Methods for cleaning the surface of the grill rack
Different materials of fixtures require some maintenance, but how to clean your grill if it's non-stick. Metal brushes cannot be used to clean such a product, since the Teflon layer is broken, and this becomes unsafe for health.
How to clean a stainless steel grate? This product is easy to care for - the detergent washes away burnt food easily.
It remains to be seen how to clean the cast iron and steel grill (forged). The material is resistant to mechanical stress, so you can use a scraper and a coarse brush.
Varieties of products for barbecue
Common types of products include:
- Nickel plated. They are considered a generally accepted option for many vacationers. Such grates are sold in any supermarket or small store at a low price, but during operation their integrity is quickly broken (after several frying processes). Stronger gratings with a nickel-plated surface are made from rods of increased thickness. They can be used for barbecues and barbecues of unique shapes.
- Cast iron. If the grill grill for the barbecue is made of cast iron, its only drawback is its high cost. Otherwise, such a device does not lend itself to oxidation (there is no need to fight rust), has non-stick properties (products do not burn), serves for a long time, does not deform, and can also have any shape and size.
- Stainless steel. Products made from it are expensive and require constant care, but are considered optimal for cooking at high temperatures. Stainless steel barbecue grilles can last a long time, resisting many negative factors, the products do not burn to them.
- Grizzly devices. They have a low price and can be used for self-laying of barbecues or brick ovens. Such products are made in different sizes, which makes it possible to choose the desired option.
Specialized meshes
Stationary brick ovens, which are usually made on the street or in gazebos, are equipped with special durable grates. The cast iron grate in ovens does not require frequent removal. As a rule, such a product is quite heavy and sometimes even built into the base. Making a barbecue grill can be done in different ways:
- On pre-prepared ledges. In this case, it is held by its own weight.
- On special fasteners. This method will prevent you from accidentally knocking it over while cooking. Ready-made barbecues with folding grates are also sold.
- Fully built-in. For this, the grid must be provided even at the stage of construction of a stationary furnace.
- A lattice for a cauldron. Thanks to this device, it is very convenient to cook in a cauldron directly on the grill. If the size of the barbecue allows, then next to the cauldron you can cook meat or trout.
A summer cottage brazier with a grill and barbecue can be purchased in the store or made by hand. In factory products, the mesh is usually already included in the kit. This can be a cast iron barbecue grill or stainless steel. When making a barbecue on your own, you need to think about this in advance.
Shapes and sizes
In the process of choosing a cast iron grate, special attention is paid to its shape and dimensions. This design can be round, square, oval or rectangular.
These products are divided into two types:
- with one plane - they are fixed above the fire with the help of metal legs;
- with two planes - the upper part is a lid with metal rings, and the fixation process is also carried out with the help of legs.
Both handles are made of high quality wood or coated with high temperature latex to prevent burns.Wooden handles are considered the most practical and functional, harmoniously complementing the overall design. Large grilles are often equipped with two handles, making their use as convenient and comfortable as possible.
Depending on how many centimeters the width of the grill is, it will depend on how well it fits into certain products. The standard sizes of barbecue grills are considered to be products with a diameter of 23 cm, 33 cm, 38 cm and 46 cm.But modern technologies allow these structures to be produced in a variety of sizes, based on the individual wishes and needs of customers.
Features and Benefits
A material such as cast iron is an alloy of iron and carbon with elements of manganese and sulfur. Products from this composition perfectly withstand maximum temperatures without deformation at all. That is why a cast iron grate is considered an ideal option for grilling and barbecuing. It can be made by casting from cast iron or created from cast iron rods. Similar items for the barbecue can be used both indoors and outdoors.
Cast iron has the property of slow heating and good heat retention, then dishes cooked on grates made of this material are always characterized by uniform roasting and appetizing appearance.
Due to the porous structure of this material, food is always protected from scorching. All this creates the most favorable conditions for the preparation of real culinary masterpieces with minimal effort.
