Top Three Pellet Grill Recipes
By: Jack Mancuso
Date: July 29, 2023
Pellet grills are becoming more and more popular. Why? Because they’re tidy and make great smokers. If you’ve never seen one in action, you may wonder how they work. As the name implies, pellet grills use wood pellets and fans for heating food. In effect, they’re like a convection oven. You can use your pellet grille or smoking, grilling, braising, and even baking! So, it’s very flexible to whatever recipe inspires you on any given day. One of the best features of a pellet grill, in my opinion, is you can cook hot and fast, or low and slow. There’s consistent temperature control and no open flame. How Does Gas Grilling Measure Up? The biggest difference between a pellet grill and a gas grill is taste. The hardwood pellets pack a punch of flavor far more notable than gas or charcoal grills. Pellets come in a HUGE variety of flavors, including: Alder Apple Chili Coffee Guava Hickory Lime Maple Mesquite Orange And that’s only a few! Pellets don’t leave behind a burnt or ashy aftertaste. Top 3 Pellet Grill Recipes There are a lot of cooking and grilling recipes from which to choose for your pellet grill. Here are three of my favorites: Reverse Sear tri-tip Using a pellet grill for Tri-Tip results in a mouthwatering, deliciously rich meat flavor enhanced with whatever smoke you prefer. Oak, maple, or hickory are excellent choices. Combine your finished steak with grilled vegetables and have a tall Lager chilled. Cuso Seasoning Options: Cuso’s Dirt® Seasoning, Cuso’s Gravel Seasoning, Cuso’s Maple Bourbon Seasoning Pork Belly Burnt Ends There’s something special about burnt ends cooked on a pellet grill. They’re a little sticky, a little saucy, kinda sexy, and they’re enriched with your chosen pellet smoke. Consider orange, maple, or apple flavors. For your side dish, a green bean casserole is always welcome. To drink? Sparkling cider, Amber Ale, or Zinfandel. Cuso Seasoning Options: Cuso’s Maple Bourbon Seasoning, Cuso’s Hot Honey Seasoning, Cuso's Tequila Lime Habanero Seasoning Sensational Smoked Turkey Pastrami Pellet smoked turkey pastrami is moist and mouthwatering. I recommend hickory or pecan pellets for this dish. On the side, enjoy a wild green fresh salad. The offering from the bar might include a Manhattan or sparkling lemon water. Cuso Seasoning Options: Cuso’s Dust Seasoning, Cuso’s Spicy Garlic Buffalo Seasoning, Cuso's Coconut Rum Seasoning
Best Steak Knife Set of 2023
By: Jack Mancuso
Date: April 26, 2023
When you head out for your first apartment or home, it seems as if having a set of steak knives is essential. They appear regularly on wish lists for weddings, birthdays, and other special occasions. Better still, steak knives have both function and form. A good set is well-crafted and cuts like butter. In your search for exceptional blades, take a look at our reviews for the Best Steak Knife Set of 2023. What Helps Qualify for Best Steak Knife Set of 2023 Distinction? Look for a full tang and serrated blade. Try the handle and make sure it’s comfortable in your hand. Ask yourself, “does it feel balanced?” Material-wise, stainless is the way to go, and the set should rate at least 50 on the Rockwell Hardness Scale. What is the Rockwell Hardness Scale? Basically, Rockwell hardness is a metallurgical test that indicates how resistant a blade is to permanent deformation from other materials. To make an accurate and consistent measure, the scale was created. Most steak knives rate between 45-60 hardness. Straight Edge vs. Serrated Straight edges do not cut cooked meat. More likely they tear it. By comparison, a serrated edge cuts meats, bread, and tomatoes equally well. The little serrations grip the surface of the item you’re cutting. Add having stainless steel as metal, you have a knife that resists rust and stains. Abbreviated Knife Selection for Best Steak Knife Set of 2023 Messermeister Avanta 5” Fine Edge 4-Piece Steak Knife Set This knife set has a fairly good price for its level of performance. Messermeister Avanta is attractive and comes out of the box sharp. It is a good option for gift-giving. Perceval 9.47 Series 217mm Steak Knives (Set of 2) Perceval Steak Knives are ideal for entertaining. The 9.47 knives have the distinction of having been designed by a Michelin-starred chef. People who want “flair” won’t find it here. The style is minimalist, and only two come in a set. Cuso Cuts 6-Piece Steak Knife Set If you want sublime beauty coupled with effortless cutting, you’ll fall in love with the Cuso Cut steak knives. Take them out when hosting and dinner and watch people “oooh” and “aaah” Their Rockwell scale is 