10 Pro Grilling Tips
Summer is quickly approaching, and it’s time to dust off the grill. To get the most out of your grilling experience, we have a few grilling tips to take your skills from amateur to pro.
Keep It Hot
As a rule, you should preheat your grill for 15-25 minutes before using it. This ensures that the grill reaches the right temperature and that it kills off any remaining bacteria on the grill’s surface. For high heat, the grill should be 400-450°F, 350-400°F for medium heat, and 250-300°F for low heat. By properly preheating the grill, the food should sear on contact, which helps prevent the food from sticking.
Cook from Room Temperature
Instead of cooking food straight from the freezer, it’s better to thaw your meat ahead of time and begin cooking when it’s room temperature. You want to cook your meat evenly, which won’t happen if your meat is frozen when you place it on the grill.
Oil the Grates
Before heating the grill, apply vegetable oil on the grates with a brush or paper towel. Without lubricated grates, meat will be almost guaranteed to stick. Applying oil will make removing meat from the grill an effortless process.
Marinate Your Meat
Those succulent barbecue ribs don’t become delicious on their own. The cook needs to fully marinate the meat for the flavor to fully set in. Find a marinade recipe online, prepare it, and let the meat sit for a few hours. Doing this will help your meat explode with flavor.
Be Fully Prepped
A cook is nothing without his tools, so it’s important to have everything prepared before you start grilling. That includes having your propane tank, tongs, spatula, thermometer, and whatever else you need.
Don’t Overcrowd the Grill
Don’t put too much meat on the grill at one time. You need sufficient airflow for the meat to grill properly, and if the grates are overcrowded meat will take longer to cook, and it may not cook evenly.
Use a Grill Basket
For foods that are small or too cumbersome to place directly on a grill (vegetables, small cuts of meat, etc.), use a grill basket.
Don’t Overcook the Meat
If you had to choose, it’s best to undercook the meat than to overcook it. If it’s undercooked, you can simply put it back on the grill for it to reach the right temperature; if it’s overcooked, the meat may be inedible.
Use a Thermometer
A thermometer will tell you the exact temperature of the meat. While you can cook without it, it can be useful for thick cuts of meat.
Let It Rest
Once the meat is done cooking, let the meat rest before you start eating. This allows the juices to redistribute and settle inside the meat.
Now that you’re ready to knock this grilling season out of the park, contact Keystone Propane for the fuel you need to get the party started!
