Need a Grill - any advice?

[goodhart]

It should probably be mentioned that spring type thermometers that are found in most grill lids are about the most inaccurate pieces of shit on earth. Basically good enough to let you know when your grill is up to temp though. I use one of THESE (http://www.maverickhousewares.com/et732.htm) when I smoke, not nearly as important when grilling though.

[turbotalon1g]

HF laser therm?

[cmspaz]

HF laser therm?
Unfortunately that wouldn't tell you the interior temp, which is what really matters.

[Murlo26]

So I made my first maiden voyage with the grill last night by myself. I am a grill noob and normally knoxville leads the efforts but last night I tried some steaks from target. They were frozen and not fully thawed which kind of sucked but overall it worked.

Seasoned with salt, pepper and some garlic powder after a coating of olive oil was applied. I followed the chart from Omaha closely but went longer as they weren't fully thawed. Ended up cooking them a bit much as I cranked the heat up this time too, but they were in between medium and medium well so not too bad.

Overall, they were awesome. Sadly, these cheap target steaks tasted a bit better than the expensive Von Hanson ones I had over the weekend because I cooked them "more" properly. I nailed the seasoning, that part was perfect and the inner parts were actually close to medium so the steak was pretty damn good overall.

Getting better I guess or learning the grill I should say.

[Kracka]

Sutton & Dodge steaks from Target are very good; Cargill's top-quality beef.

[Murlo26]

that might have been the steaks I got, there were 4 strips for like 25 bucks, either way they were yum.

[goodhart]

You should always try to let your steaks fully thaw and come up to room temp before cooking if possible. Also try not to salt them until afterwards if needed, the salt tends to draw moisture out of the meat causing them to be dryer.

[Mnementh]

I don't see that you've purchased yet so here's my two cents worth: We bought a Wal-Mart special about 9 years ago that's finally rusting out and we're looking around too.

At SAM's club there's a long grill, stainless, that has a regular gas bbq section, a section for charcoal and, instead of the side burner there's a kind of plate like you see on propane heaters that's supposed to be great for steaks, etc. Price seemed reasonable at $395. I'd suppose there are others out there like that at home depot, etc...

I like it 'cause I -DO- like to charcoal grill a few times a year and right now I have to dust off my rusty, patched together 20+ year old Webber kettle. ^_^

[asshanson]

Are any of the grills mentioned compatible with natural gas? Does it just require a new set of jets/nozzles (aka anything can be converted)? I have a natural gas line on my deck that is capped off, so I'd much rather use that vs propane tanks.

[rose0529]

Are any of the grills mentioned compatible with natural gas? Does it just require a new set of jets/nozzles (aka anything can be converted)? I have a natural gas line on my deck that is capped off, so I'd much rather use that vs propane tanks.


I believe you can get a conversion kit for any grill it is like $50.

Natrual gas FTW... I use a little old grill, but it is hooked up to the house gas, so easy.