few minutes. 
  1. Single-serve in bowls with your choice of a side dish. Remember to remove the bay leaves before serving. 

Top Ten Tips

Follow these tips to cook a great Dutch oven corned beef with cabbage. 

  1. Use a 7-quart Dutch oven so that all the ingredients are well covered by the liquid. 
  1. If you want to shred the corned beef, choose a point-cut beef brisket as the fat in this cut makes it easier to shred. 
  1. Instead of water, you can use beef broth or light or dark beer. Beer also acts as a tenderizer.
  1. To know if the corned beef is done, put a fork in the center. The meat should feel tender. 
  1. Don’t make the potato pieces too small as they will become mushy. If you have cut them into small cubes, add them in the last one hour of cooking. 
  1. It’s best to leave the potatoes whole but make sure to pierce them from all sides with a fork so that they absorb all the juices and flavors. 
  1. For the cabbage to be crispy, add the pieces in the last hour of cooking in the Dutch oven. 
  1. You can cook corned beef and cabbage in a crockpot but in that case, you should slow cook for 10 hours. Otherwise, the meat won’t be done to perfection. 
  1. Don’t throw away the broth after serving the Dutch oven corned beef and cabbage. Use it to make soup or stew later. 
  1. Cut slices against the meat grain to make it fork-tender. 

Traditional Recipes

Traditional recipes didn’t use corned beef at all but boiled bacon. However, with the change in circumstances, there was a birth of a new traditional way of making corned beef with cabbage. 

It has become a tradition to use red potatoes as these retain their texture and shape unlike the other types of potatoes. It’s important to prevent the potatoes from getting mixed and mashed into the beef brisket broth and losing their taste. 

Although you can add any vegetables you want, the traditional Irish recipe added carrots. Both potatoes and carrots are ingrained in the Irish diet. 

Nowadays you get the ready-to-cook beef brisket from stores. But to follow a traditional recipe, you need to brine the beef brisket at home with pink curing salt, salt, warm water, and brown sugar. 

To neutralize the sharp salty taste of corned beef, some recipes add brown sugar to make the beef sweet. However, if you prefer not to have the veggies taste sweet, you can leave out the brown sugar. 

Modernized Recipes

Sandwich, Julesandwich, Svinekam, Roast Pork

You can give a twist to the basic recipe of Dutch oven corned beef and cabbage to make it more modernized. 

For example, you can stir up corned beef and red cabbage sandwiches.

Corned Beef and Red Cabbage Sandwich Recipe

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make 8 corned beef and red cabbage sandwiches::

  • 16 slices of bread of your choice.
  • Softened butter as required.
  • 8 slices of cheese.
  • 7.9 oz of red cabbage, thinly sliced.
  • 35.3 oz corned beef.
  • 1 cup red wine vinegar. 
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt flakes. 
  • Freshly ground black pepper as per taste.
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar. 

Step-by-Step Process 

Just follow the steps mentioned below for a yummylicious corned beef and red cabbage sandwich. 

  1. Preheat a slow cooker with 1½ cups water, vinegar, brown sugar, salt, and pepper in it. 
  1. Put the beef brisket in the center of the pot and arrange the red cabbage slices.
  1. Cook for 6 hours with the lid covered. 
  1. After the beef is done, put it on a large plate, wait for 10 minutes, and cut it into slices. 
  1. Strain all the liquid from the cabbage. 
  1. Spread butter on the bread slices and grill each side for a minute. 
  1. On each of the 8 pieces of bread, put a slice of cheese and grill until the cheese melts. 
  1. Top the melted cheese side with slices of corned beef. 
  1. Add the red cabbage slices and top with the remaining 8 slices of bread.

Side Dishes to Enjoy with Dutch Oven Corned Beef and Cabbage 

If you’re thinking about which side dishes go perfectly with your corned beef and cabbage meal, here are a few ideas. 

  • Dutch oven bread
  • Beer bread
  • Irish soda bread
  • A dipping sauce of spicy mustard

Conclusion 

Once you have made Dutch oven corned beef and cabbage, you’re likely to make it a few more times throughout the year. 

The tenderest and juiciest block of beef brisket along with the flavorful veggies is sure to win the hearts of everyone in the family. 

You have the option to make the dish in a Dutch oven or a crock pot or a pressure cooker. 

Plus, you can tweak the traditional recipes and make a more modern version that would appeal to everyone. 

All in all, it’s a flexible meal, both in terms of ingredients and the cooking method and you can’t go wrong with it!

How to Cook Frozen Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer: Get Crispy and Juicy Nuggets Every Time!

Posted on by John Bird

If you are looking for a snack that is quick and easy to make, you can’t go wrong with frozen chicken nuggets! The word ‘healthy’ is not often paired with fried chicken nuggets. However, if you make these frozen treats in the air fryer, the nuggets will turn out both healthy and tasty!

Deep frying anything on the stove is not only difficult but also messy and dangerous. The oil splatters are hard to clean and can end up burning your skin.

And let’s not forget how they usually either come out completely burnt, uncooked on the inside, or an unholy mixture of both.

This is why air fryers are a necessity for fried food lovers. You get healthier snacks with the least hassle. So without further ado, let’s look at how to make the crispiest and juiciest frozen chicken nuggets with an air fryer.

How to Cook Frozen Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer: Get Crispy and Juicy Nuggets Every Time! 1

The Process of Cooking Chicken Nuggets in Air Fryer

How to cook frozen chicken nuggets in an air fryer? If you love frozen fried food, you may be tempted to invest in a dedicated deep fryer. A deep fryer helps make the process of frying frozen food easier and you always get better results. But if you are interested in keeping your diet healthy, an air fryer will always be the best option.

The process of cooking chicken nuggets in an air fryer is fast and so simple that even your children can use it! Try the following steps for making delicious air fryer frozen chicken nuggets:

  • Apply a light layer of oil into the detachable food basket of the air fryer. Do not use aerosol cooking spray as they have chemicals that can damage the insides of your machine.
  • Add a single layer of frozen chicken nuggets. Make sure the nuggets are spaced out. Adding too many will give you poor results.
  • You don’t need to add oil to an air fryer. However, if you want to give the nuggets a drizzle of olive oil, sesame oil, or butter, you can.
  • Set your temperature at 400°F, and “fry” for 6 minutes. After 6 minutes, you can choose to flip them over. Cook for another 6 or until they are done.
  • These air fryer chicken nuggets can be super hot, so you must be careful while taking them out. Use a tong to remove them from the basket one at a time.

Additional Tips for Making Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer

Some people are so scared of air fryers that they would rather cook their frozen chicken nuggets in an oven. While you will get decent results if you do it right, nothing can beat air fryers in terms of health and convenience.

If you are still afraid to use this fast and handy machine, these additional tips can make it easier for you:

  • Most people don’t know that you need to preheat your air fryer. Set the desired temperature and preheat for four to five minutes to get the best results!
  • Consider applying a light layer of oil at the bottom of the air fryer food basket to avoid the food getting stuck to it.
  • Do not use an aerosol cooking oil spray as they have chemicals that can damage the inside of the air fryer. Use an oil mister-type bottle for a light spritz.
  • Space out the frozen chicken nuggets so that they don’t get stuck to each other when they are cooking.
  • Don’t defrost your chicken nuggets before placing them in the machine. Pull them apart if they are stuck together and add them as is.
  • Air fryers have a notorious reputation for drying out food and making it rubbery. The moisture that is frozen to the chicken nuggets will help keep it moist on the inside and crispy on the outside!
  • You can flip them over halfway through if that makes you feel better. However, it is unnecessary.
  • Can you cook chicken nuggets and fries together in the air fryer? You absolutely can! Potatoes take a longer time to fry, so add them five to six minutes ahead of the chicken. Make sure you space them out so that everything cooks evenly.
chicken nuggets

How Long to Put Frozen Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer

If you were wondering how long to cook frozen chicken nuggets in an air fryer, you will be surprised to know that you can do so in under 15 minutes. This is almost as fast as making a pot of drip coffee!

Fry the nuggets in the air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for around 10 to 12 minutes. If you are using vegan chicken nuggets, only cook them for six to eight minutes. Remember that it’s plant-based (not starches like potatoes!) items take a shorter time to cook!

How to Make Your Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Extra Crispy

An air fryer uses hot air to make fried food crispy. A minute or two extra in the air fryer will give your fried food a crispier skin.

The dual power of hot air and oil can also help you make your frozen chicken nuggets extra crispy. So spray a light layer of oil on the frozen nuggets and cook at them for a few minutes longer to get that crispy golden skin.

How to Reheat Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer

You made a batch of chicken nuggets that you couldn’t finish and now they have gotten all cold, soggy, and tasteless. But, don’t worry. You can easily reheat the chicken nuggets in your air fryer!

Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees then add your chicken nuggets, making sure not to stack them on top of one another. Lay them out in a single layer on the food basket and leave some space between them. Cook for four to five minutes and eat them while still hot as you don’t want to let them get cold again!

What Sauces and Dips to Serve with Your Air Fried Chicken Nuggets

Chicken nuggets pair well with almost any type of sauce, so you can eat it with any of your favorite dips. Here are a few sauces and dips that work well with air fryer frozen chicken nuggets.

Honey Mustard Sauce

Looking for something simple and easy to serve as a dipping sauce with your air fryer chicken nuggets? Whip up a dipping honey mustard sauce with four simple ingredients! Take a cup of mayo, salt to taste, one teaspoon of mustard, and a generous drizzle of honey. Mix them, and you will get your honey mustard sauce.

Indian Tamarind Chutney

Want something sweet, tangy, spicy, and simply exotic for your chicken nugget dip? Try making tamarind chutney, a local favorite dipping sauce that pairs well with fried food like samosas and pakoras.

Throw the ingredients in a fast blender and give them a mix, and you will have an exotic dip ready within seconds!

Ingredients:

  • Tamarind pulp or paste
  • Jaggery powder or maple syrup
  • Cumin powder
  • Ginger powder
  • Red chili powder
  • Black salt
  • Coriander paste (optional)
  • Green chili paste (optional)
  • Salt

Sriracha or Sweet Chili Sauce

The Thais have some of the best dipping sauces on the planet. If you want a sweet and spicy sauce for your chicken nuggets, try having it with their sweet chili sauce.

However, if you want a punch of heat that is tart yet not sweet, sriracha sauce is your best bet. You can also mix up sriracha with mayo to make a fusion dip that will tone down the extremeness of sriracha. This sauce also pairs well with grilled delights, so try serving it at your next barbecue party.

Bottom Line

Now that you know how to make frozen chicken nuggets in an air fryer, you don’t have to worry about the hassle of making frozen food on the stovetop again! 

BioLite FirePit Review: The Best FirePit You Could Hope to Grill On!

Posted on by John Bird

If you love firepits just as much as we do, you probably went from firepit to firepit trying to find the best one. We tested so many brands we actually lost count, and just when we thought all firepits were the same, we found BioLite.

So far, we think BioLite FirePit is the best fire pit you could hope to grill on, and we’ll tell you why in our BioLite FirePit review.

A Detailed BioLite FirePit Review

If you’re in a rush, here’s what you need to know about the BioLite FirePit: it’s smokeless compared to other fire pits, wood and charcoal compatible, foldable, rechargeable, beginner-friendly, multifunctional, and very durable.

And compared to the portable fire pits we’ve tested, BioLite stands out as the most feature-packed, value-for-money fire pit in the market. We’ll give you a detailed run-down of our observations after showing you a quick summary of BioLite’s specs, pros, and cons.

Quick Facts

BioLite FirePit Review: The Best FirePit You Could Hope to Grill On! 2

VIEW ON AMAZON
  • Weight: 20 pounds
  • Dimensions: 22.99 x 14.88 x 15.24 inches
  • Batteries: 10,400 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion

Pros

  • Produces less smoke than other fire pits
  • Compatible with wood and charcoal
  • Usable as a grill, smoker, or heat source
  • Has a mobile app for fire intensity control
  • Offers four fan speeds
  • Sturdy and easy to assemble
  • Has folding legs and handles for convenience
  • Fits four pieces of firewood simultaneously

Cons

  • Eventually rusts with repeated moisture exposure
  • Hard to find replacement parts

Features

Now that you have an idea of what to expect from the BioLite FirePit, let’s discuss its features in more detail. As we mentioned before, we just can’t get enough of how much we love BioLite.

Smokelessness

Among all other portable fire pits in the market, the BioLite FirePit is the only one we can tolerate when it comes to smoke output. Of course, it’s not entirely smoke-free – how can you burn anything and expect no smoke to come out? – but it does produce significantly less smoke than all the others.

BioLite’s built-in air jets improve combustion, which circulates air and eliminates most of the smoke before it even comes out. So, when we tested the BioLite fire pit, we were met with an enjoyable and almost completely smokeless experience.

Efficiency

With the BioLite campfire, you can go from spark to fire within 30 seconds. Moreover, you’re guaranteed longer-lasting fire compared to other fire pits – your fire can basically last for almost 24 hours when used at the lowest setting with four blocks of wood.

Multifunctionality

BioLite FirePit is multifunctional enough to not only give you a campfire and grill fire but also a charging station. You can charge your phone using BioLite’s 10,4000 mAh battery pack when you’re not using the fire pit.

Practicality

BioLite may be fancy, but assembling it isn’t complicated. BioLite comes in a solar carry cover so you can easily carry and store it, and when you’re ready to use it, just slide the folding legs out and add the other attachments like the wood, charcoal, or grill grate if you’re using them.

BioLite FirePit Review

Safety

Compared to other fire pits for sale, we believe BioLite is the safest we’ve encountered. Its design prevents accidental fires or accidental burning, so even the newest and most inexperienced users can safely handle this fire pit.

Scenery

Contrary to other portable fire pits with covered bodies, BioLite doesn’t shy away from showing you what’s happening as your wood or charcoal burns. Besides having warmth, staring at the pretty fire scenery was the reason to light campfires, wasn’t it?

And of course, it’s still a plus if you’re using BioLite as a charcoal grill and get to watch the fire as your food cooks. BioLite fire pit offers a 360-degree view, so everyone can enjoy watching the fire burn through the fire pit’s X-ray mesh body.

High Capacity

As mentioned earlier, you can place up to four pieces of cordwood or standard firewood logs. Similarly, you can expect the BioLite fire pit’s burn time to reach around 24 hours if you’re on the lowest setting and 3 hours on the highest. And when it comes to cooking, its included grill grate allows a decent amount of food to be grilled.

Durability

If you use the BioLite FirePit correctly and maintain it between uses, you can ensure it survives periods of unused, long journeys and heavy usage. It also helps that it has a solar cover to protect it and help you move it around.

Total Control

A total control feature is the best thing a fire pit can offer, and with BioLite, you can control your fire using their free BioLite Energy App. You’ll never have to worry about manually regulating your fire, having charred food or quickly-burnt wood, or having a too-tiny fire. Through the BioLite app, you can choose between 4 fan speeds to control your fire’s intensity.

BioLite FirePit Features

Why We Love BioLite Firepit

The features we listed above are why we love the BioLite fire pit. We have yet to see portable fire pits that offer the same things BioLite does, especially for the smokeless feature and the nice scenery.

One flaw about it, though, is that BioLite’s body tends to rust easily when exposed to moisture. The manufacturers have fixed that using an enamel coating, but we’d still like to caution against exposing the BioLite fire pit to moisture.

Using the BioLite Portable Fire Pit

As mentioned before, both firepit enthusiasts and beginners can easily use the BioLite FirePit. If you’re already familiar with the BioLite CampStove, it should be even easier for you to use BioLite’s Fire Pit: they function similarly.

On the other hand, if you’re confused about using BioLite Portable Firepit for the first time, read on to see how to assemble, light, and pack up the fire pit.

How to Assemble the BioLite FirePit

  • Attach the fire pit’s large handle to its body’s airflow side and the small handle to the opposite side.
  • Then, use screws to keep the handles in place.
  • Next, stretch out the foldable legs to a locked position.
  • Once done, secure the airflow pack and the fuel rack.
  • You may also add the grill grate if you’re planning to grill.

How to Use the BioLite FirePit

  • Place the fuel rack in a low position.
  • Then, place bits of wood and kindling on the fuel rack.
  • Light the base kindling with a firestarter.
  • Turn the fan on to the first or second setting.
  • Once a coal bed develops, you can add larger pieces of wood or charcoal.
  • Leave gaps when placing the kindling for a smoke-free fire.
  • Adjust the fan speed as needed.
BioLite FirePit Review: The Best FirePit You Could Hope to Grill On! 3

How to Pack the BioLite FirePit

  • Allow the fire to burn down completely.
  • Don’t throw water into the pit’s chamber or throw the fire out.
  • Turn the fan on to the highest setting if you want to speed the burning process.
  • Carefully open the ash door to remove leftover embers and ashes.
  • Then, allow the fire pit to cool down for five minutes.
  • Turn off the fan by pressing down the button for three seconds.
  • Next, brush off the remaining ashes out the ash door, and wipe the firepit.
  • Once done, fold the legs by pressing on its button.
  • Finally, pack the fire pit into its solar carry cover.

If you want a more in-depth demonstration of how to use BioLite’s fire pit, check out this video:

FirePit Maintenance: How to Keep Your BioLite in Perfect Shape

Of course, even the best portable fire pits won’t last long if you don’t know how to maintain them, so let’s learn the things you need to do to maintain a BioLite FirePit and extend its lifespan.

  • Keep it clean – If you’re using your FirePit as a Hibachi-style grill, clean it after every use. A wire brush will get rid of all the burnt bits stuck to the grill, and a good grill cleaner will cut through the grease.
  • Keep it dry – As mentioned before, BioLite’s fire pit is prone to rust and needs to be kept dry and spiffy. If you plan on leaving it in your backyard, covered it with a tarp or other waterproof material.
  • Keep it ash-free – Always brush the leftover ashes down the ash door after every use. Doing this not only maintains your fire pit but also helps avoid having stale ash in the pit, which can make your next batch smell and taste nasty.
BioLite FirePit FAQs

FAQs

Which fire pit is the best?

The BioLite FirePit is one of the best and most convenient because it barely produces any smoke. Moreover, it gives you better heat control through its BioLite Energy App.

Why are fire pits so expensive?

Quality fire pits are more expensive than brandless pits because they’re made from sturdier materials or possess customized designs and features.

Do smokeless fire pits work?

Smokeless fire pits work. They produce less smoke so you don’t have to suffer from having watery eyes or breathing issues by smelling the smoke. They work just as well as regular fire pits, too – it’s just that they have air jets that circulate and eliminate the smoke.

How should I light a BioLite FirePit?

We tackled that in our short guide above.

Is the BioLite FirePit worth it?

You may be hesitant to buy BioLite’s fire pit due to its price, but we believe it’s worth its cost. If you’re a campfire or grilling enthusiast, we encourage you to invest in a long-lasting, smokeless, wonderfully-designed fire pit like the BioLite FirePit.

Can you use the BioLite FirePit on a deck?

The BioLite FirePit is designed for outdoor use. If you want to use it on your wooden deck, you’ll need to find some sort of stand and a protective mat.

How does BioLite FirePit work?

The BioLite FirePit operates on battery and flame technology, so it doesn’t need any gas or moving parts. You can change the height of the flames depending on how large you want them to be. When you’re done using it, you just fold up the firepit and put it away in your bag or place it on its stand.

The BioLite FirePit also comes with a small battery-powered fan, which helps keep the pit going by blowing air into the fire. It runs for about 12 hours before needing a recharge, and a full recharge only takes two hours.

