Design Seen: Great Grills
July 1, 2005
It is time to come out of the barbecue Dark Ages. Cast aside your well-worn grilling tools and outmoded stoves. Grills of the 21st century are built to take the chore out of outdoor cooking–with advanced features such as halogen lighting systems, electric rotisseries and fully automatic meat smokers. Whether you man the grill once a year or once a day, here are six of the best, most bodacious outdoor grills on the market.
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GOLDEN BLOUNT TEXAS SIZZLER III
Everything in the Lone Star State is
bigger, including this Texas company’s professional-grade outdoor grills for the
home. The flagship of the Golden Blount line, the Texas Sizzler III is a
king-size, double-decker, stainless steel grill for anyone who is serious about
outdoor cooking. Powered by three infrared 15,000 Btu burners and featuring two
cooking surfaces–an upper surface of 254 square inches and a lower surface of
638 square inches–the unique design allows for separate but simultaneous
grilling tasks. The upper surface is suited for chicken and fish, while the
hotter lower surface is perfect for steaks and hamburgers. Vegetables (and the
vegetarians in the crowd) will have to fend for themselves. Golden Blount’s
signature “V” groove cooking grid prevents flare-ups. The Sizzler III comes with
two useful side shelves for food preparation and condiment storage. The unit is
available in natural or LP gas models. $4,995. (Click image to enlarge)
Golden Blount, 800.833.1139, www.goldenblountinc.com
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VIKING 53-INCH PREMIUM GAS GRILL
A perennial favorite of professional
chefs, this grill has raised the bar in the crowded world of home grilling
units. Its powerful 100,000 Btu “TruSear” ceramic heating system creates intense
temperatures that caramelize the surface of grilled meat, a technique for
locking in the juices that differs from that of more conventional heating
systems. “You need something to diffuse the heat,” says Steven Raichlen, author
of The Barbecue Bible and host of the TV show Barbecue University on PBS.
“Ceramic can be a good way to attack the problem if it is properly positioned.”
The grill is constructed from solid slabs of stainless steel, which allow the
grill to be dropped into any existing space without added insulation. The
Gourmet Glo infrared rotisserie system allows the even searing of meats; by
blasting the rotisserie with a 15,000 Btu infrared rear burner, the built-in
rotisserie motor assures uniform distribution of heat to even your thickest
schwarma. The push-button electric ignition, powered by a 9-volt battery,
provides a reliable way to fire up the grill, even after months of dormancy.
$3,600 and up, depending on model. (Click image to enlarge)
Viking, 888.845.4641, www.vikingrange.com
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WOLF 48-INCH GRILL CART
Wolf ranges have long inspired serious devotion
among discerning home chefs. Since being acquired by the Sub-Zero corporation,
the Wolf brand has brought professional standards to the private home, and its
outdoor products are some of the best performers on the market. The 48-inch,
18-gauge stainless steel home grill cart is almost a full kitchen on wheels. The
infrared rear-heated rotisserie is run on a 115-volt power motor that allows for
complete, even distribution of heat. The unit comes equipped with a choice of
six or eight rangetop burners; a pair of side burners is optional. The built-in
infrared heating unit will cook your food without preheating–a helpful feature
considering the time it takes to preheat food. A fold-down plate shelf and
efficient drip tray are well situated within the unit. $5,000. (Click image to enlarge)
Wolf Appliance Co., 800.332.9513, www.wolfappliance.com
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FRONTGATE 48-INCH PRO GRILL
Six independently controlled 13,000 Btu
tubular stainless steel burners coupled with 880 square inches of grill space
make this model one of the most attractive grills on the market. Ohio’s
Frontgate has long been a source of some of the finest professional-grade
grills. The giant cooking space allows up to 64 juicy beef burgers to be cooked
at once. This 78,000 Btu unit features a built-in warming rack and front air
intake ports that create convection heat–a feature that die-hard grillers
trust to create even temperatures across the surfaces of their meats. Two
stainless steel side shelves and under-grill storage keep ingredients at your
fingertips. The porcelain-coated cast-iron cooking grates resist sticking. In
addition, the unit features a one-touch electronic ignition, a favorite feature
of barbecue expert Steven Raichlen. Heavy-duty wheels and locking casters render
the unit fully mobile. $3,495. (Click image to enlarge)
Frontgate, 800.533.7502, www.frontgate.com
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VIELUXE 56-INCH GRILL
Not only is this stainless steel monster an
efficient griller, she is a beauty, to boot. At 370 pounds, the Vieluxe is
constructed of heavy-gauge welded steel and is the result of two years of design
and market research. The grill features six 12,500 Btu burners and a
continuous-spark ignition system for hassle-free fire. Mounted to the rear of
the cooking area is a single 15,000 Btu infrared rotisserie burner; the smoker
is powered by a dedicated 8,000 Btu burner with ported flues to distribute smoke
evenly. However, Steven Raichlen says, “Built-in smokers don’t smoke as well as
stand-alone charcoal smokers do,” and recommends buying a separate unit for your
smoking needs. For grilling emergencies, Vieluxe offers its customers fast
advice through a telephone help line staffed by grilling experts. $9,000. (Click image to enlarge)
Vieluxe, 866.843.5893
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LYNX 54-INCH PROFESSIONAL GRILL
While many less-expensive grills do not
stand up to years of weather, Lynx grills are known for their fortitude. The
hulking stainless steel construction of the 54-inch flagship model is
highlighted by what feels like acres of grilling space and powerful radiating
brass burners that direct heat through specially designed pyramid-shaped ceramic
briquettes. Want to roast a suckling pig or a gaggle of game hens? No
problem–the Lynx features a two-position rotisserie for your gamiest meats. The
removable cooking surface makes cleaning easy. Smoking is as simple as placing
your cuts into the smoking tray. And as the sun goes down, you can keep on
cooking by the glow of the built- in halogen flood light located in the Lynx’s
hood. $7,729. (Click image to enlarge)
Lynx, 888.879.2322, www.lynxgrills.com
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