Few things capture the essence of a beautiful afternoon better than the smell of a backyard barbecue. And whether your passion burns charcoal or gas, there’s nothing more important than picking the right grill for the job. With spring well underway and summer just around the corner, Roadfly is proud to bring you this simple guide to grilling.

Now many of you might be thinking that a grill is a grill – but you’d be wrong for thinking so. Die-hard grilling enthusiasts will swear on their steaks that charcoal is the only way to properly grill. Practical backyard barbequers applaud gas grills for their convenience and ease of use. But which is best? Which one is right for you?

Charcoal grills have been around for ages, and as a result the design of a charcoal grill hasn’t changed much. The typical charcoal grill resembles a clam-shelled orb, with a pit for charcoal and a lid. Charcoal grills are relatively inexpensive, and range in price from $22 to just over $100. Weber seems to have this segment of the market cornered – almost everyone at one time or another has owned a Weber charcoal grill.

Gas grills have been around for quite some time as well, but unlike charcoal grills, their design varies greatly based on the manufacturer. Once again, Weber is one of the most respected names in this category, but companies like Broilmaster, Coleman, Ducane, Jenn-Air, Sunbeam, and Viking all have a strong presence. There are two types of gas grills to consider – Liquid Petroleum (LP) and natural gas. Generally speaking, LP is preferred as it burns hotter than natural gas. The benefit of a natural gas grill is that it can be plumbed into an existing natural gas line, and thus does not require an auxiliary tank that requires refilling.

In addition to charcoal and gas, there are electric and “pellet” grills, but neither are very popular, so we won’t include them in this article. And last but not least, there’s the smoker category, but they aren’t really grills at all, and are best saved for another story altogether.

Choosing between a charcoal or a gas grill boils down to convenience and placement. Charcoal grills tend to require a bit more effort, a little more skill and a wide, open, well-ventilated area for operation. A charcoal grill is not well suited to use in any covered or enclosed area.

A gas grill is often easier to use, more convenient (it can be used year round, even in inclimate conditions), and can be used (cautiously) under a covered deck or porch. Gas grills are easier to clean and don’t leave ashes behind – a plus in our book. They tend to cost at least twice as much as a charcoal grill, so price can play an important role in the purchasing decision.

CHARCOAL GRILLING

We’ll focus on the most obvious, most popular grill – the Weber charcoal grill. Weber offers three different “types” of the charcoal grill, in varying sizes. Weber offers the “Silver,” “Gold,” and “Platinum” charcoal grills in 18-1/2″ and 22-1/2″ sizes. For all practical purposes, the Silver and Gold models are nearly identical, while the Platinum includes an integrated workspace (non-heated) and a large, high-capacity ash catcher with integrated one-touch cleaning system (both of these features are found on the Weber Gold series as well).

All of Weber’s charcoal grills include sturdy frames and high-quality wheels, which help make moving the grill easy. We prefer the 22-1/2″ Gold Series Weber grill for its handy ash system and robust construction. The large cooking surface offers plenty of room to cook on.

Accessory choices are somewhat limited, but we have found one device that no charcoal griller should be without – a Chimney Starter. Available from almost any hardware or grill supply store for well under $20, these things make charcoal grilling a snap. They also make the food taste better, as there’s no lighter fluid to mess around with.

Charcoal grilling techniques vary greatly, but most experts agree that cooking with indirect heat is one of the most preferable ways to grill. Indirect heat allows food to cook evenly via convection, and helps to reduce the ever-dreaded “flare-up.” With proper food placement, the cook can sear foods with indirect heat, all without having to rearrange the charcoal.

All things considered, charcoal grills offer an inexpensive way to cook up a tasty backyard meal. Just be prepared to deal with the ashes and be ready for a few “flare-ups” if you’re cooking something a little greasy. We recommend you buy the biggest grill you can afford, as the extra real estate will be appreciated when you have guests over (and when you’re grilling, there’s always bound to be someone “dropping by”). You may also want to consider alternative forms of charcoal, including hardwood chunks – yum!

