How to Grill: The Best Grilling Guides

If you’re new to grilling or an experienced aficionado, the amount of available information can feel overwhelming. From the technical and operational aspects of your grill to knowing how to properly marinate and cook meat and veggies, you might have difficulty figuring out where to start.

Don’t worry! We have an abundance of guides and information to help you through this process. Grilling is a delicious hobby that should be just as rewarding whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro. We’ll help you take it one step at a time, from getting to know your grill to cooking the perfect steak to building the backyard kitchen of your dreams.As you embark on your grilling journey, don’t be afraid to experiment with different techniques and ingredients to find your unique grilling style—after all, that’s part of the fun!

The Basics

You’ve probably seen offers for deluxe grills and recipes requiring advanced cooking skills. You’ll get there! For now, just focus on the basics of good grilling.

Learning how to grill starts with learning how to operate and care for your grill, prepare your ingredients, and cook different foods for maximum flavor. Once you’ve got these core skills down, you’ll have the perfect foundation to start experimenting with new marinades, cuts, and cooking styles.

This article will walk you through our various comprehensive guides in grilling. This article will help you choose the right grill for your needs and master the basic techniques of cooking and cleaning,as well as answering some of the most common questions people have about grilling.

Let’s get cooking!

The Grill Guide

How to Clean a Grill

Part of becoming a grilling guru is learning how to properly clean a grill. This is relatively simple if you follow the right steps and clean consistently.

First, make sure your grill is cool. Remove the grates and soak them in soapy water for about 30 minutes, then scrape them clean with a wire brush or a balled-up piece of aluminum foil.

Next, you’ll clean the burners. Burners vary depending on the grill, so check your owner’s manual or give our experts a call to ensure you clean your burners properly. If you remove the burners, use a wire brush to remove grease and debris. Take a moment to inspect each burner and unclog any residue from the burner holes. DO NOT use water or cleaner on your burners just a good grill brush. Your goal is for each burner port hole to produce a even flame when lit.

Once you’ve reassembled your grill and made sure everything is working properly, you’re ready to start cooking. The next section of our grilling guide covers how to cook mouth-watering meats on your grill.

For more detail on maintaining a spotless grill, visit our guides on properly cleaning your gas grill and cleaning your grill burners.

How to Cook the Perfect Meat

Some say grilling the perfect cut is an art. Others say it’s a science. We say, why not both?

When it comes to giving meat exceptional flavor and consistency, the key is often a good marinade. Marinating your meat properly allows it to tenderize, while also soaking in all those scrumptious flavors.

You typically want to marinate your meat for at least 12 hours. A great way to do this is by preparing your meat and marinade the night before. Throw it all together in a sealed container and let those juices soak in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook.

If you opt not to marinade, make sure you still season your meat. A pinch of salt and pepper is often enough to accentuate and enhance the flavor of the meat you’re cooking. Regardless of how you season your meat, make sure it comes to room temperature before you throw it on the grill.

Learning how to grill certain meats can take a bit of time and practice. Steaks should typically be grilled on high heat. Chicken, on the other hand, is best cooked at medium-high heat and all the way through.

Want to learn more? Check out our guide on grilling the perfect piece of meat. Have you seen our ultimate Beef Cuts Chart?

Shopping for a New BBQ Grill

Shopping for a barbecue grill can be a difficult task. Grills come in all shapes and sizes, from freestanding to built-in, each with different features, accessories, and amenities—not to mention overall grilling power.

As you’re shopping for a grill, we suggest asking yourself some critical questions:

• How many people will I typically be grilling for?
• How often will I be using this grill?
• Do I want to buy a stand alone or built-in grill?

For those looking to grill a lot of meat, you’ll probably want to buy a larger grill with lots of burners and power. If you plan to do some more advanced grilling, you may opt for a specialty or combo grill that provides additional flexibility, such as alternative fuel sources (like wood or charcoal), saute options, and even pizza ovens.

If you need more assistance in your search for a grill, check out the wide selection of grills at the BBQ Depot. We carry deluxe grills from some of the most respected names in grilling, including Alfresco, Lynx, Fire Magic, Twin Eagles, and more.

