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 grill to install it on yourself? country cottage area, in your suburban yard, or to throw in the trunk of your car and go out into nature with friends, maybe you just want to go out into the yard and barbecue 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 can already overheat the 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. Such a roaster will withstand most standard temperature loads and only hot firewood in a strong wind can cause any damage to the roaster.

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.

How important factor In terms of durability and heat resistance of braziers, 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 include a partition that will allow you to separate the 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 design the right barbecue grill together with FORUMHOUSE users

For summer cottages and country houses The barbecue has long become an almost obligatory element. There is nothing better than a break from righteous labors in the fresh air, with a barbecue in pleasant company. But only the right grill guarantees good barbecue and other charcoal dishes. Let's figure out, together with FORUMHOUSE users, how to choose the perfect grill.

The market today offers a huge number of devices for outdoor picnics - from portable collapsible ones to solid forged and stationary barbecue complexes. Such products cost a lot of money, but it is not a fact that they will please the owners with ease of use and a long service life. It is not difficult to make a good device for preparing barbecue to suit your needs yourself, many forum users are convinced. The main thing is to follow several important rules, sizes and parameters, such as the height of the grill, the width of the walls, the distance between the skewers, etc.

Barbecue, correct depth.

The grill is the right size.

The “correct” installation should be ergonomic, that is, convenient and safe to maintain, consume a minimum of fuel and not require any “waving” of plywood and other unnecessary manipulations.

Choosing a barbecue is not an easy task; we must take into account the material, size, and design. The thin steel from which the so-called “camping” collapsible devices are made is perhaps the worst material. Structures made from it are flimsy and unstable, and do not hold heat well. You will have to constantly wave a “fan” over such a unit, fanning the coals - this causes the kebab on the skewers to char on the bottom and burn on top. You can get used to it, but by this time the grill itself may burn out: thin sheet steel simply will not withstand regular use. Therefore, if you had to use the “camping” option on occasion, it is better to cook the coals separately in a lit fire, and then pour them into the firebox.

Many summer residents are attracted to collapsible structures by the opportunity to remove the device for safety at the end of the season. In this case, you need to choose a simple and reliable system assembly and disassembly, without loops and clamps for skewers, which quickly fail.
Ideal grill: steel thickness 3-5 mm.

A competent metal unit for a summer residence, according to experienced FORUMHOUSE users, should have a wall thickness of at least three to five millimeters.

Welded44:

– Everything is perfect - simple. The thickness of the steel for the barbecue is 3-4 mm, the length of the walls is 600 mm, the width is 350 mm, the height of the barbecue wall is 150 mm, no pull-out shelves for ash. Edge the steel on top, along the entire length, with a 20*20 profile, removable legs are made of a 30*30 profile. This is a base on which it is easy to place a roof, a woodshed, spit stands, and side shelves.

The optimal distance between skewers on the grill

It is better to make the recesses for skewers in the form of vertical slits so that the skewer can be rotated 90 degrees, a forum member advises Kuznecs. The distance between the skewers on the grill is 70 mm. It is advisable to paint the device itself heat resistant paint for the best appearance and corrosion protection.

Many people are concerned about the slits for the barbecue, at what distance from the coals they should be. In this case, the dimensions do not matter: the holes in the side walls, which are often found in purchased devices, are considered by many forum users to be meaningless and even harmful. Because of them, the meat on the skewers is fried unevenly, and the additional air flow from below will provoke the appearance of a flame. In a firebox of optimal depth without slits, the coals will smolder evenly and for a long time due to the flow of air from above. As an option, to speed up the ignition of coal, a blower is sometimes provided from below, closed with dampers. During frying, the dampers are tightly closed - the finished coal is not blown by the wind and burns evenly.

What should be the optimal height of the walls of the barbecue?

The height of the barbecue wall is the value that raises the most questions. Most users agree that the height of the barbecue grill should be quite large: the effective minimum that allows you to cook good barbecue and save fuel is 13-14 centimeters. This optimal sizes, it is recommended to choose them. With a wall height of 18-20 centimeters, you will need too many coals, otherwise the kebab will turn out “dried.”

Summer resident I,
Moscow:

– The ideal or close to it distance from the coals to the meat on the skewers is 11-13 cm. That is, the net height of the firebox is 15 cm. The sides will narrow correctly towards the bottom, and expand towards the top: the consumption of firewood or coals is less, and the heat for cooking enough.