Final Thoughts

For us, the BioLite FirePit is the best fire pit you could ever hope to grill on. It features so many things that other portable fire pits can’t give, including its smokelessness, wonderful view, and multifunctional usage.

Of course, deciding whether you like BioLite’s fire pit or not is still up to you. So, we hope our BioLite FirePit review helped you decide!

Dyna Glo Grill Reviews: The Answer to Fast & Reliable Grilling

Posted on by John Bird

Whether you’re new to grilling or looking for better grills, you’re probably wondering: is a Dyna Glo Grill the answer to fast and reliable grilling? See for yourself by reading our Dyna Glo Grill reviews!

Quick Guide to Dyna Glo Grills

Dyna Glo boasts more than a hundred years of existence, so you’re bound to hear about it. They specialize in grills and smokers of different functions and sizes, offering five natural gas grills, 13 propane gas grills, 12 charcoal grill options, and 26 smokers.

Each model targets different customers to answer their grilling needs and ensure enjoyable grilling sessions. For example, some grills cater to those with small spaces while others suit bigger parties.

Additionally, their different grill models can solve problems like the need for bigger cooking space, an option to simultaneously cook multiple types of meat, a durable design, and an easier cooking option.

Dyna Glo Grill Reviews

Popular Features of Dyna Glo Grills

To get to know Dyna Glo grills better and see if they can cater to your grilling needs, let’s review some of their popular features. Note that we’re not the only ones gushing about these features – plenty of other Dyna Glo users love them, too!

Versatile Cooking Capacity

If you love charcoal grills, you’ve likely experienced some annoying problems like running out of fuel quicker than you can cook your meat or using up so much charcoal just to grill. 

And if you feel hopeless and think there’s no solution to this, think again. Dyna Glo solves this issue by designing their charcoal grills with a patented smoke-reducing technology, which allows you to grill more food with less charcoal. 

Moreover, their grills always feature cast-iron grates that maximize cooking space so that you can cook everything just right. Some of their models have two side tables, too, which lets you store food or utensils while you’re cooking or eating.

Variable Sizes

As mentioned before, Dyna Glo grills don’t follow one size: they come in different sizes. So, if you have a small backyard, you can opt for their Vertical Offset Charcoal Grill or Smart Spacer Living Gas Grill.

And if you have plenty of space, feel free to choose any of their other models.

Large Grilling Area

You don’t have to worry about running out of space – Dyna Glo grills feature large cooking areas, so you don’t have to cook your meat in batches. Models like the DGN576DNC-D Premium Grill cater to large groups with a grilling area of 816 square inches, while models like Dual Zone Charcoal Grill boast removable walls to enhance your grilling spot.

Two Grill Types

Some people stick to a propane gas grill, while others prefer a charcoal grill. Dyna Glo manufactures both types, so you can easily choose between their grill models.

best dyna glo grills

Top Dyna-Glo Grills

Now that you understand a little more about why Dyna Glo Grills are popular, it’s time to explore their five best charcoal and gas grills.

We hope reading our Dyno Glo Grill reviews helps you decide if one of them could work as the best grill for you!

Before we continue, here are some quick specifications about the products we’ll talk about in our Dyna Glo Grill review:

 

Product

Dimensions (inches)

Weight

Grilling Area (sq. inch)
Dyna Glo Signature Series Vertical Charcoal Smoker & Grill 45.5 x 24.9 x 58.8 124.3 pounds 1382
Dyna Glo Charcoal Offset Smoker 20.2 x 34.52 x 47.03 57 pounds 784
Dyna Glo Dual Fuel Grill 68.45 x 45.63 x 28.67 48 pounds 952
Dyna Glo Smart 3-Burner LP Gas Grill 22.82 x 49.14 x 45.05 76 pounds 507
Dyna-Glo DGE Series Propane Grill 22.62 x 50.7 x 46.8 96 pounds 646

1. Vertical Charcoal Smoker & Grill

Dyna Glo Grill Reviews: The Answer to Fast & Reliable Grilling 4

 

With Vertical Charcoal Smoker and Grill, you can get the best of three worlds: a griller, a smoker, and the ability to cook for and entertain different family members’ taste buds.

It features five racks and several hooks so you can grill veggies, patties, steak, chicken pieces, and sausages simultaneously. And if you ever get bored of grilling and want a smokier taste for your meal, you can use this griller as a smoker instead.

Best of all, you can easily clean Dyna Glo’s Vertical Charcoal Grill after each use. It has a cool-touch handle so you can take food out with ease and an ashtray that can effortlessly be removed.

It also comes with a temperature gauge to help you get your ideal heat level right.

Pros

  • You can easily clean it.
  • You can cook a large amount of food in one go.
  • You can take out trays faster through its cool-touch handles.
  • You can relax while it guarantees even heat distribution through its vertical design.
  • You can use its offset charcoal container as a grill for a small amount of meat.

Cons

  • You can’t adjust its racks.
  • You can’t close its door as well as you should.

2. Charcoal Offset Smoker

Dyna Glo Grill Reviews: The Answer to Fast & Reliable Grilling 5

It’s technically a smoker instead of a charcoal or propane gas grill, but we need to tell you about this model. It’s pretty similar to Dyna’s vertical smoker and griller, except it has six adjustable shelf racks and a door that can close better than the other model.

Its 784 square inches of smoking space lets you cook up to 100 pounds of food, and its adjustable grill grates allow you to cook your meals exactly how you want them. Likewise, its smoker box beside the grilling area ensures that your meal is not overpowered with smokiness.

Along with that, its combination of adjustable smokestack and side tamper is marvelous at spreading even heat. They also significantly stimulate the airflow so that the ingredients inside don’t dampen.

Best of all, Dyna’s Vertical Smoker has a temperature gauge clearly labeled numbers. It’s easy to read and automatically alters the smoker’s dial to maintain the correct temperature inside the container.

However, its metal door is relatively thin, so it easily lets heat escape back into the air. To prevent this, place as much charcoal needed first instead of stacking up as you keep grilling. You can also attach a gasket material on the sides of the door to trap more heat.

Pros

  • You can adjust its grill plates.
  • You can cook different meat sizes in one go.
  • You can have a smoker at a budget-friendly price.
  • You can have perfect smoke consistency in your meals.
  • You can enjoy even heat distribution with its vertical design.

Cons

  • You may find it hard to maintain its temperature.

3. Dual Fuel Grill

Dyna Glo Grill Reviews: The Answer to Fast & Reliable Grilling 6

If you’re looking for a classic yet stylish and durable grill, try Dyna Glo’s Dual Fuel Grill. It features a modern matte black finish, various dials and handles, and a design that’s built to last.

Moreover, it comes with 952 square inches of grilling area and stainless steel burners that give 24000 BTUs of even heat distribution. So, you can cook plenty and rest assured that everything will cook evenly.

And if that wasn’t enough, Dyna Glo’s dual charcoal or gas grill also comes with a crank and quick-start ignite button alongside temperature control settings. The crank allows you to modify your charcoal box’s height, and when used with the buttons and settings, you’re granted ultimate temperature control.

Best of all, this dual grill has storage space for towels and utensils while you’re grilling, which you can easily fold and unfold as needed. It also features a drip pan so you can quickly clean up and porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates to retain your meal’s juices better.

Pros

  • You can easily clean it.
  • You can use charcoal or gas.
  • You can guarantee juicier meals.
  • You can cook a large batch of food.
  • You can adjust its temperature settings.
  • You can store utensils and towels on its side.

Cons

  • You may find it hard to assemble.

4. Smart Space Living LP Gas Grill

Dyna Glo Grill Reviews: The Answer to Fast & Reliable Grilling 7

Dyna Glo’s Liquid Propane Gas Grill is heaven-sent to anyone with a small backyard. It boasts a convenient size of 22.82 x 49.14 x 45.05 inches, 507 square inches of total cooking space, and a porcelain-enameled layer on its cooking grates.

Moreover, Dyna’s liquid propane gas grill features three dials to adjust its heat levels and a gauge to help you observe its temperature. It also has collapsible side tables for your utensils and towels.

However, note that some Dyna Glo grill reviews of this model complained about the material on the grates coming off after a few years. To avoid this, you’ll need to take good care of the grill and clean it often.

Then again, even without cleaning it often, it’ll last in good condition for three years or so.

Pros

  • You can enjoy a decent cooking area.
  • You can adjust its temperatures.
  • You can fold its side trays to make it even more compact.
  • You can use its collapsible side tables for towels and utensils.

Cons

  • You may find that it feels flimsy.
  • You may end up with chipped-off parts if you don’t care for them properly.

5. DGE Series Propane Gas Grill

Dyna Glo Grill Reviews: The Answer to Fast & Reliable Grilling 8

DGE Series Propane Gas Grill works best for people who can’t be bothered to deal with a traditional charcoal grill. It’s modern, durable, and bulky yet easily movable.

It features primarily stainless steel material, heat tents, and cooking grates with a touch of iron core for ultimate heat retention. It also has two side trays for plates and other things, and its burner doors can easily be removed with the help of ergonomic handles.

Moreover, Dyna’s DGE Propane Gas Grill has 646 square inches of cooking space, so it’s enough to satisfy a group. Dyna Glo says this propane gas grill can cook 24 hamburgers at once, but be warned that they meant small hamburgers and not the big ones – it can only hold 18 large burgers.

DGE Propane Gas Grill weighs 96 pounds, too, but conveniently has wheels for easy mobility.

Pros

  • You can ensure its cooking grates retain heat well.
  • You can use its automated settings to suit your needs.
  • You can enjoy easy mobility and quick cleaning sessions.
  • You can combine its primary and secondary cooking area for a bigger grilling space.

Cons

  • You can’t fit 24 large hamburgers.
  • You may find that DGE LP Gas Grills are slower than other Dyna Glo grills.

Dyna Glo Grill FAQs

FAQs

How do I remove the charcoal?

The best way to remove the charcoal is to let it burn to ash completely and then slide out the ash collection tray from below. All Dyna Glo ash collectors have an ergonomic handle, so you can easily access them without burning your hands or getting dirt all over you.

Can I use wood chips in my Dyna Glo Grill?

If you want a smoky flavor and smell on your food, throw in some wood chips. And for better results, let the chips soak in water for about an hour or so before doing this.

Which is better: Nexgrill or Dyna Glo?

Although Dyna Glo and Nexgrill have been close competitors, their strategies for impressing customers have differed. While Nexgrill focuses more on design and contemporary features, Dyna Glo sticks to the basic functionalities at a moderate price.

However, both essentially provide the average customer with similar features, so it’s up to you to decide which features suit you better.

How to clean Dyna Glo Grills?

Let the cooking grates burn for a few minutes before cleaning them. This “burn-off” method helps ease the gunk and makes the entire process faster. Once done, use a grill brush to clean the leftover dirt.

And for the other grill parts, use soapy water and a sponge to clean them, and then rinse them off with hot water to get rid of any bacteria. Of course, remember to have the grill cool down before cleaning the rest of the parts.

Bottom Line

We think that given their features and offerings, Dyno Glo Grills are one of the best gas grills in the market, and they’re the answer to fast and reliable grilling. However, the final decision is still up to you: do any of their products suit your needs?

So, if you need a grill so you can cook different meat types, Dyna’s Vertical Grill & Smoker or Offset Smoker will make life easy for you. Meanwhile, you can opt for the Dual Fuel Grill if you need more versatility.

On the other hand, if you lack backyard space, the Smart Living model will work well for you. And if you’re tired of charcoal grills and simply want something convenient, DGE Propane Gas Grill is your best bet.

The Best Gas Grills to Keep Your BBQs Effortless: A Buyers Guide

Posted on by John Bird

man grilling bbq

Grilling is one of the summer’s favorite pastimes. And with the perfect grill, it becomes even more enjoyable. It doesn’t matter what your cooking style is, because there are gas grills to suit all kinds of needs. Whether you’re into charcoal grills or electric grills, there’s something for everyone.

But don’t just take our word for it! Below are some tips on how to find the best grill for your needs and how to pick out the perfect fit for your home.

What is a Gas Grill?

A gas grill is a cooking apparatus that uses gas to heat up the grill and cook food. Most grills are usually heated up by a tank of propane, which is the same fuel used for lanterns and stoves.

Gas grills can be either stand-alone units or mounted on a base. They range in size from small tabletop models to large grills that are meant to be placed on a patio or deck.

Different Types of Gas Grills

Choosing a gas grill is overwhelming because you have a lot to choose from, like propane gas, natural gas, infrared, and hybrid.

These are our top choices:

Who Uses a Gas Grill?

Gas grills are favorites of many, and they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. It’s not just for backyard BBQers—many home chefs use gas grills as their go-to option for cooking indoors or out.

If you’re looking to grill indoors, there are plenty of options to choose from. If you have the room, a freestanding gas grill is great for indoor cooking. But if you don’t have enough space, a compact tabletop gas grill will do the trick.

Whether it’s inside your kitchen or on your deck outside, you can use these grills with ease. And because they’re so easy to transport, taking them along with you on vacation or even camping is simple!

Why Use a Gas Grill?

Gas grills give you the power to grill all year-round. If you’re a fan of gas grills, this is your chance to take advantage of the convenience and efficiency that come from using one.

If you have a fixed outdoor cooking area, consider purchasing a gas grill if it doesn’t take up too much space. The great thing about gas grills is that they take up very little space and are easy to use, so they fit just about any lifestyle. Plus, if your cooking style changes with the seasons or your eating preferences change with age, a gas grill is a versatile option that will work for just about anyone.

Plus, there are lots of different types of gas grills available on the market today to suit everyone’s needs. So if you’re looking for something reliable and affordable, you’ll be able to find what you need in no time at all!

Propane Gas Grills

The propane gas grill uses liquid propane (LP) gas as fuel. Compared to other fuels, LP gas tanks are available almost everywhere. Propane is more convenient to store in a tank than natural gas because it compresses well into a liquid form.

One of the major benefits of a propane gas grill is convenience. These grills are simple to start, heat up fast, and retain heat very well. With propane, you only need to push a button or turn the dial to get it fired up.

Propane gives a clean burn so cleaning won’t be a problem. A simple wipe-down will do the trick in cleaning your grill after each use. Since many insist that propane won’t give a smoky flavor to your food, some manufacturers have featured built-in smokers and flavored bars to infuse that smoky flavor to the food.

Best Overall Grill: Blackstone 1554 Flat Top Gas Grill

[amazon box=”B00DYN0438″]

Product Specifications

  • Dimensions: 62.5 x 22 x 36 inches
  • Material: Stainless steel
  • Number Of Burners: 4
  • Ignition: Electronic
  • BTU: 60,000
  • Cooking Space: 720 square inches
  • Special Features: Grease Catcher, 2 Cantilevered Shelves, Folding Legs
  • Warranty: 1 year

This Blackstone 1554 is perfect for outdoor cooking with its durable stainless steel construction and large cooking area that can fit 16 steaks or 72 hotdogs. Aside from being a good griddle, you can also use it as a flat-top grill to make your burgers slightly juicier. You can even bring this griddle for family outings because it transports easily with its folding legs.

We love this 36-inch grill because you can use the two side shelves and bottom shelf for food preparation and storage. Similar to cast iron, the food becomes more flavorful the more you cook with it. This griddle also offers great diversity with its four adjustable heat zones which allows you to cook a variety of foods simultaneously without any one of them burning.

What We Liked

  • Large cooking surface.
  • Quick and hassle-free ignition.
  • Surprisingly portable with its folding legs.
  • Versatile to cook any meal you want.
  • Secure footing and durable construction.

What We Didn’t Like

  • Needs constant cleaning to prevent rusting.
  • Grease catcher easily clogs.

Best Grill for Style: Weber Spirit II E-310

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Product Specifications

  • Dimensions: 52 x 26 x 57 inches
  • Material: Porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates
  • Number Of Burners: 3
  • Ignition: Electronic
  • BTU: 30,000
  • Cooking Space: 529 square inches
  • Special Features: Propane Tank Scale, GS4 Grilling System
  • Warranty: 10 years

If colors are your thing, then you’ll love the Weber Spirit II E-310 because it offers four beautiful color options- black, white, blue, and red. This grill can cook some good ribs, chicken, and burgers. Built with the strong GS4 grilling system, the Spirit II offers an improved infinity ignition and Flavorized Bars to give a smoky flavor to your food.

We love the Spirit II propane tank scale because it lets you see how full the tank is. The grill also has indicators to guide you where to adjust the burner knobs for low-high heat. If you want to save space, you can simply fold down the left side table of this unit.

What We Liked

  • The propane tank scale shows the level of gas left.
  • Designed with six tool hooks for convenient tool organization.
  • Backed with a 10-year warranty.
  • A space-saver with a folding side table.
  • Available in four stylish colors.

What We Didn’t Like

  • Expensive considering it only offers three burners.
  • Difficult to assemble.

Natural Gas Grills

Natural gas grills are a good choice if natural gas is available in your location and you want to connect your grill to a gas pipe in a permanent area. Compared to propane, natural gas is more environment-friendly and they don’t require constant trips to the hardware store.

Natural gas cooks the same as propane but the BTUs might be slightly lower. It’s the cheapest way to go if you grill frequently but if not, then you’re more well off with propane tanks. When you’re buying for the best natural gas grill, find one that heats very quickly.

Best All-Purpose Grill: Broil King Regal S590 Pro

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Product Specifications

  • Dimensions: 62.5 x 24.8 x 49.2 inches
  • Material: Stainless steel
  • Number Of Burners: 5
  • Ignition: Electronic
  • BTU: 55,000
  • Cooking Space: 875 square inches
  • Special Features: Flav-R-Wave, Dual-Tube Burners
  • Warranty: 10 years on burners, cooking grids, and Flav-R-Wave; 2 years on remaining parts

The Regal S590 Pro is like any Broil King gas grill- it offers unrivaled cooking versatility. This grill allows you to sear steaks perfectly, roast chicken, and even bake a variety of desserts. The Flav-R-Wave stainless steel cooking system provides an even temperature to cook juicy and delicious food.

What impressed us the most is the dual-tube burners which offer both durability and even heat distribution. The stainless steel grids retain heat very well, while the drippings vaporize to infuse more flavor to the food. With the control lights and electronic ignition, you can operate this grill with ease.

What We Liked

  • Durable stainless steel construction.
  • Long warranty coverage.
  • It can cook almost everything.
  • It gives a smoky flavor to the food.
  • It provides full heat control.

What We Didn’t Like

  • The outer grill blows out easily.
  • Difficult to assemble.

Infrared Gas Grills

Infrared gas grills are the newest trends in backyard cooking. This type of grill uses infrared technology either as an optional burner or as a main heat source. Instead of the flames heating the grates directly, infrared grills have an infrared element that radiates strong heat.

Many users claim that infrared grills are the best in searing the meat, because they offer even heat distribution and reduced flare-ups. Because they use a different cooking technique, they require a long learning curve to get used to. You need to learn how to roast chicken or steam vegetables at quick-cooking speeds.

Best Infrared Grill: Char-Broil The Big Easy Smoker Roaster & Grill

[amazon box=”B00365FIAS”]

Product Specifications

  • Dimensions: 23.1 x 23.4 x 36.2 inches
  • Material: Stainless steel
  • Ignition: Propane
  • BTU: 18,000
  • Cooking Space: 180 square inches

The Big Easy combines a smoker, roaster, and grill into one compact unit. It uses a large roasting basket to cook ribs and roast meat up to 24 lbs. We love the rotary ignition, because it lights quickly with just a turn of a knob.

Cleaning is not a hassle because this portable grill has a removable tray to catch all those drippings. With the use of infrared technology, the grill top cooks hamburgers, chops, and steaks without flare-ups. Furthermore, this grill connects to a 20-lb propane tank.

