Grill Sense

 The temps have hot a record eighty degrees on the East Coast The balmy breezes have many people thinking about one thing - barbecue.It's tile to start prepping for that weather that brings about tasty burgers and juicy hot dogs.The question is  do you keep the grill or get a new one?

Most grills only have a shelf life of just three years.owever if they're cleaned and well taken care of they can last almost a decade and beyond. If you didn't;t give your grilla thorough cleaning last fall you still can do it now. keep in mind that most grills possess a clean setting but this just burns away any leftover particles of meat. What you will need for a thorough was is a good stainless steel grill brush with a steel scraper, rags and a good ny;on brush. Your dish detergent  will work just fine as a cleanser however Dawn is about the best for cleaning anything.Gas grills require their deflectors - those upside down V-angleed element. These distribute heat evenly throughout the chamber and can get dirty and greasy quickly. Charcoal grills require the ash tray to be taken out and emptied.It;s just then scrapogn off the food with the scraper and then wiping off any debris with the rags. Use more rags to wash the grill parts with the dish detergent and let dry.

If your grill is too far gone or just too old then it's time to start looking. Lowe's\ and Home Depot are your best bets along with Walmart for a reasonably priced barbecue grill.Grills vary and can be perfect for just a couple or a large family. A grill for serving two and cooking smaller portions should be around one hundred to three hundred square inches of cooking space.Medium size grills are perfect for families of four five and six people. If you plan on having a lot of parties this Spring and summer then think about a larger one. There are those , such as one from Royal gourmet that can cook up at least sixty hamburgers for a hungry crowd. Keep in mind that this can also cook up briskets and whole chickens too. Do you want to expand and go into smoking meats too? then consider a grill with a smoker. This can hell you smoke everything from salmon to chicken to even sausages. Smoked meats add another level to barbecuing and expand the summer time menu considerably.

It';s up to you want you want to do with your gril. It may just need a good cleaning. It may need to be replaced.Just have a new or old ne ready when the grilling weather comes.

Warm Weather Prep

The temps are going to hit the 80's  and that means one thing - outdoor eating! It's time to gear up for barbecues and picnics. Before you say goodbye to indoor cooking and eating, there's a few things to consider

It is time to set out the grill. Before you roast anything, take a long look at your old one. Try it out. Does it still work?If anything seems off or faulty then start looking at new ones. Lowe's and Home Depot have pre-season sales so now is the time to buy a name brand. Also, if you feel you need a bigger one, then switch out before they become more popular and your choices become limited. If you're happy with your old one, then it's time for cleaning. You should have grill cleaning tools to help along with soap. If you want to go all natural, baking soda and/or distilled vinegar should do the trick. Buy grill cleaning wipes too.They will help in cleaning those hard to reach nooks and crannies. Also buy an ash shovel, a stainless steel scooper and scraper which removes any of last year's residual ashes.Check all energy sources too. Buy a new tank of butane or check cords and wires if you have an electric grill.This is also the time to add on to the grill. Think about a condiment basket where you can store sauces , ketchup and mustard along with grill pans and heating tents.

That other outdoor activity - picnics are on people''s minds too as the temps heat up. As with the grill, look at your cooler and decide if you need a new one or will keep the one you have. If you were unhappy with a smaller one, then upgrade to a larger , rolling one. This is perfect for the park or the beach and is excellent for camping. It not only keeps drinks and water cool, but also salad containers too. There are also insulated picnic baskets too. These fit comfortably in any trunk or back seat. Again this is perfect for sandwiches, snacks and drinks.There are also picnic tote bag which packs a smaller meal for two or three people. Another aspect to think about is what kind of containers to buy. You could go with Tupperware which is pricey but durable.  - think a life span of over ten years but you can go with cheaper ones from Target,,Wal-Mart and even grocery stores such as Acme and Stop & Shop. For a more environmentally friendly basket , also consider melanine plates and utensils instead of styrofoam and paper plates and cups.These can be bought at Target in fun colors and patterns.Have plastic utensils too and reuse these, instead of throwing them out.

It's the season for eating out . Fire up the grill and get the picnic basket ready.It's time  to food al fresco again.

January Is Kitchen Sale Times

January has always been the month for white sales. Sheets, pillowcases and towels were marked down to unbelievable prices. The same is now true with appliances and gadgets.If you feel like you need new gear or just over worked your blenders and toaster ovens over the holidays, then treat yourself to new ones this month.

Many stores from Targets to Kohl's are having major sales right now, especially on pots and pans sets. This is the time to buy them, especially with the great discounts happening. Some of the better brands such as LeCreuset can be bought with tremendous sales pricing right now. Kitchen Aid , always a chef's must have is also being offered at good pricing. A crock pot can be had at only twenty bucks and this is a steal at Target  , especially if you're big into slow cooking. Other must haves to pick up are electric griddles, rotisseries and grills. Any of these also make great shower or housewarming gifts too so stock up if you're going to have a few of these to attend.

Frill appliances are also going on sale right now too.If you wanted that cool Soda Stream, the aerator that carbonates regular water , scoop it up. Their  flavors are also being offered at discounts too at againlike stroes at Target and Kohl's.Those mini cake pop ovens  along with donut makers are also being sold at lower pricing too. Buy them now for some fun Valentine's Day baking later on. Keurig Coffee makers are being offered at lower pricing right now at some stores . Definitely take advantage of this if you're a big coffee maker,

January is a big sales month. Take advantage of these discounts if you need any appliance or just want a fun gadget. Pinching pennies is always good, better yet when thy're being saved on kitchen appliances.

Father's Day Gifts

Father's Day shopping is easy if dad is a foodie. There's everything from cookbooks to grilling tools to gadgets. If he's into any kind of cooking then gift giving is a  breeze.Plus there's the hope that he'll use his present to create a tasty dinner or dessert for the family.

Some men swear by cookbooks and there's always a new one coming out. A fun idea is presenting dad with one that features a cuisine he likes but has yet to cook. If he loves Japanese, then get him a book on it .If he loves a good take out pizza then consider getting him a book that concentrates solely on pies. Add some extras such as utensils that help in making the dish or ingredients such as seaweed for sushi or truffle oil for making pizza or pasta sauces. A basket of gourmet ingredients is also an exciting gift. These can be bought as separate items to be put into a basket or as a basket at some gourmet stores or sites.

Grilling is always a big activity for fathers. A new grill is a great way of  expressing love and gratitude. The best ones have such extras as burners and even infrared rotisseries for chickens and Cornihs hensThis is perfect for the meat eater who loves outdoor cooking and the taste of anything smoky and grilled. There are smaller grills too that are great to tote on camping or beach trips or even out to the park. Barbecues demand rubs and marinades . Many stores from Williams and Sonoma to your local grocery sell these and again these would be an ideal gift for the grilling dad. A set of brushes or various sized tongs are also neat Father's Day gifts that would go well with abrand new grill.

A foodie dad is one of the easiest people to shop for.  Let them enjoy their day with a  fun cookbook or even an expensive barbecue grill. There are so many ideas out there. Any one is always the correct one for a father who loves food and preparing it.