User Alex286 I made a height-adjustable bottom for my device: initially it was 14 centimeters, but you can raise it by reducing the depth of the firebox to 8 centimeters. The height of the barbecue grill should be universal, because such versatility allows you to successfully cook different foods on coals: not only meat, but also fish, vegetables, etc.

Alex286:

– 2 mm plates are welded to the bottom on both sides, and 10 mm square handles are attached to them. In the lower position, the handles lie on the sides of the roaster. Hooks are welded in the middle of the plates. If you need to increase the cooking temperature by reducing the depth of the firebox, lift the bottom up by the handles and hook it to the sides of the roaster with these hooks.

The optimal height of the barbecue for barbecue.

To get a delicious kebab, it is not enough to just choose a box with metal sides. A real owner strives to ensure that it is not only reliable, but also as convenient and multifunctional as possible. Forum member Vkokorin I looked for one for a long time among purchased products, but in the end I could not find anything of my choice and made a transformer of my own design - with folding grilles, lids and shelves. The tests passed with a solid “A”!

Brazier. Distance between skewers

Transformer advantages:

* Folding grilles. When they are above the firebox, it is convenient to cook on them: place a cast-iron frying pan, kettle, etc. When folded back, the grates become convenient tables on the sides of the grill.

* Removable cast iron grate underneath.

* Removable covers have several purposes. From above - so that water does not get into the firebox, because there are no holes in it, and there is nowhere for water to drain. Below is like a shelf. And if you put them on the folded bars, you get two tables.

Vkokorin:

– Hinges for gratings are pieces of pipe with a diameter slightly larger than the fittings. They are first welded to the finished grill, then a piece of reinforcement is threaded through them and welded to the grill. The depth of the firebox is sufficient for cooking in a cauldron placed on the grate on top.

Many owners, however, believe that a metal device, even of the most successful design, is still inferior in reliability, durability and convenience to a stationary unit. Portable barbecues are indispensable for outdoor trips, but they tend to rust and lose shape, which affects its useful qualities. Another thing is a solid brick structure.

Brazier. Board height.

Stone oven

A brick grill or stone oven on the site is ideal for preparing a wide variety of dishes, and is small architectural form, which can perfectly decorate the landscape. But the costs of manufacturing such a capital hearth will be more significant.

But a simple fireclay brick grill is easy and inexpensive to build, but it will last a long time and will be much more economical in fuel consumption than a steel one. And you don’t even have to lay the bricks on the mortar.

Such a unit, if used carefully, will last fifteen years, says a forum member JimDaddy .

JimDaddy:

– The bottom is a flat brick. The walls, the first row are flat bricks, the second row are bricks on edge. The resulting height is 18 cm, which is close to ideal. Gradually, the side of the brick facing the fire will crumble; such bricks can be moved to the bottom, and intact bricks from the bottom can be moved to the walls. Such bulkheads will not occur more often than once every three years. Cover the firebox with a sheet of iron, press the sheet with a brick.

Forum member queser came up with and brought to life the design of a collapsible mobile “Lego barbecue” made of brick. As the author assures, his unit is “scaled” in size, which can be selected depending on the company’s appetite, free space, budget, etc., it is easy to assemble and disassemble, and saves firewood.

As can be seen from the diagram on which all dimensions are indicated, the design is simple, like everything ingenious. According to its creator, the “designer” easily fits into the trunk of a car and does not require careful handling (it will easily survive a dozen winters under open air), any damaged element is easy to replace. And if you add a heat-intensive lid to the Lego barbecue, then the cooking possibilities become comparable to a Russian stove or tandoor.

If you add a little imagination to skillful hands, material, correct dimensions and tools, your unit will become a real decoration of the site. This is the work of art created by forum member VZenev. His dragon cannot be denied functionality: it is a grill, a grill, and a smokehouse all at once.

Join the discussion about various designs. Find out which paint is best to use for Join the design and construction of stone ovens and barbecues. Watch our video from detailed description construction barbecue complex.

In order not to suffer from back pain and to be able to use a sufficient number of skewers at the same time, you should choose. The dimensions of this design can vary over a wide range. We suggest you figure out how to do it right choice and don't make a mistake.

