BBQ Tips

Best BBQ Tips

Use these helpful bbq tips so your meals turn out the very best they can be. You'll be amazed at the difference a little knowledge can make. You'll find that following these tips will make your bbq season taste better than ever.

Tip 1: Wash the Meat

One of the first things you want to do to improve your barbecuing skills is to gently rinse your meat before you cook. Rinsing removes whatever smells or materials that may have gotten on the meat before you bought it. Pat it dry lightly with paper towels, then apply any rubs or seasonings you want to add before cooking.

Tip 2: Basting

When you use a bbq rub, let the meat cook slowly for at least a third to half the total cooking time before you begin basting. This technique allows the meat warm thoroughly and absorb the seasonings. Basting too early will wash off the rub.

Tip 3: Vegetables

All sorts of vegetables taste wonderful on the barbecue. Cut up your vegetables of choice and coat them with a little olive oil. Season them as you wish. Herbs like parsley, rosemary, garlic, basil, and thyme go well with the usual salt and pepper. Use a shaker basket or grilling wok for the best results.

Tip 4: Check Your Thermometer

Thermometers can lose their accuracy. When you need to cook that brisket at a certain temperature, you don't want to find out the grill was too hot after the fact. You can check it by comparing it to another thermometer that measures the outside temperature; if they are the same, you're good to go. Another method is to remove the thermometer and hold the stem into a container of boiling water. It should read 210 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, place the stem in ice water. It should read 33 to 34 degrees Fahrenheit. If your thermometer is off by 5 or more degrees, replace it.

Tip 5: Cleaning the Grill

An easy way to get your grill clean is to mix up a paste of washing soda and water. Paint the paste onto a wet grill (don't forget to wear your gloves and eye protection!). Close the lid and keep the barbecue cool while it loosens cooked on debris. Take a scrubbing brush and scrub at the grill. Rinse it thoroughly and then spray the interior with a quart of water to which a tablespoon of white vinegar has been added to neutralize the washing soda.

Tip 6: Marinades

If you decide to marinade your food before cooking, you can get some great tasting food. However, if you decide that you must use the leftover marinade as a basting sauce, boil it for a couple minutes first. This kills any germs that may have found their way into the juice while your meat was soaking inside. Boil the marinade and baste away!

These bbq tips can make all the difference between a great tasting meal and one that is overcooked, under flavored or dry. Commit them to memory and you'll see your bbq skills increase quickly.