Air Date: 6/8/2007
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It's big grilling season, and as the saying goes, where there's smoke, there's fire. And I've got a load of ideas to get you fired up, just in time for Father's Day gift shopping!
What's big this year? Smoky flavor! We can get that with:
Cedar planks (that we cook food on) or cedar papers (that we fill with our food like we do with a wrap). Onto the grill it goes to add just the right "smokiness" as it cooks.
Smokers. They're hotter than ever and available in loads of brands, styles and price ranges. Some run on propane, some on charcoal, others are electric. What they all offer is a different type of cooking style than traditional direct heat grilling. The heat coming from a smoker is indirect heat, and a cooler one, which allows our food to cook slower and let the woodsy flavors penetrate the food.
I also came across some handy grilling accessories that make great gifts:
A 3-tier rack that gives you extra cooking space
A baking stone for warming breads
A no-spill ceramic alternative for cooking beer-can chicken
"Must-haves" for a propane grill: a gas level, leak detector and a lightweight see-through cylinder that lets us check propane levels at a glance
Fire-resistant pads that protect patio decks from flying sparks (some are even imprinted with sports team logos). These are great for grad gifts too!