GAS GRILLING

As mentioned earlier, there are plenty of gas grill manufacturers to choose from. In our opinion, the Weber Genesis series of gas grills represent a great mix of quality, performance and price. For just under $500, you can get your hands on an entry-level, feature-packed Weber Genesis grill. Now, $500 might sound like a lot of cash for a grill, but believe us, it’s well worth it. One of our editors has had his Genesis grill for over 15 years and it’s still going strong. Weber sure does know how to build a quality grill.

Gas grilles offer the convenience of quick heating, better “flame control” (flare-ups), easier clean-up and less maintenance. Folks who live in a climate that’s subject to harsh winters appreciate that they can grille a steak any time of the year – most gas grilles work flawlessly in the winter. On the downside, gas grilles sacrifice a lot of that woody, smoky, charcoal taste, but in a blind comparison test, tasters were unable to discern the difference between two steaks grilled over gas and charcoal.

Most gas grill jockeys cook over indirect heat, much like their charcoal burning brethren do. When buying a gas grill, look for one that has at least three separate burners under the main cook surface – this will allow you the most flexibility when cooking with both indirect and direct heat. More burners usually means more BTU (British Thermal Units, or the “power rating” for a grill), and more BTU means a hotter cooking surface, which is perfect for searing a thick steak or heating a cast iron grill skillet. What? You mean you don’t use your grill for routine daily tasks like eggs and bacon? Try it – you’ll like it!

[Show as slideshow]

Don’t let another beautiful summer day pass without at least contemplating “grilling out.” Gather up some fresh hamburger or a nice steak, fire up your grill and enjoy the entire grilling experience. Whether you’re cooking over charcoal or some form of petroleum fuel, there’s nothing quite like the taste and fun of a backyard barbeque. Heck, you may just want to call the neighbors and invite them to participate in the fun.

For more info see:
Broilmaster
Coleman
Ducane
Jenn-Air
Sunbeam
Viking
Weber

Editor’s Hamburger Recipe:

Some of the best hamburgers I’ve ever had are completely homemade – it’s simple, and by grinding your own hamburger, you can safely cook the meat to whatever temperature you desire. This means you don’t have to suffer through another, dry and overcooked burger! (Thanks to Alton Brown for the recipe idea)

Hardware:
Food Processor
Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl (large)
Wax or parchment paper
Grill of your choice

Software:
12oz Sirloin Steak
12oz Chuck Steak
Kosher Salt
Fresh Ground Pepper

Add half of each type of beef to the food processor and “pulse” 8-10 times, for approximately 1 “long second” per pulse. The beef should still be slightly chunky, so be careful to not overprocess it. Remove and process the rest of the beef in the same manner. Place the ground beef in a large stainless steel bowl. Cover and return to the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes.

After the beef has chilled, prepare a large sheet of waxed paper (you’ll put the hamburgers on the paper). Loosely form patties that are approximately 6oz each and place them on the paper. Salt both sides of the patty liberally with Kosher salt (don’t use table salt!). Allow the beef to rest while you preheat your grill. The salt will draw a slight amount of moisture to the surface of the patty, which will result in a delicious, flaky crust.

Cook the burgers over indirect heat until they reach desired doneness – do not “smash” them with your flipper! I prefer medium/medium-rare. Once done cooking, remove the burgers from the grill, pepper lightly and allow them to rest for at least 5 minutes. Enjoy with your favorite toppings (I like American cheese and a toasted, buttered bun with just a hint of garlic).

Yield: 4 servings

Think “Wisconsin” and you’re apt to conjour images of cows, cheese, farmland and Lambeau Field. Truth be told, there’s a lot more to “America’s Dairlyand” than beer, brats, dairy and the Packers. Wisconsin is a land of subtle beauty, tens of thousands of lakes, booming metropolitan areas, and plenty of vacation hot spots.