What We Liked

  • Offers great cooking versatility.
  • Makes meat more tender and juicier.
  • Steel legs make the unit more stable.
  • Built with two carrying handles for easy transport.
  • Grills with no flare-ups.

What We Didn’t Like

  • Not enough grilling space for large parties.
  • The grease pan doesn’t fit right in the grooves.

Hybrid Gas Grills

Also known as combo grills, the hybrid gas grills offer other fuel options besides gas. Most hybrid models are a combination of a gas and a charcoal grill, like the Char-Broil Gas2Coal 3-Burner Liquid Propane and Charcoal Hybrid Grill. Some models, like the Oklahoma Joes, even offer an offset smoker to smoke meat. So, if you’re torn between charcoal grill or a gas grill, a hybrid grill may answer your question.

One of the best advantages of a hybrid grill is that it can grill a wide variety of food from smoky steak on charcoal to fast-grilled vegetables. These grills tend to be cheaper and more compact than buying two different grills. However, cleaning will be more challenging with two types of fuel, so make sure to find a grease drip tray and non-stick cooking grates.

Best Gas Grills for the Money

If you’re on a budget and want the best grill for the money, you’ll be happy to know that there are plenty of options out there.

Choosing an inexpensive grill shouldn’t limit you with the features and performance. Below, we have chosen the best gas grills under specific amounts based on quality, durability, and good cooking performance.

Best Gas Grill Under $150: Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet Tabletop Gas Grill

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Product Specifications

  • Dimensions: 16 x 16.5 x 13 inches
  • Material: Stainless steel burner, Porcelain-enameled cooking gate, Aluminum legs
  • Number Of Burners: 1
  • Ignition: Twist Start
  • BTU: 5,500
  • Cooking Space: 145 square inches
  • Special Features: Integrated Lid Lock, Briefcase Carrying Handle
  • Warranty: 3 years

The Cuisinart CGG-180T is a briefcase-style design gas grill that you can bring in camping, picnics, and anywhere with limited cooking space. This portable unit is designed with a generous carry handle and an integrated lock to keep it secure when you’re moving it. The pair of aluminum legs are very stable when set on a flat surface and can easily fold for easy pack-up.

With its 145 square inches of cooking surface, you can make eight burgers, eight steaks, 6-10 chicken breasts, or 4 lbs of fish separately. This compact gas grill is very fuel-efficient because it consumes less propane, but it can still heat up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for a good searing to your steaks.

What We Liked

  • Compact, lightweight, and portable.
  • Fuel efficient as it uses less propane.
  • Easy to clean and store.
  • Durable steel construction.
  • Affordable price.

What We Didn’t Like

  • Small catch basin.
  • The lowest temperature setting is still very hot.

Best Gas Grill Under $200: Char-Griller E3001 Grillin’ Pro Gas Grill

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Product Specifications

  • Dimensions: 48 x 28 x 48 inches
  • Material: Stainless steel burners, Porcelain-coated cast iron grate
  • Number Of Burners: 3
  • Ignition: Electronic
  • BTU: 40,800
  • Cooking Space: 630 square inches
  • Special Features: Temperature Gauge, Side Burner
  • Warranty: 1 year

The Char-Griller E3001 is ideal for backyard grilling with its plenty of primary grill space and extra warming rack space, plus a side burner for more cooking versatility. You can grill steak and make side dishes simultaneously. As for the construction, the steel is pretty solid and promises to last for a long time.

The three burners can be easily lit by an electric ignition that operates on a single AA battery. The built-in thermometer is positioned just above the cooking surface making it easy to view the temperature inside. The cast-iron grates are really nice because they heat well and give a nice sear to the steak.

What We Liked

  • Large total cooking area.
  • Good side burner.
  • The grates are easy to clean.
  • High-heat capacity.
  • Convenient to use.

What We Didn’t Like

  • The wheels are slightly flimsy.
  • Flares up when cooking fatty meat.

Best Gas Grill Under $500: Weber Spirit II E-210

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Product Specifications

  • Dimensions: 26 x 48 x 57 inches
  • Material: Porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates
  • Number Of Burners: 2
  • Ignition: Electronic
  • BTU: 26,500
  • Cooking Space: 450 square inches
  • Special Features: Disposable Drip Tray, Infinity Ignition, Flavored Bars
  • Warranty: 10 years

The Spirit II E-210 is the smaller version of the Weber Spirit E-310. Like the E-310, the E-210 is designed with a GS4 system, porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates, and six tool hooks. It has a side table that folds easily to save space and an open cart design to offer extra room.

The E-210 is guaranteed to ignite each time as backed up by its 10-year warranty. The Flavored Bars are positioned just right to take all the drippings and vaporize them to add a smoky flavor to your food. A disposable tray is built under the cook box to catch the drippings that aren’t vaporized.

What We Liked

  • Offers a generous warranty of 10 years.
  • It has a good grease management system.
  • Flavored Bars infuse a smoky flavor to food.
  • It has hooks to hang your cooking utensils.
  • Saves space with its folding side table.

What We Didn’t Like

  • Difficult to put together.
  • The clips that hold the tires are flimsy.

Best Gas Grill Under $500: Char-Broil Performance Stainless Steel

[amazon box=”B07JZSNC33″]

Product Specifications

  • Dimensions: 50.4 x 24.5 x 45 inches
  • Material: Porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates
  • Number Of Burners: 4
  • Ignition: Electronic
  • BTU: 36,000
  • Cooking Space: 425 square inches
  • Special Features: Lid-mounted temperature gauge
  • Warranty: 10 years

The Char-Broil Performance Series Liquid Propane Gas Grill is the perfect gas grill for any backyard. The stainless steel design and powerful burners will provide you with a smoky taste that your guests will love. This grill also includes an easy cleaning surface, side lift handles, durable stainless steel burners, premium porcelain-coated cast-iron grates, and infinite heat control to keep your food warm.

What We Liked

  • Backed up by a generous warranty.
  • Made of durable stainless steel material.
  • Large cooking and preparation spaces.
  • Easy to clean with the removable grease pan.
  • Comes with four burners.

What We Didn’t Like

  • Poor heat distribution.
  • Takes a long time to put together.

Best Gas Grills Under $1000: Weber Genesis II E-335

[amazon box=”B07H636NBH”]

Product Specifications

  • Dimensions: 59 x 29 x 47 inches
  • Material: Porcelain-coated steel, Porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates
  • Number Of Burners: 3
  • Ignition: Electronic
  • BTU: 39,000
  • Cooking Spaces: 669 square inches
  • Special Features: GS4 Grilling System, Hooks, Enclosed Storage
  • Warranty: 10 years

The Weber Genesis II is a nice grill that combines three burners with a side burner to simmer barbecue sauce and a sear burner to add sear marks on your steak. This grill is designed with a GS4 grilling system that consists of a re-engineered grease removal system and infinity ignition. The unusual rectangular shape of the burners is meant to enhance heat distribution.

This model is built with flavored bars that vaporized drippings, and it also adds a smoky flavor to your food. We’re impressed with the stainless steel rod cooking grates because they give an even heat distribution across the whole grilling surface. With the enclosed grill cabinet and hooks at the side, you can organize your cooking essentials and utensils in the unit.

What We Liked

  • Large, neat storage spaces.
  • Offers a good warranty.
  • Heat is distributed evenly.
  • Large cooking area.
  • Integrated with a thermometer.

What We Didn’t Like

  • Features are few for the price.
  • Takes a long time to put together.

Tabletop/Portable/Single Burner Gas Grills

These smaller portable grills are perfect for your small area, camping, tailgating, boating, and picnicking. These models usually have a single burner which makes them compact for travel. Expect them to be lightweight and smaller than normal backyard grills.

Some of these grills are intended for tabletop use, while others have tall legs to allow you to work at a comfortable height. If you plan to carry the grill to your adventures, you might opt-out of the legs because they only add weight to the entire grill unit.

Flat Top Grills

For cooking versatility, a flat top grill might suit your needs. This type of grill allows doing many cooking techniques such as simmering, stir-frying, and grilling. It usually has a tray to catch the excess oil and prevent it from spilling on the ground.

Like the griddle grill, a flat top grill helps to burn out the grease and excess oil making the food healthier. It cooks the food evenly without breaking a sweat. Best of all, it cooks almost everything from pancakes to eggs and meat. Here are some of the best flat-top grills on the market today.

Best Flat Top Grill: Camp Chef Flat Top Grill

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Product Specifications

  • Dimensions: 62.5 x 37 x 22 inches
  • Material: Steel
  • Number Of Burners: 4
  • Ignition: Piezoelectric
  • BTU:48,000
  • Cooking Space: 604 square inches (griddle), 501 square inches (grill)
  • Special Features: Folding Side Shelves, Grease Management System
  • Warranty: 1 year

Camp Chef combines a griddle and a grill into a single unit. Take out the griddle and you’ll see a huge grill below to cook hamburgers, steaks, and more. The griddle itself is amazing in cooking your favorite breakfast meals, like pancakes, eggs, and bacon.

The grease management system includes a grease tray to catch all the drippings for easy cleaning. The four burners offer heat in particular areas making heat zones for different foods. You’ll also get extra storage with the folding side shelves and portability with the roller wheels.

What We Liked

  • It can be used both as a griddle and a grill.
  • Extra working space is provided by the side shelves.
  • It creates different heat zones.
  • Easy to clean with the drip tray.
  • Fairly easy to assemble.

What We Didn’t Like

  • May rust when not properly seasoned.
  • The side shelves get hot when using the griddle.

Considerations When Buying A Gas Grillbarbecue-grill-meat-outdoors

Buying a gas grill is not easy. You need to consider a lot of things because you don’t want to end up with expensive equipment that botches your food. Worse, the grill that you might have bought could blow up your yard.

One of the most important things to consider when buying a gas grill is to determine the grill size you’ll need. Generally, you’ll need a larger cooking surface to do large batches of food more easily. However, there might be some limitations that hinder you to get a large grill.

To determine the right grill size, here are some factors to consider:

Cooking Surface Area

The best way to decide is to think about the number of people you normally cook for and consider the cooking area that best suits your needs. The cooking area is often expressed in square inches.

For the average household, a 3-burner gas grill that offers 450-500 square inches of the cooking area is adequate. If you want to cook for many guests and family members, the ideal cooking space would be at least 600 square inches. Many experts recommend allotting 100 square inches for every person.

The Footprint of the Grill

Aside from the cooking area, you may also want to consider the physical space of the grill whether it fits the space where you want the grill to be placed. Manufacturers require your grill to be placed at least 2-3 feet away from your house and other flammable materials. Most gas grills have side shelves that can be folded down so make sure that you measure the wingspan of the grill with the shelves opened prior to buying.

Today, a wide range of accessories are available to improve the grill’s cooking space without increasing its footprint. For instance, a warming rack can be placed on top of the grill to toast buns at lower temperatures.

If you have no space limitation, go big. The bigger your grill, the more versatile it is. You also get more temperature zone cooking options when your grills are wider. For example, you can sear the meat over high heat on one side and cook some side dishes on a lower heat on the opposite side.

Cooking Grid Build Material

While it’s important to decide on the heat source and aesthetics of the cooking grid, it’s important to select a cooking grid that cooks the food the way you like it. The ideal cooking grid should be strong, durable, and non-stick. The cooking grid is where you cook the food so it’s important that you consider the best material and form to suit your needs.

Here are the common materials used in cooking grids:

Stainless Steel

Most of the high-end gas grills are made of heavy-duty stainless steel cooking grids because they last long. Although they don’t retain heat as well as cast iron, they distribute heat evenly and are easy to clean. For better heat transfer, look for hexagonal and diamond-shaped stainless steel cooking grids.

Cast Iron

Most cast iron cooking grids are coated with protective porcelain enamel for less maintenance. Compared to stainless steel, cast iron is more cost-effective and holds a lot of heat. Opt for cast iron cooking grids without the porcelain coating if you want to offer an extra flavor to your food with your constant seasonings. Choose this material if you want a nice searing to your steaks.

Porcelain

Porcelain grids are an affordable alternative to solid cast iron grill grids. They have a non-stick coating to make the cleanup easy after each use. However, these coatings chip away over time and you can’t season the grids to impart an extra flavoring to your food.

Besides the type of material used, the thickness of the cooking grids is equally important. The thicker the cooking grids, the more durable they are. Thicker grids also offer to provide excellent heat retention and can give you those bold grill marks that you’ve always wanted.

Burners

The burner’s measure of heat output is important to the performance of a gas grill. For fast cooking, you’ll want the burner with at least 12,000 BTU. The higher the BTU, the faster it cooks.

The number of burners can tell how much control you’ll have on the grill. More burners mean more cooking zones to work with. For gas grills, you want two burners at least.

The design and material of the burner are also important to the total quality of a gas grill. You’ll want the burners to be made of high-quality materials to avoid frequent replacements.

Cast Stainless Burners

Cast stainless steel has a superior quality to other materials. This material is the best in resisting rust and corrosion. This type of burner is formed from one solid piece of metal instead of welding different pieces together to create a tube. They’re thicker than conventional stainless burners, making them more efficient in absorbing and distributing heat evenly.

The major downside to casting stainless steel burners is that stainless steel has poor heat retention. The temperature quickly drops when you open the lid of your grill. Like all other metals, stainless steel can still corrode but it will take much longer than cast iron.

How long the corrosion takes place depends on the type of stainless steel utilized in the burner. The best grade of stainless steel is the 304, which contains the highest amount of chromium- the alloy that provides corrosion resistance to the stainless steel material.

Ceramic Burners

Since the old days, gas burners have been constructed from molded ceramic blocks where burning gas is aimed at the ceramic surface reaching a temperature of about 1100-1650 F. The ceramic block lights an orange-red color because it releases a wide spectrum of radiation.

Ceramic burners are a more effective heat source than stainless steel because they hold and radiate heat very well at 25,000 BTUs. They heat up and cool down within a couple of minutes and produce a highly controllable kind of heat. They also don’t rust or corrode even after contact with acidic foods, like barbecue sauce, but they’re more fragile than their stainless steel counterparts.

These burners are also easy to clean because their smooth surface and simple design allow no juices and sauces to stick to the ceramic surface. If any type of liquid spills on them, they can be easily wiped with a damp cloth.

Tube Burners

Tube burners are located just below the Flavorized bars or heat deflectors of the gas grill. They have portholes where they distribute the flame to offer even heat distribution across the entire cooking surface for perfect grilling. If you find that the flame pattern is irregular or weak, check the burner tubes to identify their condition.

To maintain the optimum performance of the tube burners, remove any debris that might block the portholes using a clean cast iron brush. Brush across the ports, not lengthwise. Do this at least once a year.

Tube burners are easy to install. Multiple mount holes let you mount these burners for many models, like Broil King Regal S590 Pro. Since most of the tube burners are built just below the flavored bars, they bring an extra barbecue flavor to the food.

Cast Iron Burners

Cast iron is a common material used by gas grills because it’s heavy-duty and it has excellent heat retention. It holds more heat if the casting of the burner is thicker. In terms of cost-effectiveness, cast iron holds the upper hand compared to other materials.

However, this type of burner could easily rust if you don’t maintain it very well. The rust and corrosion may narrow or even close the gas ports resulting in smaller flame. To protect this material from rust and corrosion, some manufacturers coat this with porcelain.

If you’re considering using a cast-iron burner, choose a thicker material. The thicker the casting, the more durable and resistant it is from rusting.

Infrared Burners

Infrared burners are the newest kinds of burners in the market today. Instead of having a direct flame like a traditional burner, infrared burners have a ceramic grid with tiny holes covering the actual burner. The heat then moves up to cook your food.

This type of burner burns extremely hot making them ideal for searing or caramelizing your food. This is great if you want to make the perfectly cooked steaks that you see on steakhouses. Preheat and cooking times are faster within 3-5 minutes and the cooked meat tends to be juicier.

The first models of infrared burners had “high” as the only heat setting. Now, newer models have a wider temperature control range to cook a variety of foods. For more cooking flexibility, pair this burner with standard burners.

Stamped Stainless Burners

Stainless steel stamping offers a high level of corrosion resistance, durability, and a dazzling finish. These burners are usually made of low-grade stainless steel and they’re made by stamping the top and bottom. Just like stainless steel, stamped stainless burners are easy to maintain, are resistant to corrosion, and have a shiny aesthetic.

Austenitic stainless steel (300 series) is utilized for most stamped stainless steel burners. The 300 series stainless steels have high ductility and great tensile strength in comparison to carbon grade steels. The most popular austenitic steel is Type 304 and 316.

Portability

If you plan to use a gas grill in your outdoor adventures, then you need to consider the portability of the unit. Think about the weight you’re willing to carry before making a decision.

Portable grills come in two types- tabletop grills and cart-style grills. Tabletop models can be lightweight or hefty while the cart-style models usually weigh around 40-60 lbs.

Where you plan to bring your grill also matters in your consideration for its portability. For camping, tailgating, and picnic, a small and lightweight model would be ideal. Most of these models can be folded easily and they come with a handle for easy transport.

If you want a portable grill for your home, a cart-style model is perfect. These grills have built-in wheels to make them easy to move around. They often have foldable side shelves so they fit into your limited space area when stored. For great stability, you should set this grill on a flat and stable surface.

Fuel Type

Gas grills use either propane gas or natural gas as fuel. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Liquid propane has been the most popular fuel type for many years but recently, many customers have been installing natural gas lines in their homes. The constant gas supply is the main benefit of using natural gas. Unlike liquid propane tanks, you don’t need to exchange the tank periodically when it runs out.

Although liquid propane tanks need regular maintenance, they still offer benefits to using them. You can easily relocate the propane grill and it is more affordable than installing a gas line. Since liquid propane tanks have been standardized, they fit most gas grills.

Storage

You’ll need space for food preparation, condiments, and other cooking essentials. The shelves on the side will provide all that needed space for a convenient grilling experience. Look for fold-down side shelves if you have limited space, or opt for enclosed cabinet storage if you want to hide the cooking essentials from view.

The best grills have special hooks to hang your cooking utensils, like tongs. These hooks are often designed on the side shelf. The best grill models even offer pull-out-drawers and a special tray for condiments.

Warranty

A good warranty gives you peace of mind that the grill won’t break easily. Most grills offer a 1-year warranty but the top quality models offer a 10-years warranty for the burners alone. Some brands even give lifetime warranties to the burners, like Chef’s Choice and Blaze grills.

Features to Think About Before Buying

Check out these features that the best gas grills are offering.

Rotisserie

If you want to make a whole roast chicken or tender ribs, a rotisserie feature might be a great addition to your gas grill. Also known as spit-roasting, rotisserie is a roasting style where meat is pierced on a spit, gently rotated, and cooked above the cooking grate. Top-quality gas grills are designed with a rear infrared burner to provide even heat distribution when cooking rotisserie meat.

Searing Zone

A searing zone is a new feature that will help you sear your steaks like a pro. A good searing makes the crust delightful and blackened offering a unique contrast to the juicy interior of your meat. A searing zone is usually composed of three burners placed near each other to get hotter more quickly than other cooking areas.

Smoker Box

This small piece of metal container may be built into the unit or can be purchased as an additional feature. The smoker box is useful in infusing a smoky flavor into your food. It uses burning chips to generate smoke and cover the food while it’s grilling.

Side Burner

A side burner gives you more cooking versatility as it allows you to cook other dishes while you’re grilling the meat in the primary cooking space. Like the burners that you see in kitchen stoves, a side burner is a gas-powered cooking area affixed to the grill’s side. It’s usually smaller than the primary cooking grate of the grill.