58, and unlike some serrated blades, you can sharpen them with a standard sharpener. From tip to handle, they measure 9 inches. Laguiole en Aubrac Luxury Fully Forged Full Tang Stainless Steel Steak Knives Laguiole oli Knives had their beginning in the mid to late 1800s, so it’s understandable that they have an heirloom feel. The handles are made from mixed French woods, and each is handcrafted. This cutlery is well-balanced, tough, sharp, and corrosion-resistant. When taken care of properly, Laguiole can become an inheritance set. Wusthof Classic 6-Piece Steak Knife Set The Wusthof family company was established in 1816 with strict quality standards. Since then, these knives appear regularly on “top ten” lists. This set resists fading, heat, corrosion, and discoloration, making them easily maintained. The razor-sharp stainless steel blade glides through meat. IMarku Serrated Steak Knives Imarku stainless steel steak knives measure 9” long. They’re made from Japanese HC steel, forged for longevity, hardness, and sharpness. The knives resist corrosion and sport double-riveted handles made from Pakka wood, providing stability. And Our Winner of the Best Steak Knife Set of 2023 Is: Cuso Cuts 6-piece Steak Knife Set While Cuso Cuts is a newer brand in steak knives, the company has dedicated itself to high-quality craftmanship and impeccable elegance. It is part of the reason we love them for recognition as the best steak knife set of 2023. Customers give them a 5 out of 5 rating for excellent customer service and having incredibly sharp blades. When you’re shopping online, the pictures don’t do them justice. They are distinct and attractive but don’t just put them away until company comes over. Use them for family dinners.
Best Pellet Smoker of 2023
By: Jack Mancuso
Date: April 18, 2023
I love grilling (surprise? not). There is so much magic you can make with a mindfully designed, durable pellet grill. While you can find hundreds of my recipes on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, the perfect grill for you is one that inspires your creativity and withstands the test of time. With that in mind, we will crown our choice for the best pellet smoker of 2023 at the end of this article. Time to Retire Obsolete and Broken Units You may have a charcoal grill or a gas gadget, and depending on the manufacturer, they may wear out easily. Then your neighbor comes along with a Traeger or Pit Boss, and you suddenly have a casee of grill envy. So, why not fulfill that craving with a pellet-style barbecue grill and replace old, worn-out items? Many systems today are quite visually appealing. And we do eat with our eyes, so your unit may elicit verbal excitement and questions. What’s more important, however, is that an excellent machine makes better food. There are a lot of bells and whistles available for things like timing or monitoring internal meat temperatures. Benefits of a Pellet Smoker Pellet smokers have the ability to maintain stable temperatures without a lot of fuss. They produce far less ash than charcoal. And the variety of flavored pellets available means you get that woodsy aroma and smokiness in every bite. Our Key Considerations in choosing the Best Pellet Smoker of 2023: We look for three key attributes in grills before making any choices: Features: Boil things down to the details. Can you direct searing? Do you want to go “technical” and get a Wi-Fi system? How easy is it to clean and maintain? What is the primary metal for the system, and is it treated in any way for durability? Oh, and while not really a feature, always read the warranty options. Consistency: You want the system’s ignition to go on easily and maintain a stable temperature every time. Similarly, the grill must produce smoke that stays even throughout your cooking process. When the grill produces superior flavor on each use, you know the product is a good one. Quality: The best pellet grills have thick insulation for keeping temperatures steady. Having tight seals throughout the unit (so no smoke escapes) and sturdy construction play a role, too Pellet Smokers up Close Camp Chef Woodwind Pro WiFi Pellet Grill The Woodwind has features that allow you to cook with charcoal, wood, or pellets. Great versatility here. Camp Chef has excellent airflow contributing to even heating. Twin Eagles Pellet Grill and Smoker The Twin Eagles Pellet Grill has a 304 stainless steel construction. It’s sure to last. It has Touchscreen controls and comes Wi-Fi enabled. Want to cook from your bedroom – go for it! Comes with a radiant heat briquette tra and lump charcoal tray. The downside? This grill should come with smelling salts just in