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Arepa is a corn cake that looks like an English muffin in color and shape. It is cooked in fat inside a griddle or pan, or grilled, or baked in an oven. It is a cultural staple in Columbian and Venezuelan cuisines. If you want to enjoy making arepa in your backyard during summer, you should buy a grill.

When shopping for arepas grill, you will have to choose between gas and charcoal grills. This may be quite confusing because there is an age-long debate over both choices. However, each has benefits that you will appreciate.

How to Buy Gas Grills

Gas grills offer convenience because you only need to turn on the burner and you are set to cook. Below are some points to consider when shopping.

Temperature Range

You can use a gas grill to cook hot dogs and burgers which you will add to your arepas. However, you should consider the temperature range if you want to use it to grill fish and steaks. A higher score implies that you can cook a variety of foods in it.

If there is a roast or ribs on your menu, you should look for grills that can carry out indirect cooking. This is a technical method of slow-cooking tough or large cuts.

Solid Construction

You want to be sure that what you are buying is durable, so make sure you carefully inspect the grill construction. Jostle an assembled grill to test its sturdiness. Check the firebox, cart, lid, and wheels. A stainless-steel cart with welded joints and seamless construction is studier than a painted steel cart with basic bolts and nuts.

Additionally, casters or wheels around the four legs or corners make it easy for you to maneuver the grill. And full axle wheels work better than individually bolted wheels.

Burners

When using a gas grill, expect to replace the burners at any moment. They last between 2-10 years, but if you find one that comes with a 10-year warranty, it should last for a longer time than burners without a guarantee. They are not difficult to replace, so the thought of them should not make you sweat. You can watch this video to learn how to replace gas burners.

Infrared Burners

Most gas grills have infrared burners for intense heating of chops or steak. When shopping, you can ignore those burners because they do not do better than the typical gas burner.

Safety

A sturdy grill will not only survive several grilling seasons but also offer safety to the user. The stability of the equipment will prevent it from tipping and ruining your arepas recipe. When shopping, avoid any grill that has sharp edges or corners.

You should also test the handles to be sure your fingers or knuckles won’t get very close to the lid. Although you may experience flame flare while grilling, ensure it is very minimal. There should be a reasonable distance between the burners and the grates.

How to Buy Charcoal Grills

This type allows you to control the intensity of the heat based on the fire size you build. Therefore, it offers more control especially for arepa recipes that do not require much heat. Here are some things to look out for when shopping:

Airflow

The grill relies on airflow for heat regulation. When more air moves into the equipment, the coals will burn hotter. But when the airflow is limited, the coals will just stay lit, for slow-and-low cooking. Look out for models with airtight lids and vents or solid dampers.

Coal Bed

When you want to prepare assorted foods on the grill, you will need to top the coals. As a result, you need to get a model that has a section for adding coals when the fire is already lit. Some models have doors for that purpose while others have hinged grates. That way, you can sneak in extra coals or simply rearrange them as you cook.

The Shape and Size of the Grill

Because coal briquettes burn at a uniform temperature, the shape and size of the grill will determine the rate of diffusion or concentration of heat. Very wide models, including many barrel grills, enable you to cook various foods at the same time and over a thin coal bed. As a result, they are good for arepas and burgers.

Kamado and kettle grills usually have narrower and deeper coal beds. These models can concentrate searing heat or slow the burning rate of coals for prolonged slow cooking if you shut the dampers. You can check out https://www.seriouseats.com/colombian-style-arepas-griddled-or-grilled-corn-cakes-recipe to get a free arepa recipe.

Adjustable Cooking Grates or Coal Beds

When foods are closer to the briquettes, they tend to burn before the cooking time is complete. Therefore, you should look for grills with cooking grates or coal beds that you can easily adjust. They usually have a crank to lower or raise the cooking grate or coal bed, allowing you to control the flames and heat.

Safety

Unlike other grills, charcoal grills are quite risky to use. You can use a control to adjust the flames and heat of a gas grill, but a charcoal grill enables you to build the fire and control it. Most models allow you to add charcoal up to a certain limit to prevent damage or starting a fire that you can’t control.

Ensure you get tools with long handles such as spatulas and tongs that are specially made for grilling. This is because flames may become too high and difficult to tame. Consider wearing a tight-fitting or short-sleeved shirt when grilling to avoid draping your fabric over the fire.

Additionally, always ensure you keep a fire extinguisher around the grilling spot. It should be suitable for grease, wood, and electrical fires. It is not safe to use your garden hose because if the fire resulted from fatty food, spraying water will ignite it further.

Conclusion

Arepas are patties that you can cook in different ways. You can eat them as breakfast either stuffed with meat and cheese or glazed with butter. If you want to grill your arepas, you definitely need to buy a grill but choosing a suitable one could be burdensome. We highlighted important features to look out for when shopping for grills, so you don’t get confused about which model suits your cooking style.