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You are here: Home / Blog / Leveling Up with Grill- Ultimate Guide

Leveling Up with Grill- Ultimate Guide

It does not matter if you have just started grilling or have been doing it for years there is always room for improvement. If you do want your cookouts to be the talk of the neighborhood, then you are probably ready to take things to the next level. Leveling up with grill needs some research and follow-ups. we have done all that for you here!

Well, if so, you are in the right place. Here you can learn all the top tips, tricks, and more. With the right advice, you will be surprised at how easy it is to take your barbecue from good to great. Let’s get started!

Leveling up with grill

Table of Contents

  • Consider Upgrading Your Grill for Leveling up with grill
  • Choose the Right Charcoal
  • Consider Using a Charcoal Chimney Starter for Leveling up with grill
  • Grill at Different Temperatures
  • Invest in a Thermometer for Leveling up with grill

Consider Upgrading Your Grill for Leveling up with grill

The truth is that all grills aren’t created alike. Most generic grills will do an OK job but they don’t have the design or features to help you to produce truly succulent meat and grilled dishes. Therefore, one of the first things you should do is to think about switching up your grill.

If this is something that you are interested in, then research is key. It is important to understand the features, elements, and pros and cons of each grill. The good news for you, though, is that there is plenty of information available to you out there.

Based on comparisons and reviews, the Big Green Egg continues to be a favorite. It is great for old-school BBQers who value proper temperature regulation. In case, you want something a little bit more modern, then the Traeger Ironwood may be more your speed. Although it is technically a smoker, it is still a great option leveling up with grill.

Choose the Right Charcoal

Most people underestimate the impact of charcoal on the taste of the wood. They assume that charcoal is simply there to heat the grill, that is all. However, real experts can appreciate that charcoal imparts flavor. As such, it is imperative to make the right decision.

The first thing that you need to appreciate is that there are lots of types of charcoal. So, if your local store only has one type, it is a good idea to look around a bit more. In reality, you can find charcoal that ranges from premium grade to stuff that you really shouldn’t use.

Read: How to Choose the Right Charcoal for Your Grill

So, which options should you be selecting? Unless you have a small grill, it doesn’t make sense to splurge on the premium charcoal. Instead, your best bet is to opt for lump hardwood charcoal. As the name suggests, this charcoal is made from lumps of real charred hardwood.

As such, it imparts this wonderful smoky flavor that is simply amazing. At the same time, the wood burns cleanly and produces intense heat.

In terms of what you should stay away from, you should steer clear of is instant charcoal briquettes as they give off a rather unpleasant flavor. While pressed charcoal briquettes will do in a pinch, they aren’t really going to help you for leveling up with grill.

Consider Using a Charcoal Chimney Starter for Leveling up with grill

If you have gone through the trouble of investing in good quality charcoal, the last thing that you want to do is to ruin it by having to use lighter fluid to start your grill. The lighter fluid will rob your charcoal of its natural flavor and prevent your food from being seasoned with that gorgeous smoky flavor.

The alternative to lighter fluid is to set the charcoals alight using a charcoal chimney starter. This is a cylindrical mug-like item that you can pile charcoal into. It is best to light the charcoal using a lighter cube. Once the charcoal has been heated up, it needs to be transferred to the grill.

Now, it can take you a while to get this process down. And, it can be argued that using lighter fluid is easier. However, once you have figured it out, you will be glad that you made the effort. Your food really will taste better than you could have imagined.

Grill at Different Temperatures

Far too many people assume that you can just turn your grill on high and cook all meats and veggies at this temperature. However, this isn’t the case at all. Foods should be cooked at different temperatures according to types and thickness.

Take red meat, for instance. You have to grill steak, thin cuts, and thick cuts differently. This is the only way to ensure that each cut gets grilled to perfection. To avoid making any mistakes, try to cook foods in batches.

Now, steaks and thin cuts don’t need to be cooked all that much. Due to this, you can grill them over high heat for a shorter period of time. This is enough to make sure that the meat is cooked through. However, this will not work for thick-cut meat.

Here, you need to cook the meat over medium heat and for a slightly longer period. This ensures that the meat is cooked from the inside out and is safe for you to eat. Flip the meat over and over until it is cooked through. Wait to get the grill marks only at the end.

The same advice works for chicken and other kinds of poultry, fish, and vegetables. These foods can be considered more delicate so they shouldn’t be exposed to high, direct heat.
If you have a grill where you can control the temperatures for different sections, then make sure to section them off. This way, you will be able to cook a bunch of different foods at the same time instead of having to take turns before finally leveling up with grill.

A cheap hack for this to pile up the charcoal on one side of the grill. This way, one side will heat up more than the other. This is a good trick if you have a smaller grill as well.

Invest in a Thermometer for Leveling up with grill

Fine, you want to prove that you can cook meat to perfection without any help at all and that’s great. However, wouldn’t it be nice if you could make your grilling experience just a little easier for you? Taking the guesswork out of how hot the grill is can ensure that fewer mistakes are made.

It is for these reasons or more that you should get yourself a thermometer for your grill. Digital versions are available and they can be placed in the grill to give you clear readings. This will let you know if the meat can be placed on the grill or if you need to wait longer. It is also great for preventing food from burning on a too-hot grill.

Want to improve your grilling skills even further? Then look for a grill thermometer that can also work as a meat thermometer. This can be used with thicker burgers, steaks, thick cuts of meat, etc. If you feel like your meat is done, simply use the thermometer to confirm. This way, you won’t have to keep the meat on the grill for longer than necessary.

The good news is that these thermometers are a breeze to use. So, go ahead and try them out and you will realize just how useful they actually are.

Well, here it is all the tips and tricks that you need to know to level up your grilling capabilities. The good news for you is that you can easily implement all of these tips for your next cookout. Even if you only choose to incorporate a few guidelines, you will be able to see just how much better your grill and your skills will become.

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