Useful Tips
When starting the process of buying a cast-iron grate, you should familiarize yourself with the advice of professionals, which are as follows:
- it is recommended to make a choice in favor of deep and voluminous products, since they are best suited for preparing a wide variety of dishes;
- it is good if the handles are made of wood, so that they will not heat up under the influence of fire;
- the presence of special clamps will make the grille as easy to use as possible.
Observance of the following rules will help to avoid unpleasant incidents during the rest:
- grill or barbecue should be located in an open space or in a well-ventilated area;
- you need to set fire to only high-quality and specially designed liquids for these purposes in order to prevent food poisoning;
- the place where the grill is located must be flat, which will make the structure as stable as possible;
- cast iron structures should be installed away from dry grass and overhanging branches to create a safe environment.
In general, such designs are the best option for presenting exquisite culinary masterpieces and filling the surrounding atmosphere with pleasant moments.
For a video review of the cast-iron grate, as well as for more details on its advantages, see the video below.
Which material should you choose?
In order for the metal mesh for the barbecue to be practical and useful, it is important to choose the right material. When making with your own hands, you must not make the following mistakes:
- Unknown metal. It is impossible to make a net from whatever comes to hand.
- Use light alloys.
- Use thin wire.
In order for a hand-made barbecue grill to serve for a long time, you need to choose high-quality materials for manufacturing.
The ideal material for the future mesh on the grill will be stainless steel wire 3-5 mm thick. It is purchased at the construction market or in a store.
The contour of the future mesh can be made of stainless steel of a larger diameter or from a stainless frame. Since the rest of the rods are attached to the frame, it must be rigid and durable.
It is undesirable to use different metals for the frame and rods.
Cast iron is another material that is perfect for making a do-it-yourself barbecue mesh.Such a product will turn out to be strong, heavy and durable. Many people choose the cast-iron grates for the brazier. For the manufacture of such a mesh, solid cast iron rods or special cast iron for grates are perfect. Cast iron is chosen when you need a reliable product for a long time. And, as a rule, such a grid for a barbecue with their own hands is made not for the barbecue, but in stationary stoves.
Do-it-yourself mesh making principles
In the manufacture of a stainless steel barbecue grill, the frame can be made in the form of a frame or some other shape that creates a plane for a wire mesh. If you use steel rods with a diameter of 5 mm or more, then it can be either a contour along the perimeter, or a snake, cobweb, etc.
The frame can be made of stainless steel sheet. It will be tougher. The complexity of manufacturing lies in the cutting of such metal and the subsequent fastening of the rods. First, you will have to cut a rectangle from the sheet a little more than the area of the future grid, step back 3 cm from the edge and cut out the inner part. The middle outline of the resulting frame should be drawn between the inner and outer edges. The ends of the rods should be adjacent to this line.
After welding the wire, it is necessary to make cuts in the corners of the outer edge of the frame and bend the contour along the perimeter inward, tightly pressing the sheet steel to the rods and in the intervals between them. This approach makes the edges of the grill safe. It is recommended to use the barbecue device with the bent edges down.
A similarly practical option is to make a frame from a steel tube. The difficulty lies in finding available material. The task of the master sometimes comes down to sorting through scrap metal and old spare parts from various equipment, so there can be many ways to solve the problem.
The frequency of placement of stainless steel rods should be such that the distance between the mesh (holes) of the grid does not allow food pieces to fall through the grid. In order for the plane elements to be rigid, and the length of the voids to be less, the wire should lie perpendicular to the long edge of the frame. The dimensions of the rods should be counted according to the smaller size of the mesh: if the rectangular shape - in width, if oval - in the smaller diameter.
The connection of the rods to the frame of the stainless grill grate is most often done by welding - a strong one-piece connection. The process is fast and uncomplicated. You need to get a welding machine and buy a couple of the thinnest electrodes so as not to burn through the wire or sheet steel. If there is no welding skill, it is recommended to entrust the matter to an experienced craftsman, or to begin with, practice on the scraps yourself.
