New Ways to Get Outside and Enjoy a Meal This Summer
Few things are certain in life, but this is one of them—food always tastes better when you cook and eat it outside. Whether it’s gas or charcoal, or even an open flame, there’s something about the great outdoors that seems to amp up the flavor of anything you eat. It used to be pretty simple—throw some charcoal in the grill, wait until it’s white hot and put a little char on the food. But outdoor food mavens are constantly cooking up new gadgets and gizmos to make the experience even better. Here are some of the new ways you can master the art of outdoor eating.
Smart Technology Comes to Outdoor Cooking
It probably comes as no surprise that smart technology has found its way into grilling equipment. Bluetooth-enabled probes allow you to monitor both the ambient temperature inside the grill, as well as the internal temperature of whatever you’re cooking, all without opening the hood and losing most of your heat. Some pellet grills allow you to add more fuel to the fire and there are even gas grills that you can adjust with your phone.
Outdoor Cooking Goes Green
Outdoor food enthusiasts can now grill without the use of fossil fuels and without adding to the carbon footprint with a solar-powered grill. Some solar-powered ovens and grills can reach temperatures of up to 750 degrees, based on available sunlight and other weather conditions. There are also electric grills, which not only do away with the need for any type of fuel but are also easier to clean and generate less smoke (although that may not be exactly what you want).
Eco-conscious grillers can also find biodegradable tools, utensils and plates, minimizing the materials that end up in a landfill.
Take Your Cooker with You
Consumers will also find more options for taking a grill just about anywhere. For maximum ease and great flavor, you’ll find a number of small pellet grills that will easily fit in the trunk of your car. There are also compact electric grills that can be stored in the garage or the basement when you’re not using them. Use them anywhere outdoors where you have access to an outlet.
Do It All on One Cooker
Side-by-side gas and charcoal cookers have been around for a little while, but now you can find setups that include both types of grills, a propane flattop and even a deep fryer.
