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The Best Wood Chips and Charcoal Combos for Perfectly Steaks

September 24, 2024 by bbqpros

Grilling the perfect steak is an art, but what truly sets apart a master griller from the rest is the fuel you use. The combination of best grilling wood chips and charcoal affects the flavor, texture, and finish of your meat. To achieve grilling perfection in Toronto’s grilling season, you need to know which pairings work best.

Hickory and Lump Charcoal: A Classic Combo for Bold Flavor

Hickory wood chips and lump charcoal create a robust, smoky flavor that enhances beefy cuts like ribeye or T-bone steaks. Hickory provides a deep, hearty smokiness, while lump charcoal burns hotter and cleaner than briquettes, giving you precise control over the sear. This combination is perfect for those who enjoy a rich, smoky taste that complements the steak’s natural flavor. What are some of the other best grilling wood chip options?

Mesquite and Charcoal Briquettes: Intense Heat, Intense Flavor

Mesquite wood chips are well-known for their powerful, earthy flavor, making them the top choice for those who crave an intense grilling experience. When using mesquite wood chips, it’s important to consider their potent nature and how they pair with other grilling elements.

Mesquite wood chips are best paired with charcoal briquettes, as they burn consistently and provide a steady base of heat for grilling. The combination of mesquite wood chips and charcoal briquettes is particularly well-suited for quickly grilling steaks over high heat, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the meat.

A Robust Flavor

Due to mesquite’s robust and punchy flavor, it’s important to use it judiciously, especially when grilling steaks. For optimal results, mesquite wood chips are best suited for shorter cooking times, particularly when grilling steaks such as flank or skirt. This approach allows the mesquite flavor to impart its characteristic smokiness without overwhelming the meat.

By following these guidelines, you can harness the full potential of mesquite wood chips to elevate your grilling experience and savor the intense, earthy flavors they impart to your favorite cuts of steak.

Applewood and Coconut Charcoal: A Sweet, Subtle Smoke

If you’re looking for a milder, slightly sweet flavor, applewood chips paired with coconut charcoal is an excellent choice. This combination provides a lighter, fruitier smoke that complements leaner cuts like sirloin or filet mignon.

Coconut charcoal burns efficiently and at a stable temperature, making it perfect for low-and-slow cooking, allowing the applewood flavor to gently infuse the meat.

The perfect pairing of wood chips and charcoal is essential for achieving the ideal flavor and texture for your grilled steaks. Whether you prefer a bold, smoky taste, an intense grilling experience, or a milder, sweet flavor profile, choosing the right combination can make all the difference.

Master the art of grilling with the perfect fuel pairings and make this grilling season in Toronto truly unforgettable. If you want to elevate your grilling game contact BBQ Pros today for all your grilling needs.

Get Your Grill Ready for 2024 with These Repairs

November 28, 2023 by bbqpros

The new year is just around the corner, and before you know it, it will be time to fire up the grill for spring and summer cookouts. To ensure your grill is ready to sizzle with your favoire grilling cooking method, it’s important to give it some maintenance love now. With a few key repairs and some deep cleaning, your grill will be prepared for delicious cookouts all season long.

Deep Clean Your Grill

If you’re a grill enthusiast, you know that regular maintenance is key to keeping your grill in good working condition. One of the most important aspects of grill maintenance is ensuring that all the grill parts are functioning properly no matter your grilling cooking method. If you suspect that something is amiss with your grill, you may need to consult a professional for grill repair services.

The first step in preparing your grill is to give it a deep clean. Remove the grates and brush them thoroughly with a stiff wire grill brush. Use a putty knife to scrape off baked-on grease and food residue. Check the flavorizer bars or briquettes and replace any that are cracked or crumbling. Clean out the bottom of the grill, removing ash and debris.

Inspect and Repair Burners

Inspect the burners and clear any clogged ports with a wire. Check that burner alignments are correct so flames distribute evenly. A clean grill prevents flare-ups and distributes heat more efficiently. Wipe down the lid and exterior surfaces with warm soapy water.

Do a Gas Leak Test

It’s essential to do a gas leak test annually. Shut off the propane tank or natural gas supply, then generously coat connections with a soapy water solution. Turn the gas back on and check all connections. If bubbles appear, there is a leak that requires repair. Never use a grill with a gas leak, as it could lead to an explosion.

Replace Worn Parts and Repair Professionally

You may need professional grill repair. Check grill knobs and handles to make sure they turn smoothly. Look for fraying hoses or signs of cracking. Replace any hoses, knobs or handles that are faulty. Ensure lid hinges move freely and lid seals tightly. Replace charcoal grates if the metal is thinning or breaking.

