Tips for Grilling on Gas or Charcoal Grills

There are many types of grills, from portable charcoal grills that people bring to the beach, to the built in gas grills for entertaining outdoors. Knowing how to grill safely is an important aspect of enjoying the grill at home or outdoors. There are some basic safety rules that apply to using grills. 

Grilling Basics 

Keep the grates on the grill clean after grilling. After the grill cools down, remove dirt and grime with a wire cleaning brush. Before grilling prepare the grill early, by heating it up ahead of time. Trim too much fat from the meat and poultry, to avoid the grill flaring up. Purchase the proper tools to handle what is cooked on the grill. 

Proper tools for the grill would be oven mitts, pot holders, pans, tongs, spatula, forks, plates, and thermometers. Add oil to the food don’t oil the grill. Keep the grill outdoors, and it away from things that can catch fire. 

Cook cuts of meats and small items like hotdogs and hamburger over direct high heat. They should be watched closely. Burgers will take 3-5 minutes on each side, hot dogs 5-7 minutes, and steaks 3-5 minutes on each side. Pork should be cooked over heat for 4 to 5 minutes on each side. Applying barbecue sauces the last five minutes produces the best results for meats. 

When cooking sausage links over direct flames cook 10 to 15 minutes. Check the links or meat by cutting into it. Lamb can be grilled 3 to 5 minutes per side. The thicker the piece of meat, the longer it will have to be cooked. 

Cook fish, chicken, vegetables, and fruit over medium heat. With a gas grill consumers will have to lower the temperature, or when using a charcoal grill build a smaller fire. Chicken pieces will take 5 to 6 minutes per side, and a whole chicken will cook in 40 to 50 minutes. Using a thermometer to measure the temperature, and cutting into fish or poultry is a good way to test it. 

Seafood can be cooked directly over the heat. Add oil to the fish to keep it from sticking. Shrimp and scallops over direct heat take 1 to 2 minutes per side and fish fillet or steak about 5 minutes each side. Indirect heat will take longer for the food to cook. Most grilled vegetable will take 4 to 5 minutes on each side. Cut into smaller piece for quicker cooking. 

Gas or Charcoal Grill Basics 

When consumers buy a gas or charcoal grill, they should learn how to use it. They can search Grills Queens NY and find the right grill for consumers depending on their budget and how they plan to use it. When purchasing a gas or charcoal grill, always read the manual. Preheat the grill for about 10 minutes, or light charcoals to get the grill hot for cooking. After grilling, always turn off the fuel and burner. 

Most grilling works best with the lid down. Charcoal grills need vents to work properly. They can be portable or built in. They take a longer time to prepare a fire than gas. Consumers that buy charcoal grills need time to light the fire and cook. No matter when consumers purchase a grill, learning how to use it safely is the key.