Located just north of Madison (the state’s capital) is Wisconsin Dells. Wisconsin Dells is a major hot-spot for tourists “in the know,” as it offers a great atmosphere for a summer family vacation by providing plenty of family friendly activities. The kids can play at one of nearly a dozen water parks while Mom and Dad can enjoy adult-friendly activities that include some great night spots.

One of the more popular attractions in Wisconsin Dells is The Dells Auto Museum, which plays host to approximately 25 classic cars and a wide assortment of interesting automotive memorabilia. The Dells Auto Museum is owned and operated by a father and son duo of Dick and Lance Tarnutzer. Together, they have an impressive collection of classic cars, of which they show 25 per summer at the Dells Auto Museum.

“Well, we had 400 cars,” says Lance Tarnutzer. “Unfortunately we suffered a major fire at one of our storage facilities a few years ago, and that fire caused us to lose a lot of our favorite cars.” Lance is refering to a 1999 fire that quickly consumed a 20,000 square foot warehouse that housed nearly 100 of the Tarnutzer’s more favorite cars. The fire ravaged the collection and left a majority of the cars as nothing more than rusty lumps of vintage sheet metal.

“We lost cars like our Plymouth Superbird, some Shelbys, a GTO Judge convertible, a Buick GS Stage 1 convertible and a bunch of other irreplaceable cars,” says Dick Tarnutzer. Dick began collecting cars in the late 60′s, and has prided himself on maintaining what was once the world’s largest collection of Indianappolis 500 pace cars. “But,” he says with a strong hint of sadness, “We still have a lot of great cars, and we’re always adding a few here and there.”

The museum sits just off Highway 12, next to The Deer Park and across from Riverview Family Park (an amusement park complete with go-karts, various rides, miniature golf and more). The building is a bit rustic, but it matches its surrounding environment well. A vintage dry-cleaning delivery vehicle greets visitors as they enter the museum’s front door.

Once inside, there is a nicely appointed gift-shop, complete with various literature, posters, t-shirts, models and other automotive memorabilia. Oldies tunes play in the background, as the Dells Museum staff chats cars with like-minded enthusiasts and afficianados.

Pay a very nominal fee, and the staff will lead you through closed doors to the museum’s impressive arrangement of historic automobiles. On this visit, there are 23 vehicles parked in the museum, and each bares an informational card that tells a story about the car’s origin, price and current value.

[Show as slideshow]

There’s a 1986 Indianappolis 500 Pontiac Fiero pace car with less than 10,000 miles, as well as a bright white (with hugger orange interior) 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible Indy 500 Pace Car. A massive 1959 Ford Fairlane “Retractable” sits at the end of one aisle; a 1906 Oldsmobile rests at the other end.

“We try to circulate fresh cars into the museum each year,” says Lance Tarnutzer. “Each spring, we decide which cars we’ll show, and we move the collection around to accomodate them.” Tarnutzer is refering to the act in which volunteers and employees drive these timeless classics from just outside of Madison to the Dells. It’s quite a sight to behold as 20-some muscle cars, antiques and vintage rides parade down the Interstate each spring.

The cars are washed and detailed, the museum floor is repainted (green) and the cars are carefully parked and arranged. The entire process takes a few weekends to complete.

As mentioned earlier, there’s more to the museum than just its great showcase of highly desirable cars. Many visitors venture in to see the large memorabilia collection that includes antique gas pumps, signage and other interesting literature. And still more come to see the large antique doll collection (it’s valued at well into the six-figures).

So, the next time you’re in Wisconsin, do yourself and your family a favor and consider a vacation to Wisconsin Dells. There are plenty of waterparks, quality hotels, outstanding restaurants and even a casino, should you get the itch to try your luck. However, if you don’t feel like gambling and feel more like betting on a sure thing, take an afternoon and visit the Dells Auto Museum – you’ll be glad you did. And yes, you can buy a beer and a brat with a side of cheese at just about any restaurant in the Dells area.

