Why Brain Is Firing Up The Holidays With The Grill Works in Marion

Let me tell you a quick story. There once was a man who loved to grill. He'd had several grills since becoming an adult, all of which used propane. It cooked quickly and the grilling was easy. Then in the year 2020, a year when so much went wrong for so many, this man was convinced to give something else a try. Put the propane tank away and switch to a wood pellet grill made by Green Mountain. The gas-loving man was skeptical but decided to give the new grill a try. Let's just fast forward to the ending, shall we? It turns out this grill was the perfect fit, and it changed the way this man cooked and his family ate forever.

I'll admit it. I was worried I wouldn't like cooking with a wood pellet grill. But the wonderful folks at The Grill Works in Marion put many of my fears to rest. It would take too long to warm up! Negative. It only takes a few minutes to warm up, and then a few more to set your cooking temperature. I'm sure it just 'burns' right through those pellets! Wrong again. While it certainly depends on what you cook, how often, and for how long, I'm only on my second bag of pellets. God knows how many propane refills I'd have gone through! But how does a grill like this make things taste better? How doesn't it?!

At first, I didn't venture too far out of my grilling comfort zone. Burgers, brats, salmon filets were all easy enough to figure out. I'd set the temperature on the grill high enough that it was just like cooking with propane. But things just tasted better. Burgers were juicier. The brats were evenly cooked. But then I remember trying my first big Iowa chops on the grill. I smoked them for a good couple of hours before cranking the heat and finishing them off. It was a game-changer. The meat was so juicy and tender, and the seasoning had formed a caramelized glaze on top. I'll never cook pork any other way.

Over the summer I tried other foods, including bacon on the grill. We'll never eat BLT's without smoked bacon again either! I then wanted to try my hand at wings. I stopped up to The Grill Works in Marion for some advice and seasoning. They also hooked me up with something called Duck Fat. You spray it on your wings so they turn out nice and crispy. It is a must. Wings were tough to come by this year, so I was happy to have landed a few, and my son Chase and I followed our recipe card to success!

I can't tell you how much I love this grill. But more than that, I can't tell you how impressed I am by the folks with The Grill Works. Whenever I stop in, they always will share what they have new in-store. They share recipes and even hold cooking classes on the weekends! They won't just sell you a grill. They welcome you to a new family. One that shares successes and wants to see everyone enjoy cooking on these amazing grills. Plus, they have every kind of grill accessory and seasoning and rub you could possibly imagine!

This holiday shopping season, do me a favor. Just stop into The Grill Works at 763 8th Ave. in Marion. Check their Facebook page for the latest holiday deals, including:

• $50 off any Ledge (now $849)
• $75 off any Peak (now $1,024)
• Get a Daniel Boone at 100 pounds of pellets for $599
• Ask how to get a free rotisserie, a free grill cover and two free bags of any pellets

Let them show you how easy these grills are to use. Sample some sauces and rubs. Maybe sign up for a cooking class. Settle in for a nice long talk about brisket. You're family now. Let's eat!