Memorial Day, for those who have given everything

Thu 12 May 2011 11:20:00 PM GMT

On Memorial Day, please take a moment to remember and thank all of the brave men and women who have served in our armed forces to protect our freedom and beliefs.

The end of May is almost here, that means it's time to get ready for the summer season of grilling and outdoor cooking. If you are thinking about a new barbeque grill or getting an outdoor cooker or fire pit, now is the time to visit BBQandFirePitPros.com. With our new 'Less than UPS' shipping promise and great competitive prices you are sure to find an outdoor fire pit, barbeque grill, or outdoor cooker at a price you like.

Go to BBQandFirePitPros.com and check out the Tips, Recipes, and Reviews page for new recipes, product reviews, and other outdoor cooking resources.

Tips, Recipes, and BBQ Reviews

Sun 1 May 2011 8:35:00 PM GMT

Spring is here, summer is coming, and it is time to have friends over to enjoy the day in your backyard. If you are looking for something new and interesting to serve at your party, this is for you. Try this recipe for Spicy BBQ Grilled Shrimp, it takes very little time to prepare, and will leave your guests wanting more.

The BBQandFirePitPros.com Tips, Recipes, and Reviews page has a few new recipes that are quick and easy to make that you and your friends will love. On this page you can get new BBQ recipes, read barbecue and fire pit product reviews, and find out about BBQ grilling events around the country.

And, as always, go to the 'Pros at BBQandFirePitPros.com for the best deals on the highest quality BBQ Grills, Fire Pits, BBQ Smokers, and Outdoor Cookers and Accessories

The Copper Rail Fire Pit

Mon 25 Apr 2011 6:34:00 PM GMT

Why retreat indoors on these cool spring evenings when you can stay warm on your deck or patio with one of our many styles of beautiful and affordable Outdoor Fire Pits and fireplaces? Stay cozy and warm in the crisp air of winter and spring, and enjoy BBQ grilled meals all year round. Our Outdoor Fire Pits add to the enjoyable time you can spend outside on your backyard patio or deck.

One of our newest models is the Copper Rail Fire Pit, a classic design fire pit with a 28 inch diameter fire bowl. It is easily portable for those weekend camping trips and tailgating, and it will bring distinction to your deck or patio. Designed for easy use and cleaning, it has a durable weather resistant finish for years of enjoyment and relaxation.

All of our outdoor wood burning and gas fire pits are available at affordable prices; very easy to use and many are portable. Attractive designs engineered to burn cleanly for less smoke and a warmer, longer lasting heat with less sparking embers. Outdoor fire pits and fireplaces burn wood, charcoal, or pressed wood logs. Some models are fueled with propane gas. See our complete line of outdoor cooking and heating products at BBQandFirePitPros.com.

Brinkmann Smoke'N Pit Pitmaster

Tue 19 Apr 2011 3:43:00 AM GMT

You don't need to have both a barbecue grill for outdoor cooking and separate bbq smoker to cook your favorite smoked foods. If you like to cook meals on the grill and would like to create your own smoked meats and other foods at home then you should get a combination BBQ grill and smoker pit.

The Brinkmann 40" Smoke'N Pit Pitmaster with side mounted firebox is a great BBQ grill and smoker combo. Heavy duty construction to last for many years and easy to use with fully adjustable charcoal grates, air vent, and smokestack damper to control your grilling and smoking temperatures. Treat yourself and your family and friends to some great tasting food with this multi function BBQ grill and smoker pit.

We have many attractive, high quality BBQ grill and smoker combos. From portable units for camping, tailgating, and picnicking to the larger models big enough to grill steaks and burgers for the entire family get together or to smoke up to 50 pounds of meat in one batch. At BBQandFirePitPros all of our products are guaranteed and customer service is our #1 priority.

Camp Stoves and Grills

Tue 12 Apr 2011 5:48:00 PM GMT

Announcing a new line of products at BBQandFirePitPros.com: Camp Stoves and Grills. We have started this category with a few really good little camp stoves and grills, and of course, we will be adding more as we find units that meet our standards for quality and durability.

These camp stoves are well built, easy to use, easy to light, and easy to carry. Units like the Brinkmann 2 Burner Stainless Steel Camp Stove are made with high quality stainless steel and aluminum alloy materials. Designed to stand up to rugged outdoor use, these babies are great for camping trips, hunting and fishing, tailgating. They are pretty handy in the backyard too.

At the ‘Pros we are always looking for the best new products available for you and you can always talk to a human being without being put on hold or having to push a bunch of buttons first. Check out BBQandFirePitPros.com for all of your outdoor cooking needs.