Inspect the Propane Tank

Check the propane tank for dents, rust, or other damage. Damaged tanks should be replaced for safety. When inspecting, never use an open flame to check for gas leaks. Purchase a new propane tank from a reputable local retailer to keep in reserve.

Maintain Your Charcoal Grill

For charcoal grills, replace any rusted or warped cooking grates. Check the bowl and lid for holes or cracks. Patch small holes with high-temperature silicone sealant. Replace charcoal grates that are excessively worn or broken.

Paint Your Grill to Prevent Rust

Give metal surfaces a fresh coat of high-heat grill paint to prevent rust and wear. Remove rust spots with a wire brush before painting. Wipe the grill down with an oily cloth after painting for seasoning.

With a few repairs and some deep cleaning, your grill will be revitalized and ready for juicy burgers and hot dogs! Schedule an annual deep clean, safety check, and replacement of any worn parts. Investing a little time now means grill season fun ahead. Get your grill in shape for delicious 2024 cookouts!

Fire Up Your BBQ Game with Premium Grills and Smokers

October 27, 2023 by bbqpros

Is your old grill looking a little worse for wear? Before you toss it out and buy a shiny new model, consider getting it professionally repaired. Investing in professional grill maintenance and repairs can save you money while still upgrading your BBQ outdoor cooking capabilities. Keep reading to learn how to fire up your barbecue game with a few strategic repairs and upgrades.

Assess Your Current Grill

First, take a good look at the grill you have now. Is it structurally sound overall but needs some replacements parts or deep cleaning? Or is the grill frame rusted or damaged beyond repair? If your existing grill has some good bones for outdoor cooking, it’s worth getting a professional opinion. A knowledgeable BBQ repair tech can troubleshoot issues and tell you what repairs are feasible within your budget.

On the other hand, if the grill frame itself is unstable or dangerous, it may be time to replace it. But many grill repair companies also sell refurbished or custom grills, which cost significantly less than brand new models. This can still feel like an upgrade.

Give It a Deep Cleaning

Even a grill that is structurally sound needs deep maintenance cleaning on a regular basis. Grease, smoke residue, and grime build up over time, reducing heating efficiency and flavor. Professionals have industrial strength degreasers and tools to scrub every inch of the grill back to shiny perfection. They can also descale any accumulated mineral deposits on gas grill tubes and burners to improve performance.

If your existing grill grates are super rusted, warped or broken, replacing them is a must. High quality stainless steel or cast iron replacement grates are a worthy investment and relatively affordable. Nice grates prevent food from sticking and allow those beautiful grill marks to form. A professional can properly install new grates to ensure they are level, securely attached and optimally positioned over burners.

Upgrade Burners

Replacing old gas grill burners improves heating power and allows you to cook a wider variety of foods. Depending on your grill make and model, a technician can install higher BTU commercial-grade stainless steel burners, ceramic infrared burners, or smoker boxes. Infrared burners heat up fast and distribute heat more evenly. Add a smoker box for infusing smoke flavor into meats, fish and veggies.

Install Helpful Accessories

From grill lights to rotisseries, accessories customize your grill to suit your BBQ style. Grill lights illuminate the cooking surface for perfect night grilling and entertaining. Rotisseries allow for self-basting, perfectly cooked roasts and birds. Other helpful add-ons include side burners, cutting boards, drawers for storage, and temperature gauges.

Repair or Replace Part

From knobs and igniters to valves and thermometers, replacing broken or malfunctioning parts keeps your grill running like new. Rather than buying a whole new BBQ, repair pros can source and install replacement parts you need. They’ll make sure new components are correctly fitted and working properly.

Give It a Facelift

Over time, the exterior of your grill takes some abuse from weather elements. A professional grill refurbishment includes a thorough deep cleaning and removal of rust spots. Refinishing and re-painting gives the grill exterior and doors an updated, refreshed look. Small repairs like tightening screws and replacing handles complete the transformation. It’s like getting a brand new grill.

Build Your Dream Custom Grill

For the ultimate upgrade, work with a company to build a tailored grilling station to your specifications. Custom grills allow you to select premium materials from top to bottom. Configure the layout, shelving, lighting and more to your cooking preferences. Add multiple fuel options like gas and charcoal or a woodfired pizza oven. Build in your ideal amount of counter space and storage. With the right company, the custom grill possibilities are truly endless.

The bottom line is that with a bit of creativity and professional assistance, it’s possible to upgrade an old grill rather than buying new. Carefully repairing and refurbishing your existing barbecue allows you to improve performance and aesthetics at a fraction of the cost of replacement. This season, improve your grilling game and become the envy of the neighborhood cookout circuit with a repaired and refreshed setup. Call us today!

Winter Grill Maintenence Tips

January 31, 2022 by bbqpros

During the winter, your grill isn’t likely to see a lot of action. While you might be the exception to the rule, grill maintenance changes slightly during the winter season. To address these changes, check out the below list of winter grill maintenance tips.

