Summer is here, and that means it’s grilling season. Dads everywhere prepare for their day in the limelight with spatulas and tongs in hand, ready to flip burgers, hot dogs, steaks, and all other kinds of glorious, fire-roasted meats. (Or veggies, if they prefer.)
If you’ve always wanted to become a grill master but didn’t know where to start, then you’re in luck! Our guide will tell you the 3 key qualities of any true master of the grill.
Ready your aprons and skewers, it’s time to learn how to grill like a pro.
1. Know Your Cook Times Back to Front
If you’re grilling this summer, you need to know the cook times for your meats forward and backward. No one likes trying to bite into a lump of charcoal disguised as a burger. Nor do guests enjoy feeling like they’re going to get salmonella from eating your chicken breasts.
Most things will cook after about 5-6 minutes on each side with direct heat. Any longer, and you risk toasting the poor food to a crisp. For ribs, you’ll want to move the meat to indirect heat and let them roast for much longer.
2. Quality Matters for Meat and Tools
Tools don’t necessarily make the grill master, but if you want to give your guests a quality grilling experience, it can make a major difference. Cheap meat tends to come out dry and tough. Combine that with a cheap grill that has inconsistent temperatures, and you’ve got a grilling disaster on your hands.
Make sure to invest in your ingredients and your tools. With summer coming up, you can probably find the best grills under $2000 on sale with enough searching. While you’re upgrading your grill, make sure you have a quality set of tongs, skewers, and spatulas to turn your meat to perfection.
3. Learn Your Seasonings, Marinades, and Sauces
The last of the grill tips we have to offer is this: Your meat is only as good as your marinade. Sure, for steak, you can get away with salt and pepper alone — assuming, that is, that you have a prime cut of meat.
If your meat isn’t the best, you can work around that by concocting exceptional dry rubs or soaking your grilling meat of choice in a delicious marinade. Becoming a grill master means learning what flavors work best with every type of meat. That way, no matter what dietary preferences someone attending your cookouts may have, you can cater to them with delicious food.
Let’s Review How to Become a Grill Master
If you want to become a grill master, you must follow three basic tips. First, know your cook times. Second, make sure that you have the right tools for the job. Third, learn your seasonings and marinades.
Follow these grilling tips, and you can flip and serve burgers like an absolute champ at the next big cookout. If you’d like to learn more about how to grill foods effectively, or study cooking tips in general, check out the Lifestyle section of our blog today!