Top 10 Barbecue Grilling Tips

Are you new to grilling? Then you probably fit into one of two categories:

• Those who think grilling is super easy
• Those who think grilling is intimidating

While grilling can be some of the easiest cooking you'll ever do, there are some things you may need to know to make grilling something you'll do quite often, and not just for a backyard party.

1. Before you begin cooking, spray your cooking area with a nonstick cooking spray. This will prevent your meat from sticking when you are rotating or removing it. If your meat sticks and tears, you will lose a large amount of juice, and your meat may dry out.
2. Never place food on the grill until the temperature is correct. The fluctuation in temperatures will cause your food to dry out or burn. If you are using a charcoal grill, make sure that the coals are completely gray before putting the meat on the grill. This will allow the temperatures to level out, and the majority of the lighter fluid to burn off.
3. Cooking with charcoal lighter fluid can be good or bad. The lighter fluid will cause the food you are cooking to taste different then with other types of grills. Alternatively, attempting to not use lighter fluid may cause a lot of frustration due to the fact that charcoal can be difficult to light without lighter fluid. If you don't mind losing a little convenience, skip the lighter fluid and use a "chimney" instead.  (You can see an example on our Charcoal Barbecue Grills page )
4. You must properly prepare the meat you are cooking, before cooking it. You should never attempt to cook meat on a grill when it is still frozen, or even partially frozen. Thaw your meat by sitting it out about 12 to 24 hours before you plan on cooking it, or by thawing it in a microwave. If you meat is thawed, but in the refrigerator, set it out long enough for the meat to get to room temperature.
5. Once meat is cooked, never put it back in on the same plate you had it on when it was raw. This could cause the spread of many unwanted illnesses. Do not handle cooked meat with the same utensils that you used when it was raw.
6. Never poke you meat while it is cooking. Poking holes in meat will cause the juice inside to leak out into the bottom of the grill.  Not only will this make your food dry and unappealing, but it also could potentially ruin your barbeque grill. At the very least, it will cause a buildup of unwanted grease and juices on your grill, which will make cleanup harder.
7. Once the meat is on the grill, try not to open the lid too many times. Each time you open the lid you change the temperature in the grill. The constant change in temperature and the air flow will cause your meat to dry up quickly.
8. Remember that grilling with high heat is not always better. While it is ok to quickly cook food, turning the heat up will just cause meat to dry up and potentially burn.
9. While using tin foil or aluminum foil will make cleaning easier, it will cause your food to have more of a fried taste then a grilled taste.
10. If you are planning on using your favorite barbeque sauce, be sure to wait as long as possible to put it on the meat. Putting barbeque sauce on too early will not only potentially cause your meat to dry out, but it could also burn.