Grilling is the healthiest food preparation method. Making poultry and meats on the grill lets excess fat drip away instead of being reabsorbed into the food like it would in a pan. As a grill master or pitmaster, your job is preparing grilled food while focusing on controlling heat for great results. Discussed below are seven tips for becoming a grill master.
Leverage online grilling guides
Reading online how-to grilling guides can give you the knowledge you need to become a grill master. How-to grilling guides are like playbooks describing processes from start to finish via step-by-step instructions. The best grilling guides, including TheGrillingMaster, are those done by grilling experts because they have industry experience and can respond to any questions or give clarifications on issues you might have.
Take grilling classes
Grilling classes are taught by trained and experienced professionals. Experienced instructors will provide the insights and knowledge you can’t get from watching tutorials or reading grilling books. Rather than depending on old recipes you found somewhere, grilling classes will teach you more creative recipes you can explore while making cooking on the grill more fun.
Through grilling classes, you’ll learn the different possible foods you can cook on the grill and what to do to make them flavorful. There are different grill types every grill master should know how to work with. A grilling course can help you learn all of them and when best to use each. A good grilling course will also teach about safety to ensure you avoid the mistakes that lead to disastrous situations. Look for a learning institution that offers all types of grilling classes and enroll.
Know the different grilling methods
While there are several grill types, the selection is primarily on charcoal or gas. All grill types are good. However, they have different features that function best under different circumstances. Understand what makes one grill type unique to make it easier to choose. When grilling with charcoal, you need enough charcoal supply at hand for all your cooking. Charcoal grills are less costly than their gas counterparts. Since they burn hotter initially, they ascertain better sear on meats. Nevertheless, temperature on a charcoal grill is not easy. You’ll also need some lead time to get the fire ready.
A gas grill is quite convenient and heats faster. Its in-built knobs make it too easy to control temperature and the several burners it has are great for various temperature zones. With a gas grill, you can cook whenever without the messy ash disposal. Gas grills are costly and don’t get as hot as their charcoal counterparts. There are various types of gas and charcoal grills to consider when selecting. Factor in the grill’s portability and the accessories it requires for optimal function.
Use a clean grill
Failure to clean your grill results in burnt food particles and grease from previous grilling sessions building up. This can result in housing and even attracting germs, making your food unsavory and unsafe. A dirty grill also doesn’t perform at its best. This keeps it from attaining and maintaining the correct temperature. If you’re using a gas grill:
- Turn it up to high and allow it to heat for a few minutes to loosen the dirt on the grates
- After a while, turn it off and allow it to cool a little before you start scraping the dirt off using a grill brush
Upon cooling down completely, dip a folded rug or paper towel in oil and hold it with long tongs rubbing the oil all over the clean grates to keep food from sticking
If you’re using a charcoal grill, empty the ash catcher to ensure the accumulated ash doesn’t block the grill’s air vents. Use a grill brush to clean the grates when still warm, and rub them with a paper towel or rug dipped in oil.
Get your grilling accessories
If you must grill like a master, you must have the tools every great pitmaster’s tools and accessories needs. Here is a list of essential tools every grill master should have:
- Multi-purpose BBQ tool: You can use this tool for various purposes. The spatula flips delicate fish while the tongs help with handling burgers, chops, and steak. The fork stabs and holds chicken breast
- Chimney starter: Rather than using lighter liquid to light your charcoal, use the chimney starter. It produces hot coals faster
- Insulated gloves: These are greaseproof and waterproof to ensure your hands’ safety when cooking on the grill
- Meat thermometer: This is essential for monitoring grill and meat temperatures
- Grill lights: They help illuminate the whole grilling area without the need to use flashlights to attend to your food
- Grill brush: It’s vital for cleaning your grill after and before use
- Tongs: They make it easier to pull anything off the grill without dropping it
- Grilling basket: It’s great for holding tiny meat pieces, seafood, and vegetables when grilling to keep them from falling through the grate and into the coals or flames
Get your meat ready for the grill
Preparing your meat before grilling enables you to maximize the flavors. Herbs enhance your food’s flavor. However, not all of them work well for your various meats. So find the suitable options for your foods to ensure tasty, flavorful outcomes. When grilling beef, garlic, and onion can help add a lot of flavor. Lamb goes well with traditional herbs like rosemary or sage.
However, modern alternatives like cumin and cinnamon are also great. Pork does well with sweet marinades, while fish can be paired with most seasonings. When picking seasonings for your grilled foods, consider the flavors of the accompaniments.
Perfect your skill
Through practice, your sense of smell and taste grows, which is essential for a great griller. Grill as often as possible while applying every new technique you learn to perfect it.
Endnote
Becoming a grill master doesn’t happen overnight. It takes hours of learning and practice. However, implementing these tips can help smoothen your path to becoming a grill master.