(The Wisconsin Dells are located approximately 50 miles north of Madison, Wisconsin on I-90. The Dells are “open” from Memorial Day to Labor Day each summer, with some attractions like the large hotels (many complete with world-famous indoor waterparks) remaining open all year.)

It’s difficult to go anywhere without running into someone who is upset with the recent surge in gasoline prices. “Used to be, gasoline cost less than a buck,” said one old-timer as I filled my Chevrolet Tahoe with $45 worth of regular unleaded. “Them folks ‘ought go to jail for chargin’ what they do,” he said as he topped off his truck’s gas tank.

A few minutes later, I was in the grocery store, and could overhear people talking about gas prices while in the check-out line. “I hear we’ll be paying more than $3.00 a gallon next year,” said the lady to her friend as they browsed the tabloid headlines. And I have to admit it, I started to do some math, just to see how much a fill-up might cost me next year – and I didn’t like the result.

We all know that we’re addicted (or possibly held hostage) to petroleum based products – we’ve built our lives around fossil fuel powered “necessities,” from cars and appliances to furnaces and airplanes. Unless you’re Amish, there’s little doubt you use at least one fuel burning machine every day of your life.

Automotive manufacturers are feeling the heat from rising fuel costs and have begun to attempt to counter the rising fuel prices with massive incentives. One of our local dealerships is advertising Chevrolet Suburbans and Tahoes for as much as $14,000 off MSRP. Despite their best PR efforts otherwise, the manufacturers realize that Americans may, for the first time, begin to let fuel price play a role in the purchase of an automobile – something that could put a dent in SUV sales. According to experts, every month that GM offers a $1000 incentive on a truck, it cuts $230 million from its bottom line (Business Week, May 31, 2004).

It’s obvious that manufacturers can’t afford to continue to offer rebates and incentives to curtail the consumer’s gas price pains, so what are the alternatives? Well, if fuel prices continue to rise, it’s possible that we’ll be seeing more hybrids and more diesel powered vehicles come to market faster and in higher volume.

Hybrids: Short term solution?

Just a few short years ago, hybrid technology (the combination of a gasoline motor and another form of motivation) seemed like a distant idea, destined to be shunned like the GM EV1 electric car. But thanks to successful hybrids like the Toyota Prius, Americans are warming up (quickly) to the idea of a gasoline/electric hybrid. And with EPA projected fuel economy numbers that reach beyond 50 miles per gallon, hybrids do deserve a serious look.

Honda and Toyota seem to be leading the way with hybrid cars, but the “big three” aren’t far behind – Ford has already unveiled a hybrid powered Escape SUV that can obtain nearly 600 miles on a single tank of gas, while averaging better than 34 mpg.

Conventional hybrid technology combines a gas powered engine with an electric motor. When necessary, the gas engine automatically starts itself and propels the vehicle forward. While the vehicle is “idling,” or cruising under a light load, the electric motor supplies power. The electric motor draws its power from rechargeable batteries that are charged by slowing the vehicle (the brakes generate electricity), or by using the gas engine to operate a charger that refuels the batteries.

The additional benefits of a hybrid vehicle are many. They typically generate very low emissions, offer improved versatility over previous electric cars, require minimal additional maintenance, offer lower levels of road noise, and have plenty of room for passengers and cargo. And, there’s also that fuel economy thing…

But let’s talk price for a minute. Outfit a Toyota Prius with a nice options package, and you’ll spend a little over $25k. That may be a little steep for some thrifty buyers, but it doesn’t seem to have an impact on sales – according to a recent Wall Street Journal article, many Toyota dealers have a waiting list for a Prius, and are charging $5,000 – $6,000 over MSRP. Honda, on the other hand, makes its Civic Hybrid available with no options (other than color choice), and sets the price at just over $20k. For you SUV lovers, the Escape Hybrid (with 4WD) should come in at just under $30k.

