Best Barbecues & Outdoor Grills

Summer is almost here, and that means spending more time outdoors. A great activity for warm summer nights is grilling up some hot dogs, hamburgers, steaks, chicken wings, and other great tasting dishes. For this activity, you will need the right barbecue, one that is efficient, easy to clean, and provides that perfect barbecue flavour.  

If you are thinking of buying an outdoor grill but do not know here to begin, then we have got you covered. In this article, we list the best outdoor grills in Canada. We will list the features of each product and their pros and cons. We will also answer some frequently asked questions about outdoor grills.  

Fuel: Grills differ on how they produce heat. Gas is the most common type of fuel source. These grills usually use propane, while others use natural gas (which requires a gas line to connect your grill to your home). Natural gas grills heat up quickly and are convenient (your fuel source is constant). Propane grills also heat quickly, but you need to replace the tank once it runs out. Overall, Gas grills are efficient and effectively retain their temperature.  

Charcoal briquettes are another common way to heat your grill. They require more prep and take longer to heat up and cool down, but they give your food a more authentic barbecue flavour. That is why charcoal grills are favoured by barbecue purists.  

Aside from fuel, grills can be powered by electricity. All you have to do is plug them into an outlet. You can use electric grills indoors. The downside to these grills is that they do not achieve the same BBQ flavour from traditional grills. Recently, wood pellets are being used to heat up grills. These pellets give a woody flavour to your food. However, pellet grills are expensive.  

Material: Consider the material the grill is made of. The main body of a grill is usually made from cast aluminium, sheet metal, cast iron, or stainless steel. The same goes for the grilling crates. Each material has their benefits.  

Stainless steel and cast iron are considered the two best materials for grills.  Cast iron retains heat well and transfers heat directly to the food. However, cast iron can rust quickly and takes more effort to clean. Stainless steel heats up quickly and is easier to maintain. Plus, it does not rust as easily. On the downside, stainless steel does not retain heat well and can be less durable (if you buy cheaper stainless steel).  

Size: This depends on a few things. First, what types of food do you want to cook. Bigger foods like steaks or turkeys require a large grill. You should also think about how many people you are cooking for. If you have to grill up to 50 hamburgers, a bigger grill is the way to go. Lastly, look at how much space you have for a grill. Make sure the grill fits safely and comfortably.  

Price: Grills can be expensive. For example, higher end models can cost up to $5,000. Another factor the influences price is if the grill comes with a propane tank. If one is included, this can safe you the additional cost of buying it separately.    

Additional features: Some grills come with added features like side burners, multiple cooking levels, and smokers. However, these features are for more experienced grill masters. If your new to grilling or you intend to grill simple dishes, then these extra features are unnecessary.   

What’s the average price for a grill in Canada? 

Most grills will average between $500-$1,000. Higher end models can cost up to $1,200, while cheaper brands are usually priced between $100-$300. 

Are barbecues worth it? 

There are several reasons why barbecues are worth the purchase. First, barbecues provide countless meal options. While steaks, chicken wings, hot dogs, and burgers are popular foods to grill, you can also cook vegetables, fish, and even pizza with a grill. You might also want a barbecue if you want to replicate the food found in BBQ restaurants. This will also save you money; you will spend less money eating out. Lastly, barbecues are great way to turn dinner time into a social event. During summer nights, nothing beats grilling outside and enjoying great tasting food with friends or family.  

What is the best meat to barbecue? 

Pork, beef, and chicken are the most popular meats to barbecue. However, the quality of the meat depends on the cut you get and what part of the animal the meat comes from. Ideally you will want to cook a prime cut of meat. These are the higher quality cuts. They tend to be juicier and tender. Cheaper cuts of meat have more connective tissue and collagen, which makes them tougher to cook and eat. Make sure to slow cook cheap cuts. Doing so will break down the meat and make it softer.    

Some examples of prime cut meat include the pork loin, beef rib, and chicken breast.  

How long do you barbecue chicken breast? 

The grilling time for chicken breast can vary. But on average, you should barbecue a chicken breast five to six minutes per side. For other recipes, you will have to barbecue the chicken breast for 10-15 minutes. Overall, make sure you cook the breast until it reaches an internal temperature of 165˚F. 

How do you barbecue steak? 

According to the Food Network, you should grill a steak for around three minutes each side, or until a hard sear forms. Once this happens, rotate the steak a quarter turn to grill the uncooked side of the steak. Keep doing this until all sides of the steak have been seared.   

How you like your steak will determine how long you will need to grill it. Rare steaks have an internal temperature of 120-129 ˚F. For medium rare steaks, the internal temperature should be around 130-135 ˚F. Medium steaks fall around 135-145 ˚F, while medium well is between145-155 ˚F. And for those who like their steak well done, the temperature should be around 160 ˚F. 

How do you barbecue vegetables? 

The first thing you should do is slice the vegetables and then brush them with oil. This will prevent the vegetables from sticking to the grill. The cook time depends on the size, shape, and type of vegetable. For example, large vegetables will take longer to grill. Aim to grill the vegetable three to four minutes on each side. The following is the total grill times of various vegetables according to TheKicthn.com: 

• Asparagus, green onion, and tomatoes: four to six minutes.
• Yellow squash, zucchini, eggplant, and mushrooms: Seven to eight minutes. 
• Bell peppers and onions: Eight to 10 minutes. 

Why does grilled food taste so good? 

People love barbecued foods for their rich flavour. But what makes them taste so good?  

The answer lies in a complex chemical reaction. When you grill food, a process called the Maillard reaction takes place. This is term refers to the browning of food. During the Maillard reaction, the heat causes a reaction between the sugars and amino acids within the food. This causes flavour molecules to form. The Maillard reaction occurs at 285 ˚F or higher.  

There is another chemical reaction responsible for the greats taste of grilled foods. Caramelization is a reaction between sugar and heat only, and it occurs at high temperatures. While caramelization differs from the Maillard reaction, both can occur at the same time. That is why grilled foods have that amazing taste.   

Besides the chemical reactions, there are other factors at play that make grilled food taste good. One factor is the smell of the food. A large part of taste comes from smell, so it figures that great smelling food will also taste delicious. Also, the aromas coming from your barbecue can make mouth water, and that on its own can make your food seem to taste better. 

The other factor is the look of the food. Grilled food that is perfectly seared and charred looks delicious, and more often than not it will taste great.  

Which barbeque type is the best? 

There is question often comes up with grilling aficionados. The best barbecue type depends on your preference and other factors like where you live. For example, you may like gas grills, but you live in an apartment building that only allows electric grills.  

With that being said, gas and charcoal grills are the two most popular types. On the Reddit page r/grilling, users were divided on which type was better. Many users noted the advantages found in each grill type. Propane grills are easier to control, started quicker, and have a lower operating cost. Charcoal grills can reach higher temperatures, have lower purchasing costs, and give your food that authentic, char-grilled taste. If possible, go with both types. If that is not an option, let your personal preferences decided which grill to get.