What does a mangle look like? Choosing steel for the barbecue: how thick should the metal be?
Beauty is good, but functionality is still more important. But how can you make a barbecue yourself or order one without making a mistake with the dimensions, so as not to be disappointed later? The answer is in our article.
In contact with
An analysis of forums and blogs of experienced craftsmen, as well as the opinions of engineers from serious manufacturers, helped us compile a list of the most common tips regarding technical features self-made barbecue
Length
For those who want to get by with one round of frying meat, the logical conclusion is - the longer the length work surface barbecue, the better. But at the same time, the ability to move the barbecue is limited: the structure will be heavy and bulky. Additional, well-reinforced legs will be required, otherwise there will be no stability. If the grill is intended to be stationary, do not forget about the amount of coal that will be required to fill the internal volume of the body and maintain the desired temperature.
Experienced craftsmen advise taking one meter as a basis, and then look at it to your liking. For some, the ideal option is 60 cm, while others are completely satisfied with 80 cm.
Note! The correct individual size is calculated using the formula: Хш*S=barbecue length. Where Hsh- This required amount skewers that are simultaneously on the grill, and S– the distance between them. For example, we have 8 skewers, multiply them by the size of the gap between them (from 7 to 10 cm) and get the required length: 8 * 10 = 80 cm. The gap can be smaller, depending on preferences.
Width
Categorical statements (width 40 or 35 cm) are obviously incorrect. It’s good if you’re lucky and the length of the skewers or grill used is 42 cm, but what if it’s 33? For drawings of the future barbecue, you need to measure the average length of the skewers so that no problems arise in the future.
The most popular width is 30 cm, it will certainly be enough, and the savings in coal will be obvious.
Please note! Typically, skewers are flat, which means the recesses for mounting on the walls of the barbecue should be vertical - for easy rotation by 90 ° . Rounded slits are uncomfortable.
Height
Many copies have been broken regarding the depth of the grill. A height of four ten centimeters will entail high consumption coals and will increase cooking time. There is an increased risk that the outside of the meat will be cooked, but the inside will remain raw. The optimal distance from the heat source to the kebabs is 7-10 cm. Then cooking occurs from infrared radiation coals, and not the hot air from them. This allows the meat to get a golden brown crust. Inside, the meat will remain tender thanks to the juice, which will give flavor and juiciness.
To maintain the required distance, a height of no more than 12-15 cm.
Drilling holes has more disadvantages than advantages. Indeed, the ignition stage is easier, but it is better to use a fan and then enjoy the result than to suffer through the whole process. There are clearly more disadvantages:
- improved air exchange contributes to the appearance of a flame, which will need to be extinguished by spraying water, because you need to cook on coals;
- the walls will be hotter than the central space due to the compromised integrity of the temperature regime;
- It is impossible to achieve uniform and long heat, which will speed up the cooking time and make the meat truly tasty.
Engineers and craftsmen mark to weld good grill, which will not warp after 3-4 years of use from temperature changes, you need to count on a metal thickness of 3-4 mm. The weight of the entire structure also depends on it.
Reference! In the absence of thicker metal, corners are welded around the perimeter of the barbecue body. This will improve the shape retention of the box and extend its service life.
The height must be calculated individually for the main performer of the dish: you need to bend your elbows and measure the distance to the floor. This will eliminate the need to bend over in the future, causing chondrosis of the lumbar region.
100 cm will usually be sufficient.
Conclusion
Many parameters of an ideal barbecue depend on personal preferences; all you need is calculation. And the optimal proportions, suitable for the majority, fluctuate around the values: depth - 15 cm, distance between the side walls - 30, length - from 60 to 120 cm.
The correct dimensions for the barbecue
First you need to imagine how and where you are going to use the grill. Let's start by determining where to use the barbecue. Do you need a barbecue to install it in your summer cottage, in the courtyard of your country house, or to throw it in the trunk of your car and go out into the countryside with friends, perhaps you just want to go out into the yard and fry a shish kebab or cook a steak. If you need a barbecue for your cottage or home, it is important to decide whether you need a barbecue with a roof or without.
