Discover essential outdoor grilling gear to elevate your barbecue experience. From patio stoves and smokers to burners and fuel choices, this guide helps you select the ideal equipment for any outdoor cooking occasion. Learn tips on materials, burner types, and accessories to ensure durability and performance. Perfect for grill enthusiasts and restaurateurs alike, this comprehensive overview simplifies your outdoor cooking setup.

Hosting outdoor BBQs or managing restaurants with patio dining requires the right grilling tools. With a wide range of options tailored to various cooking styles, selecting the best equipment ensures a successful cookout.

Pick from different outdoor cooking devices according to your culinary preferences:

Patio Stoves

Perfect for covered decks, these stoves enable steaming, frying, or boiling large amounts. Use cast iron cookware for meats, turkeys, vegetables, stews, beverages, or water heating. Choose models with higher BTUs for more power, but check specs as higher BTUs don't always mean faster cooking. Shorter, square burners offer stability for heavy utensils.

Smoking Devices

For smoked food lovers, large smokers allow precise temperature and humidity control. Features like hooks for hanging meat and fish help deepen flavors.

Outdoor Deep Fryers

These resemble big kitchen fryers with multiple tanks and baskets, ideal for frying several batches simultaneously for gatherings or commercial use.

Selecting Your Grill

Choose based on usage frequency and environment. Portable grills are great for occasional use in fair weather, whereas built-in models suit year-round outdoor cooking on patios or decks.

Material Considerations

Most grills are stainless steel, but options include aluminum, porcelain-coated steel, or cast iron. Aluminum resists rust, suitable for coastal regions. Porcelain coatings require care; damage exposes steel to rust. For durability, opt for premium stainless steel like 304 grade, or 443-grade as an economical alternative.

Burner Styles

The burner is central to grill performance. Higher BTUs mean more heat. Infrared burners excel at searing steaks but are less suitable for slow cooking. Burners can be cast iron, stainless steel tubes, or brass—each offering benefits: cast iron retains heat, stainless steel is durable, brass provides even heat and corrosion resistance.

Flame Tamers and Shields

These protect burners from drips and can add smoky flavors by burning grease. Ceramic tamers absorb grease but are harder to clean; stainless steel options are durable and easy to maintain. They ensure even heat and extend equipment lifespan.

Cooking Surfaces

Select from porcelain-coated, cast iron, or stainless steel grates. Non-stick coatings are available but choose quality to prevent sticking. Cast iron offers excellent heat retention and attractive grill marks, while stainless steel needs low maintenance and lasts long. Thicker grids promote better heat distribution.

Fuel Options

Common fuels include propane and natural gas, with charcoal and wood chips as alternatives. Charcoal provides higher heat and richer smoky flavor but demands more effort. Gas options offer convenience with quick startups and steady performance. Pick based on how often and where you'll cook.

Carefully review models and brands, considering warranties and accessories, to enjoy an ideal outdoor cooking setup.

Note:

Our blog offers extensive, practical insights on outdoor grilling equipment. While we strive to provide accurate information, always verify details and check current deals. We are not responsible for discrepancies in external sources.