Electronic Ignition

An electronic ignition brings more safety to the grill because you don’t need to use a match to light the grill. It’s also very convenient because it usually ignites the burner on the first try. There are two basic types of electronic ignition- piezo starter and spark generator. A piezo starter or a piezo ignition uses no external source power to work while a spark generator requires a battery to produce a spark.

Gas Grill Maintenance Tips

Preheat your grill each time you turn it on to clean and sterilize your gas grill.

After every use, brush the cooking grate to clean the cooking surface. Turn the heat on the highest level after removing the last food to dissipate all of the drippings and fats in your grill. Once it has cooled down, cover your grill.

Clean the grill every 10 cookouts. Take out the cooking grates and clean them with a grill brush. Also, clean off those barriers below the grates and above the burners then brush out any residue into the drip pan below. Empty or replace the grease drip pan. Put all components back and heat up the grip for around 10 minutes or until no smoke comes out of the grill.

Periodically or twice a year, do a thorough cleanup. Remove the cooking grates and the barriers, then submerge them in hot, soapy water. Brush the grill’s interior while leaving the greasy buildup to serve as a protective layer on the metal.

Now, heat up your grill and watch the flame coming from the burner. If the flame is lazy, remove the affected burner and push the holes along the side with a small wire then give it a gentle tap to remove any debris trapped inside the burner. Once done, put the burners back into the grill and fire them up again. If the flame is still uneven, repeat this step.

If the flame is already even, continue cleaning the grease drip pan or replace it. Wash the exterior while closing the grill. Remember your soaked grates and barrier? Wash them off and put them back on the grill, then fire up to dry all the internal parts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions customers like to know about the best gas grills.

What accessories will improve my grilling experience?

A grill cover is one of the most important accessories that you should have because it protects the grill from outside elements that might cause the wear and tear of your burners.

To remove any food residue that might get stuck in your cooking grates, invest in a good brush, like the Weber Grill Brush.

A digital meat probe comes in handy if you want to know whether the meat is done cooking.

How many years does a gas grill last?

Some gas grills models, like Weber, require new flavorizer bars and grates in around five years or three years if you don’t maintain it very well. The burners normally last around 5-10 years.

Should you turn off the propane tank after grilling?

Regardless of what fuel source you used, you should turn off the gas supply when it’s not in use for safety reasons. For propane grills, it’s imperative that you don’t leave the tank valve on because it could go into bypass and reduce the gas flow.

Does propane go bad in a tank?

Unlike kerosene, gasoline, or diesel, propane fuel doesn’t have an expiration date nor does it lose its potency while being stored. What you only need to worry about is how to maintain the condition and integrity of the propane storage tank.

Are grill flare-ups dangerous?

A flare-up can be very awful, especially if it comes on quickly and poses a direct threat. These shots of strong flames occur when the oil or fat drippings from food hit the coals.

Conclusion

All the gas grills that we reviewed above are good on their own but if we have to recommend just one gas grill, we choose the Blackstone 1554 Station. The 1554 wins in terms of cooking versatility and convenience. It’s one of the few large gas grill models that’s easy to assemble and it’s portable with its four sturdy caster wheels.

For its price, you’ll get four independently controlled burners to cook several foods at different temperature settings from low to high. The burners are made of stainless steel, making them resistant to rust and corrosion. They can cook from breakfast foods to all kinds of meat while retaining all their flavor and juices.

7 Best Espresso Cups for the Ultimate Coffee Mug Experience

Posted on by John Bird

Do you love the rich taste of espresso but hate how it burns your hands? As coffee becomes more popular than ever, people are looking for the best way to enjoy their cup of joe.

Best Espresso Cups

The answer? The best espresso cups: the fancy name is “Demitasse” (aka half cup)!

Some people may be content with whichever tiny cup they have on hand right now, but for many devoted coffee lovers, sipping espresso is a ritual. And those coffee junkies need a stylish and functional go-to cup.

We’ve rounded up the best of the best along with a buying guide, so you can find the perfect one for you. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy your espresso in style.

Our Favorite Espresso Cup (Editor’s Choice) – Bormioli Rocco Verdi Espresso Cup

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Let’s announce our winner straight away, shall we?

We love this made-in-Spain Bormioli Rocco Verdi Espresso Cup because it is a very cute and durable set that is perfectly sized for a single or double shot of espresso served.

The double-wall tempered glass ensures resistance to thermal shock, breakage, chipping, and dishwasher wear, and the elegant design with the feel of a European cafe is perfect for a delicious espresso experience.

Additionally, the handle is made of stainless steel and comes off for easy cleaning. Moreover, the coffee cup is dishwasher-safe and microwave-safe for all kinds of experiments!

The clear borosilicate glass is ideal for the presentation of multi-layered hot drinks. To be honest, you won’t find a better one on this budget!

How Should You Choose Espresso Cups?

When it comes to finding the best espresso cups, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

Espresso Cups Best Material

Choosing the right material is the single most important thing when buying Espresso cups.

First, you want to make sure the insulation is good. The cup should be made from a material that will retain heat well. This is important because you want the espresso to stay hot while you drink it.

Espresso-based drinks tend to lose temperature quickly because of the lower brewing temperature and the limited amount of coffee.

Another thing you need to consider regarding material is the sturdiness and flexibility of use.

It’s wise to invest in a material that won’t break easily, is dishwasher safe, and can be used in the microwave. Also, it should be lead and BPA-free.

Here are some common materials used to make Espresso cups. Each of these materials has its benefits and drawbacks –

1. Stoneware Glasses

Stoneware isn’t the most common material in Espresso cups.

Though they’re long-lasting, scratch-resistant, and able to sustain temperature well, they’re more costly than the other alternative; the luxury option in some cases.

However, if you have got the money, you can bid on them for exceptional quality and longevity.

2. Ceramic Cups

Ceramic material makes the more traditional espresso cup that has long been appreciated by baristas. They don’t leak any unpleasant taste into your beverage. And they retain the heat longer.

Besides these benefits, ceramic cups are often less costly since they don’t need double walls because baked clays are thermally insulating.

However, it’s better to use them only in the household since they are naturally more delicate than steel.

A porcelain or ceramic cup set like the Royal Doulton Coffee Studio Espresso Set will be your best bet if none of those double-walled alternatives amazes you.

3. Borosilicate Glass

Glass has almost similar properties as ceramic, except it’s more fragile.

There is only one thing you need to make sure of while buying glass cups is that they should be double-walled cups since glass isn’t a fantastic insulator like ceramic.

The best thing about glass Espresso or latte cups is that you can actually see your Espresso while drinking it.

They display crema, one of the signs of a successful espresso shot and it is unquestionably lovely to look at.

4. Stainless Steel espresso cups

Finally, stainless steel is the most durable when it comes to espresso cup material, making it a fantastic option for travel or if you’re clumsy

The problem with steel is they’re efficient heat conductors and not so excellent at retaining the heat of a newly poured espresso shot.

For the same reason, they’re perfect for cooking pots and pans.

Like glass, choose a double-walled construction to help retain the heat longer. Otherwise, you’ll wind up with burned fingertips and iced coffee.

Cups constructed of this material are all dishwasher-safe!

Just be aware of the cheap stainless-steel cups because they give your beverage a metallic taste.

Choose the material that is best for your routine based on the sort of home barista you are!

5. The No-Nos

There are a few materials that are an absolute “nope”:

  • Cheap metallic cups
  • Melamine cups
  • Plastic cups
  • Paper cups

Any substance of polystyrene will make the coffee taste awful and plasticky. Also, Styrofoam in plastic materials may cause cancer and other horrific health issues.

Quantity

This is important if you tend to share your drink with other family members or friends and if you tend to misplace or damage kitchen equipment often.

Depending on how many you need to serve or clean up for, a set of four like the Dragon Glassware Espresso Cups might sometimes be enough.

You could need more at other times, and it might be helpful to have backups.

Size

A typical espresso cup weighs between 2 to 3 ounces (60 ml to 90 ml).

To find your ideal size, first, you need to find out what kind of espresso drinks you consume the most.

  • Small demitasse cups of 2 to 4 ounces will be best if you just need to use the cup for espresso. They can carry single or double shots without affecting the crema or the espresso’s overall quality.
  • If you often drink drip coffee or espresso beverages like cappuccinos, begin shopping for a 5-to-5.5-ounce cup and go higher.  
  • You could need a bigger mug of 11 to 15 ounces if you often take a big latte.

Some coffee drinkers just buy bigger cups, thinking that they’ll accommodate all types of drinks.

The problem with big cups is that the additional materials will cause the Espresso to cool down more quickly.  

Another thing to consider about size is whether the cup is compatible with your Espresso maker.

You need to measure the distance between the spout and the drip tray.

If your automated home espresso machine has an adjustable spout, be sure you are aware of the maximum clearance that the machine can provide before choosing a cup.

Think About Extras

Do you need saucers with your cup? Do you need a handle or a set of spoons?

Saucers are practical (stop the coffee from spilling) and aesthetically pleasing for an espresso lover.

You may require a handle with bigger cups because your cup could become warm. It’s never fun to have your fingers burned.

For espresso drinkers who like sugar cubes or cream in their drink, espresso spoons can be great to break up the crema and gently stir.

Our Review of the Best Espresso Cups

From classic ceramic to modern glass, there’s an espresso cup for everyone. Here are the best Espresso cups on Amazon, according to your preferred material choice.

Best Ceramic/Porcelain Espresso Cups

1. Best Value for Money – Gibson Home Sensations Stackable Espresso Saucer Set

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The Gibson Home Sensations Stackable Espresso Saucer Set is a fun, stylish, and practical addition to your kitchen essentials.

The set includes six 2.4-ounce espresso cups, six 4.25” saucers, and one 11” metal stand, all of which are microwave and dishwasher-safe.

The porcelain material and matte glaze finish create a sleek, modern look, while the thick build makes the set incredibly durable.

What Is So Good About It

  • This set is a great choice for those who are looking for a small, stylish, and affordable set of good espresso cups.
  • These cups are solid and come with a metal rack for easy stacking and storage.
  • The set is also available in a variety of colors, so you can choose the perfect set to match your kitchen’s decor.
  • Great value for the price; highly recommended.

Room for Improvement

  • The cups are very small, which may not be useful to customers who drink a bit more.
  • The ring in the saucer to hold the cup is too big, which makes the cup wobble and spill easily.

2. Bigger Option – XUFENG Cappuccino Cups Set with Saucer

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For folks who like to add steamed milk and froth to their Espresso and drink large, these 8-ounce cups are just perfect.

This XUFENG Cappuccino Cups Set with Saucer is a great way to enjoy your favorite cappuccino, latte, or espresso. The set includes 4 porcelain cups and saucers that are microwave and dishwasher-safe.

The cups are also oven and freezer safe. The cups are made of high-quality porcelain. The set is a great gift for any coffee lover.

Good Things About This

  • The cups are thick, smooth, and well-made; has a heavyweight feeling
  • The spoons are adorable, and the saucers are all the same
  • They are a simple design but look great and feel good in the hand
  • Perfect sizing for a coffee aficionado to use with lattes and specifically practicing latte art

What Could’ve Been Improved

  • The handle holes could be bigger, not for fat finger people
  • The saucers could be smaller
  • The color is not as white as other white ceramic Espresso cups

Best Stainless-Steel Espresso Cups

3. Single Option – OGGI Insulated Stainless Steel Espresso Cup

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Oggi’s insulated 4-ounce espresso cups and saucers are the perfect size for the committed barista, with a beautiful mirror finish that exudes European chic.

The double-wall insulated construction reduces heat loss and heat transfer to your hand, keeping your espresso hot longer. The easy-to-grip handles with large openings aid comfort and reduce spills.

The demitasse cups come with elegant saucers including catching any drips. They’re easy to care for – just rinse with warm water after each use and dry.

Good Things About This

  • Made with high-quality stainless steel, which makes it durable and long-lasting
  • It also has a good fit and finishes, making it more enjoyable to drink from
  • They are easy to clean after use
  • Also available in 6, 8, and 12 oz sizes

Things That Need to Improve

  • The saucer doesn’t go with the cup
  • The handle may fall off after some time
  • Though it says 4 oz, it doesn’t fit double espresso shots (3-3.5 oz)
  • The double wall isn’t as thick as some of the more expensive stainless-steel espresso cups

4. Best Set – Whopper India Espresso Cup Mug Set

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The WhopperIndia’s double wall espresso cups set is a great way to enjoy your favorite espresso while at home.

The set includes six silver demitasse cups that are made of high-quality stainless steel. They have a wide mouth that accommodates full-size ice cubes and makes cleaning easy.

The compact, lightweight design takes up minimal space and is a great addition to any kitchen.

What’s So Special About It

  • These cute little espresso mugs are made from 100% food-grade stainless steel, making them durable and long-lasting
  • Perfect capacity of 5 ounces – not too small cup, not too large
  • They are perfect for small parties, serving tea or coffee in Indian style
  • They are also great to keep your coffee hot

Things That Need Improvement

  • The handle on the stainless steel cup may not be well-designed, and water or other substances may get caught in the gaps and cause contamination
  • The company’s customer service response was not satisfactory

Best Glass Espresso Cups

5. Champion – Dragon Glassware Double Wall Insulated Espresso Cups

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Dragon Glassware’s espresso cup set is perfect for at-home brewing stations like Nespresso or Keurig espresso machines while holding up to 4 ounces.

They feature double-walled glass insulation to keep your drinks hot or cold longer than traditional glassware.

The cups are made of lead-free, high-quality borosilicate glass that is microwave, refrigerator, and freezer safe. They come with a lifetime limited manufacturer’s warranty and ready-to-gift packaging.

Unique Characteristics

  • The espresso cups have a sleek design and are made of good-quality glass materials
  • The cups are extremely lightweight and have a smooth edge
  • They come in 4 oz and 6 oz variants; so, you can choose accordingly
  • They can accommodate an Espresso Lungo measure

Drawbacks

  • The double-walled espresso glasses are top-heavy when empty and the bottom is slightly too narrow, causing it to easily tip over
  • They will get stained in the dishwasher and printing may wash away soon, hence not dishwasher safe

6. Runner-Up – De’Longhi Double-Walled Thermo Espresso Glasses

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The DeLonghi espresso mugs are made from borosilicate glass and are clear in color. The sturdy material helps guard against breakage and is BPA-free.

They’re double-wall insulated to help keep liquid hot or ice cold and prevent condensation. The dishwasher-safe design allows quick and easy cleaning.

The double-walled glass comes in a set of two and has a capacity of 2 ounces without handles.

Why Should You Use It

  • The glasses are available in different sizes (Cappuccino and Latte) to accommodate different drinks
  • They’re double-walled, which keeps drinks warmer than single-wall glasses.
  • The glasses have a sleek design and are easy to hold
  • Superior choice compared to other expensive coffee cup brands

Things Yet to be Considered

  • You may have to ‘supervise’ your coffee-making process if you want to avoid filling the glasses to the brim
  • Glass is glass; it’s fragile and may break easily if you drop it from a distance
  • You may be charged for returning broken glasses

FAQs

1. What is the proper espresso cup size?

Some coffee aficionados believe that the best espresso cup size is half cup around 2 ounces, although many people believe that 4 ounces is a more realistic serving size.

2. Should espresso cups have saucers?

The saucer serves a few purposes – it can help to keep the cup warm; it provides a place to put your spoon, and it can help to catch any spills. However, the best espresso cups are often small, and some people prefer to drink their espresso without a saucer.

3. Why are espresso coffee cups so thick?

Because they need to be able to withstand the high temperatures at which the espresso is brewed. The thicker the demitasse cup, the better it will be able to retain the heat and allow the espresso to stay hot.

The Perfect Cup of Joe: Volcanica Coffee Review

Posted on by John Bird
The Perfect Cup of Joe: Volcanica Coffee Review

The popularity of coffee is prevalent in almost all corners of the world. It is one of the most heavily consumed beverages, and the numbers are rising every year. The financial year of 2020/2021 saw over a staggering 160 million bags of coffee being consumed all over the world, each bag weighing 60 kilograms on average. This shows the love people of all ages and circumstances have for coffee.

On top of that, with modern innovations, there are more coffee varieties available in both online and offline marketplaces than ever before. This is attracting more consumers every day and expanding the global coffee market along the way. 

The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of one such innovative coffee brand that has taken the world by storm ever since its introduction in 2004.

What Is Volcanica Coffee?

Volcanica Coffee is an organization that specializes in retailing premium and exotic coffee of the finest quality with ingredients from volcanic areas around the world. Volcanica Coffee offers over 150 varieties of coffee, with some of the most popular ones being single-origin, peaberry, estate, decaf, and many flavored variants. Despite the varying origins and differences in brewing procedures, the company has dedicated a facility located in Atlanta, Georgia, for the purpose of roasting the beans.

Volcanica Coffee’s company motto states “Volcanica Coffee Company focuses on one simple mission. They want to make sure your morning cup of coffee comes from the best-tasting beans.” The roasting facility is state-of-the-art, meaning that what they promise in terms of freshness and quality, they have the means to back up. The professional roasting masters working in Volcanica Coffee have years of experience in this field, and they understand the delicacies and subtleties involved in the process of roasting.

Company officials work tirelessly with local agencies and coffee farms that are mostly located in extremely remote locations in order to source the highest quality breeds for their devoted consumers. Due to their efforts, Volcanica Coffee is now a renowned brand around the globe. The top ratings they generally receive on online platforms effectively solidify this claim.

The History of Volcanica Coffee

Volcanica Coffee initiated its operations on a very small scale almost 18 years ago. It began as a family business after members of the family, who originated in Costa Rica, realized that the local markets were getting overwhelmed by coffee beans that were either overly roasted or were of very bad quality overall. The very first variant of coffee that they went on to sell was from volcanic regions in Costa Rica. They never looked back.

The coffee market in the United States accepted this new Costa Rican breed with open arms. Demand started to rise, and soon the customers started to ask for more varieties of coffee from other volcanic regions like Jamaica and Hawaii. These regions are located in extremely high altitudes (over 3,000 feet above sea level) and contain some of the richest volcanic soil around, ideal for growing coffee.

The demand never stopped, and soon Volcanica Coffee became an established name in the world of coffee. Even today, it is safe to assume that some of their core researchers are on the lookout for more volcanic regions to extract coffee beans from.

The ideologies they follow are also noteworthy. They are not solely focused on making money; they give back as well. They donate 1 percent of their overall yearly revenue to charities and claim to have built the foundations of their organization based on Christian principles. The company has indeed come a long way from the time it first began its operations.

Quality and Certifications of Volcanica Coffee

The fact that Volcanica Coffee specializes in processing and retailing coffee grown in distant, remote, and risky volcanic locations speaks volumes about the quality they focus on sustaining. The company also provides fully or partially ground beans depending on the customers’ preferences. The processing is done only after receiving an order, which helps in keeping the beans as fresh as possible until the customer receives them.

Furthermore, the fact that company employees make the trip to the coffee farms themselves means that there is no involvement of any intermediaries or third parties. This ensures that the beans do not go through multiple entities before ending up at the roasting facilities in Atlanta. No intermediary commissions are paid, which reduces the final cost of their products in general.

Volcanica Coffee is recognized and certified by the Coffee Industry Board of Jamaica or CIB, one of the world’s leading organizations that specialize in promoting, monitoring, regulating, and guiding the development of the Jamaican coffee industry. The certification acts as a form of guarantee that the coffee is of the highest quality and worthy of fetching appreciation from even the harshest critics.

