When grilling a juicy steak on the hot gas grill, you will notice instances when flames will erupt underneath the cooking grids’ banner. This mostly happens when you grill oily food or when flipping the steak over. Most people view flare-ups as an indication that the food is cooking well. But the reality is that flare-ups are not good when grilling, especially when they become enormous and out of control. They can alter the taste of your food. Additionally, frequent flare-ups can cause permanent damage to the burners, which are costly to replace. The only way to prevent this from happening is by using a flame tamer.
What exactly is a flame tamer?
A flame tamer is a special device placed between the cooking surface and burner. In simple words, a flame tamer is a barrier that shields sauces, fat, and marinades from dripping from the cooking surface to the burner, thus protecting the burner from damage. They also help keep flare-up at bay, meaning that your food will not have a burned smell. Flame tamers help distribute heat evenly across the cooking surface to enable even cooking and convert dripping into the smoke to enhance the flavor of your food.
Types of flame tamers
1.Metal flame tamers
Metal flame tamers are durable and easy to clean. Typically, metal flame tamers are made of porcelain-coated steel or stainless steel of superior quality. They are incredibly durable because and can withstand high temperatures. Metal fame tamers are available in two variations they include:
Burner Width
A burner width flame tamer is a piece of angled metal directed over the burner. It creates a shield that protects the burner against damage and also reduces flare-ups. Additionally, they also create smoke that adds flavor to the food
Full Width
Full-width metal flame tamers have perforations across the entire metal grilling surface. Full-width flame tamers enhance the food flavor better than burner width because the perforations create more smoke. Additionally, full-width flame tamers protect the burner from damage. This variation also has better heat distribution compared to burner width.
2. Ceramic flame tamers
Ceramic flame tamers are made of small ceramic briquettes. Ceramic flame tamers are great at absorbing dripping and grease and turn them into smoke with help to enhance the flavor of your food. They are also evenly spaced, a feature that enables the excellent distribution of heat, allowing even cooking. However, the downside of Ceramic flame tamers is that they are quite challenging to clean and are also less durable than metal flame burners.
Essential Factors to Consider when Choosing a Flame Tamer
The quality of flame tamer that you purchase for your outdoor gas grill will determine the quality of food you will grill. If you want an evenly grilled food rich in flavor, you need to purchase a high-quality flame tamer. In this section, we will give you tips on important factors to consider when buying a flame tamer.
Consider material
The first important thing to consider when purchasing a flame tamer is the material that it is made of. There are two types of material that flame tamers are made of. They include ceramic and metal flame tamers. Both of these materials have their pros and cons. For instance, ceramic flame tamer provides even heat distribution and also add more flavor to your food. Metal flame tamers, on the other hand, are durable and easy to clean. Choose a material that suits your grilling needs.
Consider compatibility
This is a crucial factor that most people overlook when purchasing a flame tamer only to regret later when they realize that it is not compatible with their gas grill. Before you purchase a metal grill, check if it is compatible with your metal grill. Some flame tamers are compatible with multiple gas grill series, while others are only compatible with one series. It is important to double-check to ensure that you purchase the right flame tamer
Consider cost
This should not be the main factor to consider when purchasing a flame tamer for your gas grill. However, the fact remains that you can only purchase a gas grill that you can afford. If you want to purchase high-quality flame tamer that will provide excellent results and last for many years to come, you must be prepared to spend more. Purchase a flame tamer that is of high quality but within your price range.
Read customer reviews and ratings.
Before you make your final decision, read reviews to know what other customers who have purchased that particular flame tamer has said about it. If the flame tamer has excellent reviews and ratings, then you should consider buying it. On the other hand, if it has many negative reviews and poor ratings, you should avoid buying it because you will also get disappointed. Only purchase flame tamer that has excellent customer reviews and ratings.
Top Flame Tamers for Gas Grills
1. Lion premium grills L89746 professional ceramic flame tamer
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If you are searching for a top-notch flame tamer for your gas grill, look no further than Lion premium grills L89746. This flame tamer is made of ceramic material that distributes heat evenly for uniform cooking. Additionally, this flame tamer covers 40% more grilling than standard flame tamer. This means that you will have more space to cook more food in your grill. The tray located beneath the ceramic flame tamer exterior is made of 16 gauge stainless steel for durability. Lion premium grills L89746 is ideal for people who want to enhance their grilling experience.
Pros
- Easy to install
- It is made of ceramic that produces uniform heat
- Produces smoke that flavor your food
- Durable
Cons
- Not easy to clean
- Quite expensive
2. SHINESTAR grill flame Tamer
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If you are searching for a high quality, long-lasting and affordable grill flame tamer, then SHINESTAR grill flame Tamer is an excellent choice for you. This flame tamer is compatible with many grill models. It is made of heavy-duty steel that is exceptionally durable. The outer layer is made of porcelain, which produces smoke, giving your food deep rich flavor. The perfectly angled and porous porcelain captures drops of sauce, grease, and marinade, thus protecting the burner of your grill against damage. The heavy-duty steel that it is made of is easy to clean and maintain.
Pros
- Made of long-lasting, heavy-duty steel
- It includes four flame tamers
- It is compatible with many types of grills
- Affordable
Cons
- The steel material that it is made of does not distribute heat evenly as the ceramic material.
3. Set of four universal BBQ Grill Flame Tamer
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The set of four universal BBQ Grill Flame Tamer is designed to enhance your grilling experience. Its three-piece design can adjust to fit most types of grills. This flame tamer is made of 430 stainless steel that is lightweight, strong, and durable. The adjustable grease guard that it features provides more flavor to your meat. It also protects the burner from damage. Each flame also has space to hold wood chips, just in case you want to add more smoke to your grill. It is also effortless to clean.
Pros
- Has space for wood chips for more smoke
- Equipped with grease guards
- Easy to clean
- Durable
- Affordable
- Can expand from 12-inch to 26-inch long
Cons
- Does not distribute heat evenly
