Grilling Tips to Make You Look Like a True Master Chef
Mastering the grill doesn’t have to be complicated. These easy grilling hacks will take your outdoor cooking skills to the next level, ensuring perfectly cooked food and making your BBQs hassle-free.
Find Your Grill’s Hot Spots Using Bread
Every grill has its unique heat zones, which can affect how your food cooks. To discover these hot spots, place slices of fresh bread evenly across the grill and cook for one minute. Flip them to see where the bread chars the most. This simple test will help you identify the hottest areas, ensuring your food cooks evenly and doesn’t burn or undercook.
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Serve Condiments on a Muffin Tray
Muffin trays aren’t just for baking—they can double as the perfect tool to organize your BBQ condiments. Fill the compartments with pickles, onions, tomatoes, or any other toppings. This trick not only keeps everything in one place but also saves you from washing multiple dishes afterward.
Use Hot Water to Check Your Propane Levels
Don’t risk running out of propane mid-grill! To check the level, pour hot water down the side of the propane tank. The point where the tank turns cool is where the propane sits, helping you avoid embarrassing fuel shortages.
Use Two Skewers Instead of One for Stability
When grilling kabobs, using two skewers instead of one will keep your food from spinning. This allows for even cooking and makes flipping easier.
Put Diamond Grill Marks on Meat
For professional-looking grill marks, place your meat at a 10 o’clock angle on the grill and let it cook halfway through. Then, rotate it to the 2 o’clock position without flipping. This trick will leave you with impressive diamond-shaped grill marks.
Grill Roast Peppers
Grilling peppers directly over the heat until they’re charred may seem extreme, but it’s the perfect method for roasted peppers. Once charred, place them in a bowl covered with plastic wrap. As they cool, the steam will loosen the skin, allowing it to easily slide off.
Give Meat Time to Season
One of the most common grilling mistakes is seasoning the meat too late. To lock in flavors, season at least 30-40 minutes before grilling. Not only does this enhance the taste, but it also helps build a delicious crust.
Use a Meat Thermometer for Precise Cooking
No matter how skilled you are, a meat thermometer is a must. It ensures you cook your food to the correct temperature, avoiding the risk of undercooked or overcooked meat.
Always Use Lemon Slices For Fish
Grilling fish can be tricky, but placing the fillets on lemon slices can prevent them from sticking to the grill. Plus, the citrus adds a subtle flavor that pairs perfectly with fish.
Use Anything Around Your House to Shape Burgers
For consistently sized burgers, use an item like an old jar or circular container to shape your patties. Uniform burgers ensure even cooking, so all your patties come out perfectly.
Use a Cast Iron Skillet on the Grill
A cast iron skillet is a grill master’s secret weapon. It’s perfect for grilling smaller items like mushrooms or peppers that might otherwise fall through the grates. You can even cook pizza, bacon, or eggs in it!
Let Your Meat Reach Room Temperature Before Grilling
Cold meat can cook unevenly, so always let it reach room temperature before placing it on the grill. This ensures a more uniform cook and better results.
Make Burgers Juicer Using an Ice Cube
To keep your burgers from drying out, place a small ice cube or piece of butter in the center of the patty before grilling. As it melts, it distributes moisture, leaving you with juicy, flavorful burgers.
Grill Fruit For Dessert
Grilling isn’t just for meat—try grilling fruits like peaches or watermelon. The heat caramelizes the sugars, making them a perfect dessert when served with ice cream.
Rest Cooked Meat
Patience pays off! Letting meat rest for 5-10 minutes after grilling allows the juices to redistribute, preventing them from running out when you slice into it.
Always Toast the Buns
To elevate your burgers and hot dogs, spread butter on the buns and grill them until crispy. This adds flavor, texture, and prevents sogginess from toppings.
Never Overcook Meat
Pressing or flipping meat too often can ruin your grill session. Avoid pressing down on burgers or steaks, as it squeezes out the juices. Flip only when necessary to achieve an even cook and those coveted grill marks.
Preheat the Grill Before Cooking
Preheating is crucial for even cooking. For high heat, you shouldn’t be able to hold your hand above the grill for more than three seconds. Preheat thoroughly before adding any food.
Try Cleaning Your Grill with Aluminum Foil
Instead of using a dirty grill brush, ball up aluminum foil and hold it with tongs to clean the grill grates. You can also cut an onion in half and rub it over the hot grates for a natural cleaning solution.
Light Coals in an Egg Carton
Skip the lighter fluid and use an egg carton to light your charcoal grill. Fill it with coals, light the carton, and watch as the coals ignite without affecting the taste of your food.
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Charlie Golsley
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