It’s also worth considering the options for using the barbecue and, accordingly, the dishes that you plan to cook on it, the model and equipment of the barbecue will depend on this, it’s no secret that an ordinary barbecue can be used for preparing shish kebab, lulakebab and roasting vegetables, and having in its With a grill grate it is easy to cook steak or cutlets, a spit will allow you to roast a pig or poultry, if in addition you have a rack for a cauldron, it is easy to prepare delicious pilaf and stew, barbecues that come with an oven can work with any standard kitchen utensils and you can cook Absolutely all dishes, and some barbecues are even equipped with a smokehouse. So let's look at all the available options one by one.
Barbecues for going out or going on a picnic.
This category includes all small and compact folding barbecues. When choosing a barbecue for traveling, you should pay attention to its dimensions; it should easily fit into the trunk for going on a camping trip, we recommend the following models:
The requirements for such a barbecue are minimal, namely its size and folding legs. If you want to not only go on hikes but also carry the barbecue over considerable distances on foot, you should also pay attention to its weight, in such a situation, the less the better. Unfortunately, very light barbecues have a small drawback; they usually have thin walls of about 1 mm; in order for such a barbecue to last for a long time, it must be heated exclusively with charcoal with a low combustion temperature, birch charcoal may already overheat thin metal and lead to deformation. Therefore, we recommend that you pay attention to folding barbecues with a brazier of at least 2 mm, which can serve for a long time when fueled with high-quality hot birch charcoal.
Dimensions
Folding support
Weight
Metal thickness
We recommend optimal options link to section in new window
Barbecues for a summer cottage without a roof.
If you have already decided that a roof is a luxury or an excess, then let’s figure out what should really be in a barbecue without a roof.
First of all, you need to pay attention to the fryer and its characteristics. Its main characteristic is the thickness of the metal; this parameter will help determine the quality and durability of the product.
1 mm roasting pan - thin, not durable, will last no more than a season, needs to be straightened regularly. Strictly only regular non-birch charcoal, otherwise it will bend and burn out.
A 2 mm brazier can serve for a long time only in one case, if it is heated only with purchased charcoal, if you decide to “throw in some firewood,” especially such hot species as birch or oak, then it will definitely suffer from the heat, and when you pour in the coals - It may also result from sudden cooling. On the other hand, this problem can be solved by straightening the curved metal, thereby extending the service life of the grill.
Barbecues with a 3 mm roasting pan, in our opinion, this option is optimal in terms of price-quality ratio. This roaster will withstand most standard temperature loads and only hot firewood in strong wind may cause some damage to the fryer.
Frying pans made of 4 mm steel and higher are the standard of quality and can last for decades. To ruin them you have to melt them! Such braziers can rightfully be considered the best; feel free to buy a brazier with such a brazier and do not worry about its safety.
As an important factor in the durability and heat resistance of fryers, it is worth highlighting separately such an element as reinforcement. Reinforcement of a brazier is the strengthening of the walls and/or base of a brazier by welding thick metal rods. Reinforcement is often made with decorative forged rods, which improves not only the strength but also the visual appeal of the product. Reinforcement significantly increases the strength and durability of the fryer, that is, we can say that a properly reinforced fryer is similar to a fryer that is 1 - 1.5 mm thicker.
Fryer complete set. It is advisable that the kit includes a partition that will allow you to separate work area and separate the coals. It is also good to have a stand for the cauldron and a grill grate, and also pay attention to the presence of a support for installing a spit.
In addition, I would like to talk in detail about the types of blowing in braziers. They regulate the process of coal combustion and heat generation. So there are three types
Without blowing.
It is always bad, the coal does not burn evenly, it is difficult to flare up, and it extinguishes easily. It produces little heat, cooking on such a roasting pan will not bring any pleasure and can dry out the meat rather than fry it. You have to constantly wave the cardboard. This arrangement of the brazier is only suitable for very small disposable barbecues.
Side blowing
It’s already much better, suitable for most standard barbecues, allows you to cook comfortably, occasionally you need to stir the coal for more even combustion. The only thing you should be careful of is the wind, which can overheat the coals and cause your dish to burn.
Bottom and adjustable airflow.
