BBQ Tips For The Beginner - Satisfying Your Craving

In my experience, it seems like every person who learns how to properly use a gas barbecue grill quickly becomes addicted. There are so many delicious food choices and flavors to work with, so it’s nearly impossible to get sick of using a good BBQ grill. Unfortunately, far too many people try to use a grill without first learning how to use it. And, when you don’t know how to use a grill the right way, you aren’t going to enjoy it nearly as much as you could have. You might even give up using your grill completely because, let’s face it – your food probably just hasn’t turned out as good as you’ve hoped. Mastering The Art Of Grilling I truly believe that anyone can become a master griller. But, it might take you some time to get there. It’s all about taking time to practice, and simply learning how to avoid the common mistakes. Once you have those two things down, you can join me in my love of the grill. So, to help you achieve your goals and make deliciously grilled food, I have put together some expert grilling and maintenance tips. By following these simple tips, you can learn how to avoid the unnecessary mistakes and master the art of using a barbecue grill. Always Remember To Use Good Hygiene Since it’s always best to start with the basics, I will begin with hygiene. If you want to make delicious tasting food, you have to remember to have good hygiene. I have seen far too many people make meals with dirty hands and undercooked meat. This is not only uncomfortable for your guests to watch, but it can actually be poisonous for them to eat. When working with a grill – and especially when cooking meat – it is very important to follow some basic rules of sanitation. Remember to use your common sense and these simple guidelines: *Use garlic or mosquito repellent to keep bugs away from the food while you are cooking. Bugs are not only a distraction while you cook, but they can also land in the food and spread disease. *Purchase a meat thermometer. Checking the temperature is extremely simple, and it can save you from harming someone with undercooked meat. *Use separate cutting boards and knives when cutting meat and vegetables. *Do not use the same knife or serving plate for both raw and cooked meat. *Clean your grill regularly and after each use. *Wash your hands! Use Oil To Prevent Sticking Now that you know how to stay sanitary while you cook, it is time to start thinking about the food. One of the most common mistakes for people to make with a grill is to forget to use non-stick spray or oil before you start grilling. The problem with this is that your food will stick to the grill, and you won’t be able to get the clean results you want. Non-stick spray is easy to use; simply spray the grilling surface prior to use. If you use oil, use a brush to spread a generous amount across the surface of the grill. Cook With The Lid Down In order for you to keep the temperature constant as you cook, it can be a very good idea for you to keep the lid down. Otherwise, you might end up with food that is very unevenly cooked. Check the food occasionally throughout the process, and turn it over when necessary, but keep the lid closed for the majority of the time it is cooking. Learn How To Marinate Meat Adding a simple marinade to your meat and fish can turn an ordinary dish into a masterpiece. Unfortunately, many first time grillers don’t use marinades simply because they don’t know how. You will most likely craft your own style as you go along, but here is my recommendation on how to marinate meat for the grill: *Prepare the marinade in advance. I won’t go into flavors here, so just choose one that you like. For starters, it will probably be easiest to use a ready-made marinade. As you get more comfortable, you can start to create your own. *Prior to cooking (approx. 2-4hours before), place the meat and marinade into a sealable container or plastic bag. Turn it over as needed to ensure that both sides are sufficiently coated. The longer you leave the meat in the marinade, the more it will be able to absorb the taste. Just make sure that you don’t leave uncooked meat at room temperature. As soon as you start to smell the meat as it is grilling, you will know the marinade was well worth the extra effort. A simple marinade can make all the difference. Have Fun The best part about having a grill is that it is just fun. This is the time for you to create memories with your friends and family while you enjoy delicious food. Now get out there, and start grilling.