Organically Grown

Organically Grown Coffee

Volcanica Coffee is labeled “USDA Certified Organic,” a significant accolade for any coffee brand. This essentially proves that no synthetic pesticides or chemicals are used to cultivate the beans. Every bit of it is completely grown using natural means. In fact, as claimed by Volcanica officials, they rely on natural wildlife for dealing with bug or pest issues in the coffee farms. Natural compost is used to enhance the fertility of the soil, which is already rich in nutrients being in close proximity to volcanos. In simple terms, quality is prioritized above all.

Fair Trade Certified

Fair Trade

The Fair Trade certification is provided by an organization known as FairTrade International. It establishes and imposes regulations on the exporters and importers on behalf of the producers. According to a Volcanica employee, the Fair Trade certification gives farmers the means to drag themselves out of poverty through making investments in their villages and farms, safeguarding the environment, and honing the professional skills needed to compete globally on all fronts. Thus, Volcanica Coffee is not only delicious but is also an ethical choice.

Shade Grown

Shade Grown

If you have any prior idea about breeding coffee, chances are, you are already aware of certain breeds being grown in the shade. The “Shade Grown” certification essentially proves that the coffee is grown in the shade of a natural canopy. This not only responds to the needs of certain breeds but also provides a suitable platform for coffee growth due to the presence of natural plant habitats all around. Furthermore, shade-grown coffee does not need additional fertilizers or chemicals for pest control as the whole system represents a closed ecosystem that is completely nurtured by nature itself. Costs are reduced as little to no soil conservation steps need to be taken.

Rainforest Alliance-certified

Rainforest Alliance-certified Coffee

Many coffee manufacturers desire to get a certification from the Rainforest Alliance, an international organization dedicated to aiding in the conservation of biodiversity in regions specialized in the production of coffee. The Rainforest Alliance leaves no stone unturned to ensure that the coffee production methods used by farmers fall under environmentally sustainable systems. Not only that: The organization also works with consumers and business owners so that all the entities remain profitable and avoid degrading the quality of the coffee.

A Quick Glance at Volcanica Coffee

Now that you have substantial knowledge about Volcanica Coffee as a whole, let us take a quick glance at it again, in the form of pros and cons. This way, you can easily judge the many benefits as well as the drawbacks of Volcanica Coffee.

Pros

Check the list of pros below.

  • They sell a wide assortment of coffee types for their customers to explore for months, if not years.
  • They sell premium certified coffee beans like Kona and Jamaican Blue Mountain.
  • They start roasting only after receiving a confirmed order.
  • They offer options like whole beans or ground beans for sale. Even the latter comes with three options for grind sizes.
  • The flavors they have available are unique in their own ways.
  • The coffee can easily be considered a splendid gift option for your loved ones on almost any occasion or event.

Cons

Check the list of pros below.

  • The coffee they sell is not particularly cheap, although subscriptions can be purchased which take off around 10 percent of the cost.
  • As they specialize in a particular type of coffee based on the origin, at times, due to intense demand, they do resort to non-organic breeding methods. However, they do let the customers know of this in such circumstances.
  • Most of the beans sold are Arabica—something that does not appeal to Robusta lovers.
  • The entire company is built on Christian ethos and beliefs—again, something that does not appeal to some individuals.

The Perfect Cup of Joe: Volcanica Coffee Review 16

 

What Makes Volcanica Coffee Special?

The fact that intense efforts are put into the production of Volcanica Coffee makes it really special compared to other regular coffee brands. Had they not been effective in sustaining high standards, they would have gone out of business a long time ago. Being competitive in the coffee industry is no small feat, especially for years on end. So what makes Volcanica Coffee so special? Learn it in the following sections.

Minimal Impact on the Environment

Volcanica Coffee takes great measures to minimize the carbon footprint left by the company. As the employees directly communicate and deal with local farms, they are able to provide hands-on training to the farmers in order to help them with environmentally sustainable farming practices.

The roasting facility they have in Atlanta implements a state-of-the-art Ovenpak 400 afterburner which is capable of removing odor, smoke, and any other byproducts with incredible efficiency. It also removes toxic pollutants like NOx, CO, and dust by transforming them into harmless natural gas.

Thus, the emissions are steadily controlled, and the company stays well within the environmental regulations. In fact, 1 percent of their entire retail earnings are donated for the development of various water projects owned by the community.

Diverse Options

The Volcanica Coffee beans are collected from all around the world. Africa, Arabia, the Caribbean, the Americas, the Pacific, Asia—you name it. More exotic coffee types include shade grown coffee, rainforest coffee, low acid coffee (like Kopi Luwak), creme brulee coffee, and many more. If you visit their website, you will find an entire section dedicated to selling estate coffee, meaning all the beans came from a particular estate or coffee farm.

Ensures Freshly Roasted and Fast Delivery

Even if you order the best beans available, you might end up with lower quality or botched products if the logistics are not prioritized. Volcanica Coffee deals with such cases by giving the customer complete information regarding the source and delivery route. Try synchronizing your order with their schedule dedicated to roasting beans. Volcanica Coffee will always try to ship on the day of order. Place your order well before 12 pm EST if you want an expedited delivery.

Different Types of Volcanica Coffee to Try

Let us now take a look at some of the most popular types of coffee served by Volcanica Coffee. We have mainly focused on their specifications in the sections below.

Tanzania Peaberry

  • Origin: Tanzania Nitin Estate
  • Type: Single Origin
  • Roast: Medium Roast
  • Processing: Wet Process
  • Varietal: 100% Arabica Coffee
  • Certification: UTZ, Kosher
  • Taste Notes: Savory Chocolate, Dried Fruit, and Orange

Kenya AA

  • Origin: Nyeri Hill Estate
  • Type: Single Origin
  • Roast: Medium or Light Roast
  • Processing: Wet Process
  • Varietal: 100% Arabica Coffee 
  • Certification: Rainforest Alliance, Kosher
  • Taste Notes: Cranberry, Raspberry, and Redwood

Low Acid Coffee

  • Origin: Sumatra, Brazil, and a few other low altitude regions
  • Type: Blend
  • Roast: Medium Roast
  • Processing: Wet Process
  • Varietal: 100% Arabica Coffee
  • Certification: Kosher
  • Taste Notes: Nuts, Chocolate, and Tangerine

Kona Extra Fancy Coffee

  • Origin: Aloha Farms
  • Type: Single Origin
  • Roast: Medium Roast
  • Processing: Wet Process
  • Varietal: 100% Arabica Coffee
  • Certification: 100% Kona Coffee, Kosher, Extra Fancy
  • Taste Notes: Jasmine, Fruits, Sweet Caramel, and Citrus

Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee

  • Origin: Wallenford Estate
  • Type: Single Origin
  • Roast: Medium Roast
  • Processing: Wet Process
  • Varietal: 100% Arabica Coffee 
  • Certification: 100% JBM Coffee, Kosher
  • Taste Notes: Chocolate and Orange Peels

Regional Volcanica Coffee Selection

Certain groups of customers do not necessarily prefer any particular brand but are more interested in the origin. For instance, the coffee produced in the Caribbean will have a slightly different taste than that grown in Indonesia, despite both belonging to the same breed. In order to respond to the regional preferences of their customers, Volcanica Coffee has categorized its entire collection into different classifications based on origin.

Caribbean

Many individuals turn to Volcanica Coffee just to taste the array of Caribbean coffee flavors they have in store. The thing that makes this variant of coffee so unique is the distinct flavor it boasts, something that cannot be found in any other coffee breed. Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic are the biggest producers of Caribbean coffee. Anyone looking for a captivating experience should definitely try this out.

Americas

The coffee produced in the Americas is especially clean flavored and is the most accessible to both organizations and individuals alike. The coffee comes from Central America, South America, and Hawaii, and is the most common among American households.

Africa & Arabia

African and Arabian coffee, like in the Caribbean, is unique in its own way. The fact that coffee production and cultivation have been going in the Arabian peninsula for centuries proves that whatever they grow nowadays oozes quality. The coffee has a distinct taste of fruits and a slight floral aroma.

Indonesian & Pacific

Individuals looking for a more complex experience in terms of flavors often opt for the Indonesian and Pacific coffee breeds. These variants boast intense aromas that resemble tropical flavors, making the coffee stand out among other breeds when kept together. If you crave dark roast coffee, Indonesian & Pacific is what you need.

Consider an Assorted Volcanica Gift Box for Coffee Aficionados

Volcanica Coffee is not just about ordering and treating yourself. The company offers a sensational assortment of gift boxes that individuals can order and give as gifts to their loved ones on occasions of any sort. Examples include the Jamaican Blue Mountain Clydesdale Coffee 8 oz gift box that arrives in an elegant coffee barrel, the Coffee Lover gift box that includes four of the most popular breeds the company sells, and a whole lot more. In fact, Volcanica Coffee delivers gift boxes priced above $60 completely free of cost.

FAQ

Is Volcanica Coffee legit?

Volcanica Coffee offers high-quality beans from all around the world, from the Caribbean to Arabia and further. They are certified by theCoffee Industry Board of Jamaica and are considered a gourmet coffee company.

Where is Volcanica Coffee from?

All of Volcanica’s coffees are roasted fresh in Atlanta, GA, while their selection of over 150 coffee beans comes from all over the globe.

Conclusion

Be it your curiosity or a response to your daily needs, opting for Volcanica Coffee is indeed a smart choice, due to all the reasons comprehensively explained throughout this article. It is unlikely that you will not find a flavor of your liking among the innumerable options provided by Volcanica Coffee. After all, they are specialists, following special methods and making special deliveries to their very special customers. We believe this Volcanica Coffee review will come to your aid and can act as a form of reference when you enter their site to place your order.

The Best Grill Tongs: These 10 are the Only Constants in the Chaotic World of BBQ

Posted on by John Bird

The world of BBQ is chaotic.

Everything from the choice of meat and seasonings to the technique of heating and smoking varies across countries, cultures, and chefs.

The word itself is far from uncomplicated. Is it a cooking method? A grilling device? A style of food? Or the gathering where this style of food is served?

No one knows for sure.

Yet, it remains one of the most exciting parts of the culinary arts.

Grilling up a simmering and savory T-bone steak is worth a million bucks, only if grilling goes smooth. For that, you need a guide to peaceful grilling and the best accessories to facilitate your smooth journey.

Speaking of accessories, grilling tongs are a pivotal appendage when it comes to barbeques. Having a troublesome one can simply ruin your party.

So, in order to avoid the chaos and feel the peace and joy inside, DO NOT SETTLE FOR ANY GRILL TONG. The best grill tongs up for sale in 2020 awaits here with all their upsides and downsides.

Skim through and take your pick.

How to Find the Best Grill Tongs?

In a saturated market of kitchen appliances, quality is difficult to filter from endless quantities.

Since tongs aren’t only meant for your grilling weekends, rather they are your basic kitchen necessities, spending your money on a flimsy thing doesn’t sound too great.

These are like your heat-proof pair of hands, therefore, they must be versatile enough to act like one.

When venturing into the jungle for the best grilling tongs, you must be prepared. A little research that lets you land into a useful review article ( looks like you are on the right path ), is the first step.

Getting to understand the details comes next. Factor in the size of the tong, the design and the materials used to make the tips and the grip. We’ll talk about these intricate details in the buying guides.

Next, you have got to choose between the mechanisms of tongs. Some prefer the scissor style while others find the simple spring-loaded tongs more comfortable.

Last but not the least, look for the manufacturer’s reputation. Doesn’t matter if it’s a basic kitchen tool, for optimum performance, reputation matters!

Letting a 360 degree review to highlight the pros and cons of the top best units currently available and following along with the expert tips provided by a handy buying guide, is probably the easiest way to get to the best kitchen tongs.

Overview

If you want a no-fuss recommendation, these grill tongs are functional and reliable in any context.

  1. Overall Best: Grille Perfect Grilling Tongs Heavy Duty 
  2. Editor’s Pick: Cuisinart CGS-134 Grilling Tool Set 
  3. Most Capable Multitasker: ChefGiant Tonglite Heavy Duty Spatula & Retractable Tongs

Summary

Maybe you want to know more about these top picks. This section summarizes why they are so great, but if you want a longer look, check out the detailed reviews afterward.

  • The Grille Perfect Grilling Tongs Heavy Duty is a boon if you often find yourself getting burned when handling your grill. These extra-long tongs are 16 inches in length and give you a firm grip on large pieces of meat or delicate seafood. They are also very easy to clean!
  • Why get just tongs when you can get a whole kit? The Cuisinart CGS-134 Grilling Tool Set comes with grill tongs, gloves, a grill fork, and a spatula一everything you need to use your grill.
  • If you use your grill very frequently, get something durable like the ChefGiant Tonglite Heavy Duty Spatula & Retractable Tongs. It combines six tools into one, making it the ideal grill partner when you go camping.

Top 14 Best Grill Tongs Reviews

RankProductRatingShops
#1Grille Perfect Heavy-Duty Grilling Tongs [Overall Best]
Grille Perfect thinks that their 16-inch grilling tongs are the perfect gear that can protect your grilling experience from a downward spiral. The handle is constructed from silicone, meaning that it effectively prevents heat from reaching your palms. The grippers, on the other hand, are made of heavy-duty stainless steel. So you can safely expect this to be around for a long time. 

Dimensions: 17.88 x 2 x 1.6 inches
Weight: 14.4 ounces
Length: 16 inches		9Check Price
#2Cuisinart CGS-134 Grilling Tool Set with Grill Glove [Editor’s Pick] 
There’s a reason why this is my personal favorite. This may not be an extravagant grill tool-set, but it contains the four precise tools that decide whether your BBQ turns out to be a smooth deal or a fussy one.

Dimensions: 18.6 x 4.7 x 3 inches
Weight: 1.75 pounds
Length: NA		9Check Price
#3ChefGiant Tonglite Heavy-Duty Spatula & Retractable Tongs [Most Capable Multitasker]
This piece of machinery by ChefGiant is the most innovative thing you will see on the web today. This is the best multitasker in town with six different tools in one body. The extra-long retractable tongs grab and flip steaks with prowess. It does not struggle with a heavy brisket. 

Dimensions: 19 x 4 x 2 inches
Weight: 1.15 pounds
Length: 18.5 inches		9Check Price
#4Rösle Stainless Steel Fine Tongs [Luxury Pick]
These stainless steel tongs are 12.2 inches long and can lift and turn the delicate items on your menu with ease. They have skinny pointed tips that are scored to give you the best grip on your food. 

Dimensions: 12.2 x 0.5 x 0.75 inches
Weight: 4.6 ounces
Length: 12.2 inches		9Check Price
#5OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Stainless-Steel Locking Tongs [Best Gripping Tongs]
The gripper has a scalloped edge design that allows you a firm grip on your food without piercing it. In contrast to the firm tip, the cushioned handle is soft and non-slip. So you can expect comfortable grilling with OXO Good Grips. The brushed stainless steel unit is 12 inches long, perfect for keeping your hands safe from the cooking surface. If you want something longer, a 16’’ version is also available. 

Dimensions: 13.75 x 6.75 x 1.5 inches
Weight: 6.3 ounces
Length: 12 inches		9.5Check Price
#6Rachael Ray Lil’ Huggers Lazy Locking Cooking Tongs [Attractive Design]
The Lil’ Huggers, which is a part of Rachel Ray’s popular kitchenware line, is actually pretty impressive.  This piece of kitchen tools is as easy to use as most of Rachel Ray’s kitchenware. It comes in three colors, among which we like aqua blue the most. The duo has a small footprint and gives you a great feel. 

Dimensions: 13.7 x 5.4 x 1.6 inches
Weight: 14.8 ounces
Length: 13.7 inches		9Check Price
#7Cave Tools Grill Tongs [Sturdiest Pick]
These are the thickest stainless steel grill tongs that we have come across so far. How is this an advantage? It increases durability by several times.The sturdy construction and large clamps make it a reliably strong tool. No matter how heavy a brisket you are dealing with, you are guaranteed that it won’t bend or break. 

Dimensions: 17.13 x 2.6 x 2.24 inches
Weight: 13.6 ounces
Length: 17 inches		9Check Price
#8Grill Tongs for Kitchen & Barbecue [Most Affordable]
This is a duo of 16-inch and 12-inch tongs. So while you will want the longer-handled pair for heavy-duty grilling, the smaller one can be used as a secondary or for frying food, making pasta and noodles, and when baking on sheet pans.

Dimensions: 17.72 x 4.92 x 0.79 inches
Weight: 10.2 ounces
Length: 16 inches		9Check Price
#9Grill Tongs Shark BBQ Heavy Duty Barbecue [Best Scissor Tongs]
Scissor tongs are a result of some neat engineering. Many grillers prefer scissors style because they feel that this allows them more control. The body is made of steel and the handles are quality PVC. These long tongs for grilling are 17.5 inches in length. This incredible length and the scissor-style construct give you an extra effective reach.

Dimensions: 17.7 x 3.8 x 1.4 inches
Weight: 13.6 ounces
Length: 17.5 inches		9Check Price
#10Grilljoy 24PCS BBQ Grill Tools Set with Meat Thermometer and Injector [Comprehensive Grill Tool Kit]
This is a complete grill tool-set in the true sense of the word. Grilling is a breeze with these extra thick stainless steel tools. The tongs included here are made of single-piece metal. It does its job pretty well, although the set is not merely about the tongs, as you may have noticed. It is a functional and portable set that comes at a reasonable price point. 

Dimensions: 17.32 x 9.45 x 2.68 inches
Weight: 4.71 pounds 
Length: 15 inches		9Check Price

01. Grilling Tongs Heavy Duty 16 Inch by Grille Perfect – Overall Best

[amazon box=”B07PVHQ1MS”]

Grille Perfect thinks that their 16-inch grilling tongs are the perfect gear to protect your grilling experience from a downward spiral. 

From the user reviews on Amazon, it is quite clear that consumers also feel this way. These tongs are being praised for being “terrific” and “a good value for the money.”

Do the heaps of praise hold up?

The handle is constructed from silicone, meaning that it efficiently prevents heat from reaching your palms. This also gives you a non-slip and firm hold, no matter how greasy the handle becomes. 

The grippers, on the other hand, are made of heavy-duty stainless steel. So you can safely expect this to be around for a long time. 

The design of the grippers strikes a perfect balance between sturdy and delicate. This 12 oz unit is tough enough to lift large cuts of meat like a pro. Conversely, it is meticulous enough to handle the delicate fabric of seafood. 

The scalloped edges provide a solid grip on your meat and burgers without tearing them apart. There is a close to nonexistent chance that your meat slice will fall off from the strong grip of Grille Perfect grilling tongs.

These tongs provide a functional length of 16 inches. Ergo, your hands will be nowhere close to the scorching heat of your grilling surface be it your favorite Weber grill or the flat tops.

The tongs have a reliable and comfortable feel. There is a locking mechanism in place that molds it into a compact shape when not in use. It also has a hanging ring for easy storage and accessibility.  

Product Information:

  • Dimensions: 17.88 x 2 x 1.6 inches
  • Weight: 14.4 ounces
  • Length: 16 inches

Strengths:

  • The comfortable hold makes it great for amateurs and pros alike
  • Functional grippers that are sturdy and durable
  • Handles both heavy and delicate food with equal expertise
  • Includes a hanging ring and locking mechanism
  • Comes with a free Ebook containing tips and tricks for grilling

Weaknesses:

  • Not the most attractive pair of tongs

Verdict: 

The best thing about this grilling gear is the price point. You get strength, reliability, and ergonomic design, all at a very affordable price. 

This is a must-have among your grilling supplies, and we cannot help but agree with the hype that surrounds this solid pair of kitchen tongs. My rating for this product is 9/10.

