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Nothing says summer quite like the smell of meat and smoke in the air. With the weather starting to warm up, it’s that time of the year when you dust off the old grill and show your friends and family what you can do with that thing. But before you fire it up, let’s make sure you have the essential techniques down to cook up some deliciousness this summer.
Grilling—like painting or acting—is an art form. It evokes emotion. It’s challenging yet rewarding. It gets people’s attention; it gets them fired up. (Pun intended.) The key to mastering the grill is to first of all learn the basics, and then elevate it by adding your own creative spin. Here, we break down those basics to get you started. We’ll leave the rest up to you. Happy grilling!
10. Choose the Fuel: Charcoal vs. Gas
The charcoal vs. gas battle has been going on ever since the outdoor grill was invented. While you’ll get your grilling fix regardless of which fuel type you go with, there are pros and cons to both. At the end of the day, it all boils down to what works best for your specific needs.
Gas grills are popular amongst Americans mainly due to the convenience they offer. Think about it: what’s easier than walking out back, flipping a switch, and throwing the meat on the grill? With that said, if it’s quality you’re after, charcoal is the better choice as it gives off a more intense heat that gas simply can’t compete with. The result is a better char (crisp) on the outside of the meat, while the inside remains juicy. Charcoal also adds a smoky flavor to the meat that is unattainable with gas alone.
9. Have a Game Plan
If you’re planning to grill up a feast, make a game plan to help you optimize your time. Food that will take longer to cook should be first on the grill. Likewise, food (like vegetables) that will cook fast should be saved for the very end. This technique will ensure everything finishes cooking around the same time so you serve up hot, delicious food right off the grill.
8. Assemble the Essentials
In life, having the right set of tools can make things a lot easier. The same goes for grilling. While different types of food may require different tools, every grill owner should have the following basics: a spatula, tongs, grilling fork, grill brush, and basting brush. If you really want to show off your skills, consider investing in things like skewers, thermometer, and charcoal chimney.
7. Control the Fire
Firing up the grill is the easy part. The thing every guy needs to master when it comes to heat is how to manage and control it in order to get optimal grilling results. Whether you’re using gas or charcoal, try to create high, direct heat on one side of the grill and lesser heat on the other side. This will give you greater control of your grilling, as you can cook the food though on the tamer side, and then move it over to the side with more intense heat to achieve that perfect char.
6. Grill Low and Slow
When you want food without the char, turn down the heat on the grill and cook it slowly for a longer period of time. You can achieve this by keeping the meat off the direct fire and keeping the grill lid closed (unless the recipe says otherwise) to allow the heat to slowly do its magic.
Turing the heat down on a gas grill is as easy as switching off some of the burners. On a charcoal grill, however, you’ll want to push the hot coal to the sides, creating a space in the middle that can be used for the slow cooking process. Don’t forget to position the drip pan directly below the meat.
5. Smoke It Up
If you want to take your grilling to the next level just add some smoke to the equation—wood smoke that is. Wood chips are a great way to add that amazing smoky flavor to your meat of choice. Whether its mesquite, hickory, or maple, different types of woods will give you different types of flavor. To get the most out of your wood, put the chips in water for a minimum of an hour before grilling. This will allow them to give off smoke without burning up.
On a charcoal grill the wood chips can be placed directly on top of the hot coals. For you gas users, place the chips either in a foil broiler pan or a double layer of heavy-duty foil, with a slight opening on the top to allow the smoke to escape. Then simply place them directly over the flames.
4. Season Well
The inherent flavor of meat is great and all, but the real flavor comes from the seasoning. Consider using rubs, marinades, or sauces to inject some serious flavor into your favorite foods. The longer you let the meat marinate, the more flavor it will soak up. If you want to keep things simple and let the natural flavor of the meat and vegetables shine through, just season with a little bit of salt and pepper and you’ll be set.
3. Don’t Overlook the Obvious
It’s always the small mistakes that turn a pleasant grilling experience into a dreaded one. Keep in mind that every grill is slightly different. For example, cooking time may vary from grill to grill. It’s up to you to use common sense to decide when your food is done. You don’t need a whole bottle of lighter fluid to fire up the grill. Also, try not to leave the grill unattended.
2. Leave It Alone
People often tend to form the habit of frequently flipping the meat or moving things around on the grill too often with the hopes of speeding up the cooking process. Little do they realize, leaving the food alone and letting the heat do all the work is much more efficient. Let one side cook thoroughly before you flip.
1. Clean the Grill
Now that you’ve had all that fun firing up the grill and cooking some delicious food, it’s time to clean up. Now, cleaning the grill may sound like a drag, but it’s easier than you think. All you need to do is heat up the grill (covered) for about 15 minutes. Then take that grill brush of yours and scrub of any leftovers that may be covering the grates. Voila.
