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Humans have been cooking food over an open flame for as long as we’ve been standing upright, and for that reason, barbecues are timeless. With their connections to cooking, eating, and telling stories around a fire, they are enjoyed in the same way today, even as the grills have become a bit more high-tech.
So how do you choose a ’cue that’s right for you? We asked Chief Operating Officer of Taylor’s Hearth & Leisure, Matthew Lawrence to break it down. Here’s what he had to say.
Sticky ice-pop fingers, wet footprints along the pavement, and the smell of a grill cooking up some sizzling summer snacks. When we think of summer on Long Island, a few things come to mind. Getting the grill out and firing it up is one of those pivotal things.
When we smell hot dogs and hamburgers, we know that laying by the pool, sandy toes, and fresh cocktails are not far behind. And after a few years of being trapped indoors in utter isolation, nothing welcomes the summer season more than an outdoor gathering by the grill.
Perhaps your chef station can use an upgrade or some new accessories; Matthew Lawrence of Taylor’s Hearth & Leisure has got your grill covered, from a basic BBQ to something with a high-tech touch.
“When it comes to BBQs you can’t go wrong with a good old Weber gas grill,” Lawrence said. “But if you are looking to up your game a bit take a look at stainless steel Fire Magic and Blaze grills which offer rotisseries, infrared burners, smoker boxes, accent lights, built-in thermometers, and much more.”
For a more modern look, the new Phantom series from Napoleon Grills — which are also a step up from Weber — offer many useful accessory options as well as a black matte finish, which is really eye-catching.
Along with grillin’ comes smokin’ and it can take your meats to the next level. The artisanal touch of smoking your food can bring you from BBQ newbie to a BBQ master. Smokers have also become popular in the last few years, but when most people hear “smokers,” they think that they can’t operate one. But in fact, if you get the right one, they require very little effort.
“Some pellet smokers, which combine elements of charcoal smokers, gas grills, and kitchen ovens, have an automatic hopper that feeds the fire on its own and is able to maintain temperature,” he said. “These smokers require very little work: it’s as simple as filling the hopper and turning the unit to your desired temperature.”
