As the summer heat sets in and the days get longer, it’s an opportune time to fire up the grill and take your cooking outdoors. If you are new to grilling, we have a few basic rules to help you get started. Once you know the grilling essentials you’ll be able to cook on any type of grill, whether charcoal or gas. As with any new cooking adventure, it’ll take time, but with practice and by following these helpful tips you will become a pro in no time.
The Top 10 Rules of Grilling
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1. Keep the grill away from anything flammable such as fences, your house, lighter fluid, etc.
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2. Equip yourself with the proper grilling tools.
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3. Clean your grill grate regularly to prevent food from sticking.
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4. Prepare and heat the grill to medium-high for gas or wait until the coals are cooked down to white ash before cooking.
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5. Always stay with your grill while cooking.
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6. Do not use oil on the grill grates as it burns too quickly.
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7. Bring food to room temperature before grilling.
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8. Spice your meats and food at least one hour before grilling to allow the flavors to permeate.
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9. Add sugary sauces to meat after grilling.
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10. Always place grilled food on a clean platter for serving.
Suggested Temperatures for Meats & Foods
Medium to High Heat
Cook thinner cuts of meat and smaller items on medium-high heat for the quickest and best results. Keep a close eye on the grill and use a food thermometer to ensure meats reach a safe internal cooking temperature. The foods cooked at higher temperatures include:
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- Steaks
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- Hamburgers
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- Hotdogs
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- Kebobs
Low to Medium Heat
Certain foods require longer cook time and a lower cooking temperature. For a gas grill it means reducing the temperature and for a charcoal grill building a smaller fire. The foods that grill best on low to medium heat include:
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- Fish
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- Chicken
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- Vegetables
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- Fruit
Prevent Flare-Ups
To prevent and control flare-ups on the grill, make sure to trim excess fat off meat before grilling and never use water to control the flames. If a flare-up does happen move the meat or food to a different part of the grill to avoid burning and move back once the flames have subsided.
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