A TRIBUTE TO THE AFFORDABLE GRILL- THE LITTLE GRILL THAT COULD!

A TRIBUTE TO THE AFFORDABLE GRILL- THE LITTLE GRILL THAT COULD!

 

Our Culinary Team was doing a demo at an event in Lake Placid, New York on barbecuing and wood-fired cooking.  We had the usual equipment: a vertical cooker, Komado cooker(BGE), charcoal unit, etc. that the Culinary Crew was demonstrating unusual, fun things to wood-fire infuse!  I had the LP/Gas grill and the $19.99 Wal-Mart® grill with a top lid! Yes, I had a cheap, afffordable grill at this upscale event!

You know what happens during these events – a little competition among the Team Members sets in!  Could my Napoleon portable LP/Gas grill and the Wal-Mart® special out cook the other more expensive equipment!  The secret ingredient to test the boundaries would be steaks!   The Crew were pretty snotty about their equipment and chuckled among themselves about my chances!

First, I pre-soaked some Grande Sapore® chips (cherry was my choice) in red wine (cheap Lambrusco) for about an hour.  Then, I set up the little affordable grill; I’m talking it is only 16 inches in diameter with short legs and a dome top!  I took some hardwood charcoal and reduced each piece to fit the grill! (paper bag smash method). I did not overfill because I only needed to produce some flame. Then, I put the chip mixture over the charcoal, opened the vent on the bottom and on the top lid (Chimney effect), and placed the steaks on the grill!

I set up and preheated the Napoleon under low heat during the prep.  Letting the steaks sit in the little affordable grill allowed for some perfect seasoning to them.  Remember, I didn’t have enough heat/fuel to cook and smoke in the smaller unit!  I left them in the charcoal unit for approximately 3-4 minutes, then I turned up the LP/Gas grill unit to high!  I removed the steaks from the $19.99 grill special and finished them on the hot LP grill!

Yes, I won “Gold” in Lake Placid!! The wine infused taste was awesome!  This just proves that you don’t need expensive equipment to cook great food- you just need good technique and knowledge!  So take advantage of the portable affordable grill that tends to go on sale now and watch for the steak special.  Then prepare for the ultimate in wood-fired cooking!

Bon-Bar-B-Q!

Ingredients:

Small LP/Gas grill (like a Napoleon)

19.99 grill special at Wal-Mart®, BJ’s Wholesale, or other discount box store

SmokinLicious® Grande Sapore® chips (sugar maple to blend sweetness with the wine)

Lambrusco wine (any brand will do)

Steaks, not too thick – about ½” (13mm)