Best BBQ and Grilling Tips
Whether it’s May two-four, Canada Day or just another warm, sunny, summer day, many people across North America are planning their BBQ get togethers. There are a few Best BBQ and Grilling Tips that can benefit anyone that plans to fire up that grill this season, that can help to ensure your BBQ and grilling success.
Preheat the Grill
Approximately 15 to 25 minutes prior to cooking, make sure that your grill reaches the correct temperature to kill any bacteria that may be on your grill.
If you are looking for those deep sear marks on your meat, a properly heated grilled will provide that sear on contact. A great sear can provide a noticeably improved flavour because it caramelizes the exterior.
Clean it Off
Preheating your grill also makes it much easier to clean off any stuck-on debris that may have accumulated on your grill. Many suggest cleaning your grill with a long-handled wire brush, but there have been instances where dangers have occurred because of that. The wires can dislodge from the brush and stick to your grill, adhering to the food you are cooking and can be accidentally consumed.
Instead, use aluminum foil or a nylon brush and carefully inspect your grill prior to cooking on it. Also, there is a grilling hack using 1/2 an onion on a hot grill using a long fork. Not sure if it works but your grill will taste good!
Oil Your Grill
If you want to prevent sticking on your grill rack, you can oil it with vegetable oil prior to heating it up. Even a clean hot grill can cause lean foods to stick directly to the rack.
Hold the paper towel with tongs and gently rub it over the BBQ. Don’t do this on a hot grill and remember, never spray cooking spray on a hot grill either.
Keep it Safe
Cross contamination is a huge issue, so it is important to keep a few simple rules in mind before you grill. Never place cooked meat back on a plate that was used to carry the raw meat to the grill. Instead use separate cutting boards, platters and utensils for raw and cooked foods and never baste with any leftover marinating liquid that met the raw meat.
Have a Meat Thermometer
Avoid over cooking your meat by checking its internal temperature with an instant read thermometer. I use my easy read Thermapen, it gives you a very accurate instant temperature. This will also ensure that you aren’t under cooking anything.
Use a Grill Basket
Grill baskets are fantastic tools that allow you to properly cook any food items that have the potential to fall through the grill. Things like vegetables, tofu, fish and more are always better cooked inside a grill basket.
Get a Handle on the Fire
Flare ups can happen on any grill and are caused by fat dripping into the heat source and catching on fire. To reduce these flare ups, choose leaner cuts of meat, remove any extra skin from poultry and trim any excess fat off meat. It is also a good idea to keep a spray bottle of water close to your BBQ to quickly take care of any unexpected flare ups.
Let it Rest
Always give your meat a break. Once it is fresh off the grill, allow it to rest on a clean platter, tented with aluminum foil for 10 minutes prior to cutting into it. This will allow the juices to redistribute evenly and give you a moist and delicious finished product.
BBQ season has arrived so it’s time to take advantage of delicious meals enjoyed outdoors. Follow these tips to ensure that your BBQ is a memorable one. Happy grilling!
Need to get that deck cleaned off first, here are some helpful tips for that!
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Mama to 6 Blessings says
Those are great tips! We love using our grill. As a matter of fact we are grilling BBQ ribs on it tonight!
Megan says
Great tips! I love using my meat thermometer too! And it seems like I might really need that grilling basket after all.
Scott says
I’ve been using a Thermapen for years and would never cook without it. Not just grilling, but indoors too!