For true connoisseurs, professionals and fans. Ideal for complete control over the cooking process. Ensures uniform combustion and distribution of heat over the entire burning surface area on the brazier, allows you to regulate the combustion temperature, and eliminates burning due to side winds. Automatically removes excess ash and ash from coals. Tag link
Lifting bottom option. A unique solution, present only in supergrills, allows you to regulate the heat during the cooking process, adjusting the distance from the coals to the meat by raising or lowering the bottom. I’m sure that at least once everyone has had a situation when the fun is in full swing, the coal is already burning out, but there are still undercooked ingredients left, at such a moment you don’t really want to start cooking the fryer again, this is where this function comes to the rescue, you just need to lift the bottom fryer and you can continue cooking with less coal, but maintaining the same heat.
Notches on the walls of the roasting pan allow you to fix the skewers in any required positions and allow you to fry the meat on all sides without burning!
Removable roasting pan. Many of the barbecues we offer are equipped with this function; when choosing a barbecue with a removable brazier, you should pay attention to the presence of comfortable handles. A brazier with this function will allow you to easily move the roaster to any place, which can be useful when cleaning it from coal or in case of transportation and storage during the off-season.
Grill cover. This is also a very convenient option that will protect the brazier from bad weather debris, and after extinguishing the coal, it will protect your area from flying ash.
We present to your attention the best of the best, fifteen beauties from four hundred different models of grills presented on the Russian market.
So, let's start the countdown of the TOP 15 best grills and barbecues of 2018!
A collectible charcoal grill in bright red from Weber for the price of a boring classic black (same model). Released in a special edition especially for the beginning of 2018, this grill is not only an eye-catcher and a collector’s dream, but also “pumped up” with Genesis II-style wheels, a powerful thermometer and other tuning features. At the same time, such a beauty can be bought for the price of an ordinary black one, let us emphasize this point again. But keep in mind - the red ones will run out soon; only a few hundred of these barbecues arrived in Russia. So you better hurry if you like this grill from Weber.
A good version of a gas grill from a renowned manufacturer in a minimalist, fashionable design, and even with cool technology on board. And even in the category “gas grills up to 50,000 rubles”! Believe it or not, this grill features TRUE-Infrared plates, just like the premium Syber versions. The plates help maintain an even temperature across the entire grill surface. For such an amazing price it is difficult to find something sane from branded options. Definitely take it.
And again this Canadian with a beautiful pearlescent shimmer is in our top. It is difficult to come up with a more beautiful designer, and at the same time very functional, mobile grill. It is equipped with two powerful independent burners and operates both from a stationary gas cylinder and from a compact disposable one. This grill is perfect for a fancy outdoor party.
Well, of course, we couldn’t ignore little Kamado Joe. If you are interested in cooking on grills and have already grown out of the classic formats, you want to move on, but the price of ceramics is still high, try cooking on Junior. This is a great entry into the world of ceramic grills. In addition, this grill is very portable - you can take it with you to a party and impress your guests with the level of a Michelin-starred chef.
Another baby in our top, this time from the great and terrible Weber. To count the models of compact portable picnic grills that you can buy from us, your fingers are enough and there will be more left. And this is one of best options(the second, by the way, is also from Weber called Smokey Joe). The peculiarity of this grill is precisely in its shape - this rectangular barbecue can easily be used as a barbecue, and the skewers can be placed in the “carcass” of the grill, a bag of briquettes and even a new compact starter for ignition can be placed there. Your friends will be shocked by this set. Believe it or not, there is also a gas version of this grill with a compact disposable cylinder.
It's simple - he's the only one! This grill is a real bestseller. It is chosen by those who want to buy two large grills for the price of one. This hybrid grill is very attractive design will allow you to cook both on coals or briquettes, and on gas. This unique grill from the American Char-Broil gives you a large gas grill at a very low price and the bonus of a second, charcoal grill.
Well, how can we, who like to cook kebabs on the grill, escape the temptation to get an American barbecue grill with a lid and a real grill? A lid on the grill will also be a bonus! You can buy a full-fledged US barbecue with real cast iron grates, valves, with adjustable coal height, and at the same time calmly fry your favorite kebab, even more juicy thanks to the grill lid. A miracle, not a grill.
