10 Grilling Tips That Will Help You Become An Expert

Struggle to grill your food perfectly every time? We’ve all been and we must say it does take some practice. There’s nothing worse than over- or under-cooking whatever you choose to throw on the fire and it can be even more embarrassing when you mess up a meal for a yard full of guests during National Grilling Month.

Take these 10 grilling tips from the experts and you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art:

1. 1. You’ll need to arm yourself with the right tools. You’ll be amazed at how much easier it is to flip and slide certain foods when you have the right tongs, spatula or fork.

2. 2. This might sound obvious, but getting to know your grill is key. There are major differences between cooking over charcoal compared to natural gas or propane.

3. 3. Burgers tend to puff up as they cook. To avoid this, place a small indentation in the top of the patty with your thumb.

4. 4. Avoid excessive flipping. Constant flipping can make the meat tougher and cause the juices to escape.

5. 5. You might be tempted to throw vegetables directly on the grates, but you’ll soon realize they can easily slip through the cracks. Opt for a grill pan or create your own foil pouch instead.

6. 6. Never add barbecue sauces or glazes before you put the meat on the grill. They work best applied during the last few minutes of cooking. Pro Tip: barbecue sauces and glazes are NOT the same as marinades.

7. 7. Don’t over-marinate. It depends on the type of meat you are going to cook, but generally speaking, stick to a 2-4 hour maximum.

8. 8. Going with a dry rub? Be gentle when you apply them, but apply them liberally. Pressing or rubbing too firmly can damage the meat fibers.

9. 9. You can add a smoky flavor by using hardwood logs, chunks or chips. Different types of wood should be used for different types of meat for optimal flavor.

10. 10. Clean the grill as soon as you take the food off. Doing so while the grill is still hot will make it easier to scrub and this way, you’ll have a clean slate for next time.

Chip’s Family Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner to customers in Fairfield, Orange, Southbury, Trumbull, Wethersfield, and our newest location, Southington, Connecticut. All our meals are homemade, breakfast is served all day and we use local fresh produce. To visit one of our locations or view our menu items, please click on the tabs above.