Top 50 BBQ TIPS - According to Many

1. Preheat the Grill: For perfect BBQ, always preheat your grill before starting to ensure even cooking.

2. Know Your Heat Zones: Recognise the difference between direct and indirect heat. Use direct heat for smaller, tender cuts and indirect heat for larger, tougher cuts.

3. Oil the Grates: Prevent food from sticking by lightly oiling your grill grates.

4. Season Well: Don't be shy with the seasoning. Salt, pepper, and spices can turn a good BBQ into a great one.

5. Marinate Overnight: Marinate your meats overnight for maximum flavour penetration.

6. Control Flare-Ups: Keep a spray bottle of water handy to douse any flare-ups that might char your food and keep a CO2 fire extinguisher handy in case it get out of control and needs putting out and if using gas, remember to turn it off.

1. Use a Meat Thermometer: A meat thermometer ensures your meat is cooked perfectly and is safe to eat.

2. Let Your Meat Rest: After grilling, let your meat rest for a few minutes to allow juices to redistribute.

3. Keep a Clean Grill: Regular cleaning will prolong the life of your grill and improve the taste of your food.

4. Don't Squash Your Burgers: Pressing burgers down on the grill can result in a dry burger.

5. Wood Chips for Flavour: Adding wood chips to your grill in a woodchip container can infuse your food with a smoky flavour.

6. Choose Quality Meat: Better quality meat will always yield better results.

7. Skewer Sensibly: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water first to prevent burning.

8. Go Low and Slow for Ribs: Slow cooking at a low temperature will make your ribs tender and juicy.

9. Keep the Lid Down: Keep heat consistent by only opening the grill when necessary.

10. Use Tongs: Using a fork can pierce the meat and let out its natural juices. Use tongs instead.

11. Keep it Juicy: To keep poultry juicy, brine it in a saltwater solution before grilling.

12. Be Patient: Don’t rush. Great BBQ is all about slow and low cooking.

13. Avoid Cross-Contamination: Use different utensils and plates for raw and cooked meats.

14. Baste at the Right Time: Add sauces towards the end of cooking to prevent them from burning.

15. Try a Plank: Try grilling fish on a cedar plank for added smokiness.

16. Experiment with Rubs: Spice rubs can add depth of flavour to your meats.

17. Get a Chimney Starter: A chimney starter makes lighting your charcoal grill a breeze.

18. Don’t Forget the Veggies: Vegetables taste fantastic when grilled. Remember to cut them into even sizes for uniform cooking.

19. Practice Safety: Keep your grill at a safe distance from structures and trees, and never leave it unattended.

20. Know When to Sauce: Apply BBQ sauce during the last 10-15 minutes of grilling to avoid burning.

21. Check Your Fuel: Ensure you have enough gas or charcoal before starting to avoid running out mid-cook.

22. Grill Pizza: Try making a pizza on the grill for a crispy, smoky crust.

23. Choose the Right Grill: Pick a grill that fits your needs and cooking style.

1. Get Creative: Experiment with different foods on the grill, like fruits or even cheeses.

2. Try Direct Grilling: This is perfect for thin cuts of meat that you want to cook quickly.

3. Use a Grill Basket: A grill basket is perfect for grilling small items like chopped vegetables or delicate fish.

4. Make a Two-Zone Fire: This allows you to move food from high heat to low heat, useful for cooking larger cuts of meat.

5. Use Charcoal for Smokiness: Charcoal gives a more authentic BBQ flavour compared to gas.

6. Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh, quality ingredients always taste better.

7. Consider the Weather: Cold, windy weather can affect cooking times.

8. Don't Use Lighter Fluid: It can leave an unpleasant taste. A chimney starter is a better choice.

9. Try Grilled Desserts: You can grill more than just meat. Try grilling fruit or making s'mores.

10. Rotate Your Meats: This ensures even cooking and can create great grill marks.

11. Learn From Mistakes: Even BBQ masters make mistakes. Use them as learning experiences.

12. Warm Your Buns: A quick toast of your burger buns on the grill can add a nice touch.

13. Don't Move Food Too Much: Let your food develop a good sear before moving or flipping it.

14. Grill Fish on Lemon Slices: This prevents the fish from sticking and adds a nice citrus flavour.

15. Keep It Simple: Sometimes, the best flavours come from the simplest ingredients.

16. Use Aluminium Foil: Foil can be used to create cooking packets or to clean your grill grates.

17. Grill Whole Chicken at High Heat: This will help the skin become crispy while the inside stays juicy.

18. Keep the Air Vents Open: This ensures your fire gets enough oxygen and keeps your temperature consistent.

19. Be Respectful of Smoke: Be mindful of where your smoke is going, especially in crowded areas or when you have neighbours close by.

20. Keep Spare Fuel: Always have extra charcoal or a spare gas bottle on hand.

21. Have Fun: Above all, enjoy the experience. Grilling is as much about the journey as the destination.