Even before purchasing or self-made It’s worth thinking about what size the grill should be. There are many options available here. Products with standard dimensions are available for sale. They are mass produced by various manufacturers. If this option does not suit you, you should make a choice in favor of individual project. We invite you to get acquainted with their distinctive features.

Standard sizes of barbecue grill

Depending on the manufacturer, the dimensions of the barbecue grill can vary widely. However, most often their width is 0.3–0.4 m if you plan to use skewers for 8–9 pieces of meat. The depth can vary from 15 to 18 cm with a wall thickness of 4–8 mm.

PHOTO: vosaduly.ru

When working on the drawings of standard barbecues, manufacturers strive to choose sizes that will ensure good roasting of meat and prevent it from burning. Operating conditions are also taken into account. The length of stationary models can reach 1 m, and for portable products the correct dimensions are 0.6–0.7 m.

Possible variations

Standard designs are not always able to satisfy the needs of owners. In such a situation, you can vary the geometric parameters. They can vary over a fairly large range. It is important that the finished product is capable of:

• give the prepared dish a unique taste and aroma. To do this, it should promote uniform roasting of meat while maintaining juiciness;
• produce maximum heat with minimal consumption of coal or firewood;
• be durable and comfortable to use. You can vary not only the geometric parameters, but also the shape.

PHOTO: kiprinform.com

Determining the size of the ideal barbecue with your own hands

If you decide to make the structure yourself, you should abandon the standards and become the owner of a barbecue with ideal dimensions. Such a product will be more convenient to use and will last a long time. We suggest you figure out how to find the optimal parameters.

It’s worth thinking about what the height of the barbecue should be in advance. This parameter is selected individually. It should not be low or high, so as not to experience discomfort during the process of preparing kebabs. That is why this parameter is selected taking into account the height of the person who will use it most often. On average, the height of a barbecue grill should be 75–125 cm.

PHOTO: info.sibnet.ru

The length is chosen taking into account the number of kebabs being prepared simultaneously. If 6 skewers are used at the same time, 60 cm is enough. If 10 kebabs are cooked at the same time, then the length is increased to 1 m.

Related article:

: projects, photos of interesting solutions, choice of material, how to choose the right barbecue area, features of constructing a gazebo for a summer house with a barbecue - read in the publication.

Width and depth

The width is chosen taking into account the length of the skewers that they plan to use. Typically, their length is 45–50 cm with a working length of 30–35 cm. Taking this into account, the depth of the barbecue grill should be a maximum of 40 cm. An increase in the transverse dimensions will lead to incorrect consumption of the generated heat.

The depth is usually about 15–20 cm. When designing a barbecue grill for iron shish kebab, the dimensions are chosen taking into account that it is possible to form a layer of coals 5–10 cm thick. At the same time, there should be about 8 cm between the meat and the layer of coal. If you plan to use firewood, the depth is made a little larger. In this case, to ensure optimal thermal impact, the thickness of the formed coal layer must be much greater.

Wall thickness

This is a fairly important parameter that affects the durability of the manufactured structure. It is worth considering the mobility of the frying device. For a stationary model, you should choose sheets up to 8 mm thick. If the structure is planned to be periodically moved from one place to another, the correct size of the barbecue will be a thickness of up to 4 mm, since such a product will weigh much less.

Attention! The thicker the sheet steel, the longer the structure will last.

The correct height of the legs for the barbecue: how to determine

The height of the grill legs is determined taking into account the height of the main performer of the dish. To find the total height, you need to bend your arm at the elbow and measure the distance from the elbow to the ground. The required parameter in this case will be equal to the difference between the found value and the height of the structure as a whole.

Attention! The average height of the legs is about 1 m.

Distance between skewers on the grill: choosing the optimal one

So that you can easily turn the skewer over during the cooking process, you should especially carefully choose the distance between the skewers on the grill. It is chosen at least 5 cm. For ease of use, special slots are made.

The right grill size for different grilling methods

Meat preparation technology places certain requirements on dimensions and design features. Which dimensions will be correct will depend on:

• processing temperatures;
• equipment used.

Dimensions of the model for shish kebab on skewers

When working out the diagram and choosing the size of a barbecue grill made of metal, the optimal length, width and depth are determined, taking into account the geometric parameters of the skewers that they plan to use. If your family is large, you should choose a model with a length of about 1 m in order to be able to simultaneously fry meat on 10 skewers.