Part of the reason for the increased price of a hybrid vehicle is that a hybrid requires additional batteries, charging systems and electrical components. Not immediately obvious is the additional cost of a common thread in most hybrids – a Constant Variable Transmission (CVT). A CVT can add nearly $1000 to the bottom line of a vehicle, and a large number of consumers are (unjustifiedly) pessimistic about CVT technology.

In the early days, CVTs were known to be somewhat fraile, prone to breakage and “too weird” for most people. But, thanks to recent improvements in transmission technology, today’s CVTs can handle more power, require less repair and operate seamlessly. In fact, most traditionally powered vehicles (i.e, gas motor only) will recognize increased fuel economy with a CVT versus a traditional manual or automatic transmission. The reason being due to the CVT’s ability to keep the engine operating at its most fuel efficient RPM – something a traditional transmission has a harder time of doing.

[Show as slideshow]

But let’s get down to brass tacks. Is it really less expensive to own and operate a hybrid vehicle? We’ll let you be the judge. Consider these two vehicles:

Vehicle 1: 2004 Honda Civic HX, 1.7L 4-cyl gasoline motor, CVT, some options. MSRP: $15,200. Average fuel economy (EPA estimates): 36/44

Vehicle 2: 2004 Honda Civic Hybrid, 1.3L, 4-cyl, CVT, some options. MSRP: $21,140. Average fuel economy (EPA estimate): 46/51

Assuming the same, 60-month loan at 6.0% interest, without any down payments, the Civic HX would cost $293 per month. The Hybrid would cost $409 per month.

Assuming that each vehicle is driven 15,000 miles per year, with fuel costs averaging $2.02 per gallon and all other factors being equal, the cost to operate the Civic HX (averaging 40 mpg) would be $757.50. Under the same conditions, the Insight (averaging 48 mpg) would be $631.25. That’s a savings of $126.25 per year. Over 5 years, the total fuel cost savings would be just $631.25. Hardly enough to warrant the $5,940 increase in sticker price.

But then there’s the whole environmental responsibility aspect to consider. Sure, it might cost a little more to own a hybrid, but if more people bought and operated hybrids, fuel demands would drop, emissions would lower (in theory), and we might just be able to eek out a few more years of fuel reserves.

And as basic economics theory shows us, more demand for hybrids would result in higher production and lower cost, so cost of ownership could very well shift in favor of the hybrid. Of course, this all remains to be seen, but we have a feeling hybrids are here to stay.

While talking with a salesperson from a local dealership who wished to remain anonymous, we discovered that rising fuel prices are putting a dent in large vehicle sales. “I’ve had customers requesting fuel economy information for vehicles they’re considering to purchase, and that’s something I’ve never encountered before,” said the salesperson. “It’s definitely put a hurt on our truck and SUV sales.”

Diesel: A viable alternative?

Mercedes-Benz has long built reliable, fuel efficient, diesel powered vehicles, but most Americans can’t ignore the images of sooty black plumes of smoke coming from large tail pipes, when the word “diesel” is muttered. But don’t dismiss diesel – it’s actually a very viable alternative.

Mercedes-Benz has recently shown us its E320 diesel sedan, and we have to admit, we love the thing. It’s 100% Mercedes-Benz, and it’s bursting at the seems with quality. It’s also powerful, quiet, and nary a waft of black smoke doth it emit from its tailpipe. How’s that possible? It basically boils down to fuel quality. In Europe, diesel fuel is high quality stuff. In America, we get “garbage,” with high sulfur content. The sulfur is largely responsible for the smoke, the smell and the health concerns (some studies suggest that diesel exhaust can cause cancer, amongst other health issues).

Lawmakers are hard at work trying to set standards for American diesel fuel to those of our foreign counterparts. But will that be enough to coax Americans into considering a diesel powered vehicle for their next purchase? Only time will tell. At the moment, hybrid technology is all the rage, and we expect to see more and more hybrid technology in the next few years.