For beginners, the grill can look like an intimidating piece of equipment. After all, there’s a lot to consider, from getting the temperature right to ensuring that everything is cooked through. That being said, it may not be as mighty a task as one thinks. With the summers just around the corner, this is the perfect time to hone one’s grilling skills and become masters of the art of barbecue grilling.
Grilling 101 for beginners
Learning how to start grilling can be made quite easy by following a step-by-step guide and keeping a few simple tips in mind.
Tools needed for grilling
Let’s begin by understanding and gathering all the tools needed to grill food to perfection.
- Grilling tongs and turner set
- Stainless steel grill basket
- Basting brush
- BBQ metal skewers
- Meat thermometer
- Fish turner
- Serving trays
- Grill press
Preparing for grilling
Prepping before the grilling session is essential to end up with great food.
- Prepare for the recipe
Whether one is grilling veggies, fish, or steaks, the first thing to do is to gather all the ingredients. The internet has a bank of simple grilling recipes for beginners that one can choose from. Prepare the meat according to the instructions in the recipe before moving towards the grill. - Season liberally
To extract maximum flavor from the vegetables or the meat, be sure to season them well. - Use marinades
If the recipe calls for a marinade, follow the instructions closely. Don’t throw out the leftover marinade, as this can be used on the grill to add some more flavor to the dish. - Let the meat come to room temperature
Let the meat come to room temperature before marinating or applying a rub on it, as this will ensure a juicier result.
Using the grill
While the grilling techniques and specifics may change depending on the type of grill (charcoal or gas), the basics remain the same.
Prep the grill
Start by preparing the grill by preheating it to cook the meat evenly. Once heated up, clean the grates to remove any leftovers from the last cookout. Then, wipe some oil on the grill using tongs and a piece of kitchen towel dipped in oil.
This is also a good time to gather all of one’s grilling supplies like the meat thermometer, tongs, spatulas, lighter fluid, etc.
Start the grill
Electric grills only require the touch of a button to start. Charcoal grills, on the other hand, can be a little more complex.
- For a charcoal grill, start by arranging the charcoal in the middle of the grill in a pyramid shape. Drizzle lighter fluid over the briquettes (if using one), or use a chimney starter.
- Wait for a few minutes until the lighter fluid soaks into the charcoal. Then, light the fire using a long match. For those using a chimney starter, it is recommended to place crumpled newspaper underneath, and then light it to get the grill going. Let this burn until it is covered in gray ash.
- Once the coal begins to ash, use long tongs to evenly distribute the charcoal at the bottom of the grill.
Create heat zones
On a grill, it is always advisable to create heat zones to cook different types of food at once.
- Charcoal grill
Stash the coal in the center, so it receives direct heat for searing and adding color to the food. The sides will receive indirect heat, so the food can be moved there to finish cooking. - Gas grill
Turn one half of the grill to high heat to create a “hot” zone, and the rest to medium or low heat for a “cool” zone.
Meat cooking times
While a meat thermometer will make this process much simpler, it may be helpful to know how much time it takes to grill certain types of meats.
- Steak: 9 to 12 minutes, depending on the thickness
- Burgers: 8 to 10 minutes, depending on the thickness
- Thick-cut pork chop: About 12 minutes
- Chicken breast: 20-25 minutes on indirect heat
- Sausages: 25 minutes on medium indirect heat
- Fish: About 10 minutes
Grilling meat like a professional
When it comes to grilling food perfectly, there are many things to keep in mind to grill like a pro. Keeping some expert tips handy can help even beginners nail their grilling techniques!
- To ensure even cooking of the food, never walk away from the grill.
- Avoid flipping the meat too often. There are higher chances of it sticking to the grates if it is moved before it develops a crust.
- Close the lid of the grill to trap in as much heat and smoke as possible.
- Baste the meat in its marinade towards the end of the grilling process.
- Move the food around on the grill to ensure even cooking for every piece of meat.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the meat is cooked through to the desired temperature.
- Learn the difference between cooking on direct and indirect heat.
- Don’t rush to slice the meat to serve. Let it rest for a few minutes to allow the juices to disperse through the meat for a more tender and juicy result.
- Don’t push the meat down on the grates, as it could result in flare-ups or burnt food.
- Always cut the meat against the grain for shorter muscle fibers and more tender meat.