Barbequing is one of the most fun activities during summer as it brings people together to enjoy good food. People have friends and family over and play music, dance, swim, and enjoy refreshing drinks all while they BBQ.
These gatherings or parties are a lot of fun, but they’re definitely more enjoyable when the host does the BBQing right. A perfect party can be a bit of a bummer if the food isn’t cooked well.
Good BBQ is a time-honored tradition in the American south and not cooking it well enough can be a crime against the lovers of this masterful method of meat preparation. To honor yourself, your friends and family, and the good food that needs to be magnificently grilled, here are 6 tips to become your own neighborhood’s pitmaster.
1. Charcoal Grills Are the Ultimate Choice
Electric or gasoline grills are great too, but charcoal grills give whatever you’re cooking this perfect smokey taste that only charcoal can give. There’s nothing better than the mixture of burning charcoal smell against the grilled meat, veggies, sauces, and spices you’re using that fills the hot summer air and makes the music sound even better, and dancing all the more fun.
2. Make Sure the Meat Is Cooked on the Inside
Everyone makes this common mistake at first, thinking the meat is done and ready to eat, to realize that it only looks done on the outside and is still raw on the inside. The best way to avoid making this mistake is to learn how to bbq and grill, and learn how to tell when the food still needs a little more time and when it’s ready. One of the best ways to find out whether the food is ready or not is to check the firmness of the meat. Various meats will give certain amounts of pushback based on the level of doneness they’re at.
3. Always Prepare Your Tools Before You Start
Before you start anything, make a checklist of everything you need to BBQ the food. Have your tongs ready, all the utensils you need, oil, charcoal, sauces, and spices prepped, and make sure you have extra pans in case of any emergencies.
4. Marinate Overnight
It’s extremely important to marinate your fish and meat to keep them juicy and lock in the delicious taste. For best results, marinate the meat the night before and keep it in the fridge overnight to absorb the taste.
5. Use Metal Tools
Since grilling requires a lot of waiting, metal tools are the best to keep on the grill as they’re the best at handling and conducting high levels of heat. Plastic tools, on the other hand, will most probably melt if you leave them, so metal is the best choice.
6. Don’t Barbeque Meat When It’s Fridge-Chill
Before you start cooking the meat, you must take it out of the fridge for about 20 minutes to make sure it cooks well. If you put it on the grill when it’s still too cold from the fridge it may burn on the outside and still be raw on the inside as the heat won’t fully penetrate the inside of the meat. It’s always best to wait for your BBQ to lose its chill before cooking.
Barbecued food is delicious, but it can be a bit challenging to get it cooked right. If you follow the right steps and use the right marinades, however, you can enjoy one of the tastiest cuisines on the planet. Once you have your own system you’ll be a pro and enjoy the process of cooking while having a great time at the party.