Mantel Style Fire Pits

Thu 7 Apr 2011 4:00:00 PM GMT

Many outdoor fire pits do not have a rim, or mantel, to rest your feet close to the fire or set down your drink when tending the fire. In addition, when you are cooking on your fire pit grill, you do not have a place to set your grilling utensils and condiments.

For many people, this is just fine but if you prefer to have a place to set things or rest your feet, you need a table style outdoor fire pit. A fire pit table solves all these problems by including a mantel or table into the design of the fire pit. The mantel provides a place to set food and drinks, rest your feet, or keep your grilling tools handy. The mantel also helps prevent anybody from coming into contact with the hot fire bowl.

The last post featured a great full sized gas table fire pit. For some, a full sized table model is perfect, but for others they are too big or that is just not what they are looking for. For you who do not want a full sized table fire pit, this post is featuring a beautiful mantel style outdoor fire pit. The popular UniFlame 34" Slate and Marble Mantel Fire Pit with copper accents in the mantel.

The business end of a mantel style fire pit is very similar to a typical free standing or portable fire pit. The difference is that a mantel that surrounds the fire bowl is built into the design. Mantel style fire pits are available in so many different materials, patterns, heights, widths, and more, that I am not even going to touch that stuff here. Let's just say that you should be able to find one that you like.

To see a wide variety of all types and styles of outdoor fire pits, visit BBQandFirePitPros.com. Our customer service staff will give you prompt, personal service if you have any questions or need help finding something you want.

Propane Gas Fire Pits

Sat 2 Apr 2011 9:12:00 PM GMT

Outdoor fire pits are great if you are looking for that feel of a campfire but you want it in the comfort of your own back yard. Now days though, it seems that so many people are just so busy with the family, community activities, and work that they just don't want to loose the time it takes to start a wood burning fire pit.

Even if you have a very busy life style, you can still enjoy relaxing on your deck or patio with the warmth and glowing fire light of an outdoor fire pit. What you need is a convenient, instant lighting propane gas burning fire pit. With a gas fire pit there is no buying and stacking firewood, no cutting and splitting your own firewood, and no ashes to clean up, just instant heat and light.

Currently, BBQandFirePitPros.com is featuring 4 table style UniFlame Outdoor Gas Fire Pits. These well built gas fire pits accent any outdoor living area and will become the centerpiece for your outdoor entertaining. Just use the push button igniter and gather around with the family and friends to enjoy a warm evening under the stars (or clouds).

At BBQandFirePitPros.com, all of our outdoor fire pits are available at affordable prices; many are portable and all are easy to use and clean. Our attractive fire pits are designed to create a clean burning fire for warmer, longer lasting heat with less sparking embers. Some assembly may be required.

The Caliente

Mon 28 Mar 2011 6:05:00 PM GMT

If you are looking for a portable BBQ grill that is quick and easy to use and always ready to go for those last minute, spur of the moment picnics or beach get-togethers. BBQandFirePitPros.com specializes in portable gas and charcoal barbeque grill. With a large variety of styles available, you are sure to find one that suits your needs and tastes.

Currently the 'Pros are featuring the Caliente Portable Grill and Cooler tote. The Caliente set consists of a 10-in. charcoal BBQ grill, a six-pack sized cooler, and a convenient carry tote with padded handles and shoulder strap. The BBQ grill is just the right size to grill for one or two people. It lights easily and the heat spreads evenly over the entire grill area. Made with good quality steel components, it is rugged and tough enough to last for a number of years of on the go grilling. The handy little cooler is the right size to match the BBQ grill. It will hold the food that needs to stay cool and a few beverage cans needed for one or two people. There is also an exterior pocket to carry a few other small items.

In its price range (well under $50), you cannot beat the Caliente ease of use and durability. You can take a look at the Caliente and many other portable BBQ grills at BBQandFirePitPros

Firewood Storage

Wed 23 Mar 2011 7:55:00 PM GMT

You enjoy a nice warm fire in the outdoor fire pit or in the fireplace in the living room but you are not very fond of all of those trips to the woodpile. If that sounds familiar, then it is time to get a wood rack or log hoop. With a convenient wood rack you don't have to make all of those messy trips for more wood, just load up the wood rack or log hoop every once in a while and then just grab a few pieces and throw them on the fire when ever you need.

