Outdoor Cooking Equipment
There's nothing quite like spending time in the outdoors with family and friends when the weather gets nice. From picnics and camping to ballgames and back yard barbeque's, whenever the sun shines, people want to be outside. One thing you can count on when enjoying these activities is that eventually, everyone is going to get hungry. When they do, it's time to do some outdoor cooking. Unlike cooking indoors, which is a chore that some people dread, outdoor cooking is something that usually adds to the enjoyment of the experience. Many people have really turned it into an event. Sometimes people get together for no other reason than to cook and eat and have a good time. Here are some cooking items that every outdoor chef should have.
Gas And Charcoal Grills
Not too much needs to be said here. This one's a no-brainer. If you don't have one, you're at least familiar with them. No conversation about outdoor cooking is complete without at least a mention of these types of grills. Nothing beats a picnic and some hamburgers and hot dogs cooked on the grill. Of course, anyone who has any experience with them knows how many other possibilities there are as well. Chicken and steaks and just about anything else you can think of can be cooked on a grill. If you get one with side burners you can expand your options even more.
Deep Fryers
One of the latest outdoor cooking crazes is deep frying turkeys. This method of cooking turkeys has been gaining in popularity over the last several years. Once you try a bird cooked this way, you'll want to throw your oven-cooked turkey out the window. They usually come in the form of a pot that sits on a stand with a gas burner. They come in a variety of sizes and range in price from around $60 - $200 for a complete kit.
Dutch Ovens
Dutch ovens have been a favorite for a long time. Many people do all of their outdoor cooking in Dutch ovens. They are some of the most versatile outdoor cooking tools around. They are capable of simmering, stewing, baking, roasting and frying. You can cook anything from stews and casseroles to breads and desserts and anything in between. It is basically a large cast iron pot with a tight fitting lid. Some models have legs for use over a fire. The lid will usually have a small lip on it that allows you to place charcoal on top for even heat distribution. The idea is to make it cook similar to a slow cooker.
In addition to the outdoor cooking equipment mentioned above, there are various other portable grills and griddles available to meet all of your cooking needs. Whether you're at the campsite or in your own backyard, these items can add variety and a lot of fun to your outdoor cooking experiences.
