Premium Gas & Charcoal Barbecues

We got into the premium gas grill business in a roundabout way. Here's the story:

As a cooking hobbyist who frequently entertains large parties, Tom (The Boss) had a charcoal bbq on his deck which saw heavy use for many years. The resulting ash pile out back eventually grew to staggering proportions, and dusted the deck area and kitchen windows with gray fallout whenever the Northeaster kicked up. Tired of the mess, hassle, lack of heat control, slow startup and lighter fluid flavor in the food (not to mention the Mt. St. Helens landscape), he decided to switch to a gas barbecue.

After making the rounds of the local BBQ outlets, Tom finally picked a nationally advertised gas grill and installed it in place of the charcoal bbq. Here's an abbreviated version of his gas grill experience:

• The hardware began to rust almost immediately
• The viewing window turned black with first use, then broke soon after; no warranty
• The cooking temperature varied tremendously from center to edge of the grills
• Frequent grease fires burned the food
• The chrome plated steel wire cooking grids warped; no warranty
• The piezo burner igniter worked sporadically at first, then not at all
• The hood rusted and warped; no warranty

• The stainless "bubble" burner self-destructed in fourteen months; no warranty

Tom belatedly decided there must be better gas barbecue options in the marketplace. Knowing what he DIDN'T want ( galvanized hardware, painted steel hood, chrome cooking grids, bubble burner with jets pointing straight up at the dripping grease, useless viewing window, etc.) helped him make a list of the features he DID want, and narrowed the field to a very few "Premium" models. He chose one, and immediately noticed the difference that a stainless finish, cast iron cooking grids and well-designed burners and flame tamers made.

Tom's Premium gas barbecue experience enabled us to further define the features we'd like to see on the gas grill of our dreams. We're confident that our Fire Magic gas grills will absolutely thrill anyone who has owned a typical gas barbecue.

An internet inquiry for a truly corrosion-proof gas grill led us to Fire Magic. Originally designed to drop into custom built on-site enclosures, Fire Magic gas barbecues are now available in portable cart models, and can be ordered in black porcelain as well as brushed stainless steel.

The Buzz: Stainless Steel everything, including burners cast from solid stainless. Unique "flavor grid" adds smoke flavor while minimizing flare-ups. Finest Quality.

Awhile back, Tom decided to augment his outdoor cooking menu by adding a smoker. His research (and the urging of several friends) eventually led him to the unique Big Green Egg. To Tom's surprise, he got more for his money than just a smoker: the Big Green Egg is also an excellent grill, roaster and outdoor oven. Another bonus: the Big Green Egg lights easily without liquid starter, and creates very little ash. This amazing cooking machine now stands beside the gas grill on Tom's deck, so his guests can enjoy a best-of-both-worlds dining experience.

Based upon the traditional Chinese and Japanese Kamado charcoal cookers, improved through the use of modern methods and materials, the Big Green Egg is a versatile means of baking, roasting, barbecuing and smoking all kinds of foods.

The Buzz: Made from heavy space-age ceramics, lifetime warranty. The dual function cast iron damper top and stainless intake air control afford incredible control of internal temperature for precision cooking. Extremely fuel efficient: one load of lump charcoal lasts for several firings. Use as an outdoor oven, roaster, grill and smoker. Inspires fanatical devotion among owners.

Apartment dwellers, tailgaters, picnic fans take note! The once-legendary Son of Hibachi portable charcoal grill is back, and it's better than ever! This small but powerful grilling machine sets up quickly, lights in 7 minutes, cooks up a storm, and then packs into its own fireproof pouch which extinguishes the coals when you're done cooking!

The original portable charcoal barbecue / grill is available once again! This compact beauty offers a surprisingly large (170 sq.in.) cooking surface, and is built for years of trouble-free use.

The Buzz: Deep drawn carbon steel shell and cast iron cooking grids, five-year warranty. Bake, roast, barbeque and grill right on your tailgate or picnic table. Snuff pouch extinguishes charcoals for re-use, doubles as carrying case.