WES Blog

With the arrival of summer’s sultry days, grilling season is fast upon us.

Everywhere you look there are great new grill recipes, grilling gadgets, grilling sauces and, of course, the grills themselves. But none of these will do us any good if we have no idea how to use them.

So we talked to grilling expert Jamie Purviance and asked him for some tips.

Over the past few years, he's noticed some big changes in the way we grill.

``The repertoire's expanding quite a bit,'' he says. ``It used to be that the focus was on the meat and the main course, and the deserts and appetizers and side dishes were done in the kitchen. Now people are trying to do more and more of that kitchen stuff on the grill.''

We're grilling more ethnic foods and more vegetables, and we're using the grill more than ever for all sorts of entertaining. And that ties into the fact that grills, especially gas grills, are changing. They're practically outdoor kitchens, with rotisseries, extra burners and built-in refrigerators.

Along with the sophisticated grills are a whole bunch of sophisticated toys, such as silicone basting brushes, grill pans, griddles, smoke boxes for fragrant wood chips and the very handy Looftlighter. Charcoal purists will love this gadget, which blasts charcoal or wood with air heated to more than 1,000 F, igniting it in seconds without the need for lighter fluid.

In fact, charcoal is another big trend, especially with smoking food.

“Grilling is as thrilling as learning a new sport.''

Charcoal Purists

"If you're a charcoal purist, it's only a matter of time before you're going to get into smoking,'' Purviance says. "Think about getting a smoker or a Kamado Joe.'' The advantage of a smoker is that it maintains a low temperature for a really long time without the need to feed the fire. Also, get to know your charcoal - briquettes give you consistent, long-lasting heat, while lump charcoal has a more natural aroma and higher heat, but is more erratic and faster burning. The best results are if you use both.

One of the hottest trends in grilling these days is going meatless.

Where not so long ago lighting the grill meant steak or burgers, now it can mean anything from salad to dessert. After all, our grills are becoming outdoor kitchens, so why couldn't you cook anything on them you'd cook inside?

Original article by Joanne Sasvari

Home and gardening experts are seeing increasing trends that are integrating outdoor living spaces more and more into daily life. This is mainly due to the increase of "staycations" due to the sluggish economy. Locally, there is a growing demand for outdoor living areas. Homeowners are adding outdoor living spaces such as outdoor kitchens and patios, with all weather furniture and fireplaces.  Outdoor fire pits are big now, and so are Kamado Joe and Primo Smokers.

A week-long family vacation for four to Walt Disney World can cost $5,000 or more. Instead, homeowners are opting to increase the functionality and value of their homes with outdoor living areas. These spaces also provide relaxing backdrops for time with family and friends.

This type of project can be easily budgeted as well. Homeowners can put in the patio and outdoor grill area first, and then add the sink and counter space or the more expensive furniture later on. As long as it's well planned, it won't look piecemealed together.
 
West Sport in Sudbury specializes in upscale exterior living spaces and can handle everything from helping with grill styles and needs, to cabinet and counter configurations, to outdoor kitchen plans and installation. Larry, the owner of West Sport says "You should have an idea of what you want in your outdoor living space and to be sure to make the area big enough to handle it. Often people want to fit a table and chairs, a grill and a fire pit, but then they don't have room to walk around."

West Sport prides themselves on their breadth of products and new showroom. It provides an area where customers can visualize and touch the products. The showroom features many components of an outdoor kitchen, fireplaces and fire pits; and a new patio is being built in order to showcase pavers and patio benches.
 
"Bring us a general idea of what you want or would like to have," Larry says. "Come on in and look at the stuff; touch it, feel it, and see what you like and what will work for you."

Spring is merely days away. The sun is out and you can feel it in the 40 degree air. It’s time to start grilling. There is a certain joy in picking out the right grill, and a definite joy when you get to go home and fire it up.

Charcoal grills are actually the most used type of grill and they come in many styles. Over the years, due to their popularity the charcoal grill has changed and evolved.  The Kamado Joe and the Primo charcoal grills are grills for those who are serious about taste. These grills use a combination of a ceramic shell, natural lump charcoal and air flow to create a superior charcoal grilled taste. You can also sear food at high temperatures and it will still retain its moistness. These grills can be used as an oven, a grill or a smoker. And a wide range of accessories are available. Charcoal grilling has the ability to enhance the food flavor and some people believe it is the only way to grill. There is another reason that the Kamado Joe and Primo grills are better than the traditional charcoal grill; they are ready to use in 15 minutes.

Propane or gas grills are very popular, and are also very versatile. Of course, they run on propane, and heat up and are ready to use in minutes. They offer a quick and easy way to cook outdoors and also give a good flavor. Depending on your lifestyle, this may be the only way to go for you and your family. If you want to sear meat or cook on a slow rotisserie, there is a perfect gas grill for you. You can even cook your entire meal on many gas grills with the addition of the side burner. There is a gas grill for all occasions, from 3 burner grills to 6 burner grills, and everything from built in models to portable grill models. Gas grills also come with different cooking surfaces and these surfaces give you the ability to cook many different ways. Grills by Beefeater, Broil King, MHP and Napoleon are all top of the line, and offer styles for most budgets.

West Sport in Sudbury can help you decide which grill style is best for you and your home and our grills are being delivered daily. Come in and visit us today.