20 helpful tips if you’re new to grilling

This might sound like an obvious tip, but if you’re new to grilling, you might not know when to clean your grill. Make sure to scrub your grill before you use it, and get off anything you can after you’re finished while it’s still hot. 

If your grill is not at the right temperature, you’ve lost before you’ve started. Be patient and give your grill enough time to preheat thoroughly before you begin. This will ensure your food is properly cooked and keep food from sticking to the grates. 

Grill grates are a little different than pans. While the trick to sauteing food is to put oil in your pan, that method doesn’t work with a grill. To keep food from sticking and to give it lots of flavor, put the oil on the grill, not the grates. 

Grills are a lot like ovens in that each one is a little different. Take some time to learn your grill. Get to know where it’s hottest, which spots are best for different foods, and how it works as a whole. Learning your grill will help you make the best food. 

If you’ve watched a dad grill in a movie, you probably have images of him flipping burgers or turning corn on its side. While that is great action for a film, it gives novice grillers an unrealistic expectation of grilling activity. In reality, you won’t be flipping your food that often. Flipping should only be done when necessary. 

Which leads us to our next tip. Learn when exactly you should flip your food, and know that it will take some trial and error. Become familiar with tips like leaving your meat be if it’s still sticking to the grill grates and general time estimates for cooking on each side, and remember that the best way to learn when to flip your food is through practice. 

As you practice grilling, note how your food looks when it’s finished cooking, especially if you intend to grill it often. You still want to take the temperature of some foods, particularly meat, before eating, but knowing how food looks on the outside when it’s done cooking is a good barometer for grilling completion. 

Again, meats need their temperature taken to ensure they’re ready to eat, especially poultry. Get a meat thermometer to easily take the temperature and ensure that nothing you’re serving off the grill could cause foodborne illness. 

When you’re new to grilling, get a guide that tells you exactly what temperature each meat should be at to safely eat, as well as one that tells you which temperature indicates doneness on red meats. As you continue, memorize those numbers to make your grilling process more efficient. 

If you’re grilling meat, let it rest before cutting into it or eating it. Rest time allows meat to finish cooking and soak in just a little more flavor. 

Grilling is an art, and learning different techniques will help you master it. Learn how to sear, smoke, slow cook, and more on the grill to give your food lots of flavor. 

Remember how we said that grills are similar to ovens? Just as you should keep your oven door closed while cooking, you should keep your grill lid down as much as possible, too. It keeps the grill hotter for quicker cooking times, it traps the smoke for better flavor, and it’s safer. 

Seasoned grillers can cook their food without using a timer, but it takes years of experience to get to that point. Don’t be ashamed of using a timer when you start. It will result in better food and help you learn the ins and outs of grilling. 

Don’t crowd your pan while sauteing or your grates while grilling. Give your food plenty of space on the grill so it gets thoroughly cooked. This may be frustrating if you’re grilling for a crowd, but they’ll be happy to wait if it means better food. 

Good grilling starts before you even take a grill home with you. If you’re new to grilling, have a chat with an expert about what type of grill will best suit your needs and expectations. Don’t spend thousands on a grill with a smoker if you don’t care for food with smoky flavor.

Yes, we know you know the difference between charcoal and gas in the most basic sense, but as heat sources, there’s a lot to learn. You’ll use different grilling techniques for charcoal grills and gas grills, so know exactly what you’re using and how to use it. 

You’ll see lots of grilling gadgets for sale the same way you see kitchen gadgets for sale, and you might be tempted to buy some if you’re new to grilling. But don’t give in to temptations too soon. While some grilling gadgets are helpful, others have no use. Learn your grilling problems before you try to find solutions. 

No one likes reading a manual, but it’s helpful, especially when you’re new to something. Whether you’re new to grilling or are using an unfamiliar grill, read your manual so you know how to start your grill and if there’s anything unique about it that you should be aware of. 

Grilling zones refer to which areas of your grill are heated directly and which are heated indirectly. You’ll use direct heat and indirect heat for different purposes, so learn which places on your grill are which and how to use them most effectively. 

Remember, when you’re grilling, you’re working with open flames and temperatures that are dangerously high if not monitored carefully. Stay safe around your grill and make sure that children and animals are safe, too.