At BBQandFirePitPros.com, you can choose a rack or hoop to fit your needs and taste. From the compact 24 inch diameter log hoop that holds enough wood for the evening conveniently by your fireplace to larger wood racks that go by the back door or near the fire pit on your patio or deck (at a safe distance of course) that hold enough wood for 2 or 3 fires up to almost a cord of fire wood. Check out the different styles of high quality, long lasting log hoops and wood racks at BBQandFirePitPros.com

Portable Grills Spring Price Reduction

Sat 19 Mar 2011 2:25:00 AM GMT

For you who enjoy barbecued chicken and ribs or grilled burgers and steaks but do not want to get a big, fancy BBQ grill because you might only use it 4 or 5 times a year, now is the time to look at our portable BBQ Grills. These days it just it does not make sense to lay out a lot money for something that only gets used a couple of times a year, so we have discounted the price on all of our portable BBQ grills for the spring season.

The UniFlame Gas Barbecue Grill with Folding Frame by Blue Rhino is our most popular choice of portable family BBQ Grills. Big enough to barbecue 3 or 4 racks of ribs or grill up a dozen burgers and some hotdogs at the same time, yet easily folds up on a rolling cart that will fit in your trunk and is can be stored out of the way in the garage or shed. Solidly built to last for years and fully guaranteed, it is perfect for the occasional griller.

Another good reason to choose a smaller BBQ grill is that you just might not have the space to dedicate to a big grill on your deck or patio and besides, you can not take them with you to the park or on the weekend camping trip with the family.

All of the Portable Barbecue Grills available at BBQandFirePitPros.com have been reduced in price just in time for spring. Our products are tested for reliability, quality construction, and ease of use. We take pride in our customer service and only offer products from the best manufacturers. Visit our store at http://www.BBQandFirePitPros.com to see our line of barbeque grills and other outdoor cooking products.

Outdoor Fire Pits - the backyard campfire

Mon 14 Mar 2011 3:47:00 AM GMT

An afternoon or evening relaxing in the backyard is a great way to spend some time with the family and friends, or even alone after the day at work. For many though, enjoying the outdoors is limited to the summer months because on many days in the other seasons it is just a little too cool to enjoy sitting around talking and relaxing outside. When camping, the answer to those cool days is the campfire. Unfortunately, in most places having a campfire in the backyard is just not an option.

You can still enjoy the cooler days outdoors at home with the warmth of an outdoor fire pit. Relax to the flickering light, dancing shadows, and the warmth of a blazing campfire in your backyard with the convenience and safety of a freestanding outdoor fire pit. At the ‘Pros we carry a full line of free standing outdoor fire pits; from the 20 to 24 inch diameter styles that are just right for smaller outdoor living spaces such as condo’s, the most popular 28 to 36 inch portable fire pits, to the large 40 to 45 inch table designs. For even more convenience, you can choose from our line of propane gas outdoor fire pits.

With our variety of competitively priced, high quality outdoor fire pits and the best customer service; BBQandFirePitPros.com is the place to shop for an outdoor fire pit.

BBQ Smoker and Grill Combos

Wed 9 Mar 2011 12:43:00 AM GMT

The low heat, slow cooking process of smoking foods is a popular way to add variety to your table the next time you are entertaining or at your family get-togethers. Smoking meats keeps the natural protein content of the meat while rendering out a large portion of the fat content during the process, making the smoked meat both good and good for you. With literally hundreds of food smoking recipes available the possibilities are endless.

Have you ever wanted to smoke your own meats, vegetables, cheeses, or anything else at home but you haven’t done it because you just don't have the room for one of those big, hard to move smokers you see on TV, or you don't want to lay out a lot of money for something that is only going to be used occasionally? There is a solution that eliminates those problems offered by Brinkmann, a well known name bbq smokers and grills.

The Brinkmann Smoke ‘N Grill single rack charcoal bbq grill smoker combo is a great, economical way to get started. It is a compact, portable bbq smoker and grill that is quite sturdy and it will smoke up to 25 pounds of food at once. It is easy to remove the food smoking components to use it as a portable bbq grill and it is no problem to pack it in the car and take it with you to the beach or tailgating.

BBQandFirePitPros.com carries a variety of Brinkmann BBQ Grill and Smoker products that will meet the needs of anyone from a beginner to a master.

Yakitori Grills

Thu 3 Mar 2011 11:12:00 PM GMT

If you have ever enjoyed yakitori grilled chicken at a restaurant or those chicken kabobs you find at the county fair or from street vendors at he public market and food festivals but just don’t seem to get the same results when you try it at home. The problem is not your cooking skills, it is most likely the equipment you use to do the cooking.

In Japan yakitori shops are more common than Starbucks and corner espresso stands in America. Yakitori, which broadly translates to ‘grilled or roasted chicken’ has an endless variety of flavors and textures depending on sauces applied while grilling, marinades, and the parts of the chicken used and of course you can mix in vegetables and other foods on the skewers with the meat.

