A type of grill for cooking meat over an open fire and charcoal is probably the earliest culinary invention of mankind. Over time, they have undergone minor changes, only the materials for manufacturing have improved, and more design options have appeared. Such a view as a barbecue has become an integral part of nature, has taken its place in our cars, backpacks and cottages. And recently, barbecue has become no less popular.
The barbecue as a phenomenon came to us from the Caucasus. The word “Grill” means “basket of charcoal”.” There are many varieties of barbecue, but the cooking process is the same: small pieces of pre-marinated meat are strung on metal bars of skewers, rotated and fried high over the coals at high temperature. Thus, the meat is quickly covered with a crust, and a large distance from the coals of the grill allows the smell to penetrate inside.
In contrast to the grill for cooking meat, a grill is used, located just above the coal, which is poured into a second grill, located below. Coals give a medium heat, meat cut across the grain into large pieces (steaks, chops), is closer to the coals, but baked longer. The meat of the shish kebab is not marinated in advance, but in the process of cooking it is constantly smeared with a special marinade sauce.
The grill has a more complex design, as a rule, it is both a grill and a large spit on which you can cook a whole carcass. Often the grill is equipped with a lid that allows you to fry, smoke or stew the dish. Usually a country grill is a monumental stationary installation.
So, what are the different types of mangals and barbecues?
Types of mangals
The simplest mangals is an ordinary rectangular box made of sheet metal on legs, at the bottom of which coals are poured. However, the human mind has invented many useful and beautiful improvements to this design.
Mangals are divided into stationary and portable. Depending on the material, it can be stone, brick, or metal. There are also gas and electric grills, but this is an option more for an apartment in winter than for a garden in summer.
Portable mangals is good because it is easy to assemble and disassemble, not heavy, compact, easily fits in the trunk of a car. Cons – little functional and not durable. Usually portable barbecues are made of sheet steel. When choosing or manufacturing, it is necessary to keep a balance between the thickness and weight of steel structures: too thin sheets can deform, too thick reduce the mobility of the structure.
Mobile mangal – usually made of thin sheet metal, not necessarily collapsible. There is a built-in trolley on wheels, can be equipped with a cutting table. An exquisite decoration of the villa will be a wrought-iron structure, which after cooking can be removed to the utility room, protected from corrosion and dirt.
Stationary mangal – the structure is massive, set on a solid foundation for permanent residence. Material for the manufacture of bricks, stone and metal in various combinations. It can become a small architectural form in the country. If you put it under a canopy, you can cook your favorite barbecue at any time of the year and in any weather.
Electromangal — in it, the skewers rotate automatically, and the meat is fried, heated by electric coils. You can cook shish kebab at home in the kitchen at any time of the year, but the taste of shish kebab, of course, is different.
Types of barbecue
There are many different stationary and mobile designs available at different prices. When choosing, you should be guided not only by the material possibilities, but also by the size of your patio. Then ask yourself questions like: is it better to build a stove once for all, or use a mobile barbecue and put it away after a picnic? What kind of fuel do you use? Electricity, gas, or coal? Where is it appropriate to place it?
The basis of any barbecue is, in fact, a grill roaster. There is a construction in which, excluding this element, there is nothing else. Commercial barbecues, as a rule, are more advanced — they are equipped with legs and a panel to protect the flame from the wind. In more complex models, it is difficult to navigate among the abundance of shelves, pans, ovens, rotary grill motor, lids, shelves for knives, forks, and the like.
BBQ disposable. It is simply a small pallet of fine iron with charcoal, covered with a thin, non-removable top grate. It should be installed on a flat, fire-resistant surface. After one use of this grill, it was thrown away as garbage.
Barbecue portable. Folding design, a plastic suitcase fits a regular roaster and a grill on it, which can be installed in one of two positions. This picnic model is very easy to use.
The barbecue cauldron this is a more complex type of construction. It differs from other domed hoods. When the lid is closed, it turns into an oven, retains heat well, and is great for cooking poultry or large pieces of meat.
BBQ truck – a complex design in which the work surface is fixed or collapsible.
Fixed barbecue, usually made of brick or stone. Cooking surfaces, table for guests. Often under a roof or surrounded by a gazebo.
A gas grill usually combines the functions of a barbecue and a grill and is designed more for cafes and restaurants. In stores, you will find massive structures weighing up to 60 kg with gas cylinders.
Electro barbecue — usually used at home on the kitchen table.
The combined system
Combo grill usually it is a powerful structure where you can cook anything-grill, barbecue, barbecue, whole carcasses of birds and animals. Often these monstrous structures are equipped with technical innovations: electric skewers, temperature sensors in different places, etc.