The standard width is 30–40 cm. This is enough to fit 6–8 pieces of meat. Increasing parameters is ineffective. In most drawings of a barbecue grill, a depth of 15 cm is considered optimal.

Advice! Be sure to provide slots for installing skewers.

Models with barbecue grates

When considering the parameters of the barbecue, you should first of all take into account the size of the barbecue grate. They are 18x28 cm. The grate should be located at a distance of 5–8 cm from the surface of the coals. In this case, it will be possible to ensure uniform roasting of the meat. Most often, the dimensions of an iron barbecue grill are 18x30 cm. This is enough to accommodate one grate.

Changes in indicators depending on the material used to make the barbecue: dimensions, drawings

When working on a drawing of a barbecue, you should remember that its dimensions will directly depend on what material it is made from. Sheet metal products are usually smaller than their counterparts. That is why, when choosing the optimal height of a barbecue for a metal barbecue, you cannot rely on the values ​​recommended for brick structures.

Brick structures

The large size of the brick imposes certain requirements on the dimensions of the finished structure. The presence of a chimney, sink or countertop further increases the overall dimensions. That is why it is very important to figure out how to properly make a brick grill.

During production brick construction a number of nuances are taken into account:

• the width, length and height of the side are adjusted to standard parameters;
• The depth of the brazier for the barbecue is consistent with the format of the brick and the thickness of the seam being formed. Depending on the number of rows laid, it can be 21 or 28 cm.

Attention! The service life of a brick structure is significantly longer than that of a metal structure.

Dimensions and design features of a metal barbecue

When working through the drawings and choosing dimensions, it is important to remember how to properly weld the grill so that it can last for a very long time, properly performing its function. To manufacture such a structure, not only new sheet steel can be used, but also used products of suitable length. Some users use old metal barrels and even gas cylinders to make a semicircular model. Depending on the available metal elements, the optimal dimensions of the barbecue grill are selected.

To extend the service life of a metal structure, you should initially choose sheet material made of stainless steel or, after manufacturing, treat it with special protective compounds. Even a small layer will protect the metal from corrosion.

Various are used for decoration decorative elements, including forging. In some cases, stands from old sewing machines. We invite you to look at photos of what barbecues made of metal look like. It is possible that among the ready-made solutions you will see the design you desire and want to become its happy owner.

Share in the comments, do you like kebabs? Which design do you prefer? What dimensions of a barbecue made of metal, brick or stone do you consider correct and most optimal?

Most people associate it with long-awaited outdoor recreation, aromatic dishes and a good time. However, one of the important components of a successful holiday is the right choice of grill. A low-quality grill quickly loses heat, causing food to taste bad or take longer to cook. Read about how to choose a barbecue for your dacha in this article.

Types of barbecues

The first characteristic of a barbecue that needs to be taken into account when purchasing is its mobility. There are two types of barbecues: portable and stationary. The portable grill is easy to assemble and easy to transport. You can put it in the trunk of your car and go on a picnic outside the city. Portable options are divided into two more types: folding barbecue and prefabricated. The difference between them is obvious, the folding version is connected, all that remains is to unfold it and fix it. The prefabricated grill must be assembled and disassembled each time. The advantage of a prefabricated model is greater stability, but over time it becomes more and more difficult to connect the elements due to deformation of the plates due to constant heating. The disadvantage of a portable barbecue is the loss of heat and the difficulty in maintaining high-quality heat.

This feature is absent in a stationary barbecue, in which the heat is maintained for a long time due to the absence of extra holes and the thickness of the walls. A stationary barbecue takes up more space, the construction of a barbecue is fundamental and large-scale, it is recommended to pour a screed under such a barbecue so that the soil can successfully withstand the load. Since a stationary barbecue is a structure that will last for many years, choose the external cladding based on the exterior of the house and the site. But due to the difficulties associated with building a stationary barbecue, there is a tendency among consumers to choose portable version even for constant use in the country.

Materials for barbecue

The choice of material from which the grill is made affects the durability and quality of the purchase, ease of use, as well as the cost of the product. There are three main types of barbecue materials that are common.

