It is important to know how to grill your food during the summer. You don’t have to have a large, expensive home patio and deck area to get a great patio grill.
There are some creative ways to turn your foods into interesting cold summer dinners.
Summer is the time for concerts, barbecues, backyards, and outdoor dinners. Moreover, it is even more fun when you are cooking your food on a barbecue with friends and family.
If you don’t know how to grill your food during the summer, this article will guide you to a perfect summer that gives pleasure both to your eyes and mouth.
1. Prepare your utensils
One of the steps to any method of cooking is to gather all the needed utensils and tools for the desired dish. Here is a list of utensils and equipment you need for grilling:
- Charcoal
- Chimney starter
- Set of tongs
- Spatula
- 2 prong fork
- Pitt mitt
- Leather grill apron
- Grilling basket
- Barbecue skewers
- Silicone basting brush
- Cast iron grill
- Bear paws
- Grill light
- Cedar grilling paws
- Steel pans
- Hardwood carving boards
You can get all of these on Amazon from the comfort of your home.
2. Start on a neat ground
Yesterday is gone, today is another day. Try not to allow the excess burden of yesterday’s cooking to affect that of today.
Clean all stables first before setting your coal and pots. Grilling in an unclean environment can make your cooking bad and tiring.
3. Make use of the lids
Using the lid on your grill can save time by keeping everything moist and juicy while also allowing some smoke to escape so that your food doesn’t get too dry while cooking.
The best part is that this also helps cut down on the chances of flare-ups from fat dripping onto hot coals or gas flames — no flare-ups means less clean-up after dinner.
4. Keep a spray bottle handy
Apart from the fact that a spray bottle helps to spice up your grills by controlling the level of water in them, it also prevents non-friendly flames from coming unexpectedly.
You may not even realize that you need one until you see how much grease comes off the meat when it’s on the grill. A simple spray bottle filled with water can help keep your grill clean and save your food from burning.
5. Get a food thermometer
Having a meat thermometer will help you as a newbie in cooking.
A perfect grill needs a perfect temperature. And you cannot know this by mere sight or the puncture of your fork. You need a meat thermometer to help you to know when you’re done grilling.
6. Drain the moisture out of your cold foods
When cooking meat and poultry, it’s very important that you drain the moisture from them before placing them on the grill.
Otherwise, they’ll end up steaming instead of browning and will have a different texture than what you expect from grilled food.
This drainage can be achieved by wrapping your meat in paper towels or newspaper before putting it in an airtight container for about 25 minutes. This is why chefs should never be in a hurry.
7. Safety first
Almost all the grilling tools and utensils are sharp. If you do not handle them properly, they will harm you or your children who are catching the fun of the summer.
You should also check the flame of the grill; too much flame can be risky. While you’re checking the flame, keep an eye on the kids around. Do not let the kids around the flames.
8. Grill your fish with citrus
The grilling method used for your meat is different from that of your fish. When grilling your fish in the summer, add a touch of a citrus burst. As the fish grills, add some lemons and oranges.
Adding citrus to your fish will keep it from breaking. It will also add extra sauce and flavors to them.
9. Season your meat ahead of time
Seasonings such as salt and pepper will help enhance the flavor of your meat when it’s cooked over an open flame.
You should also allow your meats to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before cooking them so they cook more evenly on both sides of the cut of meat.
If you season your meat a few hours before you put it on the grill, all of those delicious flavors will have time to soak into the meat and give it an extra boost of taste when it’s done cooking.
10. Make your grill non-sticky
Non-sticky grills are less stressful and they make grilling interesting to watch. This applies if you’re using a gas grill. When gas drips onto hot grates, it becomes sticky and builds up over time until it’s hard to clean off.
To prevent this from happening, start by cleaning off any leftover drippings from previous meals with a wire brush or scraper (if there are any).
Then, coat each side of the grates with vegetable oil spray and let them stand for several minutes before starting to cook with them again.
In addition, you should randomly oil your meat before putting them in the heated pan. You should also oil your pan (to double-check) before you begin grilling.
11. Serve and enjoy
Grills are served simply with chilled fruit juice as you wish. You do not need to include extra aesthetics or dining inclusion when serving.
It could just go directly from the pan to the plate and you begin to eat. Keeping the grills simple will also make your family have the best summer ever.
FAQs
What foods can you grill in summer?
You can grill meats, seafood, poultry, bread, and even vegetables during summer.
Is charcoal better than gas?
Yes, charcoal is better than gas when it comes to grilling. Unlike gas, it gradually heats your food and makes sure it’s well-cooked.
How much time will it take to grill your food?
Depending on the type of food you’re grilling, it can take up to 20 minutes. This is why it is important to get a food thermometer.
How do you keep your meats from drying out?
Use a meat thermometer to tell when it is done. The USDA recommends cooking ground beef patties at 160°F and poultry, which includes chicken and turkey, at 165°F.
How do you flip your burgers?
Let the burger sit for about 2 minutes and then add your ketchup and mustard. You can flip it over when the cheese starts to melt.
Conclusion
Summer is a perfect season for grilling. Eating outdoors, surrounded by friends and family, is a fantastic way to enjoy your time during the warm months.
Whether you are throwing a barbecue, a party, or just planning on staying in with family, grilling makes everything taste better, especially during the summer months.
You can grill about anything: meats, seafood, poultry, and even vegetables. You can also use your grill for bread with the right accessories.
With the steps above, you cannot go wrong the next time you choose to grill in summer. You should also see fluid lighter alternatives you should have to elevate your grilling experience.
Thank you for reading.
