Grilling, or Barbequing really is a true American tradition. Many Americans are finding themselves with a grill for the first time. Good experiences with your grill will surely lead to using your grill more and more.

For the first timer, here are some important tips to get you started: use a meat thermometer, prepare food in advance, check the temperature, and cover the grill. Hopefully, you will be grilling with ease and with no problems. Remember to use metal utensils and a cool drink. These tips will make grilling a breeze! And, as a bonus, you’ll get to eat some delicious food, too!

Planning Ahead

Barbequing has been around since early cavemen figured out that food tasted great after being cooked on an open fire. Perhaps one of the main memories attached to a family barbeque is what was on the menu that day.

Barbequing opens a whole array of types of foods available. The type of foods you serve should largely depend on your crowd and the event in which you are celebrating. With the wide range of possibilities, you are sure to find at least a few items that will please your crowd.

Another potential issue when barbequing is the weather. While you will not be able to guarantee that the weather stays nice your barbeque event, a certain amount of planning will help you avoid the days in which barbequing is just simply out of the picture.

Watch the weather channel or check online for your weekly forecast. If rain or cold weather is likely on the day you were thinking about having your barbeque, it may be a good idea to wait for a better forecast.

Make sure that you prepare ahead for your barbeque. 12 to 24 hours before you plan on beginning the party, make sure to thaw, prepare, and marinate the meat you will be cooking.

Once you have the meat stored away, soaking up the marinate, then you must start thinking about what types of side dishes you will be having. If you want a completely tradition barbeque, you may want to stick with traditional sizes. Traditional barbeque sides include potatoes, potato salad, baked beans, and coleslaw.

Using a meat thermometer

Buying a meat thermometer is an essential part of any barbecue kit, but it can be a bit confusing. There are two main types of meat thermometers: wand style and wired style. The wand style is very easy to use and gives an accurate reading in seconds. The wired style, on the other hand, requires a little more precision, as the probe should be inserted into the meat or food for about half an inch.

Meat thermometers should read about 32 degrees Fahrenheit and 0 degrees Celsius. If you notice the temperature reading is not accurate, you can test it by holding it in an ice water bath for 30 seconds to two minutes. If the meat thermometer reads a lower temperature, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If it reads a higher temperature, adjust the cooking temperature accordingly by factoring in the difference when cooking.

Meat thermometers should be stored properly. Make sure the batteries are removed and the probe is inserted gently. It is important not to over-insert the thermometer probe into the meat as the bone might bend it. The probe should also be kept away from direct flames, since meat thermometers are not meant to withstand such soaring temperatures. They should also be stored in dry areas.

If you’re a first-time griller, using a meat thermometer is essential to ensure your food is properly cooked. Ideally, you’ll start by inserting the probe into the thickest part of the meat. This way, you’ll be able to properly cook all of the cuts of meat. After that, you can then move on to the next step of the cooking process.

Preparing food in advance

Before you start grilling on the grill, you should prepare the food for it. It will be easy to grill delicious grilled chicken and burgers if you prepare them in advance. If you have never grilled before, you can follow these easy steps to grill chicken and burgers in less than an hour. But you should do the preparations a couple of hours before you grill so that they are fresh and ready to serve when you are.

When preparing food in advance for your first grilling party, it is best to plan your food list well in advance. Divide the preparations by day, and assign specific tasks for each. For example, on the second day, you may prepare and trim the meat. On the third day, you might prepare salads, vegetables, dips, and dressings. This way, you won’t have to scramble in the middle of the day.

Checking temperature

One of the most important things that you must know when grilling is how to check the temperature of your food. Grill temperatures are usually intense and you do not want to overcook food. Similarly, you don’t want undercooked food to be edible. To prevent such a situation, a meat thermometer is necessary. Here are some tips to help you determine the right temperature. Let us take a closer look at each one.

To check the temperature of your grill, hold your palm over it for one to two seconds. The temperature should be at least three inches above the grill. If you’re cooking a very delicate dish, this temperature may be too high for you. During this time, you should use a grill thermometer to check the flame temperature. Otherwise, you can simply hand test to estimate the temperature. You should be able to gauge the grill temperature in one to two seconds by holding your palm 3 inches above the grill.

Covering the grill

Before you start cooking on your grill, you may want to consider the benefits of covering the unit. It will prevent your grill from collecting dirt, dew drops, and other debris. If you don’t cover it, you run the risk of rust and mold. Furthermore, you can use it faster than you would without a cover. But what are the benefits of grill covers? Read on to find out. Aside from these benefits, a grill cover can prevent the premature deterioration of your barbecued goods.

Covers are a must for grills, but how do you use them? You should always purchase covers made of durable materials that will withstand the elements. Covers made from high-quality materials will last for several years. A good cover should be fitted tightly and have clip-close cords. Also, you should clean your grill with a dry cloth and oil it regularly. Using a grill cover regularly will extend the life of your grill.

A grill cover will protect your barbecue from damage, which is a huge plus for first-time grillers. Many covers are made of woven polyester fabric. Some also feature ventilation holes so that steam can escape. Other features of a good grill cover include air vents and padded handles. A cover should also prevent your grill cover from lifting when the wind is strong enough to lift it. Once you’ve got the hang of using a grill cover, you can move on to the next step: preparing your food!

While there are many benefits of using a grill cover, the best option for first-time grillers is a good-quality vinyl cover. This material will protect your grill from rain and snow without compromising its durability. Plus, it can prevent the rusting of metal parts. Furthermore, it protects your grill from debris like pesticides and fertilizer. The cover will help you avoid problems and prolong the life of your barbecue grill.

Maintenance

You will need some common household items on hand when it comes time to
clean your barbeque grill.

• Brass wire grill brush
• Steel wool pads, preferably that contains soap already.
• Mild dish soap
• Sponge or dishcloth
• Spray cooking oil
• Dry baking soda
• Aluminum foil

The first thing that should always be done to your grill is a routine brushing. Using your brass wire grill brush (or other brush suitable to your type of grill) you should brush off all the surfaces. By routinely brushing your barbeque grill, you will prevent any type of buildup.

If buildup from food is left to long, it can become increasingly difficult to remove. Once you have cleaned the surfaces of your grill, then you must focus on its racks. The racks in your grill are especially important as this is where the food touches when it is cooking. You will have to use the wire brush to remove as much buildup as possible.

Once you remove as much as possible, start washing the racks with dish soap. If the racks are really dirty, you may also want to use the steel wool pads. Be sure to completely rinse off all soap and residue before cooking on these racks again.

This process should be completed each and every time you cook on your barbeque grill. If these steps are not taken, you may find it increasingly difficult to clean your grill, and may find that damage will occur.

The majority of problems that arise from barbeque grills comes from lack of cleaning and maintenance. That means if you notice something does not seem quite right with your barbeque grill, chances are it can be fixed with just a simple cleaning. Even if you clean it, and still find that it is having problems, at least you saved yourself the potential embarrassment of taking it to a professional only to find out all it needed was to be cleaned.

Finally, one method of preventing problems with your barbeque grill is protecting it from the outdoors. Covers are available for grills in all shapes and sizes, so chances are, you will find one that fits your grill. If you have a cover for your barbeque grill, then all you will ever need to do is do the regular maintenance listed above.