Clean Your Grill

Knowing how to clean your grill is vital if you want to keep it around long term. For the winter, you want to make sure that your grill is clean, saving you a lot of potential winter headaches.

The easiest way to do this is to clean your grill is through high heat. Keeping the grill at a higher temperature will enable you to loosen the caked-on grease or food residue.

After heating the grill, you can take a large wire brush for cleaning. Soapy water using anti-grease dish soap is usually your best bet for removing residue.

If you have a charcoal grill, you will need to sacrifice a few briquettes to get to that high temperature. If the grill needs some additional love, you might need to call professional cleaners.

Prep Your Grill for Storage

Prepping your outdoor grill for winter storage changes depending on your grill’s fuel source. However, all grills benefit from having a coat of cooking spray on the grates to prevent rust and a grill cover for further protection.

If you have an electric grill, there is likely a connected battery. You might want to store your batteries in such a way that they are disconnected from the central unit.

Those with a gas line or burners will want to wrap them in plastic. Insects tend to use these natural sources of warmth and oil as a means to survive through the winter, leading to unfortunate discoveries when spring returns.

Check your grill’s warranty if you want to use anti-corrosion or polish material. Many grill warranties prohibit the use of this sort of cleaning material. You can use these specialized cleaners to discourage rust if they don’t.

Always be sure to remove all potential moisture before storing your grill over the winter. The dampness will lead to greater chances of rust and corrosion.

Make Any Necessary Grill Repairs

Before you store your grill over the winter, now is the best time to check it for necessary repairs. After all, it is off-season, making it the best time to manage any problems.

Pay special attention to your grill’s hoses (assuming you have a gas grill). You can expect the burners for the same thing.

If your grill is still under warranty, you might be able to get the repair done free of charge. Just remember that guarantees and insurance are different, meaning you are only covered in specific situations.

Conclusion – Storing Your Grill Over The Winter

After ensuring your grill is clean and in working order, you can confidently store it over the winter. Make sure you leave it in a cool, dry location with the grill cover firmly attached. By following these steps, you can increase your grill’s longevity.

Best New Year’s Grilling Recipes

December 31, 2021 by bbqpros

With 2021 coming to a close, we can all breathe a small sigh of relief. Despite the upcoming New Years’ resolutions, we can all use a great way to bring in the new year. The best way is to sit down with your family for a barbecue meal.

Below, we will review a few meal ideas you can steal for your New Year’s barbecue.

#1: Pulled Pork

Thanksgiving has Turkey, the holidays have ham, but there isn’t much to eat on New Year’s Day. Change this up by introducing the idea of pulled pork.

Grilled pulled pork is incredibly tender and flavorful. Compared to other types of meat, it’s also straightforward to manage.

Much like turkey, you can easily use leftovers to make sandwiches. So try to smoke some pulled pork with hickory wood chips for a post-new-years celebration.

#2: Rotisserie Duck

Duck is an alternative bird to chicken. Much like rotisserie chicken, you can cook it using a rod, 350 degrees, and about an hour and a half.

The inside of the duck should read about 130 degrees. With a good meat thermometer, you can easily keep track without fancy skills.

It’s easy to be overwhelmed by a bird you haven’t cooked before. Thankfully, duck and chicken are pretty close when it comes to almost all aspects of cooking.

#3: Salmon

Grilling is a much healthier alternative cooking method to frying. One of the best items to grill is salmon.

Salmon is an excellent meal because it is incredibly healthy. While you would have to eat metric tons of it to get the Omega-3s, it is still a low-fat and healthy alternative to most meats you would grill.

To start on the right foot, try out some salmon tacos. The cooking temperature is about 275, while the cooking time is about 50 minutes.

Salmon tacos are an entirely different experience from ground beef. If you want to start the new year on a healthy diet, this is an excellent and flavorful dish for new beginnings.

#4: Prime Rib Roast

A prime rib roast is an excellent choice when it comes to enjoying a warm meal during the holiday season. Low and slow cooking is perfect when the outdoors isn’t a fun place to live.

Often, position their grills a bit closer to the front door and have to clear off their patio for this to work. For your health and safety, don’t bring your grill indoors. It’s a bad plan for a few reasons.

A tasty dry rub involves taking advantage of hotter spices. Otherwise, you can take the time to use brown sugar and cinnamon.

Regardless of what you use, prime rib is an excellent addition to whatever gathering you want. Anything can be an excuse to cook it.

Conclusion

Regardless of what you want to grill during the new year, this is a time for reflection. Take the time to relax, enjoy your family, and think about how fantastic the future will be.

We hope you and yours have a happy New Year this season. Thanks for reading.