The fastening of rods can be different: there are all kinds of solutions for the mechanical connection of parts. For example, instead of separate rods, bend the wire in the form of a frequent snake, and fasten the folds at the edges of the frame with clamps or clamps made of stainless steel sheet.
A cast-iron grill for a barbecue requires forging skills from a master, which seems to be a rather complicated technological process. But electric welding of cast iron rods is possible subject to a special temperature regime and the use of special electrodes made of metals that melt with less heating. In this case, rapid cooling of the seam is prohibited so that the structure of the cast iron does not collapse. For this, the coating of the electrodes is supplemented with inclusions of graphite and other substances, which must be taken into account when purchasing the material.
How to make it yourself?
Despite the fact that there is a wide variety of ready-made cast iron gratings on sale, you can make them yourself. Thus, it is possible to create any model taking into account certain parameters.In addition, this option is more economical, because it does not require large financial investments, which is considered an important advantage. The technology of self-production of such structures is very popular, because it allows you to create exactly such models of lattices that will best meet individual needs.
The whole process of making a cast iron grate consists of several stages.
- The choice of design. Its future size, shape and type are determined. For example, for 2 kg of meat, a container with a length of 35 cm, a width of 26 cm and a height of 2 cm is sufficient. Such a surface is enough for cooking food for 4 persons.
- Selection of material. The main thing is that the material is as fireproof and resistant to moisture as possible. Cast iron fully complies with these requirements, so it will be the ideal solution. Cast iron gratings are very durable and easy to use.
Manufacturing of constituent elements. The rods of the required size are cut and connected together in the form of a lattice using argon welding. The edges are carefully cleaned with a disc or sandpaper.
Fastening handles. Depending on the number of handles are fixed on one or two sides
At the same time, it is important that these structural elements are as convenient as possible during operation. Metal or classic wooden handles are considered the best option.
But, a properly planned process can bring both a lot of positive emotions and a gorgeous result in the form of high-quality and durable grill elements.
Advantages and disadvantages
The popularity of cast iron as a material of manufacture is explained by a number of advantages:
- a variety of models, which makes it possible to choose an option that meets the existing requirements and personal preferences;
- the ability to maintain geometry under the influence of high temperatures (up to 1000 degrees);
- uniform heating due to the high heat capacity and thickness of the material;
- long service life. Cast iron does not corrode and does not come into chemical contact with the fried foods.
- The grill with burnt particles of the dish left for a long time can be mechanically cleaned at any time, which will completely restore its consumer qualities. You can reduce sticking by using oil during cooking.
In addition, cast iron products do not have a protective coating that tends to deteriorate over time.
Of the shortcomings, only a large weight and a relatively high cost are noted. However, the weight is compensated by the quality of cooking the dishes, and the price is compensated by the period of use.
Classification of materials and their properties
The metal mesh for the furnace is made by hand, using three types of material, each of which is characterized by distinctive properties:
- Iron (an alloy of common steel). The most accessible and cheapest material. Withstands oven temperatures, is durable, but has the property of fading and rusting. If, among the universal options, the lattice is saved for a certain period by the protective layer, then in stationary structures the metal quickly becomes corroded and becomes thinner over time. The iron grill requires constant maintenance: after each frying, it is necessary to thoroughly wash and dry the cooking surface, and sometimes pick up an emery sheet.
- Made of stainless steel - the optimal material for universal oven accessories. It is highly durable and resistant to moisture. After use, it is easy to wash the surface of the grease, but some of the food can burn, so sometimes you have to clean it with a hard sponge using a chemical. funds.
- Cast iron. This heavy metal is perfect for a stationary stove or barbecue grill, as well as large portable structures.Corrosion is not terrible for him, and with proper use, almost no maintenance is required. The surface of the cast iron is capable of absorbing grease. If, after the first frying, you clean the burnt food and rinse the surface with hot water only, a protective fat layer will form. It will reduce the amount of residues after cooking.
