Not a lot of people can imagine spending time outside without tasty home-cooked food, especially in spring and summertime. Barbecue is a perfect chance for men to show off their meat-cooking skills and feed their friends and family while having pleasant conversations and a good time with them. The person who has a griddle becomes very popular among their buddies during summer. And if you want to become that person, it is important for you to know how to take care of the equipment, and what to buy.
Stainless steel vs cast iron grill grates
There are two main options to choose from in terms of manufacturing materials, and both have their pros and cons.
| Stainless Steel | Cast Iron |
|---|---|
| Smooth | Rough if bare, smooth when coated with porcelain |
| Heats up quickly | Takes longer to become hot |
| Low heat retention | Retains heat for a long time |
| Low heat conduction | High heat conduction |
| Preferably used for frying thick pieces of food | Does not matter whether the food is thick or thin |
| Leaves almost no grill marks | More noticeable marks |
| Loses the non-stickiness | Needs constant care to maintain the non-sticky surface |
| Resistant to rust | Can rust if not cared for properly |
| Light in weight | Heavy |
| Lasts a relatively long time | Will last a very long time with proper upkeep |
It is totally up to you whether to choose one or the other, depending on your specific needs. Besides the different characteristics, the cleaning process for these two materials is also different.
How to clean cast iron grills
Needless to say, the grates should be cleaned after every use to prevent the food particles from sticking to them and the formation of rust.
- After you have used the item, let it cool down for a while.
- Remove any food residue.
- Scrub the product with a cleaning brush made of nylon.
- Let the product dry and then coat it in vegetable oil to prevent rusting.
A deeper cleaning process includes soaking the product in a solution of vinegar and water for at least thirty minutes and then scrubbing it until everything is clean.
How to clean stainless grill grates
In this instance it is recommended to clean the item while it is still hot. You will need a special brush which looks like a thick spiraled rod. Simply run it across the hot grid. If you forgot to clean your product right after use, heat it up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit (260 °C) and then start scrubbing it with the specific brush.
Utensils needed for BBQ
A griddle is not the only thing one requires for a successful picnic. Other necessary items include:
- Charcoal or gas, depending on the type of equipment;
- Special heat-resistant mittens;
- Matches or a lighter;
- A mini side table;
- Skewers;
- Food foil;
- Smoker box;
- Cutlery;
- Rotisserie;
- Apron;
- A small fire extinguisher;
- Cleaning supplies and special silicone brushes.
This list of items needed for a BBQ is not definitive, so you can add whatever you require to it. The good thing is that you do not have to buy everything separately. You can find tool sets in almost any store both on-site and online, that will include all the necessary products for eating and cooking outside. Amazon and other online platforms offer a great selection of BBQ tools in a case with a variety of modifications. These sets are suited for both men and women.
Don’t miss the opportunity to find out where to buy a camping table and hammock brand comparison.
Have the best time with your friends and family!