02. Cuisinart CGS-134 Grilling Tool Set with Grill Glove – Editor’s Pick

[amazon box=”B005TGXZ7U”]

There’s a reason why this is my personal favorite. This may not be an extravagant grill toolset, but it contains the four precise tools that decide whether your BBQ turns out to be a smooth deal or a fussy one.

This set comes with:

  • 12” grill tongs
  • A wide grill spatula
  • A grilling fork, and 
  • A grill glove

Let’s elaborate on each of them, starting with the tongs.

The tip of the curved tongs in the Cuisinart Grilling Tool Set is toothed. This makes it easier to hold and turn even the thickest steaks. 

The handle is rubberized, preventing heat from being transmitted to your hands, as well as adding color to the appearance of the entire unit. 

The spatula is wide and has a serrated edge for cutting meat. It also sports a handy bottle opener.

Then there is the grilling fork.

All three of these tools have elongated rubberized handles for a comfortable grip and to keep you away from the flames as much as possible. These are stainless steel constructs with loops on each of them so that you can hang them up nearby.   

The oven mitts are an additional bonus. 

The only downside is that it is not dishwasher-proof. 

Product Information:

  • Dimensions: 18.6 x 4.7 x 3 inches
  • Weight: 1.75 pounds
  • Length: NA

Strengths:

  • A compact and functional set that covers your grilling needs
  • Solid stainless steel with bright colors combine attractive design with durability
  • Each component is highly functional, so there isn’t a redundant piece
  • Long handles to keep you away from heat and prevent burns

Weaknesses:

  • Not dishwasher proof

Verdict: 

This grill toolset is a good value for money and a great gift for any grilling aficionado. The attractive look makes it even more suitable as a gift option. 

Even if you don’t need to surprise anybody now, simply give yourself a present with the best grill tongs set in 2021: the Cuisinart Grilling Tool Set. My rating for this product is 9/10.

03. ChefGiant Tonglite Heavy Duty BBQ Grilling Spatula & Retractable Tongs – Most Capable Multitasker

[amazon box=”B072R1TSHQ”]

This piece of machinery by ChefGiant is the most innovative thing you will see on the web today. This is the best multitasker in town with 6 different tools in one body.

You can use this one as:

  • Spatula
  • Tongs
  • Knife
  • Opener
  • Grill scraper 
  • (Surprise, surprise!) In-built LED flashlight!

The tong lite is not only about being fancy. Made of premium grade 430 stainless steel, this is a solid performer. 

The extra-long retractable tongs grab and flip steaks with prowess. It will not struggle even with a heavy brisket. 

When used as a spatula, it is quite wide and easily slips under your food. 

This heavy-duty BBQ grill gear has an equally great handle. Made of fibre-reinforced nylon, it can withstand up to 475 degrees Fahrenheit of temperature. 

It will give you a solid and comfortable grip. This is a good thing, particularly for a beginner who may struggle with other grill gears. 

This all-in-one grill tool is dishwasher safe. However, manufacturers recommend manual cleaning. 

Product Information:

  • Dimensions: 19 x 4 x 2 inches
  • Weight: 1.15 pounds
  • Length: 18.5 inches

Strengths:

  • Innovative design that can be used in six different ways including as a flashlight
  • Sturdy and efficient as the high-quality 430 stainless steel construction ensures heavy-duty performance and durability 
  • Comfortable nylon handles
  • Hooks for easy storage
  • Dishwasher-safe and low maintenance

Weaknesses:

  • A bit pricey, but well worth the money as it can replace several other tools

Verdict:

This is the epitome of innovative kitchen tools.

Often, a multifaceted tool like this one turns out to be uncomfortable. Rest assured this is not true for ChefGiant Tonglite. 

These grill tongs with light are a handy must-have that you should not miss. My rating for this product is 9/10.

04. Rösle Stainless Steel Fine Tongs – Luxury Pick

[amazon box=”B0007VHCQ2″]

The perfect grilling gear must never miss a slim pair of tongs. Otherwise, how could you work with those delicate pieces of bacon and seafood without damaging them?

Rösle Stainless Steel Fine Tongs were made for this. 

These 12.2-inch stainless steel tongs lift and turn the delicate items on your grill with ease.  The pointed tips are scored to give you the best grip on your food. 

However, it is not merely grill gear. You can use it to extract items from jars and pin bones from fish. 

The build material is high quality 18/10 stainless steel that gives the manufacturers enough confidence to offer a lifetime warranty. 

Everything about these tongs is classy. They are sleek, look great, and boast a polished hanging loop for storage convenience.

They are a bit on the pricey side, but the feel and the service are worth it. 

Product Information:

  • Dimensions: 12.2 x 0.5 x 0.75 inches
  • Weight: 4.6 ounces
  • Length: 12.2 inches

Strengths:

  • Ideal tongs for thin and delicate food like seafood and fruit
  • Ergonomically designed to maximize comfort
  • Supreme performance with a great grip and feel
  • Excellently removes pin bones from fish
  • Comes with a lifetime warranty

Weaknesses:

  • Rather expensive when compared to other options
  • Not suitable for larger and heavier pieces of food

Verdict:

This German engineered pair of fine tongs is supremely built and serves its purpose well. Overall, this is undoubtedly among the best BBQ tongs. 

If you have felt the ordeal of turning thin pieces of bacon or removing fish bones, this is an absolute necessity for you. As far as handling delicate pieces of food go, these are the best. My rating for this product is 9/10.

05. OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Stainless-Steel Locking Tongs -Best Gripping Tongs

[amazon box=”B00004OCK1″]

Get a grip with OXO Good Grips. This pair of metal tongs are the talk of the town and for good reason. They boast an ergonomic and thoughtful design from the base to the tip. 

The gripper has a scalloped edge design. This allows you a firm grip on your food without piercing it. 

In contrast to the firm tip, the cushioned handle is soft and non-slip. So you can expect comfortable grilling with OXO Good Grips. 

The brushed stainless steel unit is 12 inches long, enough to keep your hands safe from the cooking surface. However, if you want something longer, a 16’’ version is available. 

This one performs proficiently. It is versatile enough to be able to flip the most greasy and heavy piece of meat and the thinnest stalk of asparagus at the same time. 

There is a metal pull-out lock in place which simplifies storage.

Product Information:

  • Dimensions: 13.75 x 6.75 x 1.5 inches
  • Weight: 6.3 ounces
  • Length: 12 inches

Strengths:

  • Grips really well, making it suitable for larger cuts of meat
  • Signature cushioned no-slip handle ensures you can handle them comfortably
  • Good for flipping and lifting all sorts of food
  • Possesses the perfect spring tension, not too tight or too loose

Weaknesses:

  • It has a metal pull-out lock, but some users prefer a rubber lock instead

Verdict:

The OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel tongs are premium quality tongs and are good enough to give our Overall Best a run for their money. 

I won’t shy away from calling them some of the best tongs for grilling. They are highly recommended by users everywhere. My rating for this product is 9.5/10.

06. Rachael Ray Lil’ Huggers Dishwasher Safe Lazy Locking Cooking Tongs – Cooking Tongs that Look Great

[amazon box=”B075G1Q5V7″]

Want pretty grill tongs? Look no further than these. Nonetheless, don’t let us give you the impression that they’re any less functional.

The Lil’ Huggers, a part of Rachel Ray’s popular kitchenware line, is actually pretty impressive.
It comes as a duo. The longer piece is 12 inches and the shorter one is 9 inches in length. Both the ends of these tongs are silicone made.

Although this silicone construct can withstand a temperature of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s not a good idea to expose it to scorching flames. It works best for medium to low heat cooking.

This kitchen tool is as easy to use as most of Rachel Ray’s kitchenware. It comes in three colors, among which we like aqua blue the most. The duo has a small footprint and gives you a great feel.

The reason they are named ‘little huggers’ is their locking mechanism. The flawless tabs lock them into compact units.

The overall performance is satisfactory. However, there are no gripping grooves on the tips. Hence, these tongs can struggle a bit when grasping heavier or greasy things.

Product Information:

  • Dimensions: 13.7 x 5.4 x 1.6 inches
  • Weight: 14.8 ounces
  • Length: 13.7 inches

Strengths:

  • Looks and feels great, especially with the bright color
  • Lightweight and compact, so use and storage is not complicated
  • An efficient locking mechanism makes storage easy
  • Easy to use for everyday cooking and grilling, while remaining affordable

Weaknesses:

  • Tips are not grooved, so may struggle with slippery food

Verdict:

They are the best grill tongs for gifting because of their attractive look, great feel, and supreme performance. The Lil’ Huggers are great. However, we advise you to keep them away from direct flames. My rating for this product is 9/10.

07. Cave Tools Grill Tongs- Sturdiest Pick

[amazon box=”B01AKQLK5W”]

These are the thickest stainless steel grill tongs that we have come across so far. How is this an advantage?

It increases durability by several times.

The sturdy construction and large clamps make it a reliably strong one. No matter how heavy a brisket you are dealing with, you are guaranteed that it won’t bend or break. 

This unit comes with a leather hanging strap and fits on any grill tool holder without any trouble. These open-style tongs have a locking bracket to lock them shut. 

Cleaning is extremely easy. It is dishwasher safe.

As a bonus, you get 25 professional BBQ recipes and a free download grilling journal for both IOS and Android. 

Product Information:

  • Dimensions: 17.13 x 2.6 x 2.24 inches
  • Weight: 13.6 ounces
  • Length: 17 inches

Strengths:

  • Sturdily built for a long life
  • Great at doing its job, even for giant ribs and tomahawk steaks
  • Dishwasher safe and easy to clean
  • Great value for money with a lifetime satisfaction guarantee

Weaknesses:

  • Not the best cooking tongs but does the job pretty well

Verdict:

This is a great no-bend, no-break, sturdy unit that sets out to do its job right. There is a close to zero chance that you will get disappointed with this purchase. Even if you do, there’s always a lifetime satisfaction guarantee! My rating for this product is 9/10.

08. Grill Tongs for Kitchen & Barbecue- Most Affordable

[amazon box=”B0761W4ZTT”]

This is a sleek pair of tongs by the Mountain Grillers. Even then, these tongs are by no means flimsy. This unit is sturdy enough to grab hold of a chicken but handles lighter food better. 

This is a duo of 16-inch and 12-inch tongs. While you will want the bigger one for heavy-duty grilling, the smaller one can be used for frying food, making pasta and noodles, and when baking on sheet pans.

This is a stainless steel spring unit. The textured, non-slip handles are comfortable and give you a satisfactory grip. 

This unit is dishwashable, and there are hanging loops, so cleaning, maintenance, and storage aren’t an issue. 

The only minus is the durability. It may not last for many years, so you need to use it with extra care.

Product Information:

  • Dimensions: 17.72 x 4.92 x 0.79 inches
  • Weight: 10.2 ounces
  • Length: 16 inches

Strengths:

  • A pack of two for a great price
  • Long and sleek with comfortable non-slip handles
  • Versatile and can be used for various cooking purposes
  • Satisfactory performance and easy to use

Weaknesses:

  • Not the most durable tongs out there

Verdict:

The best thing about this unit is the price point. 

Two pairs of quality tongs come at an extremely affordable price point. If using the same tongs for years to come isn’t a priority, then we recommend you go for these ones by the Mountain Grillers. My rating for this product is 9/10.

09. Grill Tongs Shark BBQ Heavy Duty Barbecue- Best Scissor Tongs

[amazon box=”B07MQBWR3N”]

Scissor tongs are a result of some neat engineering. Many grillers prefer scissors style because they feel that this allows them more control. 

For those of you who feel this way, these heavy-duty BBQ grilling tongs by Shark BBQ are good news because this is the best out there. 

The body is made of steel, and the handles are quality PVC. These long tongs for grilling are 17.5 inches in length. This incredible length and the scissor-style design give you an extra effective reach.

The finger bows are quite grippy. They are comfortable and slip-proof no matter how greasy your hand gets.

Speaking of aesthetics, this one looks professional and gives you the vibe that it’s here for business. It’s dishwasher safe, in case you were wondering. 

Product Information:

  • Dimensions: 17.7 x 3.8 x 1.4 inches
  • Weight: 13.6 ounces
  • Length: 17.5 inches

Strengths:

  • Provides extra effective reach due to its long length
  • The edges are serrated and razor-sharp, making it easy to hold on to ribs
  • Comfortable grip
  • Durable and well constructed 
  • Dishwashable and easy to clean

Weaknesses:

  • Can be rather overpriced

Verdict:

These are the best scissor grill tongs out there. If you want to prepare a big rack of ribs or grill a whole chicken, these tongs will come in handy. No matter what you need them for, these grill tongs will not disappoint. My rating for this product is 9/10.

10. Grilljoy 24PCS BBQ Grill Tools Set with Meat Thermometer and Injector- Comprehensive Grill Tool Kit

[amazon box=”B07FDKD9JF”]

Before we review this tool-set, here’s what it contains:

  • Power tongs
  • Spatula
  • Meat forks
  • Meat thermometer
  • Meat injector
  • Corn holders
  • Cleaning brush
  • Extra brush head
  • Salt and pepper shakers
  • Knife
  • BBQ skewers
  • Basting brush

Needless to say, this is a complete grill toolset in the truest sense of the word. 

The best thing is the aluminum case that it comes in. Each and every piece of this set is securely strapped by velcro inside this lightweight yet sturdy case. Hence, this is an extremely portable toolset for outdoor grilling events.

Grilling is a breeze with these extra thick stainless steel tools. Made of rust-resistant premium quality stainless steel, all the pieces are durable and robust. These have extended heat-proof handles to keep you far and safe from the heat. 

The tongs included here are made of single-piece metal. They do the job pretty well, although the set is not merely about the tongs, as you may have noticed. It is a functional and portable set that comes at a reasonable price point. 

The pieces are dishwashable. Storage is no-hassle. Simply strap them inside the case. The case has hanging hooks. So hang it anywhere you like and hit the road with it anytime you want. 

Product Information:

  • Dimensions: 17.32 x 9.45 x 2.68 inches
  • Weight: 4.71 pounds
  • Length: 15 inches

Strengths:

  • Very useful for outdoor grilling events like picnics and camping
  • High quality, rust-resistant stainless steel at a reasonable price
  • Contains a meat thermometer, basting brush, and injector as well
  • Lightweight and portable aluminum case
  • Great as a gift for new grill owners

Weaknesses:

  • The tongs aren’t the best available.

Verdict:

This quality-built, highly portable, all-inclusive set comes at a reasonable price point, so it’s great for your outdoor grilling ventures. This is also a supreme gift for your grilling aficionado friend. If you want a bunch of grill accessories, this is the set to buy. My rating for this product is 9/10.

Buying Guide: Factors to Consider before Buying Grill Tongs

As we mentioned earlier, a perfectly planned BBQ party may spiral out of control if you don’t have a decent pair of tongs in hand. A burnt steak or a burnt hand isn’t going to make you feel the peace of a BBQ weekend. Add the frustration of a flimsy piece of tongs.

Ugh! Unimaginable.

Ergo, you need a solid plan for purchasing a solid tongs before you go on planning your party. This checklist will come handy.

If you are looking for the easy food for party, check this article “Top 20 Easy Food for Party: Get The Party Buzzing!”

The Tips:

The tips of the tongs you find for sale are either made of silicone or stainless steel. You may stumble upon one or two made of nylon.

Silicone tips are great because they don’t scratch the surface of non-stick cookware. So, units like the Rachael Ray Lil’ Huggers Dishwasher Safe Lazy Locking Cooking Tongs are more suited to your kitchen. Silicone can withstand high temperatures. Therefore, they are perfect for medium heat cooking.

For grilling though, stainless steel is a better match. Tongs made of stainless steel such as the Grilling Tongs Heavy Duty 16 Inch by Grille Perfect or the Cuisinart CGS-134 Grilling Tool Set with Grill Glove are sturdier and offer a greater hold.

Nylon tips are also great on non-stick cookware, but nylon isn’t that heat resistant. So, we guess you can safely cross them out of the list if grilling is on your mind.

The Grips:

The best grips or handles are made of silicone or rubberized stainless steel. These are cushioned up to a certain degree, therefore, feel comfortable. Made of FDA approved silicone, DAILY KISN Premium Stainless-Steel Locking Grill Tongs is a prime example of tongs with quality handles.

You must also look for units that promise non-slip handles, as the OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Stainless-Steel Locking Tongs does.

Grilling is a greasy business, you won’t want a slippery hold on your extended arm.

The Style:

This is another choice that you must make when you purchase grill tongs. There are simple tongs and scissor style tongs available out there.

Spring-loaded tongs are more easily maneuvered than scissors. Even then, some users feel that they get better control when they use X-shaped scissor style tongs.

If you feel the same way, check out the Grill Tongs – Heavy Duty Barbecue Grilling Tong w Red PVC Handle by Shark BBQ.

The Length:

Shorter tongs are well known for allowing more control to the user. However, these are only ideal for stove-top cooking. When it comes to grilling, saving yourself from the scorching heat of the grilling surface must be a priority.

Therefore, the longer the tongs the better. The best grill tongs need to be long enough to prevent burns without being difficult to maneuver.

A good enough length is 16 inches. Many great 16-inch tongs have made it to the list of our favorites. Grilling Tongs Heavy Duty 16 Inch by Grille Perfect  and Rosle Stainless Steel Lock and Release Click Tongs are a couple of them.

You can also go for tongs that are even longer such as the DAILY KISN Premium Stainless-Steel Locking Grill Tongs.

However, many users including us feel that a 12’’ tongs such as the OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Stainless-Steel Locking Tongs is good enough to keep you at a safe distance from the heat.

The Locking Mechanism and Spring Tension:

Lockable tongs mold into a compact form and make it easy for you to store them or simply hang them to your grill. Almost all decent tongs are lockable. The mechanism, however, varies across models.

Units such as DAILY KISN Premium Stainless-Steel Locking Grill Tongs offer a pull-out lock while units like Rosle Stainless Steel Lock and Release Click Tongs go a step further and offer gravity-fed locks. Rachael Ray Lil’ Huggers Dishwasher Safe Lazy Locking Cooking Tongs have flawless lock tabs in place.

The locking mechanism is all about preference. Opt for something that feels more convenient to you.

The spring tension is also a vital factor to take into consideration. This will determine how comfortable your tongs turn out to be.

If the spring tension is too high, it will feel rigid. On the other hand, if the spring tension is too low, it will feel loose and lax and struggle to give you a solid grip. OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Stainless-Steel Locking Tongs comes with the perfect spring tension. No wonder it is such a good grip.

Ease of Cleaning:

Almost all decent tongs are dishwashable. Check if yours is as well. This will take the burden of post-party cleaning away from your plate.

FAQs on Grill Tongs

Below, you’ll find answers to questions we get asked the most about grill tongs.

Are Tongs With Silicone Tips Safe?

Yes.
Cooking tongs with silicone tips are safe for your health. Silicone does not leach into food, so there is no chance of your food being contaminated.

Can I Use Rubber Tongs For Grilling?

Yes, as long as the grippers are made of stainless steel.

Many quality tongs have rubberized handles to make it more comfortable to hold. As long as the tip or the grippers that come in contact with the cooking surface does not have rubber on it, there is no issue.

What Are The Different Types Of Tongs?

There are three basic types:
01. Salad tongs
02. Scissor tongs
03. Buffet serving tongs

Each type is constructed with their specific activity in mind. Grill tongs can resemble salad tongs or may adopt the scissor style. The main point is they should be sturdy enough for a grill gear.

Why Are They Called Tongs?

The name ‘tongs’ comes from the Old English word ‘tang’ which means ‘one that bites’! From how tongs work, we guess you can feel how appropriately this is named!