• Cast iron grill. The advantages of a cast iron grill include durability and high heat capacity: a heated grill retains heat for a long time. Disadvantages of a cast iron grill - heavy weight, high price, as well as the need for gradual heating in cold temperatures. With a sharp temperature change, cast iron can crack, and such material cannot be restored.

• Steel grill. A steel grill can be stationary or portable. The advantages of a steel grill include affordable price and a wide range to suit any customer needs. The main disadvantage of a steel barbecue is the rapid deformation of the brazier if the wall thickness is incorrectly selected.
• Brick grill. A brick grill is a serious design, such products are made only in a stationary form, often with a concrete foundation, and are not only a functional, but also a design detail of the site. The advantages of a brick grill include long-term heat retention and the presence of a chimney, which adds comfort to the cooking process. Among the disadvantages of a brick barbecue are the cost and installation time of the product.

Choosing a grill

Before purchasing a product, pay attention to a number of criteria for choosing a barbecue.

• The thickness of the walls of a steel grill is an important characteristic that affects its service life. Country grill choose a wall thickness of at least 3 mm; for a folding travel version, a thickness of 1 mm is sufficient, but remember that such a grill will not last longer than 1-2 seasons.
• The optimal depth of the grill is 15-20 cm; with a greater depth, coal consumption will increase; with a shallower depth, the dish will begin to burn on the outside, being raw on the inside.
• The presence of a double bottom of the grill will speed up the process of preparing coals and increase thermal insulation.

• The grill lid will expand the capabilities of the product and speed up the preparation of dishes.
• A roof over the barbecue, wheels for movement and a side shelf are not mandatory elements, however, they make it easier and more comfortable when using the barbecue.

Buying a barbecue for a summer residence is a primary task for a person who loves outdoor recreation. To ensure that the product does not disappoint expectations, determine the required functionality, study specifications, and only after that proceed to choosing a specific model.

On modern market There are many different designs of braziers for cooking barbecue. The material and parameters of such products are very different. How to choose a grill that will be convenient, efficient and durable?

A classic barbecue is a steel or brick container with rectangular legs, in which coals are placed at the bottom. Pre-marinated meat is threaded onto metal skewers and placed over hot charcoal, keeping a distance of at least ten centimeters. Due to the high temperature, the meat begins to brown. To cook it evenly, turn the skewers periodically.

Depending on the method of use, barbecues may have different design features:

1. Collapsible braziers. Thanks to its collapsible compact design, light weight and small dimensions, this barbecue can be easily transported or even carried by hand. Folding Dutch ovens are made from thin steel sheets. They are used for cooking meat during tourist trips or outdoor recreation. The disadvantage of the product is the ability to deform when heated frequently. Therefore, collapsible barbecues are not durable.
2. Mobile roasters. The design of the product can be made of either thin steel or dense metal. A special feature of the mobile barbecue is the presence of wheels on the legs, with the help of which it can be placed in any convenient location in the yard or put it in the utility room for a while.
3. Stationary braziers. This device is massive and is mounted in a permanent place. A stationary barbecue can be built from metal, stone or brick. Sometimes several types of material are used in its construction. To protect against atmospheric precipitation and convenient use, a canopy is mounted on top of the brazier or the product is simply installed in gazebos. You can cook kebabs on this grill at any time of the year, regardless of weather conditions.

The classic grill is made of metal or brick

There are also gas and electric barbecues. They are used for cooking meat on skewers at home. But many barbecue lovers consider this option to be imperfect, since the dish does not have the “smoky” aroma that is so valued in meat cooked over coals.

Grill selection options

Correctly selected parameters of a barbecue roaster affect not only the amount of meat cooked, but also the taste of the dish.

Metal thickness

On sale you can find barbecues with different thicknesses of the bottom and side sheets. The most common option is 2-4 mm. Products with thick walls of 5-6 mm are rare.

The key requirements for a container for preparing barbecue are strength, reliability and the ability to maintain high temperature regime. Properly selected wall thickness avoids deformation of the product when heated, thereby extending its service life.

To choose optimal thickness walls, you should determine how often the grill will be used. A dacha roaster is generally used no more than ten times a month. Therefore, you can purchase products made from material 2–4 mm thick. The thinner the walls, the easier it is to move.

In catering establishments, a barbecue can operate for more than five hours a day. For such regular use, the wall thickness must be much greater.

