When the sun comes out and the summer clothes come on, it’s time to bring out the BBQ. Is there anything better than a great BBQ? The flavors are smoky and the meat runs with tasty juice. A great BBQ with friends and family is something that defines summer as the most popular season during the year. But BBQ may not be as easy as it looks. It takes a lot more than just dumping a bunch of meat over hot coals. As any BBQ enthusiast will tell you, there is a definite method to the madness and following some simple grilling rules will ensure you have great food each and every time.
The first step to making sure you have a great grilling experience is taking time to keep your equipment clean. So that means everything from your coal pit, to the grill, to your cooking utensils. So make sure all the grease and leftover residue is well cleaned off of your charcoal BBQ. And once the heat is on, you should close the lid for ten minutes to burn off any excess residue. This will also give the BBQ time to heat up both along the grill and in terms of the inner cooking area. Barbecuing takes patience – you can’t rush anything.
When it comes to your food you have to remember that charcoal grills are rarely forgiving. So that means you have to be prepared beforehand with the marinade and flavoring. Once the food is on the grill, keep it there until a sear forms. If you poke or prod it too soon the cooking process will be interrupted and the juices will be lost. A water bottle at your side will keep the flames from engulfing your food. And always try to have a cool spot on your grilling area where you can keep cooked food warm. If done improperly, a BBQ can be a mess of fire and grease. But when you’re on your game, it’s like playing a symphony were everything is delicately balanced. It might take a bit of trial and error, but experience is the greatest thing that leads to the best barbecue food.
Related entries:
- What Is Outdoor Grilling?Grilling outdoors has been around longer than recorded history and will probably be practiced until the end of man. There’s nothing quite like grilling a nice juicy steak in the great outdoors and then getting to enjoy it in the peace and quiet of nature. Grilling is a great way...
- Outdoor GrillsOutdoor grilling is a popular way to cook and with summer time here it's time to bring out your favorite grill. Of course if you don't have a grill yet that could be a problem. Buying an outdoor grill can enjoyable simple experience or a very arduous one. It may...
- Portable Gas GrillsGas grills have become more popular than their electric or charcoal grill counterparts in recent years, for a number of reasons: Easier setup and quicker cleanup than a charcoal grill, Quick on/off heat, Easy temperature control, Reduced flare-ups [...] ...
- Outdoor Grilling Tips For BeginnersOutdoor grilling is a fun outdoor activity that many enjoy year after year. If you are just starting your journey into outdoor grilling you may have some questions about how to use your grill and about proper grilling techniques. Well you’ve come to the right place. Follow these few simple...
- How To Grill Pork Chops On An Outdoor GrillIn a recent email, I received a question from an outdoor grilling beginner asking, “How long do I cook pork chops on the grill?”. This question as actually more common than you might think. The amount of time that cooking pork chops requires depends on several key factors: the heat...
- Flavoring Meat On Your Outdoor BBQ IslandSummer is rapidly approaching and many of you are already beginning to warm up your BBQ Islands and outdoor BBQ grills. Summer is grilling season and we’ve got some hot tips for those of you who are already smelling the smoky, mesquite aroma of grilled meat. Flavor is of the...
- Choosing Your First Outdoor GrillMany people have trouble choosing an outdoor grill but that doesn’t mean it needs be difficult. Selecting an outdoor grill is actually not hard at all once you know what kind of grill you want and understand the different grill features. The more you understand about grills and their diverse...
- Outdoor Grill FeaturesOutdoor grill features can be confusing at first but once you grasp the basics it becomes a lot simpler. It’s understandable if you have a hard time choosing an outdoor grill when you do not comprehend what you are reading. While the language used when describing outdoor grills might seem...
- How To Grill A Ribeye Steak On An Outdoor GrillHow long do I grill a ribeye steak? I hear this question all the time and while there is no set time the answer is actually quite simple. Cooking time will depend on size and thickness of the cut but I follow these general rules whenever I decide to do...
- Cleaning Tips for Your PatioIt’s the time of the year to start getting out the patio furniture. Which means it’s also a great time to clean up and get some more propane for the grill and start enjoying some outdoor grilling. First thing first, though, you have to get that patio ready for summer....
- Should You Leave The Shell On When Grilling Shrimp?A question that I see posed often is should you leave the shell on when grilling shrimp? This usually comes up when a new grill user reaches into to their fresh shrimp only to realize that the shell is still on. Not to worry the answer is simple. Yes you...
- The Benefits of Using a Propane GrillDuring the summer, propane grills are used for outdoor cooking in almost every porch, lawn and patio. Propane grills are fueled by small propane gas cylinders. Both are very portable and can be quite easily lugged to wherever you and your family and friends would like to picnic and eat...
- You Can BBQ All Year RoundMy grandmother used to tell me that if I wanted something bad enough I would find a way to get it. I was a child and this normally entailed some toy or comic that I wanted right then. The same rule applies to the desire to use the BBQ all...
- Planning a Family BarbecueCome summertime, nothing seems more appropriate than to gather the family around the barbecue for some tasty home cooking. If it’s your turn this year to host the event, you may be a little overwhelmed in terms of where to serve the food and what to serve it on, let...
- Does The Type Of BBQ Grill You Use Really Matter?For most people the BBQ is an item that sits in the corner and gets used on weekends and even then only when the sun is shining and the game is coming up. So does it really matter if you use a round BBQ from your local big box store...