case you pass out from sticker shock. Weber Smoke Fire ELX 6 Pellet Grill You can achieve enviable grill marks from the Weber SmokeFire ELX. This system has a wide heat range, a dual-sided sear grate, and the ability to control your grill from your smartphone. Traeger Ironwood XL With a full-color touchscreen WifFi, a Super Smoke Mode, and easy-to-clean features, the Ironwood XL is an impressive system. It has 924” of cooking space (party, anyone?). Awe Inspiring smoke with trustworthy consistency. PIT BOSS PB440D2 Pellet Grill Pit Boss provides a digital control board with LED read-out. You’ll enjoy both direct and indirect heating. Made from stainless steel with fan-forced convection heating. Our Winner of the Best Pellet Smoker of 2023 Is: Traeger Ironwood XL With over 30 years of experience, it’s unsurprising to find Traeger as the MVP in the smoking world. The superior construction of this machine gives you marvelous temperature continuity. With this product, you have what seems like unending customization options. Traeger offers a complete line of accessories designed to work perfectly with your new grill, including covers, liners, shelves, and thermometers. The first time you use it, you’ll fall in barbecue love.
Best Flat-Top Grill of 2023
By: Jack Mancuso
Date: April 11, 2023
When you are ready for a new grill, you might become overwhelmed with the choice available. A flat-top grill is among them. It’s pretty straightforward, being a large griddle. The size allows you to cook more than one part of your meal at a time. But which system is the best flat-top grill of 2023? Let’s face it, your grill is an investment. You want it to work right and consistently, so a little research can narrow your choices. We did a little digging and have crowned the best flat-top grill of 2023. How to Chose a Flat-Top Grill Think about what you usually cook on your indoor griddle and for how many people you generally cook. If you have a small family, look at two burner flat-tops. For a large family, you’ll want four. Entertain all the time? Get a five-burner unit. Next come the bells and whistles. What extras and features does the flat-top have? Look for good wheels with locks so you don’t move the grill accidentally. Are there any storage shelves or hooks? Is a cover included in the price (you WANT a cover for longevity)? How about a meat thermometer or scraper? The scraper lets you clean as you cook. Review of some Best Flat-Top Grills of 2023 Pit Boss PB757GD Four Burner This grill has side shelves and a fitted cover. It gives off 62,000 BTWs (push-and-turn style ignition) and has a drip cup for easy cleanup. The griddle is pre-seasoned, and the legs have a folding design for taking your grill with you. With 748 square inches, you can create 36 hamburgers (give or take). Traeger Flatrock™ Flat-Top Grill You can trust Traeger to make a premium product. Beyond the griddle, you can use this flat-top grill for frying, steaming, searing, and sauteing . The Traeger Flat-top has specially designed cooking zones, so you have great temperature control for items that need to be cooked at different temperatures from one another. Love the fuel gauge. No more running out of propane. Blackstone 36” Cooking Station A cooking station with tons of room. You could cook 28 burgers and 72 hotdogs all at once. This unit comes with a built-in cutting board, side shelf, paper towel holder, and trash bag hooks. The Blackstone 36” has a battery-powered ignition button, both easy and functional. Want to take it with you? Just remove the griddle top and fold up the legs. The strong caster wheels will do the rest. Razor Griddle – 4, 62000 BTU Hungry? You can fit 57ish burgers on this flat-top at one time. This is a great system for camping and tailgating besides enjoying it in your backyard. Clean-up is easy thanks to a custom grease management system. When you want to bring it with you, the shelves fold, and the lid locks. There are many options for what you can cook on the Razor Griddle including bacon, eggs, pancakes, steak, shrimp, tortillas, smash burgers, hash browns, and so much more. And the Winner of the Best Flat-Top Grill of 2023: the Traeger Flatrock™ First impressions matter. Out of the box, this company has well-thought-out, organized packaging. Interior boxed parts are labeled with pictures. There’s no guesswork, and the grill goes together easily. You get 360-degree casters, all of which lock. Once you calibrate the system, you will always know when your gas gets low. All three burners go on instantly and cook evenly, maximum heat of 600F. The griddle top is heavy-duty and comes with a 5-year warranty. What’s not to love?
