george foreman grill
Well, if you want to cheat, you can always go electric. That's what powers the George Foreman GGR50B Indoor/Outdoor Grill. You got to admit, no charcoal ashes and no propane tank are very attractive features for an amateur cook.
It takes only 5 minutes to heat up this 1600W unit. The grill top diameter is 17 inches. That's enough for a cozy cookout for two.
The pedelstal is removable. So, you can do (pretend) grilling outside or you can take it off and use it indoors like the gazillion other George Foreman grills out there.
The one down side is you can't adjust the heat setting. The product comes from China. Hopefully, they got the lead issue worked out.
This item is offered at many locations and is currently priced around $70 to $90.
George Foreman Grill
Outdoorgrill Saftey Tips
Spring has sprung and it's time to pull out the grill again. Before you lite your outdoorgrill, here are a couple of things to remember. The Consumer Product Safety Commission states that about 5,000 people each year get injured from propane, wood or charcoal grill fires. Ten people a year die from grilling fires. Annually, there are about 8,000 house fires with about 3,000 of those causing structural damages well over $25 million dollars. One of the biggest sources of accidents is from turkey frying.
So, with all that being said, here are a few grilling safety tips to keep in your mind:
1) Propane grills: Before turning them on, check for leaks in your gas tank hose. Put a mild soapy water coat on the hose and see if any air bubbles form. Also, if you smell gas and the grill won't light, there's got to be a part problem somewhere. Find the defective part and replace it.
2) Charcoal grills: ONLY use charcoal starter fluid to light your fire. Other fuels may be too combustible posing a great hazard for everyone around. Keep the starter fluid container far away from the grill. Also, don't allow children, pets or anyone else who may pose a threat to be near the grilling area. These may include intoxicated people and the elderly. It's best that the chef be the only one near the grill. Finally, always make sure the used cooking coals are cool before dumping them. You may want to water them down.
3) For everyone: Keep your grill clean between uses. Only grill outdoors and away from housing structures. Finally, never leave your outdoorgrill unattended.
Much of this may sound like a big hassle but an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Have a great time grilling this year!