Everyone loves grilled food. It’s an ideal alternative to a stove or oven. You can BBQ meats, veggies, fruit, and even desserts. Unless you grew up on the moon, you’ve probably been to a BBQ and seen a master grill your dinner perfectly.
Do you want to replace that role and prepare outdoor food? You don’t need a degree in Biochemistry, but you must learn some lessons to succeed at BBQing. These are some grilling basics for beginners.
Know Your Grill
There are almost as many types of grills as there are ice cream flavors, and they all have different operations. There are:
- Pellet grills
- Electric grills
- Charcoal grills
- Propane grills
- Smokers
Different fuels are used, and where you use them may dictate the kind you get. Gas grills are popular choices for many homeowners. Whatever you choose, make sure you assemble it correctly and read the operational manual. Get familiar with all the moving parts to hit the ground running when grilling.
Prepare Your Food
While all types of food have distinct flavors, rubs, marinades, sauces, and spices, bring them out. A beginner griller needs to prepare their food before grilling.
Mix your spices, prepare your sauces, and marinate your meat beforehand. Once you start your grill, you can start cooking. Sides are a big part of BBQ, so make them beforehand. This includes salads and desserts.
Side veggies will also be grilled, so make sure you have room on the cooking surface. Finally, prepare your hot dog and hamburger buns so they are ready to receive that excellent meat you are cooking.
Preheat Your Grill
This is a vital part of BBQing and a typical rookie mistake. When you don’t preheat, food sticks to the grate. This is easily avoided by turning your grill on high for 10-15 minutes and then bringing it down to your desired temperature. Putting your meat on will sear and caramelize without sticking, making flipping easy.
Have Extra Fuel On Hand
Nothing spoils a BBQ faster than running out of fuel. This classic beginner’s error will leave your dinner guests hungry while you rush to the store for more fuel. Invest in a second propane tank and have a few bags of charcoal on hand, just in case you need it. That way, you won’t have downtime.
Keep Your Eye on the Grill
You have been designated as the griller, and that comes with responsibilities. You can’t just walk away and play bocce or jump into the pool when the food is cooking. Grilling takes steady monitoring, and you need to be front and center.
You will learn the hot spots on your grill and can make different zones to keep cooked food warm while other items require more time.
Fortunately, the grill master is very popular; everyone will visit you. They are curious about the food and want to give you their “two cents,” so take it in stride and enjoy all the attention. You can chat while at the grill, and someone will ensure you always have a drink in hand.
Know Your Temperatures
Not all food grills are at the same temperature or length, so you must educate yourself on temperatures. For proteins, you can use a meat thermometer or learn about the feel of the meat to know the difference between rare, medium, and well done.
Veggies are easy, and desserts usually just need to be hot, so pay attention and ensure everything comes out perfectly.
Cleanup
Cleaning up is the last, and maybe the most important, part of grilling. How well you clean your grill after cooking will dictate how easy the next BBQ is. You can use:
- Scraping tool
- Wire brush
- Scour sponge
- Aluminum foil
Your grill will still be warm, and it’s ideal to scrub off any food debris before it hardens. Before you start your next grilling adventure, give it another quick clean by turning up the heat and using your wire brush on the grate.
You can also wash down the side burner, hood, and body to keep them looking new.
These are the grilling basics for beginners. There are so many recipes and different types of food to experiment with. Once you have the basics, venture out and give your family and friends a grilling adventure they won’t forget.