Looking for more depth? Check out our guide on shopping for a new grill.

The Complete Guide to Built-in Grills

Many homeowners ask us whether a built-in grill is worth the investment. While it isn’t the perfect option for everyone, a built-in grill offers a number of advantages over a freestanding grill.

Built-in grills offer a wide range of customization options, allowing you to design the grill to suit your needs and the specifications of your outdoor kitchen. They also offer various additional appliances adding convenience unmatched by standalone grills, which often only give you a side burner as an option.

Want to learn more? Visit our complete guide to built-in grills.

In the next section, we’ll cover some steps you can take to build your outdoor dream kitchen.

Building Your Outdoor Dream Kitchen

The right grill will bring your outdoor dream kitchen together, allowing you to plan the backyard get-togethers and patio parties you’ve always wanted. You’ll be able to add countertops, storage, refrigeration, and other features around your grill, allowing you to craft the perfect environment in which to fully explore your grilling skills.

For advice about putting together your dream kitchen, contact the experts at the BBQ Depot. We can help you find the right grill for your needs, as well as design and plan the layout of your outdoor dream kitchen. Give us a call at 877-983-0451 to get started today!

Read our article on building your outdoor dream kitchen.

Once you have the grill setup you want, it’s time to get it ready for the ultimate grilling season: summertime.

Getting Your Grill Ready for Summer

Follow a few steps to ensure your grill is ready to go before the summer grilling season starts:

• Clean and test the grill, including burners and grates
• Test that there aren’t any leaks in your hose or gas connections
• Replace any parts as needed
• Make sure your grill tools are all ready
• Wipe off your grill and oil your grates if they need it

Once you know your grill is clean and functional, you can start planning your big summer cookouts and outdoor hangouts. Of course, it never hurts to do a little experimentation before-hand to make sure you’re ready to wow your guests.

Getting everything ready for a grill-tastic summer? Read our in-depth guide.

FAQs

Do you turn on all burners when grilling?

Turn all burners to high with the lid closed for ten to fifteen minutes only to preheat the grill. After that, you’ll usually only need to keep one or two burners on. The other burners can be off. This ensures you have a cooler space for meat or veggies that cook too quickly.

What temperature do you set the grill?

The temperature you set your grill will depend on what you’re cooking. Steaks should be cooked on high heat, while chicken is best grilled on medium-high heat.

How long should you let a grill heat up?

You should let your grill heat up for about ten to fifteen minutes before you start cooking.

What is the first rule of grilling?

If you’re just learning how to grill, the first rule is to let your meat come to room temperature before grilling. You shouldn’t be throwing cold meat on the grill.

What not to do when grilling?

Don’t throw cold meat on the grill, cook with a dirty grill, or allow your meat to sit out once it’s finished.

Should you grill with the lid on or off?

Grilling is high temperature quick cooking. You should pre-heat the grill with the lid closed and cook your food and meat with the lid open. Closing the lid would be like cooking in an oven. When you go in a restaurant, the grills do not have hoods. (they may have vent hoods but not hoods over the grill itself). When you have grills with high BTU's, closing the hood can lead to damage to the electrical wiring.

Should you oil grates before grilling?

Depends on the type of grate. Cast iron grates should be oiled with vegetable oil (if there is not a porcelain coating). This will help keep the grates from rusting, drying out and flaking. If you have a porcelain coated steel or cast iron grate, you do not need to oil them. Be sure not to use a scraper when cleaning them in order not to chip the porcelain. Ifyou are cooking with stainless grates, you can use a cooking spray but, only do so when the grill is cold.

Is it safe to eat the black stuff from the grill?

You shouldn’t eat any of the black, burned material on a grill. These pieces contain carcinogens that can harm the human body.

What causes grill flare-ups?

Grill flare-ups often happen when fat and oils build up on the heat dispursemen system and drip down into the open flames.

If you need any more assistance with picking out a grill or learning the ins and outs of how to grill, you’re in the right place. The BBQ Depot can help you grill with the confidence of a master. Give us a call at 1-877-983-0451 for assistance.