G'day mates! If you're a fan of weekend BBQs or just love a good snag on the barbie, choosing the right sausage grill is crucial for perfecting your outdoor cooking. Today's blog post is dedicated to all the sausage enthusiasts looking to up their grilling game. With the right grill, you can achieve evenly cooked, juicy, and flavourful sausages that are sure to impress your mates and family.
Understanding Your Grilling Needs
Before diving into the different types of grills, it's essential to understand your specific needs. Are you cooking for a large group or just your immediate family? Do you need something portable for camping trips, or will it mostly stay in your backyard? Answering these questions will help you make an informed decision. Let’s explore some factors to consider.
Size Matters
The size of your grill is arguably one of the most important considerations. If you regularly entertain a crowd, a larger grill with ample cooking space will be advantageous. For more intimate gatherings or family meals, a smaller option may suffice. Remember to factor in the available space in your backyard or patio for comfortably accommodating the grill.
Heat Distribution
Even heat distribution is vital for avoiding the dreaded burnt outside and raw inside scenario. Opt for grills that offer adjustable heat zones or have multiple burners. This allows for more control over your cooking temperatures, essential for indirect cooking techniques that can prevent flare-ups while ensuring sausages cook evenly.
Portability
Planning on taking your grill to the beach, camping, or to a mate’s house? A portable grill might be your best bet. Lightweight materials, easy-fold legs, and a compact design all contribute to ease of transport. Portable grills are also an excellent choice for smaller outdoor areas or apartment balconies.
Types of Sausage Grills
From gas to charcoal to electric, the choice of grills today is vast and each has its pros and cons. Finding the right one depends on your cooking style and what you want out of your grilling experience.
Gas Grills
The convenience kings of the BBQ world, gas grills offer quick start-ups and easy temperature control. Perfect for anyone looking to whip up a quick meal without waiting for coals to heat. They’re reliable for achieving even cooking, and many models come with side burners and rotisseries, expanding your cooking possibilities.
Charcoal Grills
For the traditionalists who believe nothing beats the smoky taste of a charcoal grill. While they require more time to heat and effort to maintain temperature control, the flavour payoff may be worth it. Master the art of indirect cooking by creating heat zones, and you’ll have those sausages grilled to absolute perfection.
Electric Grills
If you’re living in an apartment with strict regulations against open flames, electric grills are a good option. They offer clean and smokeless cooking while still achieving a nice sear on your sausages. However, you might miss out on some of the smoky flavour inherent in gas or charcoal grills.
Alternative Cooking Options: The Griddle
If you’re looking to diversify, consider incorporating a griddle into your cooking arsenal. Griddles offer even heat distribution, which is superb for cooking sausages evenly. The flat surface also allows for other items like onions or mushrooms to be cooked alongside the sausages, making it a versatile option for comprehensive meals.
Advantages of Using a Griddle
- Even Cooking: Prevents hot spots and maintains consistent temperature.
- Versatility: Suitable for more than just sausages - think pancakes, veggies, and eggs.
- Easy to Clean: Flat surface means fewer crevices for food particles to hide away.
- Healthier Option: Allows excess fat to drain away from the food.
The Perfect Grilling Technique
With the right tools and grill, now it’s time to focus on technique. Cooking sausages with indirect heat is a popular method that ensures evenly cooked snags.
Steps to Perfectly Grilled Sausages
- Preheat: Start by heating your grill to medium heat, roughly 175-200°C. This sets a perfect stage for uniform cooking.
- Indirect Heat: Place sausages on the cooler side of the grill, away from direct flames, for slow and steady cooking.
- Flip and Rotate: Regularly flipping and rotating your sausages ensures even browning and cooking.
- Temperature Check: Safeguard against under or over-cooking by using a meat thermometer. Aim for an internal temperature of 71°C.
- Finishing Touch: For that final sear, move sausages to a hotter area for a short time, adding extra flavour and a crispy exterior.
Simmer and Grill Method
If you're feeling adventurous, the simmer and grill method is a beauty for added depth of flavour. Pre-cook your sausages in a flavourful bath of beer, mustard, and herbs, then finish them off on the grill for a delightful twist.
Instructions for Simmer and Grill
- Simmer: Place sausages in a disposable pan with your liquid of choice and simmer over indirect heat.
- Slow-Cook: Let them slow-cook till they are close to 65°C.
- Grill Finish: Move sausages to the hot grill for final searing and flavouring.
Final Tips for Grilling Excellence
- Patience Pays Off: Keep the heat low to medium, preventing juices from escaping.
- Avoid Charring: Aim for a deep brown, not black, ensuring fats stay inside.
- Careful Handling: Use tongs or a spatula to avoid damaging the casings.
- Consider Carry-Over Cooking: Remove the grill when a few degrees below the target, allowing residual heat to finish the job.
From Novice to Pro: Making Your Own Sausages
If you’re ready to take your sausage game to the next level, why not try making your own? Using fresh ingredients allows for tailored flavours and perfect pairings with your grill.
Steps for Homemade Sausages
- Grinding: Start with cold, boneless pork shoulder for optimal juiciness.
- Stuffing: Use a vertical stuffer and natural casings for authenticity.
- Grill to Perfection: Cook using low, direct heat initially, then move to indirect heat till fully cooked.
Grilling sausages is both an art and a science, and with the right tools and techniques, the results can be mouth-watering. By choosing the right grill, you’ll be on your way to consistently delicious BBQ creations. Whether it’s the reliable convenience of a gas grill, the old-school charm of charcoal, or the portability of a griddle... remember, the perfect grill is the one that meets your unique grilling needs and lifestyle. So get cracking and happy grilling!