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Imagine your favorite barbecue dish at your family’s Independence Day cookout. Is it ribs? Tri-tip? Chicken skewers? Corn? Maybe you’re one of the #WomenThatDo who know her way around a stove top, but when it comes to a grill, you’re at a loss. The flames make you nervous, you’re not sure when the meat is ready and you beg someone will just take over.
But you can grill! In fact, you can be a master griller just like Bobby Flay. Operating a barbecue is easier than you think; it just takes practice. So if you’re ready to whip up the best burgers of your life to impress everyone at your next cookout, grab your spatula and read below to find out how to use a barbecue like a pro. With time, you could even have your own show on Food Network!
The barbecue masters all agree: Gas grills are the best options out there for those who want to cook up a tasty meal. They’re simple and convenient, not to mention easy to clean. Gas grills have dials with which you can turn up the heat so that it’s like an oven with no preheat setting. Plus, these grills have racks and thus more space to cook up several dishes at once. In fact, some gas grills even have a detachable rotisserie spit! Prevent the stress of having too little space or little control over the heat and get yourself a gas grill.
Even though you may have turned up your dial to 325 degrees Fahrenheit, sometimes the outside weather or the grill’s insulation can affect how hot your grill actually gets. Expert grillers suggest getting a digital oven thermometer to accurately measure the temperature of your barbecue – this will allow you to avoid over or under cooking the meat. Do some test runs trying to control the temperature before you really get down to business.
For kebabs, steaks, pork chops, burgers and hot dogs, barbecue expert Derrick Riches recommends grilling like your last sauna session: hot and fast. Kick those burners into high gear and let them preheat for 10 minutes before you slap the meat on the grill. But don’t just close the lid and walk off! Your food will cook faster than you think, so stay near your barbecue and keep an eye on the meat. Take a quick peep at your pork chops or burgers and, if they look cooked, flip them over to give the other side some love.
If you’re about to grill up some salmon or corn, don’t fire up the grill to it’s fullest potential. Instead, gingerly raise the heat dials to a low or medium temperature. After letting your barbecue preheat, place your food on the grill, close the lid and take it easy. Your food is like a behaving child: it may be low maintenance, but don’t forget to check in on it every now and then. Just check your veggies every few minutes, flip them when they are cooked on one side and before you know it, you’ll find yourself with grilled cuisine even your nearby BBQ stop can’t compete with.