Well, what top can do without the king of ceramics. Big Green Egg– the most status grill in the world out of all the variety of models. The chef's choice, the emerald kamado, automatically doubles the price of a dish cooked in it. And this is not surprising - everything cooked in BGE delights with its bright taste, extraordinary juiciness of the result and some special aroma.
4th place
Charcoal kamado grill Char-Broil Kamander Charcoal Grill (USA)
Absolutely new for 2018 and a potential super hit this summer (we think so). If you are not yet ready to part with a tidy sum of a couple of hundred thousand rubles by ordering ceramics or the fantastic Weber Summit Charcoal Grill Center, you will definitely like this grill. For us who can count, the Americans did affordable option kamado grill Char-Broil Kamander, which breaks the cost of ceramics. Yes, it won't be made of clay, but it will cook about the same as a status BGE or Broil King Keg. In addition, it will be mobile, lightweight and technologically advanced.
Of course, this is one of our favorite grills. Even though Weber Genesis II came out in 2017, it was many years ahead of its time. If you love the latest advances, gadgets, technology, Porsche-like design, this is your gas grill. Take it without hesitation: you won’t find a more powerful, precise, engineered grill. This is truly the iPhone of the gas grill world. This machine is the newest thing that mankind has created for the world of barbecue.
The grill first appeared in the Caucasus. Currently, barbecues are widespread over a large area and are considered the most popular item for cooking due to their great functionality and simple design. With their help, you can prepare various dishes, the main one of which is shish kebab. The taste of cooked products is in many ways superior to food prepared using other culinary technologies. The grill is a universal item.
The heat source used to cook food can be coal, branches or more. modern views energies such as gas and electricity. Barbecue grills are used where there are no gas stoves where there are no other methods of cooking. What kind of barbecues are there?
There are many different types that differ in materials of manufacture, size, shape and cost.
Main types of barbecues
Diagram of a portable barbecue.
Braziers are generally distinguished depending on the methods and conditions of their use. They are divided into two main types: stationary and portable. Products also vary depending on the material from which they are made. They are brick, metal, stone. When used as a heat source natural gas and electricity they come in gas and electric. There are smokehouse grills and barbecue grills, the designs of which allow you to combine various ways cooking.
Return to contents
Portable grill
Home distinctive feature The advantage of a portable product is that it can be disassembled. Thanks to this, such structures can be taken on a picnic, on a hike, or to the country house. They are light in weight and easy to carry. Typically, a portable grill is made from sheet metal small thickness. It is simple in design and convenient. However, it is low-functional and short-lived.
Return to contents
Stationary option
The stationary model is a massive structure made of brick, metal or stone, or a combination of these materials. Has a whole range auxiliary elements. The design is heavy. They are installed in pre-selected places that have reliable foundation. In the future, such a structure is not moved from its place. These barbecues are often used in cafes and restaurants. They can become an attribute of any summer cottage. The stationary type is used outdoors. It can have a canopy, be located in a gazebo and be combined with a barbecue complex. A stationary product allows you to prepare your favorite dishes outside throughout the year.
Return to contents
Metal version
Currently, the most common type is a metal model. This can be a mobile, light-weight prefabricated version made from a thin metal sheet. It can be transported by car and carried by hand. The design of the product includes a convenient handle for transportation. Products made of cast iron and metal are more durable and heavier. They are used in bars, cafes, summer cottages or in country house, made of thick metal. Their design is stable, durable, made of of stainless steel. To add beauty and sophistication, forged parts are used in the design of such types. Forged models are real works of art experienced craftsmen who specialize in manufacturing metal products. Metal structures are expensive. They are usually equipped with a roof to protect from rain and snow. Such structures are sold with a large number of useful additions and accessories.
Return to contents
Brick grill
The brick look can be quite simple in its design. It can consist of four interconnected brick walls. This is an open top design. This type of structure is the simplest to construct. Typically, a brick grill is a more complex monumental structure, which is intended for garden houses And country dachas. Currently, brick barbecues are very common. The owner of such a design has a real outdoor kitchen on his property.