Photo: cast iron grate - perhaps the most durable.
Stainless steel barbecue grill: sizes and shapes of stainless steel
Stainless steel barbecue grill pictured
A stainless steel barbecue grill has recently been considered the most popular, affordable and economical option.
Particular attention should be paid to the size and shape of the barbecue grate. To correctly determine the size, it is necessary to clarify the approximate number of people with whom it is planned to gather at a picnic
If it is a small company, then there is no point in buying a huge stainless steel grill. In this case, it is recommended to opt for products approximately 20 x 30 cm in size. For large companies, it is recommended to choose a lattice with dimensions of at least 30 x 40 cm. It should be noted that the lattices differ not only in length or width, but also in depth.
Flat barbecue grills are designed for cooking small pieces of meat or fish, but deep ones are perfect for grilling whole chicken or vegetables. Thus, the size of the barbecue grates may vary, but they must fully meet the requirements of the owner.
Modern barbecue grates come in a variety of shapes. On sale there are round, rectangular and oblong stainless steel grills for barbecue, most often it is oblong products that are best suited for cooking various types of meat.
Round grates are versatile, as they are best suited for preparing a variety of dishes, not just casseroles or pizzas.
An oblong deep barbecue grill in the photo
Long, deep barbecue grates are ideal for grilling vegetables.
Grill for cooking whole fish in the photo
In addition, there are special fish-shaped lattices on sale. They are intended for cooking whole fish.
When choosing a barbecue grate, special attention should be paid to the material from which it is made. Most often on sale there are gratings made of cast iron, stainless steel and iron.
It is recommended to opt for barbecue grills made of stainless steel. They are very lightweight, so they are easy to take with you. But do not forget that this material may fade over time, which will give the grill a not very attractive look.
Lattice types
By its design, the grill for the barbecue is:
- Two-plane made of meshes fastened to each other, fixed with a special ring.
- Single-plane for ovens - built-in grill grate.
In the first model, the products are positioned between the meshes. It is convenient to turn the products over, which allows you to fry the dish on both sides. Such features are absent in the second models, therefore special devices are provided for them - forks and paddles.
In shape, accessories are not only rectangular and square, but also round and oval. Various materials are used for their manufacture: steel, cast iron, aluminum, stainless steel.
Dimensions (edit)
In addition to the shape of the cast iron mesh, they can also differ in size. The most common parameters for this device:
- 320x480 mm;
- 380x280 mm;
- 535x285 mm;
- 400x250 mm.
When choosing the parameters of the grill, it is necessary, first of all, to take into account the number of people for whom cooking will be performed. For this, it is worth considering the approximate ratio: for 3-4 people, from 1.5 to 2 kg of meat is required.In order to prepare such an amount of food, you need a grid with parameters 260x350 mm or 200x430 mm
If you need to cook meat for more people, you should pay attention to the grates with parameters 600x400 mm
Self-production of stainless steel products
If you want to create a grill with your own hands, you need to follow some recommendations:
- To make the kebab maker durable, you need to choose a stainless wire with a diameter of 4-5 millimeters.
- The wire must be bent around the entire perimeter, creating the desired shape. Handles can be placed on both sides or in the center of one face.
- It is best to weld the elements with argon (in this case, you will get a durable fixture with a unique shape).
- It is better to weld the grate itself so that the squares have a width of up to 1.5 cm (this will reduce the likelihood of food falling out into the fire when frying). For beauty, you can make a lattice with rhombuses or triangles.
Finally, it should be added that barbecue can only be used in specially designated areas. At the same time, for safety reasons, it is impossible to use combustible mixtures to ignite a fire (it is better to use natural ingredients).
Following these simple rules will ensure healthy leisure and delicious outdoor dining for all holidaymakers.