Grilling tips for summer cookouts

With summer just around the corner, it’s time to bring out the barbecue and impress your friends and family with your grilling skills! Whether it’s your first-time grilling, or you just need a refresher, here are some helpful tips just in time for a summer cookout.

Charcoal vs gas grill

While this up to your personal preference, and the desired taste you’re going for, let’s look at the differences between the two. Charcoal grills give off more of a smokier and richer taste of food and can reach a higher temperature than gas grills. However, they tend to take longer to heat up. These types of grills are typically priced from $30-150. Gas grills might not have that smoky flavor you’re looking for, but they do start-up fast and are efficient for the environment. You can also easily cook more delicate foods, without an overpowering smoke flavor. Gas grills are a bit more of an investment, starting at $100 or more.

Invest in a grill basket

It’s easy for small pieces of meat or vegetables to fall through the grates of your grill, but this can be prevented by grill baskets. These wired baskets make it easier to flip your food all at once, and prevents little pieces from falling apart.

Preheat your grill

Let your grill preheat with the lid closed for about 15 minutes. This will ensure that no pieces of food will hang onto the grate.

Direct vs indirect heat

Direct heat is used for small pieces of food and is when the fire is directly below the food. Indirect heat is when the fire is on either side of the food, and is used when you have larger meats that require more grilling time.

Stop moving around the meat

The less you poke and flip your meat, the better it will turn out. You typically only have to flip most meats around one time.

Buy a meat thermometer

You can find meat thermometers on Amazon for around $15. Using these thermometers will give you an accurate internal temperature of the meat, to make sure you are not under or over cooking your food.

Let your food sit

Right after you take your food off the grill, give it about 5-15 minutes to sit. This will allow for the juices to redistribute and be full of flavor.

Using these tips and having a better understanding of grilling, you will be a grill master in no time! DineMarket provides a wide range of different cuts of meats from their supplier, Carnibox. Simply select “Carnibox” under the vendor option on DineMarket’s home delivery page, and find the perfect type of meat for your next cookout!