R E A L E S TAT E
Summer ENTERTAINING
HOST THE PERFECT SUMMER SOIREE WITH THE BEST BARBECUE GRILLS AND OUTDOOR PATIO FURNITURE
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BY MIKE RYAN
ummer is just around the corner, which means more cooking and entertaining outdoors. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or an evening under the stars, investing in a good-quality grill and patio furniture will help you host the perfect outdoor summer celebration. “Last year, barbecue grills were big sellers, and we expect sales to continue to rise this year,” says Erick Silva, seasonal department manager at Ace Hardware in South Pasadena. According to Silva, there are four basic types of outdoor grills: gas, charcoal, pellet and Kamado. Gas grills work with either propane or natural gas, are the easiest to use and are the most convenient. Prices range from $100 to $3,500 depending on size and other features. Charcoal grills use coals as their source of fuel and heat and contribute to a smokey, tender flavor when cooking. Prices range from $100 to $400. Pellet grills, also known as pellet smokers, are fueled by small wood pel-
lets that come in an array of flavors, including hickory and maple. Many pellet grills have temperature-regulation systems with a thermostat option, which allows for better heat control. They also offer more options so that one can barbecue, roast and smoke meat. Prices range from $400 to $1,200. Kamado grills have tight-fitting lids for air-tight cooking and are great when grilling items that take multiple hours. The two most common types of materials used in the construction of Kamado grills are ceramic and stainless steel. The ceramic grill retains more heat and will rarely crack, while the steel grill is less heavy and retains less heat. Silva’s favorite grills are the pellet grills from Traeger. He points out that the design has a timer that can be downloaded via an app. It also has a pellet sensor inside the grill, and only the brand’s pellets can be used. “You just fire it up, leave it and forget it!” Silva says. One of his favorite grill brands is Weber, which includes gas, coal and pellet options. He especially likes the company’s 10-year warranties offered on parts. When it comes to safety tips for grilling, Consumer Reports mentions that three-legged grills are less stable compared to those that have four. It’s always a good idea to keep a combo-use fire extinguisher handy as well. Garden hoses are not recommended — like trying to put out a cooking oil fire, water could make a fire worse. Good-quality outdoor patio furniture is another essential for outdoor entertaining. Fishbecks Patio Center in Pasadena, which has been in business since 1899, is one of Southern California’s largest outlets for outdoor furniture. Richard Wainman, a Fishbecks salesman, explains that the company’s warehouse was once a carriage garage for Castle Green, a historic building locontinued on page 8
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