What Are The Tongs Used In The Kitchen?

Tongs are utensils that grip your food and lift or turn them instead of you holding food directly with your hands.

So, you can use them for a variety of purposes such as grilling, serving salad or spaghetti, or cooking over a heating surface. You can turn food with more precision with tongs than other utensils such as spoons.

Final Thoughts

Reading this absolutely detailed account on tongs may have made you realize that it’s not just the world of BBQs that’s chaotic. The world of tongs isn’t as small as the name! There are so many types and so much engineering involved!

Slacken your grip. It’s not that tough either. The ultimate goal is to decide what you want in your ideal kitchen gear.

Once you have decided on that and skimmed through the buying guide we prepared for you after a lot of testing and research, it’s now time for the purchase.

Bring home the best grill tongs and enjoy your BBQ outings for years to come.

Oh, and one more thing! Here are the 10 Best Grill Brush for post-party cleanup.

Cheers!

My Number One Recommendation

Stainless Steel Tongs For Grilling

It is quite clear that the Grille Perfect Heavy-Duty Grilling Tongs beats out all the others in this list for the title of Overall Best. The handle is constructed from silicone, meaning that it efficiently prevents heat from reaching your palms.

This also gives you a non-slip and firm hold, no matter how greasy the handle becomes. The grips, on the other hand, are made of heavy-duty stainless steel. So you can safely expect this to be around for a long time.

The scalloped edges provide a solid grip on your meat and burgers without tearing them apart. There is a close to nada chance that your meat slice will fall off from the strong grip of Grille Perfect grilling tongs.

Check Latest Price For Grille Perfect Heavy-Duty Grilling Tongs

What to Serve with Scallops: Best Side Dishes to Cook Up

Posted on by John Bird
scallops salad

Introduction

If you have ever seen Botticelli’s painting “The Birth Of Venus,” you might have noticed that the goddess of love, Venus, is standing on top of a giant scallop shell.

According to ancient Romans, Venus was born in the sea. Botticelli depicted this mythological phenomenon in his painting during the Italian Renaissance.

Ancient Romans (and Greeks!) thought of scallops as the food of love due to Venus, which is why it has been treated as a special treat for centuries.

Scallops have tender flesh and a mild flavor. When cooked right, they become soft, with the juices oozing out with every bite. If you clean, prepare, and cook them properly, they can brighten up almost any plate.

If you are thinking of what to serve with scallops, opt for something that tastes mellow. Since it has a mild flavor, it is better to pair it with side dishes that compliment it without overpowering its flavor.

How to Clean and Prepare Scallops at Home

Frozen Packed Scallops

The scallops you often find in the freezer of a store are usually pre-cleaned. Seventy percent of the ones available are wet-frozen scallops. Avoid these unless you have no other options. They are often the least fresh option.

These are kept in a chemical salt and preservative solution. They also have a weaker flavor, and their texture becomes rough easily when cooked. Once under heat, it will release a lot of water and will ruin your dish if it’s sensitive to water content.

An easy and safe option is dry frozen scallops. They taste better and have a softer texture when cooked. Just run them under cool water to clean. Look at the label of your scallop where it is written whether it’s wet or dry frozen.

Fresh Scallops

The best scallops are diver-caught scallops. These are often fresh, so they come with the scallop shell. These are least processed and mostly go through outer shell cleaning to remove the algae and slime of the ocean.

Directions For Cleaning Scallops:

  • Once you bring them home, run them under water and rub clean if they have anything on them. Wipe them down with a paper towel.
  • Insert the thick end of a shucking knife near the hinge and carefully pry it open. Use the sharper edge to release the scallop flesh from the shell.
  • Once it has been separated from the shell, pull off anything attached to the white flesh except the coral (if it has any). The coral is the roe of the scallop and tastes even better than the main flesh! Remove the tough side muscle.
  • Rise the scallops thoroughly with water and pat dry with a paper towel.

How to Cook Scallops at Home

You can use many methods to cook your scallop. Be careful not to overcook it as it can get rubbery and unpleasant. Cook gently for a short time until it’s slightly solid and opaque but still has a translucent center. Here are some methods of cooking scallops.

Pan-Searing/Frying/Barbecued

The most popular way to cook scallops is pan-searing/frying. It is easy to do as you simply have to sear it on a nonstick frying pan with a little butter or olive oil and herbs. Sear until each side is golden brown. You can also season your scallops and throw them on a grill for a few minutes.

Baking

Baking is another popular method of cooking scallops. For this method, the scallop is seasoned and often topped with bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Preheat your oven to 400˚F and bake for around 10-15 minutes based on their size.

Poaching

You can also try poaching your scallops; just be certain that the amount of water you use is equal to the amount of butter and shortening. Add enough water in the saucepan to just cover the scallops. Add the butter and prepare your scallops.

Season your scallops with salt and paper and pat them dry before seasoning. Put them in the pan and poach until the middle is barely done. Melt butter with some herbs (optional) and drizzle it over them. Give them a splash of freshly squeezed lemon juice and serve hot.

Steaming and Boiling

In Oriental cooking, Scallops are steamed and served with noodles or boiled in soup. These are usually seasoned with garlic or garlic oil, sugar, and soya sauce. The seasoning sauce is prepared, and the raw scallops are seasoned and put in their shells. These are steamed and served on the shells.

For soups, the scallops are boiled with the other ingredients in the broth. People also make scallop chowder or seafood soup/ramen with other items like crab, shrimp, clams, etc.

scallops steamed

Best Side Dishes to Serve With Scallops

To enjoy your scallops to the fullest, you must eat them with food that enhances their flavor. Here are a few side dishes that go well with scallops.

Brown Butter Polenta

Brown butter polenta is an Italian dish made from coarsely ground corn. It looks like porridge but is flakier and chewy. It can easily be served as a side dish with meat dishes that have gravy or sauce.

Creamy polenta looks like porridge and works like buttery mashed potatoes. It is made by boiling the coarse cornmeal in water or milk. Creamy polenta is one of the best scallop sides. Make your lump-free polenta, top it with scallops, and give the dish a drizzle of brown butter.

Creamy Fettuccine

When you think about what goes with scallops, you must consider creamy pasta. Creamy sauces are excellent for seafood, especially shellfish. Fettuccine pasta is generally served with creamy sauces like carbonara or alfredo.

The mild flavor of your creamy fettuccine sauce will enable the scallops’ light taste to flourish. Pan sear or grill your scallops. Boil the pasta and let it cool.

Make a simple Alfredo sauce by reducing cream, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, and butter. Plate the pasta and dench it with a generous splash of the creamy sauce and top it with the seared scallops. Serve and enjoy hot.

Lemon Caper Pasta

Capers are flower buds that have a tangy taste similar to olives and work well in lemony dishes. Lemon caper sauces work well with different pasta, but it does hit differently when you use angel hair or linguine pasta. The recipe uses white wine, which gives it a light flavor.

Lemon caper pasta tastes great topped with scallops. The light flavors harmonize well together. It is easy to make and tastes effortlessly luxurious. This dish is perfect for special occasions and fancy dinner parties.

Asparagus and Lemon Risotto

Risotto and scallop are a big yes. Of all the scallop side dishes, the risotto will work the best. Any tangy flavor works well with seafood, which is why most cooked seafood has at least a splash of lemon juice. The white wine also brings a harmonizing flavor to the scallops.

Seafood risotto often uses a seafood stock, but chicken broth works better with this one. You get a creamy and cheesy risotto, flavored with lemon juice and zest. Asparagus adds another layer to the plate without disrupting the harmony. The risotto becomes light, yet creamy and flavorful.

scallops risotto

Spinach & Pomegranate Salad

If you are thinking of serving something that is Michelin star restaurant-worthy as a scallop side dish, try this salad. Seared scallops taste amazing with a pomegranate glaze. The tangy sweetness of pomegranate compliments the taste of seafood well, especially scallops.

Start by seasoning your scallops. Make the pomegranate glaze using honey, pomegranate seeds, and spices. Bring the concoction to a boil, then add lemon juice and cornstarch until reduced to a glaze.

Pan-sear your seasoned scallops and set them aside. Toss your spinach on the pan with a little oil until slightly wilted. Plate the spinach and put the scallops atop. Drizzle the glaze over it and enjoy it hot.

Succotash

If you are looking for vegetarian scallop sides, you must consider eating it with succotash. This native American side dish uses lima beans, bell peppers, onions, and corn.

If you don’t want something fancy and wish to eat something simple with your scallop, this is the side dish you are looking for. This bean and corn stir fry is easy to make and has a light seasoning that lets the flavor of scallops shine.

Some people add chicken stock to make a succotash stew or soup. You can also try adding heavy cream to make a creamier side dish for your scallops.

Couscous, Rice, or Quinoa

Some basic sides can also work as your scallop side dishes. You can try serving your scallop with a simple couscous cooked with olive oil.

Quinoa and rice can simply be boiled and served with your scallop, but try to give your scallop a gravy or a sauce so that you can enjoy it with those bland carbs.

You can also try switching it up and adding more spices and ingredients to your rice or quinoa, and make a more flavorful side for your scallop.

Conclusion

Scallops are delicious and work well as both starters and mains. Knowing how to cook your scallop is a great way to ensure that they taste wonderful every time you make them. You can never go wrong with scallops as long as you cook them right and serve them with the best side dishes.

The 10 Best Griddle Grill Reviews [2021]: Everything You Need to Know

Posted on by John Bird

Have you ever noticed that diner-style have this inexplicably yummy flavor to them? No matter when you hit up a diner, the food is nothing short of awesome.

Whether you want to start your day with a juicy hamburger, or you’re craving pancakes and scrambled eggs at 8 pm, nothing beats diner-style dishes.

Have you ever wondered about their secret? What makes them so addictive?

Nope, it’s not heaps of a little-known brand of butter. It’s not even a secret spice or herb or sauce in their marinade.

The answer is simple and in-your-face. It’s all about the griddle grill they use to cook your food.

Amazing right?

The best griddle grill can completely transform the taste of your food. It’s also why Japanese Hibachi grill restaurants are so popular.

If you’re tired of grilling the usual way, spice up your summer cookouts and picnics by getting yourself a griddle grill. It’s an absolute game-changer and will wow both your guests and your taste buds.

In this article, we’re going to review the best griddle available in 2020 and go all into why we like them so much. Stick around, because this review also includes a definitive buying guide and answers commonly-asked questions about using and maintaining griddle grills. 

Why Choose a Griddle Grill?

If you’re already satisfied with your regular grill, you might wonder what makes griddle grills so special. The truth is, once you get used to using a griddle grill, you’ll never want to go back to using your old grill. Here’s why you just need to try a large outdoor griddle at least once while summer is still around.

Larger Surface:

No matter how big your grill is, it just can’t compete with the surface area of a griddle grill. The larger surface means you can grill in bulk, which is great if you’re cooking for lots of people. Also, because of the spaces in an ordinary grill, smaller foods like asparagus and bacon strips can fall between the grills. On the other hand, there’s no chance of this happening on a griddle grill.

Better Flavor:

The hot griddle has an even, solid surface throughout. This means that once it is seasoned, there is absolutely no way your steaks or fish will stick to the griddle surface. But more importantly, it means that it can brown the surface of your food quickly and evenly.

More browning=more caramelization=more flavor!

Multitasking:

If you’re feeding a large crowd, there is a good chance that you have a larger menu to accommodate all your guests. With a griddle grill, you can easily cook multiple items in one go. The larger surface means you can make pancakes, fry up some eggs, and sear your favorite steak all at the same time!

The Best Griddle Grills: Our Favorites

If you don’t have time to go through all the entries of this list, check out our top picks for the best griddles. We loved them and we’re sure you will too!

1.  Editor’s Choice: Blackstone 1554 Gas Griddle Grill Station

2.  Runner Up: Blackstone Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle Station

3.  Best Portable Griddle: Blackstone Grill & Portable Table Top Gas Griddle

12 Best Griddle Grill Comparison Chart

RankPictureNameShops#1
The 10 Best Griddle Grill Reviews [2021]: Everything You Need to Know 17

Blackstone 1554 Gas Griddle Grill Station

  • Dimensions: 62.5 x 22 x 36 inches
  • Weight: 120 pounds
  • Batteries: 1 AA batteries required.
  • Manufacturer: North Atlantic Imports LLC


Read Our Review


Check Price

#2
Blackstone Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle Station

Blackstone Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle Station

  • Dimensions: 44.5 x 19.5 x 33.5 inches
  • Weight: 75 pounds
  • Batteries: 1 AA batteries required.
  • Manufacturer: North Atlantic Imports LLC


Read Our Review


Check Price

#3
Camp Chef Flat Top Grill

Camp Chef Flat Top Grill

  • Dimensions: 36 x 24 x 20 inches
  • Weight: 139.6 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Camp Chef


Read Our Review


Check Price

#4
Blackstone Table Top Grill

Blackstone Grill & Portable Gas Table Top Griddle

  • Dimensions: 17.5 x 18 x 8.5 inches
  • Weight: 21 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Blackstone


Read Our Review


Check Price

#5
The 10 Best Griddle Grill Reviews [2021]: Everything You Need to Know 18

Blackstone Tailgater Portable Gas Grill and Griddle Combo

  • Dimensions: 52 x 24 x 38.5 inches
  • Weight: 75 pounds
  • Batteries: 1 AA batteries required.
  • Manufacturer: Blackstone


Read Our Review


Check Price

#6
Cuisinart Gas Griddle Cooking Center

Cuisinart Gas Griddle Cooking Center

  • Dimensions: 31.75 x 40.13 x 43.63 inches
  • Weight: 60 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Cuisinart


Read Our Review


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#7
Blackstone Propane Gas Griddle Cooking Station

Blackstone Propane Gas Griddle Cooking Station

  • Dimensions: 40 x 25 x 14.5 inches
  • Weight: 134 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Blackstone


Read Our Review


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#8
The 10 Best Griddle Grill Reviews [2021]: Everything You Need to Know 19

Presto 07061 Electric Griddle

  • Dimensions: 11.5 x 26.25 x 2.5 inches
  • Weight: 6.5 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Presto


Read Our Review


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#9
Royal Gourmet Event Gas Grill

Royal Gourmet Event Gas Grill GB8000

  • Dimensions: 90.6 x 24.2 x 38.2 inches
  • Weight: 117 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Royal Gourmet


Read Our Review


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#10
Cuisinart GR-4N 5-In-1 Griddler

Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler

  • Dimensions: 13.5 x 11.5 x 7.12 inches
  • Weight: 8 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Cuisinart


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#11

Barton Flat Top Griddle And Deep Fryer

Barton Flat Top Griddle and Deep Fryer

  • Dimensions: 57″ x 19″ x 45″
  • Weight: 85.5 inches
  • Manufacturer: Barton


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#12

Royal Gourmet Portable Propane Gas Grill And Griddle Combo

Royal Gourmet GD401 Portable Propane Gas Grill and Griddle Combo

  • Dimensions: 66.1 x 21.8 x 43.7 inches
  • Weight: 103.6 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Royal Gourmet


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Top 12 Best Griddle Grill Reviews

01. Blackstone Gas Griddle Grill Station

The 10 Best Griddle Grill Reviews [2021]: Everything You Need to Know 17

Blackstone 1554


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Editor’s Choice

FEATURES

  • Dimensions: 62.5 x 22 x 36 inches
  • Weight: 120 pounds
  • Batteries: 1 AA batteries required.
  • Manufacturer: North Atlantic Imports LLC

Blackstone is hands-down the best option for getting griddles. And this particular one is the crème de la crème of griddles. It is 36-inches in size and is perfect for feeding your family and a slew of dinner party guests. It is sturdy and long-lasting and is the best gas griddle money can buy.

But that isn’t all! This griddle has a quick ignition button and is easy to use. The griddle surface is made from rolled carbon and heats up quickly and evenly. It comes with four burners with high to low-temperature settings. This gives you the versatility you need to cook multiple items at the same time.

It also comes on four wheels, of which two are lockable. The heat retention of this griddle is next level and the heat distribution is simply flawless. All in all, it is the best outdoor griddle grill.

Why I Recommend the Blackstone 1554 Griddle Station:

There isn’t much not to love about this griddle. The huge surface means you can get more cooking done in less time. The great heat distribution and retention mean your burgers and steaks will be juicy with the perfect sear.

This griddle is easy to ignite, assemble, and move around outdoors. The flawless temperature control will make burnt food a thing of the past. Best of all, you won’t need to shop for another griddle for years, as this one pays for itself.

Pros:

  • Easy to put together and assemble.
  • Excellent heat retention and even distribution.
  • Sturdy, durable, and well designed.
  • Good temperature control.
  • Portable and great for outdoor use.

Cons:

  • Rather expensive.
  • Will rust if not covered and maintained.

Check the Latest Price for Blackstone 1554 Gas Griddle Grill Station

02. Blackstone Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle Station

Blackstone Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle Station

Blackstone 1517


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Runner Up

FEATURES

  • Dimensions: 44.5 x 19.5 x 33.5 inches
  • Weight: 75 pounds
  • Batteries: 1 AA batteries required.
  • Manufacturer: North Atlantic Imports LLC

This Blackstone runner up is for those of you who can’t get enough of the taste of restaurant-style hotdogs and burgers. It is 28 inches and is very similar to the one used in diners and outdoor food carts.

This stainless-steel outdoor griddle is perfect for pleasing a large crowd. The no-fuss ignition requires just the push of a button instead of lighters or matches. You can easily replace your BBQ grill with this, and I’m sure you won’t miss it!

It is easily movable and comes with wheels so you can push it around your backyard. This griddle also has two independently controlled stainless-steel burners, giving you better temperature control. It is the best propane griddle, and the propane tank is neatly tucked away under the left side shelf.

Why I Recommend the Blackstone Outdoor Grill Griddle Station:

This griddle is super neat and lets you cook scrambled eggs, quesadillas, steaks, and even teppanyaki-style foods. It is great for backyard cookouts and you can even take it with you while camping because it is so easy to transport.

Assembly and cleanup are also simple and you won’t have to spend time taking it apart. The temperature is great, thanks to the two burners and you can whip up your grilled goodies in no time at all!

Pros:

  • Easy to assemble and move.
  • Cleanup is simple and straightforward.
  • Versatile, letting you cook multiple things in one go.
  • Excellent temperature control.

Cons:

  • Oil leakage from the bottom of the grill.
  • There is no way to adjust the height of the griddle.

Check the Latest Price for Blackstone Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle Station

03. Camp Chef Flat Top Grill

Camp Chef Flat Top Grill

Camp Chef FTG600


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FEATURES

  • Dimensions: 36 x 24 x 20 inches
  • Weight: 139.6 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Camp Chef

Camp Chef’s griddles always seem underrated and they deserve better. It has a huge surface with a seasoned finish; you can make pancakes and a breakfast platter for an entire football team with this griddle within minutes.

Besides that, it has two big, foldable side shelves, and a grease tray to catch drips. But that’s not all! This griddle comes with not two but four burners that make cooking more convenient. You can easily move it around on its wheels as it is light and portable. Moreover, this griddle has an adjustable height and a great ignition mechanism!

Why I Recommend the Camp Chef Griddle:

This griddle is perfect if you need to feed a large crowd on the regular. The large cooking surface is perfect for preparing lots of food. The seasoned, cast-iron surface gives foods a perfect sear and amazing taste.

Furthermore, the four burners mean that cooking time will be shorter. If you don’t mind spending a few extra minutes cleaning and want a huge grilling surface, this is one of the better outdoor propane griddles.

