Everything You Need To Know About Hooded Grills
Hooded Grills - The Pro's, Con's And Whether They're Right For You
Overview:These are certainly the most abundant type of BBQ around the world and odds are that either you or a friend has one of these already.They are a great all-rounder and can be used for other cooking methods that are frequently done by specialist pieces of equipment (e.g. smokers, rotisseries). If you are putting together an outdoor kitchen, then a hooded grill will be a central component in your layout. Predominantly they are gas fuelled. I have heard of charcoal fuelled ones, but never even seen one. They are generally available in two forms - as part of a trolley, or built into a solid structure. Pros: 
- Can be used as a normal grill or as a roasting/baking oven by pulling the lid down
- Can be used as a smoker by using wood directly over the heat source, or even better, using a in-BBQ smoke box
- Wide range of models available, ranging from $300 - $8,000. It just depends on your budget and how many of those options you "need"
- Because of their wide availability it's usually very easy to get parts and extras from places like K-Mart and Target through to the specialty stores for the more specialist items
- One of the most common accessories/options is the wok burner - which is perfect for when you need to use a wok or frying pan
- Can be configured for bottled gas or mains gas - just make sure you know which it is as they operate at different pressures and therefore have different fittings
Cons: 
- lack of solid fuel option - can't get the same taste, or colour, as you can from say, a solid-fuel kettle bbq
- When being used for smoking, hot-smoking is the only option - cold smoking require more specialised equipment
- Stainless steel ones can sometimes be made with low-grade stainless - if buying a stainless one, make sure it is 304 grade stainless or higher
Comments: - I cannot recommend one highly enough - their great versatility makes them essential equipment for all BBQ enthusiasts
- If you'll take a further recommendation from me, get the wok burner as well - the cost isn't much more and you'll use it heavily
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