Maintaining grill temperatures, even in the best of conditions, can be difficult. With outdoor grilling comes the inevitable battling of the elements, which can keep food from cooking at the proper temperatures. Every chef and pit master knows that control and consistency are two of the biggest virtues in the cooking world. Even a windy day can affect the cooking properties of a poorly manufactured grill.
Temperature control is important in ensuring what you cooked actually ends up being just that, cooked, because compounds in foods react differently at different temperatures. Meathead Goldwyn (BBQ guru at amazingribs.com) explains: “For example, meats are composed of protein, water, fat, collagen, and some sugars. Fats render at one temp, water evaporates at another, collagens melt at another, sugar caramelizes at another…” and the list goes on. When your grill temperature fluctuates without control, you run the risk of drying out your foods, needlessly lengthening your cooking time, or over-cranking to recover.
Proper temperature control can be the difference between a juicy, delicious burger and something more along the lines of a hockey puck. Goldwyn further relates, “The single most essential concept an outdoor cook needs to understand is the importance of temperature control and how to use a 2-zone setup.” We totally agree, but thanks to Memphis Wood Fire Grills’ convection capability, a 2-zone system isn’t necessary on our grills. Plus, our engineers have designed our grills with precise temperature control in mind. You won’t find another grill on the market that can hit and hold temps like a Memphis. And by setting your desired temperature using the digital ITC (Intelligent Temperature Control) and inserting the programmable meat probe, your food cooks until it’s done and then the grill turns the heat down to “warm,” keeping your chow hot and ready-to-eat when you are.
Further, Greg Fassett of Memphis Wood Fire Grills (our resident BBQ expert) says, “If you’re using written recipes it helps because you’re not interpreting the recipe temps in terms of a low, med, or high setting on a traditional grill. You can also set our grill to a temperature (such as 350 degrees) and you can be confident that it will hold that temperature no matter what ambient conditions you’re cooking in.”
So, next time you’re trying to perfect your newest mouth-watering creation on the grill, keep in mind that exterior conditions can make a difference if you’re using anything other than a Memphis.
