If you love to cook outdoors, you’re definitely not alone. Over the years, outdoor cooking has become more and more popular among families and friends who have a passion for preparing delicious food.
Most people have barbeque grills in their backyards, and for good reason; such an appliance can help you try out new recipes and add some variety to your food. You can prepare burgers, steaks and grilled chicken in more ways than one. Don’t think you have to stop at meat either; there are plenty of veggies that are super tasty when they’re grilled.
So, that being said, if you’re planning a barbecue with some of your loved ones, here are some helpful tips to ensure that it’s a total success.
Get Your Grill Ready For the Barbeque Season
If you’re like most people that have their outdoor barbeque grills hibernating all winter long, yours too is probably in desperate need of a little TLC once the weather gets warm. This may seem like a no-brainer, but before you start cooking, clean your grill with a wire brush. This will help prevent nasty flare-ups and help your food cook evenly. Make sure to start with a cold grill so the scrubs don’t burn off too soon.
Once you’ve thoroughly scrubbed everything down, use tongs to wipe down the grill grates with an oil-soaked rag or paper towel. This prevents food from sticking to the grates. And if you’re really in the mood to clean, consider cleaning the inside of your grill too! It doesn’t need to be done often, but the less build-up there is in the bottom of your grill, the more efficiently it will run.
But if your grill is not in good working order, for instance, if it’s rusted or has issues holding temperatures, it’s time to replace it with a new model from the range of outdoor barbeque grills. If you’re looking for something economical, a kettle grill does the trick nicely. It’s a great way to get into true barbecue cooking without breaking the bank.
Make Sure You Have All Of The Necessary Equipment And Tools On Hand
If you’re a grilling enthusiast, you probably already have a good set of cookware. However, if you’re just getting started with barbecuing or simply don’t have the right equipment yet, it’s definitely worth making an investment.
The right tools make the job quicker, easier, and more enjoyable. That’s why you need long-handled tongs and a spatula for flipping food on the grill. These should be made from sturdy materials that won’t melt when they get hot and will be easy to clean up afterwards. Metal is best because it can withstand high heat without melting or burning like plastic can.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced chef, you should always have a digital thermometer on hand to make sure your dish comes out just the way it’s supposed to. These small tools can make all the difference when you’re grilling.
The good news is that digital thermometers are very affordable. Some come with timers, so you can set it to alert you once a certain temperature has been reached without standing over the grill or even being in the same room. Others feature wireless probes, so you can monitor multiple portions of meat at once without opening the grill.
Marinate Meat After It’s Come To Room Temperature
When you think of barbecues, chances are meat is at the top of your list of must-haves. There are an endless number of ways to prepare your meat and a whole lot of delicious toppings to try as well.
Marinating your meat is the perfect way to add flavour. But if you’re putting marinade on meat that just came out of the fridge, you’re not maximising its flavour power. For that reason, it’s best to let the meat reach room temperature before marinating it. In this way, the marinade will soak into the meat better. Plus, cold meat could cause the surface of the marinade to congeal into a yucky paste.
Additionally, you shouldn’t add salt to your marinade either. I know this seems counter-intuitive because one of the most common ways to season food is by using salt, but don’t do it. It will make your meat drier and less flavourful in the long run. Instead, salt your meat once it’s cooked.
To Sum Up
There are tons of things you can do to make sure your next BBQ is a delicious success. Now that you have read some of the advice we have to offer, you’re sure to have some great food and a lot of laughs with the people that you love most. Whether it be a steamy summer day or a brisk fall evening, cooking outside can be easy and fun as long as you’re well-prepared.
