While electric and gas grills are straightforward and convenient to operate, there is a reason why charcoal barbeques remain the ultimate standard in BBQ food preparation.
So, if you want to enhance your culinary game, here are some tips on how to make the perfect charcoal BBQ.
Use the Right Equipment
Before you start grilling, you have to ensure that you have the right equipment. Moreover, whatever you plan to use must be in good condition and fit for purpose. Therefore, the grill you buy has to be sufficient to meet your requirements based on various factors, including frequency of use, capacity and space available.
Be Ready
Unfortunately, grilling is not always as forgiving as stovetop cooking. When using a cooker, you can turn off the burner if the need arises during the cooking process. On the other hand, once your grill gets up to temperature, there is little room for adjustment or lapses in attention. Therefore, it is best to ensure that you prepare everything you need in advance and keep necessary items within reach before you begin barbecuing.
Add Flavour to Your Meats
While grilling meat produces irresistible results, there are still steps to take before BBQing to certify such results. The most straightforward option is glazing the meat just before serving. This method allows you to incorporate spices, herbs and other flavourings into the food, mainly if you opt to grill the meat using nothing but basic seasonings.
Alternatively, you can opt to marinate your meat. Marinating allows the meat to absorb different flavours. So, the longer your meat marinates, the more flavourful it becomes. Additionally, marinating can tenderise the meat, resulting in tender, juicy outcomes once off the grill.
Take Advantage of Heat Zones
You can create different heat sections in one grill using judicious charcoal distribution. The best way to do so is by first determining where the areas will lie- so you will have up to three heat zones- high, medium and low. Then, you apply the ‘more principle’ where more charcoal translates to more heat. This method entails stacking all the charcoal in the high heat section and then redistributing it in ever-decreasing amounts to the other areas. Finally, you can use the rule of thumb mentioned above to make adjustments.
Emphasise Cleanliness
Cleanliness plays a key role in your ability to create tasty and healthy meals. Therefore, remember that leaving grease and other food debris on the grill allows them to seep into whatever you are currently cooking, thus altering its taste or making it unsafe to consume.
So, ensure that you diligently clean your charcoal BBQ after every use. It is also advisable to store it away from dirt and wipe it down before lighting it to start food preparation.
Finally, remember that your charcoal BBQ is a valuable tool that embodies the spirit of summer enjoyment. Therefore, it is important to take good care of the grill to ensure that it will be a source of the perfect barbeque every time you light it.
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