Seven Common Grilling Mistakes to Step Up Your BBQ Game

You’ve got your apron on, the sun is shining, and the scent of charcoal is in the air. Grilling season is upon us, and you’re ready to become the backyard hero by feeding your guests. But wait – are you unknowingly committing cardinal BBQ sins that could turn your culinary masterpieces into disappointing disasters? Let’s dive in and save your grill game by uncovering the most common grilling mistakes.

First move: Lose the apron. A simple hand towel tucked into your shorts like a 90’s quarterback will do just fine and you don’t look like a kook.

(1) Now let’s talk about your grill grates. You’ve probably been told to oil them up to prevent sticking, right? Well, here’s a twist – that’s not the expert move. Oil on a hot grill smokes and carbonizes in seconds, and that’s not the flavor you want mingling with your steak. Instead, the pros suggest oiling your food, not the grates. Brush on a light coat or let your meat and veggies dance in an oil-based marinade. It’s a simple switch that can make a world of difference.

(2) Marinades are like magic for meat, infusing it with flavor and tenderness. However, there’s a dark side to this culinary wizardry. You can over marinate. According to Cook’s Illustrated, too much time in the marinade can turn your meat mushy and dry. Stick to the recipe, and never leave your meat swimming in spices for more than a day. It’s a delicate balance, but getting it right means the difference between succulent and sucks.

(3) Let’s turn up the heat – literally. Preheating your grill is a step you can’t skip. Think of it like warming up your car on a frosty morning. You wouldn’t just jump in and go, would you? A cold grill means sticking, frustration, and unevenly cooked food. Crank up the heat and give it a good 20 minutes before your food hits the grates. This gives you time to grab a cold one and bring all the cooking tools out to the grill area.

(4) Open vs. Closed Lid. You might be tempted to peek under the lid to check on your culinary creations. Resist the urge! Just like with your oven or slow cooker, every lift lets out precious heat, extending cooking times and messing with the cooking process. Keep that lid down for thicker cuts of meat. Your patience will be rewarded with evenly grilled items. Certainly fast cooking foods like veggies, shrimp and burgers can be cooked with an open grill.

(5) What is doneness? Doneness is shockingly a real word. It’s your finicky family member in the corner that says “this isn’t cooked all the way”. You might think you’ve got a sixth sense for when meat is perfectly cooked, but guesswork can throw a wrench into your grill game. The only surefire way to know if your meat is ready is by using a thermometer or cutting into it. A meat thermometer is your best friend here, giving you the power to serve up perfectly cooked proteins every time.

(6) Eat Fish Live Long. Placing fish directly on the grill grates is one of the most common grilling mistakes. It’s delicate, prone to sticking, and can fall apart faster than your plans for a perfect BBQ. Instead, get creative. Use cedar planks, foil packets, or even a sturdy cast-iron skillet to keep your fish in one piece and full of flavor. It’s a simple fix that can save you from a seafood catastrophe.

(7) Comin in (too) Hot. Too many grillers get excited because they just read about the latest searing technique and turn up the heat. Then they have a cocktail and some guests roll in and they forget the entire grill is very hot. You risk burning your meat before it even gets to medium rare on the inside and you have no place to move the meat to cook slower.

Build yourself a two-zone grill area. Light the burners on one side, leaving the other side off or on very low heat. With two zones you have much more control over your meal. Move items from the hot side to the slow cook side as items start to become “done” so everything comes out at once. This is perhaps the biggest grilling tip and one of the most common grilling mistakes a backyard chef can make.

Summary

So there you have it grasshopper, seven grilling mistakes that could be messing with your BBQ mojo. Avoid these blunders, and you’re on your way to grilling greatness. Remember, grilling is an art, and every artist needs the right techniques. Keep these tips in mind and your next BBQ could be the talk of the town. So fire up that grill, and let’s get cooking!

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