Top 5 Ways to Become a Bbq Master
Being a mean BBQ griller isn’t just about throwing some meat onto the grill. It takes time and the right equipment to become a master griller!
In this article, we will take you through the essential grill tips and recipes that will allow you to become the ultimate BBQ master!
So are you prepared to do what it takes to up your game whilst being perched over a hot flame?! You know what they say, ‘If you can’t handle the heat, get out of the backyard!’ Read on to get your top BBQing tips.
1. Choose Your Equipment Wisely
Everyone knows that it is essential that you pick out the correct grill for grilling all your meats and extras. A small disposable BBQ isn’t going to cut it quite frankly, you want to invest in top gas grills that will deliver great results every time.
Quality models can have two or three different burners that can accommodate a large number of different BBQ items. It means you have the grilling space to cook for a large crowd easily, without worrying you are going to run out of space.
An expert griller will designate different sections of the grill for each BBQ item to prevent any flavor or cross-contamination by having separate meats resting in the same place.
You also want a grill with a station that keeps the meat warm after it is cooked, plenty of space is needed for the BBQ items at every stage of the cooking process. The last thing you want is to be overwhelmed by the quantity of product you are trying to grill!
2. Clean and Scrap Your Grill After Every Use
It’s not the best of jobs, but it’s important to have a regular cleaning schedule of your grill after every time you use it. The fat and grill will drip and burn into the grill plates which will be tricky to remove if you leave it to bake in.
If you don’t clean your grill, this will end up spoiling the quality of your BBQ grilling items, leaving them tasting burnt and unpleasant. Not only is this bad for the overall taste, but a dirty grill can be also very unhygienic especially if you are cooking meats such as chicken and beef.
The best way to clean your grill is to remove the grill plates and use a grill scraper to get rid of the excess burnt bits. Then you want to use a large amount of hot soapy water and a cloth or scourger to remove the harder-to-reach bits until it is sparkling clean!
3. Know Your Meat Cooking Times
This doesn’t have to be precise, but it’s helpful to have a rough idea of how long different meats take to cook so you don’t end up overcooking or undercooking something.
Chicken can take around 20-25 minutes on indirect heat. They can benefit from being loosely wrapped in foil and gently cooking in a marinade. This will ensure that the chicken is deliciously moist and the marinade has seeped into the meat.
Steaks are notoriously hard to judge on a BBQ heat. Depending on the size, they want between 8-12 minutes on high heat, turning regularly. They benefit from a rub, knob of butter, or sauce being brushed on them about 5 minutes before the end.
Burgers need about 8-10 minutes of high heat, turning a few times. If you want to add cheese this can be done about 3 minutes before they are cooked. Sausages take longer, around 20 minutes on a lower heat. They prefer a slower cook due to the higher fat content.
4. Don’t Forget Your Side Dishes!
A successful BBQ should have plenty of grilled meat, of course, however, don’t forget about your accompaniments! Grilled vegetable kebabs with halloumi cheese can be an excellent alternative for those who prefer less meat. Make this beforehand and then roasted on the BBQ grill for 10 minutes until suitably charred.
Caramelized onions to add to your burgers or hotdogs can be a perfect side dish for those that want to take their BBQ plate to the next level. Make this beforehand and warm it up in the oven or microwave.
And no BBQ is complete without roasted corn on the cob and a massive bowl of potato salad. The potato salad is best made beforehand to ensure the potatoes have enough time to cool and be mixed with the other creamy ingredients.
The perfect corn on the cob needs to be wrapped in tinfoil, coated in butter, salt, and pepper, and left to be slowly cooked. The corn needs indirect heat and around 15-20 minutes as an ideal grilling time.
5. Keep your Tongs and BBQ Equipment in Good Shape
A master griller needs to ensure that their grilling equipment is clean and in good shape when using them to grill. You want to have a range of grilling apparatuses such as smaller tongs for burgers and sausages and larger ones for steaks and pieces of meat.
You will also need spatulas for general flipping and a fish spatula if you are cooking with fish. Marinade brushes are also a good investment if you want to apply marinades or butter to your grilling items as they are cooking. This is great for keeping the items moist and full of flavor.
There are also heatproof BBQ gloves you can wear whilst you are grilling which protects your hands from any oil splashback. However, they allow you to still easily move your hands to turn and grill your meat.
Becoming a BBQ Master: Where Can I Find Out More?
We hope this article on the 5 tips on how to become a BBQ master was filled with all the information you need!
Simple care and attention to your tools and grill is the surefire way to have great results every time. As well as treating your meats and vegetables with individual care and attention.
If you enjoyed this article, why not check out our previous blog posts?
