If you’re looking for something more exciting, engaging and flavourful than the traditional BBQ grill, you’re not alone. Countless outdoor cooking enthusiasts are discovering a new way to infuse barbecue with rustic charm and character – barbecuing on a fire pit.
Both fire pits and typical BBQs serve the same goal at their core: they provide a heat source ideal for cooking food outside. However, the changes in the design, operation, and the entire spectrum of cooking experiences fire pit grills offer, make a world of difference to the aspiring outdoor chef. This in other words means that you can grill, roast marshmallows, or cook food like soups and stews in a pot over the fire. They also double as a heat source, creating a cosy atmosphere for outdoor entertaining.
Aside from the practical issues, there's an unmistakable romance about cooking over an open fire in the backyard that a regular grill can't quite match. This also applies to the flavour. Food cooked over a fire pit grill frequently has a distinct, smoky flavour that is difficult to achieve on a conventional grill, especially if wood is used.
How to Choose the Ideal One for Your Backyard?
With all this in mind, take your alfresco cooking aspirations to the next level with a sturdy and versatile outdoor fire pit grill. Given their rising popularity throughout the years, these next-level devices are nowadays available in a wide range of options. To help you choose right, we have narrowed down the most important factors to keep in mind when shopping.
Determine the Purpose
One of the first things to keep in mind when buying a brand-new fire pit BBQ is its purpose. Having a clear picture of what you plan to do with it will help you pick the right one easier and better. Of course, you want it to be able to hold a fire and cook over those are givens, but do you have any other requirements?
For example, if you plan to organise huge alfresco dinning gatherings, you can filter your search to the largest models on the market. If you, however, spend the majority of your time with your family only, then a smaller model will suit you right.
On the other hand, if you want to spend the least amount of time cleaning your new grill, choose a low-cost, easy-to-maintain type that you can replace every year or two. Finally, if you're concerned about durability, spend a little more on a model built with solid construction and high-quality materials.
The Size and Shape Are Everything
Again, the size and the shape of the outdoor fire pit grill you’re about to purchase should match your needs and space. If your ideal location is a corner of an apartment balcony, you'll want a smaller, more portable type. If you have more space to work with because you chose a location on your deck or patio, a medium-size model is an option.
Finally, if you're installing your fire pit barbeque in a large backyard, the sky's the limit in terms of size. It's also critical to determine which shape works best for you. Square or rectangular grills, for example, typically contain more food than round ones, but they also take up more space.
Check the Material Options
Aluminium is one of the most adaptable materials used in the design of fire pit cooking grills. It's rustproof and long-lasting, and it can be formed into several shapes and polished in a variety of colours and textures. Cast aluminium, particularly, is a heavy material, and the mould can accommodate elaborate detailing and motifs.
Heavy gauge steel, on the other hand, is used to make high-quality wood-burning fire pit grills. It is robust, long lasting, and corrosion and rust resistant. Consider the gauge of the steel and the weight of the device when buying for a wood-burning one and look for a 20-year or even lifetime warranty.
If you are looking for something that can withstand daily wear and tear and serve for many years to come, the superior stainless steel is the hardest to beat. The material can resist tremendous heat while preserving its shape.
Take the Fuel Type into Account
Typically, a fire pit cooking grill will use one of three sources of fuel: Propane, wood and charcoal. Wood creates high heat and enormous flames, making it an excellent choice for people who live in the country, where they can simply stroll around and pick up twigs, branches, and logs to burn.
Charcoal, on the other hand, burns slower takes a longer period for grilling than wood and does not produce as much heat. It's a terrific choice for city dwellers who don't have easy access to wood because a bag can be purchased at any grocery shop.
Propane, often known as LP Gas, burns cleanly, producing little to no ash or debris. It's widely available, even at most petrol stations, retail establishments, and hardware stores. And you can effortlessly relocate it from one location to another.