Camping and Portable Gas Grills

Camping remains a fun activity that can bring many fond memories. Some can think back to their high schools days which was, for many, the very first time they were able to enjoy a camping trip. Ah, there are so many great memories of such a trip…the sun, the stars, the wildlife, eating cold Spaghetti-O's right out of a can. Ok, the cold Spaghetti-O's were not exactly all that memorable. On second thought, eating that slop ice cold was pretty unforgettable because you had to do it because you were STARVING. But what were you going to do? It was not like there was a McDonald's located deep in the forest! Yes, at one time, the options for cooking on a camping trip were fairly limited. That is not the case today thanks to the advent of portable gas grills designed.

Portable gas grills are very economical to purchase as many excellent models can be had for under $50.00. Also, they are generally compact in size and are easy to carry and transport. So, if you are hiking and camping it does not create a burden to transport them. Yes, they can be a little bulky but not to such a degree that hiking with them are possible.  Keep in mind, however, if you would a large scale portable gas grill models of that nature are produced as well.

One of the major benefits with portable gas grills is the fact that there are really no limitations to the types of food you can cook on the grill. Yes, you can make hotdogs and toasted marsh mellows on an open fire but it unless you can figure out a way to change the laws of physics a traditional campfire is never going to be able to cook up a stack of pancakes. With a portable gas grill you can simple add a griddle attachment and you pancake woes are over. And, by the way, you do realize that cooking anything on a campfire presents a major safety risk? A portable gas grill would be a much safer option and is far more recommended.

Of course, there is no law that says portable gas grills can only be used when camping. They can be used anytime and anyplace including in your own backyard. There are quite versatile and also make great grills for home barbeques as well.  So, you really can't go wrong purchasing a portable gas grill.

Cooking Vegetables on a Gas Grill

There are certain common images that come to mind if you tell someone to close their eyes and imagine cooking on a gas grill. Probably the most common images will be of cooking steaks, hamburgers and hotdogs. There is good reason for these images. Meats of all kinds are the most commonly cooked item on a traditional or gas grill. But where does that leave our vegetarian friends? Yes, if you are someone who doesn't like to eat meat it would seem that gas grilling is not the hobby for you. The operative word here is, however, is "seem" because that cooking vegetables on a grill is both conversely quite popular as well as overlooked.

Of course, you do not have to be a vegetarian to enjoy cooking vegetables on a gas grill as vegetables are probably the most common side dishes with any meal. Usually, when people cook meats on a gas grill they cook the vegetables indoors on their stove. As noted herein, that isn't necessary as you can add vegetables to you grill and cut down on your cooking and cleaning time.

Common vegetarian items cooked on a gas grill include mixed vegetables, various eggplant recipes, garden variety tomatoes and many other items. So, if you are looking to cook vegetables on a grill you will never run out of ideas. And, if you do, there are a number of great cookbooks out there that will provide a number of new ones as the various vegetable grilling recipes are nearly endless in number.

If you are going to cook vegetables on a gas grill do not make the common mistake of placing the vegetables directly on the grill. (Corn is one of the few exceptions) This not only increases the chances of burning the vegetables but also runs the risk of the veggies slipping through the grill. Instead, it is a much better idea to place the vegetables inside folded aluminum foil. Also, it is critical to cook vegetables within a slow burn method because there are natural sugars within vegetables and sugar are prone to burn quickly in an overly heated environment.

So, if you have overlooked the ability to cook vegetables on a gas grill then you are clearly missing out on getting the most out of your grill. Plus, you are missing out on a unique way of cooking vegetables that will surely prove to be very well received by even the most discriminating of tastes.

Smoked Meat on a Gas Grill

If you have ever tasted smoked meat you will attest to the fact that the unique flavor that "smoking" creates is highly enjoyable. Finding smoked meat is not always easy as the number of smoke houses in most population centers is very limited. This is why the ability to smoke meat on a gas grill is such a huge plus. Oh, wait, you didn't know that you could smoke meat on a gas grill? Yes, it is a well kept secret and this is a shame because if you are not using your gas grill to smoke meat then you are not maximizing the full potential to your grill. Plus, you are denying yourself some very interesting meals.

If you have not purchased your gas grill yet and are interested in smoking meat then you may wish to purchase a grill that already comes with a built in smoke box. No, this is not a complicated device and it is easy to operate. Basically, the smoke box is a compartment where you would add woodchips. When the woodchips heat up they will emit the smoke that will add the smoked flavor to the meat. Yes, it is that simple.

But what happens if you have already purchased a grill and it doesn't have a smoke box? Well, you are not out of luck and you don't have to bring the gas grill back to exchange it. Instead, there is a very simple method that can be employed to modify the gas grill so that it can easily smoke meat.