Width

The width is determined depending on the size of the meat racks and skewers that will be used. The standard size is considered to be up to 30 cm. Sometimes a width of 40 cm is practiced. The wider the grill, the faster the meat on the skewers cools.

Length

Before deciding on a long roasting pan, you need to estimate how much meat will be cooked on average at a time. Basically, barbecues are produced with a standard length of 80 - 90 cm. This size is designed for 8-100 skewers and a grill for frying medium-sized meat.

Depth

The optimal depth of the grill is considered to be 15 cm. The parameters are determined taking into account the distance from the meat on the skewers to the hot coals. The size should not exceed 10 cm and be at least 5 cm.

Placing the meat too far from the coal does not allow the juices to escape and ultimately makes the dish dry. The close location contributes to the rapid burning of the meat on top, while simultaneously leaving its interior raw.

Many models of fryers are produced with holes on the sides and in the bottom. But, according to experienced barbecue masters, air holes in simple barbecues do not affect the quality of the dish.

When cooking barbecue in windy weather, holes in the side walls make it difficult to maintain even smoldering of the coals. Near the holes, the meat will fry faster, and the central part of the skewer may remain half-baked.

Ventilation holes are used only in barbecues with a double bottom. It is better to buy simple roasting pans without holes. You can regulate the uniformity of incandescence using a special fan.

Double bottom

Shish kebab containers with a double bottom, thanks to the air gap between the two sheets at the bottom, ensure uniform heating of the coal. These barbecues are equipped with a damper that allows you to control the temperature.

The heat in double-bottomed braziers is collected in an ash box. Some models have special grilles that are placed on the bottom. Such devices allow you to maintain the temperature by supplying a sufficient amount of air to the coals.

Lid

In grills with a lid, meat, fish or vegetables are cooked faster and more evenly. The dishes become saturated with the aroma of smoke and become smoky. Also, using the coating, you can keep cooked kebab warm for a long time.

Folding shelf

Improved models include not only a double bottom or lid, but also folding shelves of various sizes. On such a hanging table you can place a container of water to extinguish suddenly ignited coals or place a sauce that is poured over the meat during cooking.

Types of barbecues

The durability and safe use of barbecues largely depends on the material of its manufacture. The most common option is a metal barbecue roaster. For stationary products, brick or stone is used. Each type of fryer has its own advantages.

Cast iron

Cast iron barbecues are considered the most durable. This material does not burn through and is not deformable. Cast iron barbecues can be either stationary or collapsible.

Their main advantages are:

• Fast preparation. Cast iron takes less time to heat up than steel. The material is able to maintain high temperatures for a long time.
• High wear resistance. A cast iron roasting pan has positive anti-corrosion characteristics and can last more than a hundred years.

Such barbecues can have aesthetic properties, since with the help of cast decorative cast iron parts you can design the product in various styles.

Steel

Fryers made of steel sheets are the most popular and affordable. The lightest material is used to produce the most various models barbecues Many are made of stainless steel parts. The advantages of the products include:

• long service life;
• low cost;
• relatively light weight.

Such positive sides Only barbecues with walls at least 3 cm thick have. Collapsible models with thin sheets of steel are used as an additional fryer that can be taken when going outdoors. It is lightweight and fits into a small box when assembled, but its service life is absolutely short. Thin steel sheets burn out quickly and change shape at high temperatures.

Brick

Brick barbecues are stationary buildings intended for long-term use. Their construction requires a foundation. Designs can be very diverse. Often such brick braziers become a decoration for a summer cottage.

For barbecues, strong heat-resistant bricks are used. To make the meat cook faster, place a metal sheet on the bottom of the container. The braziers are equipped with a cover and a chimney. This design allows you to cook barbecue at any time of the year.

Also, the advantages of a brick grill include:

• durability - the material does not deform when heated and does not corrode;
• ability to retain heat for a long time – high level heat capacity allows you to cook meat efficiently using a minimum amount of fuel;
• aesthetics - you can build unusual artistic structures from brick.

Disadvantages sometimes include the massiveness of the building and the complexity of installation.
Choosing a suitable grill among existing models is not difficult. To do this, you should determine where and how many times a year the barbecue device will be used and select a high-quality product that meets all the necessary requirements.