Pros:

  • Assembly is a breeze.
  • Huge surface area.
  • Includes an interchangeable flat top griddle.
  • Non-stick and seasoned surface stops food from sticking.
  • Portable and adjustable height for greater convenience.
  • Four burners and easy ignition give you better control.

Cons:

  • Cleanup can be a little tricky.
  • Not as attractive as some of the other models on this list.

Check the Latest Price for Camp Chef Flat Top Grill

04. Blackstone Grill & Portable Gas Table Top Griddle

Blackstone Table Top Grill

Blackstone 1650


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Best Portable Griddle

FEATURES

  • Dimensions: 17.5 x 18 x 8.5 inches
  • Weight: 21 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Blackstone

Maybe you don’t want to deal with transporting and assembling a large grill. Or maybe you want to grill but live in an apartment with a tiny patio. Either way, this tabletop griddle is what you’re looking for.

This tiny griddle is the size of a stove and is easy to carry and store. But don’t let the size fool you–it works just as well as an ordinary griddle. It is extremely easy to assemble and comes pre-seasoned. Although it has just one burner, there is solid heat distribution and quick and even heating.

The surface is 330 square inches so you can still cook and an assortment of dishes at the same time. You can easily fry eggs, grill sausages, and heat up some hash browns, all at once! It has a great oil management system which keeps your food non-greasy and makes cleaning easy.

Why I Recommend the Blackstone Portable Gas Griddle:

Although the tiny size can be misleading, the small gas griddle grill is quite powerful. If you need to grill for a few people, or you lack the space a regular grill griddle needs, this portable one will cover all your bases. It cooks quickly, is easy to use, and comes pre-seasoned with a non-stick surface. Your steaks and burgers will be just as tender and juicy as if they were grilled on a professional griddle. This griddle is everything you could ever ask for in a grill-but scaled down in size.

Pros:

  • Griddle surface is easy to clean; just needs a wipe down.
  • The small and compact design makes it super portable.
  • Even and strong heat distribution.
  • Multiple heat zones.
  • Pre-seasoned so your food won’t stick to the surface.

Cons:

  • Needs a special griddle cleaner to clean the inner parts.
  • Grease drainage is a problem.

Check the Latest Price for Blackstone Grill & Portable Gas Table Top Griddle

05. Blackstone Tailgater Portable Gas Grill and Griddle Combo

The 10 Best Griddle Grill Reviews [2021]: Everything You Need to Know 18

Blackstone 1555


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FEATURES

  • Dimensions: 52 x 24 x 38.5 inches
  • Weight: 75 pounds
  • Batteries: 1 AA batteries required.
  • Manufacturer: Blackstone

If you’ve been looking for a camping stove for fishing and hunting trips, this is the best grill and griddle combo you can hope to find. The telescoping legs are easy to attach and can hold the griddle up steadily, even on rough terrain.

It is extremely versatile because you can use the griddle and the grill at the same time. There are a lot of different setup combinations you can try out based on what you need. You can even host a BBQ with this tailgater!

Although it looks lightweight and compact, it is well designed and will last for years. It comes with a heavy-duty grill box with a vent and handles.

Furthermore, it has durable cast iron grill grates and a cold-rolled steel griddle plate. The best part? The entire unit has a strong powder coat finish that prevents food or dust from sticking to the surface.

Why I Recommend the Blackstone Tailgater:

If you go on regular camping or hunting trips, this is the griddle grill for you. The flexible configurations make this a multipurpose device that you will want around. It is convenient, portable, and makes amazing food in a jiffy. The best thing about this grill is that it works perfectly well right at home in your backyard or patio too.

Pros:

  • Multifunctional; can be used as a griddle, grill, and stove.
  • Lots of different setup combinations.
  • Telescoping legs are collapsible and easy to work with.
  • Well designed and sturdy.
  • Versatile and very convenient.

Cons:

  • Grease management is subpar.
  • No heat deflectors on the grill burners.

Check the Latest Price for Blackstone Tailgater Portable Gas Grill and Griddle Combo

06. Cuisinart Gas Griddle Cooking Center

Cuisinart Gas Griddle Cooking Center

CUISINART CGG-888


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FEATURES

  • Dimensions: 31.75 x 40.13 x 43.63 inches
  • Weight: 60 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Cuisinart

Maybe you like your appliances and devices to look a little different. Or maybe you’ve got limitations in space and need a small, compact griddle. Well, this circular Cuisinart griddle just might tickle your fancy.

Cuisinart is well known for its quality appliances and this grill griddle is no different. It is easy to put together and the griddle top is made from cold-rolled steel. It comes pre-seasoned but you will need to maintain it to prevent rusting.

It has an excellent grease management system that funnels away oil into a grease cup below. Furthermore, two burners give you temperature control. Moreover, this griddle comes with a lid which gives you an added dimension of culinary versatility; you can roast, steam, and even bake on the griddle surface.

Why I Recommend the Cuisinart Gas Griddle Cooking Center:

This grill is unique because it is just so multifunctional–you can cook all three meals with it. It has an excellent design and will last you a long time. The table for paper towels is an added convenience and lets you wipe down the griddle surface as you cook. Easy assembly is also a great thing. Overall, this is a very convenient outdoor cooking griddle.

Pros:

  • Excellent design and construction.
  • Cold rolled steel griddle top is pre-seasoned.
  • Two propane burners for temperature control.
  • Assembly is reasonably easy.
  • There’s a folding side table for holding paper towels.

Cons:

  • You need to maintain the seasoning on the surface.
  • The lid has no thermometer for monitoring the temperature.

Check the Latest Price for Cuisinart Gas Griddle Cooking Center

07. Blackstone Propane Gas Griddle Cooking Station

Blackstone Propane Gas Griddle Cooking Station

Blackstone 1825


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FEATURES

  • Dimensions: 40 x 25 x 14.5 inches
  • Weight: 134 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Blackstone

When it comes to grills and griddles, Blackstone is the brand that keeps on giving. This has a huge surface––720 square inches to be precise. It has 4 independently controlled burners for versatile cooking.

The extra features make this griddle stand out. It has a bottom shelf, as well as a side shelf with a removable cutting board. Also, there is a paper towel holder, trash bag hooks, and a great grease management system.

This griddle was made to last for decades; it is made from powder-coated black steel, has stainless-steel burners, and a thick, cold-rolled steel cooktop. No doubt, you won’t have to replace this outdoor flat top griddle for a very long time.

Why I Recommend the Blackstone Propane Gas Griddle Cooking Station:

This griddle was made for people who like their grills on the larger side. It can cook huge portions of food in one go because of the versatile design and great heat control. Although it is rather heavy, you can be sure that the griddle is here to stay thanks to its durable design. With this grill, you can serve sausages, steaks, burgers, and even seafood, all at the same time!

Pros:

  • The huge surface can cook huge amounts and varieties of food in less time.
  • The side trays and shelves make cooking convenient and more organized.
  • Easy to assemble.
  • The wheels make moving the griddle easy.
  • Long-lasting and durable design.

Cons:

  • Heavy and bulky.
  • The rolled-steel surface is more prone to corrosion and rust.

Check the Latest Price for Blackstone Propane Gas Griddle Cooking Station

08. Presto 07061 Electric Griddle

The 10 Best Griddle Grill Reviews [2021]: Everything You Need to Know 19

Presto 07061


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FEATURES

  • Dimensions: 11.5 x 26.25 x 2.5 inches
  • Weight: 6.5 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Presto

If you love breakfast for dinner, this griddle was made for you. Unlike gas griddles/grills we’ve seen so far, this one’s electric. It is also perfect for a quick getaway trip and is much more convenient than bulky propane grills on wheels.

Moreover, it comes with detachable handles, making cleaning, transporting, and storing this griddle all the easier. The non-stick coating stops food from sticking to the grill surface so you won’t have to clean up a major mess every time you use it.

There is also a drip tray for catching grease and the entire griddle is immersible once you remove the heat controls. The griddle has great heat control and can maintain its temperature for a decent time. It is 22 inches in size, so you can easily cook for family and friends with this.

Why I Recommend the Presto Griddle:

This griddle is great for people on a lower budget who get random cravings for diner breakfasts. Also, it is super versatile, so you can even roast, fry, and even cook on it. The small size makes it possible to store it right in your kitchen cabinet; making it a great option for apartment-dwellers. If you’re new to cooking and want to try out making things on a griddle, this is a good starting point.

Pros:

  • Easy to assemble and clean.
  • It can cook several different things together.
  • Budget-friendly option.
  • Great temperature control and heat retention.
  • Doesn’t take up much space in storage.

Cons:

  • The non-stick surface can peel off when handled incorrectly.
  • Not as sturdy as some of the other models mentioned.

Check the Latest Price for Presto 07061 Electric Griddle

09. Royal Gourmet Event Gas Grill GB8000

Royal Gourmet Event Gas Grill

Royal Gourmet GB8000


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FEATURES

  • Dimensions: 90.6 x 24.2 x 38.2 inches
  • Weight: 117 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Royal Gourmet

If you have a large crew that loves camping out together, this griddle will come in handy. It is gigantic! This griddle has a 950 square inch cooking surface and has 8 separate burners, with 2 sets of regulators for maintaining the heat throughout.

This makes it the largest propane griddle for camping. In other words, you can grill up to 60 burgers at a time with this! The electric ignition system spares you from struggling with matches when lighting it up, and the 2 large grease cups make cleanup afterward a bit easier.

There are also 2 folding tables or shelves on the side that helps organize and prepare your meal. Furthermore, it has 2 levels of heavy-duty shelves at the bottom for convenient storage. It has wheels for easy movement, and all 4 of them are lockable.

Why I Recommend the Royal Gourmet Event Gas Grill GB8000:

This griddle grill is perfect for hosting large backyard BBQs and outdoor birthday parties. The huge cooking surface lets you grill to your heart’s content and feed a large crowd. The large space also makes prepping and managing the food much easier.

The grill is also pretty sturdy and will last for years. Even though it is on the pricey side, you can be sure that you’re getting your money’s worth.

Pros:

  • Excellent temperature control, retention, and heat stability.
  • Easy to assemble.
  • Large prep space and cooking surface area.
  • Two separate grilling areas.
  • Durable and sturdy.

Cons:

  • Expensive.
  • Parts are prone to getting bent or scratched.

Check the Latest Price for Royal Gourmet Event Gas Grill GB8000

10. Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler

Cuisinart GR-4N 5-In-1 Griddler

Cuisinart GR-4NP1


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FEATURES

  • Dimensions: 13.5 x 11.5 x 7.12 inches
  • Weight: 8 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Cuisinart

If you don’t have any kind of outdoor space, you’ll have to make do with some kind of indoor grilling. And the safest way to do so is with this 5-in-1 countertop unit.

The best thing about this appliance is that it is tiny and can still carry out all these cooking functions. You can use it to grill, fry, like a grill, as a griddle, as half of each, and even as a panini press. All this, at in fits snugly right on your kitchen counter!

The cooking plates are removable and non-stick, making cleanup easy. They are also dishwasher safe and drain the grease into an integrated drip tray.

Why I Recommend the Cuisinart 5-in-1 Griddler:

If you living in an apartment with lots of roommates, this Griddler is a great way to cook for a crowd. Since it is so versatile, it also a great appliance for college students in dorms. The price is super affordable and the cleanup is easy and minimal. While your food won’t have the same quality as a fancy grill, it is a good alternative to a portable outdoor gas griddle.

Pros:

  • Easy to use.
  • Very affordable price point.
  • Works indoors right on your countertop.
  • Clean up is easy and straightforward.
  • Compact design and easy to store.

Cons:

  • Not very sturdy.
  • Doesn’t always give you a great sear.

Check the Latest Price for Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler

11. Barton Flat Top Griddle and Deep Fryer

Barton Flat Top Griddle And Deep Fryer

Outdoor Dual Burner Station


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FEATURES

  • Dimensions: 57″ x 19″ x 45″
  • Weight: 85.5 inches
  • Manufacturer: Barton

Think a regular griddle grill won’t fulfill your culinary longings? Then take your chances with this griddle combo! It boasts a gas burner stove, deep fryer, and a flat top griddle.

The multipurpose design makes this griddle combo the best outdoor griddle for people who want more than just grilled food when out camping or hunting. The heavy-duty design also makes it great for outdoor use. The cast-iron frame is sturdy and will last for years.

The best thing about it? The side tables have hooks you can use to hang pots and pants and trash bags. The built-in caster wheels make moving and transport easy for camping and backpacking trips. The dual burners help you control and regulate heating and high temperatures.

Why I Recommend the Barton Flat Top Griddle and Deep Fryer:

If you can’t decide between grilled burgers and deep-fried wedges, this is the griddle for you. The best thing about this is the inclusion of the fryer and stovetop, so you can basically cook any kind of meal with this. The hooks on the side help to prep and organize ingredients much easier. If you like cooking as a group, you will love this griddle combo!

Pros:

  • Easy to use.
  • Great and versatile for different kinds of cooking.
  • Side shelves and hanging hooks make organizing easy.
  • Good temperature control.

Cons:

  • Assembling it is difficult.
  • The overall design could be better.

Check the Latest Price for Barton Flat Top Griddle and Deep Fryer

12. Royal Gourmet GD401 Portable Propane Gas Grill and Griddle Combo

Royal Gourmet Portable Propane Gas Grill And Griddle Combo

Royal Gourmet GD401


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FEATURES

  • Dimensions: 66.1 x 21.8 x 43.7 inches
  • Weight: 103.6 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Royal Gourmet

This griddle was meant for people who prefer no-fuss grilling. It has a large flat top cooking surface, as well as 4 stainless steel burners for temperature control. The different heat zones also let you cook different things at the same time.

Furthermore, it has 2 side tables and a cart for hooks to make cooking easier. You can easily wheel it around your backyard or any other campsite without breaking a sweat. Also, the electric ignition means you can switch the entire griddle setup on with just the press of a button.

Clean up isn’t too difficult, thanks to the solid grease management system. The grill prepares food pretty quickly, giving you time to enjoy yourself outdoors.

Why I Recommend the Royal Gourmet Grill and Griddle Combo:

This is a pretty solid natural gas outdoor griddle and grill. It makes grilling and cooking much easier, and you can have a feast ready in no time at all. You won’t have to slave away cleaning the griddle afterward either! If you want to keep things simple and convenient, this is the griddle you’re looking for.

Pros:

  • Excellent temperature control.
  • Collapsible design makes storage easier.
  • The grease management system is clean and efficient.
  • Side shelves and hooks make prepping faster and more convenient.

Cons:

  • Prone to rusting.
  • The packaging is subpar.

Check the Latest Price for Royal Gourmet Portable Gas Grill and Griddle Combo

Choosing the Perfect Best Griddle Grill

Overwhelmed by all your possible choices? We’ve been there too. And so we’ve put together a little buying that outlines all the things you need to consider before choosing a griddle grill. Hopefully, this will help you narrow down your choices!

Size:

This is the biggest deal for many people. The size of your griddle grill depends on the number of people you need and the amount of space you have in your backyard. If you have a huge backyard, or you want to take your griddle when you go camping, you can go for the bigger ones.

The Blackstone 1554 Gas Griddle Grill Station is always a good choice, but you can go for the Royal Gourmet Event Gas Grill GB8000 if you want something even larger.

On the other hand, if you need to feed just a few people, or an apartment patio is all the outdoor space you have, you’re better off with the Blackstone Grill & Portable Gas Table TopGriddle or the Cuisinart Gas Griddle Cooking Center.

Material:

Choosing a griddle made of the right material is important because the material determines your griddle’s longevity. Always go for a griddle that is made from stainless steel or plated with chrome. These are the ones that are resistant to damage and rust. Also, try to choose griddles with a metal surface, as they have better heat distribution.

You can never go wrong with the Blackstone Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle Station and the Blackstone Tailgater Portable Gas Grill and Griddle Combo.

Ease of Assembly and Cleaning:

Let’s face it, nobody wants to spend ages assembling a griddle. Moreover, some griddles can get extremely dirty and are messy to clean up. Instead, get one that you can put together in under 30 minutes. Moreover, get something with a good grease removal system like the Royal Gourmet Event Gas Grill GB8000.

Portability:

Since there’s a good chance you’ll be using your griddle outside, make sure it is something you can move and transport rather easily. There’s no point getting a grill that won’t budge an inch in your own backyard.

Instead, get something with sturdy wheels that can be locked once you’ve set up the griddle. For example, this Flat Top Grill is pretty easy to move around. On the other hand, if you want something ultra-portable, you can always get the Blackstone Grill & Portable Gas Table Top Griddle.

Number of Burners:

Griddles have hot zones with different temperatures. Burner numbers are important because the more burners you have, the more control you have over the temperature. The more burners you have the more you can cook at a time.

You should get a griddle with at least two burners like the Cuisinart Gas Griddle Cooking Center. However, if you want precise temperature control, the Royal Gourmet Event Gas Grill GB8000 will be perfect for you.

Any Questions?

If you still have questions about using and maintaining griddle grills, they’ll be answered here.

01. Can I Use My Griddle Inside?

Unless your griddle mentions that you can do so specifically, always use it outside. This is especially true for propane gas griddles. This is because these griddles need a lot of ventilation and are a serious fire hazard when used in closed spaces. Moreover, they produce lots of heat and can make the inside of your home unbearably hot and stuffy.

02. How Should I Season My Griddle?

Many griddles need to be seasoned before and after every use to stop them from rusting. Seasoning is pretty simple. If you do this often, your griddle won’t rust and will have a much longer life. All you need to do is warm up the surface and then add a little peanut or vegetable oil to it. Wipe down the surface with a paper towel, making sure the entire surface has been coated with oil.

Heat your griddle to 175C. When it starts smoking, turn off the heat and let it cool. Pat off any extra oil with a kitchen towel. If you do this regularly, your cast iron flat top won’t ever rust.

03. How Long Does It Take A Griddle To Heat Up?

Different griddles have different heating times, based on their size and the material they’re made of. However, your average griddle should take anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes to come to your desired temperature.

04. How Can I Prepare A Steak On My Griddle Grill?

Steaks are the things people most often cook on their griddles because of the lovely seared surface and even browning. To make the perfect steak, heat your griddle to 300F.

Then drop your steaks on the griddle and cook each side for around 3 minutes. After that keep flipping them until they reach your desired doneness. Let it rest for at least 10 minutes before cutting into them.

05. Can I Recover A Rusted Griddle?

If you’ve noticed rust on your griddle, don’t panic. You don’t have to throw the whole thing out. Instead, make a paste out of baking soda and vinegar. Use a sponge to cover the affected areas with the paste and let it rest for half an hour.

Then, use the sponge or steel wool to scrub off all the rust gently. Scour your griddle until the area returns to the raw iron state. Wash it thoroughly with soap and water. Finally, season your griddle again and store it someplace dry.

06. How Should I Clean My Griddle?

Before cleaning your griddle, make sure it has cooled down. Gently scrape the burnt or caramelized bits off with a metal spatula. Next, wipe off the extra oil with a paper towel.

If there’s still food stuck on, pour some warm water onto the surface and rub it gently with a Blackstone Scouring Pad. Finally, dry it with a kitchen towel. Make sure you store it somewhere completely dry.

Final Thoughts

Summers don’t last forever, so we have to make the best of them while they’re around. And there’s no better way than doing so than a scrumptious cookout with all your favorite people. With the best griddle grill by your side, you can make your camping trips and backyard parties much more special.

Thanks to griddles, you can make twice the food in half the time. And more importantly, your grilled and fried goodies will have guests coming back for seconds and thirds. And that to me, is a great reason to invest in a griddle ASAP.

Have you decided which one you want to get?

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