An aluminum pan placed on top of one of the burners can do the trick. Inside the pan would chips that have been properly soaked in water will be placed. (This is an important point most novices miss. If the woodchips aren't damp they become a fire hazard!)  The heat of the burning must be cranked up high enough so that the chips start to smoke properly. Granted, if this extra heat is burning the meat it would be prudent to lower the heat to a more manageable level. The aluminum pan is a critically important item because simply throwing wood chips on top of the burner will often create at the least a mess and at the worst a potential fire.

As you can see, modifying a gas grill to become an impromptu smoker is not as difficult as one would think. Clearly, the options available to someone who wishes to be creative with a gas grill are fairly varied.

Gas Grills vs. Old Fashioned Charcoal Grills

Have you ever wondered why so many apartment complexes come with a communal gas grill? There are many amenities that an apartment can offer so why do so many opt to include a gas grill? There are two reasons that make a gas grill attractive. The first is the fact that gas grills change the taste of the food cooked on it and the unique taste makes gas grills appealing. The second is, of course, the fact that gas grills are fun to use and it becomes an act of leisurely enjoyment to cook on a gas grill. Of course, there is a third reason that is not so obvious and it somewhat benefits the apartment manager: gas grills are fairly easy to operate and clean and are safe to operate. Seriously, if the only grilling option out there was charcoal you probably wouldn't see many grills being provided at apartment complexes! So, take the hint from the apartment complexes. If you are considering purchasing a gas grill for your home you can never overlook the major benefits that a gas grill has over charcoal grills.

When you want to "fire up" a gas grill there is little "fire" involved. Well, there is but it is ignited simply by turning on the propane gas and pushing a button that sparks an ignition. With charcoal there is a more laborious process involved as you need to fill the grill with charcoal, soak the charcoal in lighter fluid and then toss a lit match into the grill. The result is a huge burst of flame that one needs to stay clear from until it subsides. Now, in addition to the labor required in firing up a charcoal grill there are obvious safety concerns here. In fact, many people have been injured bursts of flame emitted from a improperly prepared charcoal grill. Such a potential for errant flames also represents a danger to others and a fire hazard to nearby structures. Clearly, a gas grill is a much safer option.

In addition to the safety concerns involved with a charcoal grill there are also economic considerations. A gas grill is a much cheaper option as the need to purchase charcoal is reduced and the need for lighter fluid is completely dispensed. Yes, propane costs money but it is far more cost effective than the fees associated with purchasing additional charcoal and fluid. Also, there isn't the common hassle of having to clean out the gas grill after each use as there is with a charcoal grill. No, that doesn't mean you never have to clean out a gas grill but the frequency of cleaning is much less than a charcoal grill.

For beginners, the choice is fairly obvious: a gas grill is safer, easier and cheaper than a charcoal grill.

Little Known Facts of Gas Grill Cooking

For many, all gas grills represent is a different way of cooking food. It provides a different taste in the form of a non-traditional activity.  Well, that is a simplified description of gas grill cooking but it overlooks some lesser known aspects of gas grill cooking some may find quite interesting. There are a number of benefits with gas grill cooking that most overlook and they are different aspects of this fun hobby that are overlooked as well. By no means is the following a complete A to Z list of the "ins and outs" of gas grill cooking, but does provide a brief overview of aspects of gas grilling that is overlooked.

There are a number of unique health benefits to cooking with a gas grill. When food is cooked in the traditional manner or, worse, burned there is a chemical change that occurs within the composition of meats. These changes have been known to be related to cancer causing agents. When the same food is cooked on a gas grill the cancer causing agents are reduced or outright eliminated. No, this does not mean that gas grill cooking possesses the secret ability to prevent the onset of cancer. What it does mean is that the cooking on a gas grill can provide a healthier way to eat while reducing the potential for disease is present when using a gas grill.

In addition to cooking healthier, gas grills also provide a way to cook some 'decadent delights.' While most people think that gas grills are only for cooking meats and fish, surprise, they are quite versatile and can cook deserts as well. Yes, you read that correctly. Grilled oat cakes, grilled bananas and even a grilled variant of fried ice cream are common gas grill dessert items.

The food made on a gas grill is not the only appealing thing about the grills as cooking on a grill is a fun activity. But, there are certain limited perspectives on gas grill cooking that need to be dispelled. Because gas grills are easy to "fire up" they can be used in inclement whether. A traditional grill is a little more involved to operate and when the whether is cold outside most people opt not to venture into a lengthy ordeal when the wind chill is fairly rough. A gad grill, however, goes on immediately and this makes it more comfortable to operate in cold weather. So, why deny yourself a good grilled meal just because the temperature dips? Invest in a reliable gas grill instead,

Here is another best kept secret: there are a number of indoor gas grill models. Maybe it is so cold outside that you would prefer to cook inside. No problem! There are a number of gas grills on the market that are modified for use in the home. They are safe and dependable and do not present a fire hazard when used properly. Try doing that with a traditional charcoal grill!

Many people consider a gas grill to be a limited cooking appliance, but clearly this isn't the case as versatility is one of its most famous virtues. So, don't let common myths preclude you from making buying a grill!