For great yakitori the secret is not the meat, after all a chicken is a chicken no mater where you are. The secret is having the right grill for yakitori. The street vendors in Japan have grills designed just for yakitori grilling. We have 2 grills designed by Hotspot in the traditional Japanese style. The Hotspot portable tabletop yakitori grills are made with a ceramic fire bowl that distributes the high grilling temperature needed evenly across the entire grill and the heat is controlled with adjustable vents. With a Yakitori Grill and a little practice, you will get the flavorful results that you want.

Visit BBQandFirePitPros.com to see our convenient portable yakitori grills and other barbeque grills, outdoor fire pits, and BBQ grilling tools and accessories.

Great Tasting Burger – Part 3

Mon 28 Feb 2011 1:26:00 AM GMT

In the last couple of articles we talked about the choice of ground beef for your burgers. A little boring but important for a great tasting burger. Now it is time to get to the bbq grill.

The problem that many people have with portable barbecue grills is that it is very hard to get them to maintain a good temperature for what you are barbecuing or grilling and they don’t create that heat evenly over the entire grilling surface. Another problem is they are unstable and wobbly or the cooking grill falls into the fire every time you touch the meat.

When you are at the park or the beach with your family and friends you don’t want to be frustrated with your grill, you want to be having fun with the others. At BBQandFirepitPros selecting a good portable bbq grill is easy. We all use our bbq grills and outdoor cookers a lot and we know how important it is to have good equipment. We check out the products before we make them available at our store so that we know we offer good quality solid reliable easy to use bbq grills and other outdoor cooking equipment.

Selecting a good barbecue grill doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune. A good example is the Stainless Steel Portable Gas Barbecue by UniFlame. A reasonably priced bbq grill that is excellent for creating the right even heat across the entire cooking grill and it is portable yet big enough to cook for the whole gang.

Visit BBQandFirePitPros for the right equipment to grill that great tasting burger.

Great Tasting Burgers - Part 2

Tue 22 Feb 2011 12:15:00 AM GMT

If your grilled burgers seem to taste a little dull this series of articles may give you some ideas you can use to help you create those delicious gourmet grilled burgers that you want. In the previous post we covered selecting the right type of ground beef for your barbeque hamburgers.

Now that you have chosen the type of ground beef (probably good old ground chuck) with the right amount of fattiness (around 20%) you need to decide on the quality of the meat you want. You can get the type of meat with the fat level that you want in various grades of quality that are defined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The following is a little blurb from the USDA website:

“USDA quality standards are based on measurable attributes that describe the value and utility of the product. For example, Beef quality standards are based on attributes such as marbling (the amount of fat interspersed with lean meat), color, firmness, texture, and age of the animal, for each grade.”

You can dig around in the USDA website for more information on this subject.

Prime is the highest grade but is rarely seen in your local supermarket or meat market. Very little beef is graded as ‘prime’ and most of it is bought up by high end, expensive restaurants. That’s ok though because you really don’t need ‘prime’ grade for a great BBQ burger.

Choice is the next highest grade and you can usually find it at the store. It costs a little bit more but whether you are buying hamburger or steaks you will notice more flavor when cooked though that is more noticeable in steaks than hamburger.

Select grade is easily available and is the great choice for grilled burgers. It is more affordable and with good barbecuing techniques you will get a great tasting burger.
Standard is the lowest grade for most meats that you will find at your grocery store. Although standard grade is just right for many purposes for the better burger you want to get ‘select’ grade or you can splurge and get ‘choice’ grade. The other USDA grades of beef (commercial, utility, cutter, and canner) don’t come into play here.

To sum it up: You want to pick a good grade of meat, select or even choice. Ground chuck is a very good pick for type of ground beef. And you want to pick an amount of fatness that will make the burgers juicy and flavorful, about 20%.

Our next article will include some shopping and BBQ grilling tips for that better than average burger. We hope this information is helpful to you and, as always, you can check us out at BBQandFirePitPros.com for bbq grills and other outdoor cooking equipment and accessories. If you have any questions go to the site and send us an email.

Great Tasting Burgers - Part 1

Thu 17 Feb 2011 6:15:00 PM GMT

Want to serve up great tasting food at your next BBQ get together but your burgers always seem to be rather tasteless or dry. Don’t despair, here are some general guidelines to help make your next barbecue burger a flavorful success.

To build a good house you have to start with a good foundation, no doubt about that. The same is true for grilling great burgers, you need to start with the right equipment and the right meat. At BBQandFirePitPros.com we can help you with the right equipment with our selection of backyard and portable BBQ grills and hopefully this series of articles will help with the meat.

