Summer is here, which means grilling season is here. Whether you are using gas grilltraditional charcoal grillheat-loving Kamado BBQ or a portable grillit’s a good idea to brush up on your knowledge Grilling Tips Before hosting a summer kick-off BBQ.
Here’s what you need to know to impress your guests. You can also view The best meat delivery service and best cooler.
Expert Tips: The following tips will help you get started, but there are also There are many BBQ designs. Refer to your grill manual for details on heating, cleaning and maintenance for your model.
read more: Best BBQ Restaurants of 2024
Here’s What You Need to Become a BBQ Expert
Every grill master needs a few tools of the trade. Of course, they depend on the type of meat you’re using, but generally speaking, it’s a good idea to have at least one of the following:
read more: The Best Grilling Tools and Grilling Gadgets of 2024
1. Season the grill
It’s important to season your grill before cooking. No, we’re not talking about adding delicious flavor to your food just yet. In this example we are talking about Preparing the grill grates. This really only applies if you purchased a brand new grill but haven’t used it yet. If your grill isn’t brand new, preheat it and use a good brush to remove any old debris.
Some grills have specific procedures recommended by the manufacturer for properly seasoning the grill the first time, so be sure to refer to the owner’s manual. If your grill doesn’t specify a seasoning process, a good way to start is to spray the grates evenly with a high-temperature cooking spray (such as canola oil) while the grates are cold. Then, turn the grill to medium heat for about 15 minutes, until the oil burns off or starts to smoke. That’s it.
Some grills come with a enamel that doesn’t require seasoning, so check your grill’s manual to avoid any unnecessary effort. Seasoning can prevent your grill from rusting, and if possible, you should season it before each grilling session.
It’s important to choose the right size grill for your needs so that you not only save money but also have the space to cook.
2. Keep fire safety in mind
According to the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 9,600 home fires started by grills each year between 2011 and 2016. Don’t let your picnic turn into one of those fires.
Whether you’re cooking indoors or outdoors, it’s always important to have a fire extinguisher nearby. If you don’t have a suitable place to store it outdoors, place it at the entrance closest to your home.
Fire safety when grilling also means making sure the area around your grill is clear of anything flammable and checking your grill’s grease collection pan. Full trays should be emptied to avoid grease fires.
When grilling, be sure to have a fire extinguisher nearby.
3. Prepare food before grilling
Once you have your grill ready and fire safety in place, it’s food time! It helps to have your all meat and vegetable Prepare it before you hit the grill, rather than doing it while you’re cooking. Slice the veggies, make burger patties, then marinate the chicken in them and take them outside. Casserole dishes are great for transporting because their high sides prevent food from sliding around.
If you are removing food from the kitchen, remember to use a clean plate to place the finished product on and clean the tongs. If you have used raw meat utensils to remove or serve cooked meat, be sure not to use that utensil.
Don’t forget any other grilling accessories you might need nearby, such as a corn cob holder or a meat thermometer. Make sure to keep paper towels within easy reach (but away from flames) to prevent unexpected messes. If your grill has side burners, a trivet to hold hot pans in place will come in handy. Oh, and while you’re cooking, it’s a good idea to have some dish towels or other food covers to keep away those pesky flies.
4. Start grilling the right way
See your grill manual for specific preheating instructions and times. Generally speaking, charcoal grills take more time to warm up than gas grills.
charcoal grill
charcoal grill It takes about 20 minutes to warm up, so keep that in mind when preparing your meal. If you have cooked with charcoal before, be sure to discard the ashes from previous use.
Next, open all the vents on the bottom of the grill to allow maximum airflow to fan the flames. Start your charcoal grill Use a small amount of lighter fluid and some old newspapers or a chimney starter. Check your grill manual to find the right size and shape of charcoal for your model.
Start the grill by placing a fire starter in the bottom of the charcoal hopper and lighting it.
gas grill
gas grill It heats up very quickly, so you only need to allow about 10 minutes for preheating when planning your meals. Always keep the grill lid raised when lighting. Open the propane tank valve. Next, turn on one burner and press the ignition button on the grill. Once the first burner is lit, proceed to turn on as many other burners as you wish to use.
5. Don’t forget to maintain your barbecue grill
Remember to check your grease trap frequently and give your grill a good scrubbing if debris starts to build up. Be sure to keep your grill area clean to avoid unwanted bugs and other unwanted guests exploring your cooking space. Throughout grilling season, check your propane tank for leaks and invest in a good grill cover to protect your grill when not in use!
Now you can start grilling! Also, check out our tips How to transform your patio.
