Grilling is more popular than ever as people invest in the latest specialised and high-end BBQ grills and accessories. While it certainly helps to have the best equipment, you also need to follow certain guidelines to turn out perfect steaks, burgers, veggies, or whatever you’re grilling. Here are 6 essential tips to help you become a grill master.
- Do Your Food Prep
Like many tasks, grilling requires following the right sequence of steps, starting with preparation. If you just throw food on the grill without thinking ahead, you’ll tend to make mistakes. Let’s start with food prep.
- Have all your ingredients ready. If you need chopped onions, for example, have these ready before you start grilling. All ingredients should be close at hand, so you don’t have to search for anything.
- Take the meat out of the refrigerator about half an hour before grilling so it’s close to room temperature. You don’t want to put cold meat directly on the grill.
- Marinade foods for the recommended amount of time.
Have Everything You Need Close at Hand
Gather all the tools and utensils you’ll need. These may include charcoal or lighter fluid, depending on the type of grill and how you’re lighting it. Have tongs, spatulas, and perhaps a thermometer on hand as well.
Prep the Grill
Preheat the grill for the right amount of time. The ideal preheating time depends on several factors: the type of grill, what you’re preparing, and how you want it to turn out. For searing, 15 minutes is recommended.
Clear out the grates. You want to remove any residue from previous usage. A quality, clean grill brush is best for this purpose. A dirty grill not only contaminates your food, but it’s also a safety hazard. Ideally, clean the grates after each use so they’re ready for your next session.
Be Mindful While Grilling
Keep these points in mind while cooking.
- Stay close to the grill. Getting distracted or leaving the area for even a short time can result in burning or uneven cooking.
- Use a grill thermometer. Unless you’re a grilling expert, the best way to cook your meats to ideal temperatures is to use a thermometer. It will save you from having to stab the meat with a fork, which dries it out as juices leak out.
- Add seasoning, marinade, and salt as needed. Add marinade or sauce shortly before the meat is done. Ingredients such as sugar can burn if you add them too early. This also includes any other items you might be adding, such as spices, dry rub mixtures, fruit puree, or anything else you add while grilling.
Don’t Flip or Move Food More Than Necessary
You should only flip or move food on a grill when necessary. A common mistake is to flip burgers or other foods too often. Give it a chance to cook on one side before flipping it. You’ll seldom need to flip an item more than once.
Keep the lid closed as much as possible. The only reason to open the lid during grilling is to flip the food or check the temperature. Other than that, you should leave the food alone and let it cook without moving it. Moving items around can result in uneven cooking.
Remove Food at the Right Time
Serving meat or vegetables after grilling involves a little more than just moving them from the grill to the plate. You need to get the timing just right if you want the best results.
- Remember that the temperature of the meat rises a little after it’s taken off the grill. That’s why it’s best to take it off just before it’s cooked to the point you want it.
- Let the meat rest. Wrapping the meat in aluminium for a few minutes will keep it tender and allow the juices to remain intact.
- Remove the vegetables from the grill and serve them right away.
Get the Most Out of Grilling
Grilling is no longer just for holiday weekends in the summer. Perfecting your grilling techniques provides many possibilities for enhancing your eating options and lifestyle. As with all types of cooking, grilling is an art that demands your focus and attention to detail.
Credit: Tess DiNapoli
More Like This:
Cooking Healthful Joyful Meals With a Picky Family
How to have a healthy, balanced Vegetarian/Vegan Diet – recommended by the World Health Organization