The ground beef is the foundation of a good hamburger. Whether you are at the grocery store or your local meat market, picking the right type of ground beef can make or break your barbecue. The most expensive is not necessarily the best when it comes to barbecuing ground beef, The key point is the percentage of fat. For steaks, you want to see marbling, the white specs of fat in the red meat. With ground beef, you can't see that fat, but ensuring the right percentage of fat is important. You will find this value somewhere on the label.

Ground sirloin (one of the most expensive) might sound great but at nearly 90% lean you will be losing out on flavor. On the other side of the coin, if you get ground beef that is 70% lean, while great for hamburger dinners in a box there is too much fat for the best grilling. Although it will have more flavor it tends to create flames in the grill that impart an odd gassy flavor to the food. Because of this many chefs suggest you use ground chuck with a 20% fat (or 80% lean) ratio.

Now you are thinking: Wait a minute here, I am watching the fat in my diet and too much fat is not good for anybody. Not to worry, as you grill the burger, much of the fat actually melts and cooks out while keeping the meat juicy and flavorful.

The next article in a few days will attempt to explain the various qualities of beef according to the United States Department of Agriculture grading standards.

Fire Pit Safety

Sat 12 Feb 2011 6:20:00 PM GMT

If you are thinking about a backyard fire pit you need to be concerned about safety. Outdoor fire pits are popular as a centerpiece for entertaining in the backyard these days and to keep everything safe you need to consider two things before selecting yours; safe design and safe use.
Wood fires create sparks, if you are considering a wood burning fire pit make sure it comes with a spark screen. Many popular fire pits have designs cut into their sides; animals, trees, college and professional sports logos, family names, and the like. Safely designed fire pits have a protective mesh over these openings to keep sparks and embers from coming out of the fire pit.
When it comes to safe use probably the most important thing is to set up and use your fire pit according to the manufacturers instructions. Two reasons: One; they know, they have checked it out, they want you to be safe and happy with their product. Two; If you don’t the guarantee is no good. Also, NEVER use an outdoor fire pit indoors, the heat, sparks, smoke, and gasses and confined spaces just don’t mix safely. If you would like more information about fire pit safety please go to our web site, BBQandFirePitPros.com, select the ‘contact us’ tab and send us an email with any questions you may have.

Stand Alone Outdoor Fire Pits

Mon 7 Feb 2011 11:47:00 PM GMT

Why a stand alone fire pit -
Built in or in the ground fire pits are big, a little bit expensive, and umm…. permanent. You can’t take them with you to the beach or the next time you are tailgating before the game. Another choice is a portable stand alone fire pit. They are usually less expensive than a built in and there is a wide variety of beautiful styles and designs to choose from. You can take them with you to the park and many fire pits come with a cooking grill included so that you can grill up some steaks or burgers or leave it off to roast weenies or marshmallows. If you have a pretty level space a safe distance away from the house, fences, plants, trees, and overhead branches then you have a place for a fire pit for entertaining or just sitting around relaxing. If you are going to hang out around the fire pit with family and friends make sure to put it in a place that has enough room around the fire pit for everybody to move about safely. At BBQandFirePitPros.com we have a great selection of sturdy, durable fire pits to choose from. From entertaining and cocktail parties to hanging around with the friends after Monday night football or just plain relaxing in your own backyard we have an Outdoor Fire Pit for you.

Portable Barbeque Grills

Tue 1 Feb 2011 10:06:00 PM GMT

Many folks who love bbq grilled food just don’t have the space (or the budget) for any of the really cool grills you can find at may local retailers these days. If you live in an apartment or a condo you know what I mean and even many home owners have limited space in their outdoor living area. The solution is to dine out which is not very economical and not always convenient and you only have the choice of what they offer. Another option is the smaller portable bbq grill. That way you can grill up what you want with your own recipes any time you want. These days the capabilities, variety, and quality of portable grills far exceed what was available even just a few years ago. That’s where we come in. Finding a good quality portable bbq grill at a super store or big box store is rather difficult and the specialty stores are kind of expensive. BBQandFirePitPros.com has a great selection of portable bbq grills to choose from for cooking at home or to take with you to the park, a tailgate party, or camping. You don’t want a flimsy, wobbly little thing that does nothing but burn your food, neither do we, so we check out our products before we offer them to you. Dollar for dollar our prices are better than most for a quality grill that you will use for years to come. Check out our portable grills, outdoor cookers, and bbq smokers at BBQandFirePitPros.com.