Masterful Sizzle: Grilling Tips

Get the most out of your charcoal or propane-fueled grilling experience with grilling tips from AcuRite! Serve up tasty burgers, dogs, steaks, chops, ribs and veggies, while minimizing the risk of injury, property damage and being aware of food safety practices. Check out this quick overview to help you enjoy a safe and satisfying barbecue.

Grilling 101 

If you’re like us, you’ve grilled many a burger by building a towering inferno of charcoal and throwing the patty right on top. As it turns out, the sophisticated backyard chef can work all sorts of culinary magic with some simple tips:

• Season food early (prior to grilling) to give it enough time to absorb into food.

• To prevent sticking, oil the grill grate or brush a light coat of oil onto your food just prior to placing it on the grill.

• Minimize the use of lighter fluid (it can give your food a bitter flavor).

• While coals are heating up, leave the grill lid open. This allows the lighter fluid to burn up so it doesn't impact food flavor.

• Keep the grill lid closed during cooking to retain natural food flavors, to seal in that smokey just-grilled flavoring, and to help keep foods moist.

• Strategically position the food: 

• Use indirect heat around the edge of the grill for: chicken, fish & tender vegetables.

• Use direct heat in the center of the grill for: beef, lamb, pork & thick cut vegetables.

• Don't use a fork to turn food. Instead use tongs or a spatula to prevent losing flavorful natural juices.

• Apply sauce AFTER most of the grilling is done. 

• Do not cut into the steak right after removing it from the grill.  

• For freshly grilled food A+ presentation, you can create grill marks by positioning your meat at a 45º angle from the grill grates. About 1/4 into the cooking time, rotate the meat a one-quarter turn. Half-way through cooking, flip the meat over. When cooking time has almost completed, give the meat one last 1/4 turn.

• And of course, use an AcuRite grill thermometer to make sure you reach your desired doneness with precision accuracy.

Dessert on the Grill?

Ready to take your grilling to the next level?

Check out our collection of recipes for grilling from one-of-a-kind Pineapple Barbeque Bacon Burgers to Classic Kabobs.

Learn More

Share your Tips Got any great grilling tips? Share your tips using the comments box below and we'll post the best here! "I throw a few sticks from my apple tree in with the charcoal to create a smoker effect on the grill." - Jan B  "When cooking on the grill, I prefer to use dry rubs or spices instead of marinade since the sugar in marinade tends to carmelize and burn up." - John

5 Quick Tips for a Safer Cookout  1) At the grocery store, shop for meats last (right before checkout). Go straight home after shopping so they stay cold. 2) Completely thaw frozen meat before grilling.   3) Keep meat and poultry refrigerated until you’re ready to grill.   4) Thoroughly clean your grilling surface and use clean utensils.   5) Use your AcuRite thermometer to ensure that your meal is not only delicious, but safe! Make sure the entire cut of meat is cooked to a safe temperature: 145ºF for fish, 160ºF for ground beef, veal, and lamb, 165ºF for poultry)