Best Damascus Steel Chef Knife of 2023
By: Jack Mancuso
Date: April 11, 2023
Best Damascus Steel Chef Knife of 2023 Damascus Steel Knives are growing in popularity for several reasons. They maintain a sharp edge, perfect for the cook who spends a lot of time in preparation. There is also the beauty of Damascus, having a wavy feature in the blade. The unique pattern comes from the folding of metal, over and over, for durability. What exactly is a Chef Knife, and which one is the best Damascus steel chef knfe of 2023? Chef Knives are like the swiss army knife for cooking. They have a wide variety of uses. Want to dice up an onion for soup or grilling? Cut through large pieces of meat? How about spatchcocking poultry? A Chef Knife does it all. Some Contenders for the Best Damascus Steel Knife of 2023 If you can only afford one good knife in your kitchen, look for a Damascus steel Chef Knife. You won’t be disappointed. Shun Classic Blonde 8-inch Damascus Chef’s Knife You may not have heard of Shun knives. Nonetheless, these pieces have traditional Japanese weights and profiles with a western shape. The handle has a comfortable grip. The 69-layer Damascus steel has a subtle pattern, but that doesn’t keep it from being a dynamo in your kitchen. Zelite Infinity 8-Inch Damascus Chef Knife Zelite is best known for its line of Chef Knives. With enduring edges and impressive stability. It’s a little easier on the budget than some other brands. This 8-inch Damascus Chef Knife is of professional quality. It blends Western and Japanese essentials for a highly functional piece. Having a full-tang design, you will have a sure, stable grip. The double bevel means a left-handed person can use this knife as well. Cuso Cuts Executive Damascus Steel Chef Knife Cuso Cuts is a line of knives relatively new to the market, but they are gaining attention fast. The Executive Damascus Steel Chef Knife is a perfect exhibit as to why. It’s made from VG Japanese steel (the G standing for the Gold Standard). It has an excellent grip and unrivaled beauty if you wish to display it. The blade is 8-inches long with a five-inch handle. Master Maison 8″ Damascus Steel Executive Chef Knife One of the main selling points for the Master Maston Chef Knife is that it comes with a sharpening stone, washing cloth and storage box. So it comes out of the box ready to use, and the rest lets you put it back in perfect condition. This knife’s Damascus patterning is visually impressive. The edge resists corrosion. It has a full tang handle adding to durability. Yoshihiro Hammered Damascus Gyuto Japanese Chefs Knife The Yoshiro Hammerd Damascust Gyuto is a Japanese blade with a western design and i the equivalent of a Western Chef’s knife. It has 46 layers, offers durability, and is sharp. The handle is unique, made of magnolia wood, which is lightweight, allowing you to use it longer without your hand getting tired. Our Winner is… Just because a line is relatively new, doesn’t mean the cutlery doesn’t stand out in the crowd. The Cuso Cuts Damascus Steel Chef Knife has the sharp edge you want; it’s a workhorse in the kitchen. When you want a corrosion resistant Damascus Chef Knife, the Custo Cuts Knife Executive fills the bill. In looking at it, you can’t help but see it as functional art (show it off to friends). Even when not in use, it’s a premier highlight for your kitchen. The grip is moisture-resistant and comfortable for everything from cutting through your next ribeye to slicing and dicing.