Although grilling may seem like a complicated process, anyone can actually grill - all you need to know is a few simple things and the right preparation, and then it's up to your taste and imagination as to what you want to make.
As the warmer weather invites you outdoors and lifts the mood for frequent gatherings with family and friends, you want to impress your guests with delicious barbecue dishes at every party.
Depending on the type of grill you have - gas, pellet, coal or electric - you need to read the instructions on how to maintain it - only a clean, tidy grill will produce food that tastes great and has no aftertaste from previously cooked food or any drippings. Therefore, keep the instructions close by and if you still lack information - contact the GRILIAI.LT team and we'll tell you everything you need to know and do to make your grill last as long as possible.
What can you need for grilling?
Every grill master should have a few tools to demonstrate their skills. Of course, it all depends on what you put on the grill for cooking, but the basic tools that are most often needed are the following:
- food tongs;
- a spatula for flipping and picking up food;
- meat thermometer;
- grill cleaning brush;
- heat resistant glove;
- butcher paper or foil for wrapping. Of course, you can also use foil for smoking chips.
- Fire extinguisher. Yes, a fire extinguisher. Especially when cooking with charcoal grills, this is a first necessity for your safety.
1. Prepare the grill for cooking
When using your grill for the first time, we recommend that you spray the cold grates with oil for cooking at high temperatures. Then turn the grill to medium heat and heat the grates with the oil for 15 minutes until the oil burns or starts to smoke. That's it - the grill is ready.
If the grill is coated with porcelain enamel, no such preparation is necessary. Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions - they will save you time and tell you exactly what you need to do to start cooking.
2. Don't forget safety
Although grilling is a pleasure, it is also a fire risk, so make sure you have a fire extinguisher nearby, don't keep any flammable objects near the grill and keep the gas cylinder in its designated place on a gas grill. Grease traps must be emptied when full to avoid the risk of grease ignition.
3. Prepare food for grilling
Once the grill is ready, it's time to prepare the food for grilling. It is much better to have the food ready before you start grilling than to have it ready when you are cooking. Slice the vegetables into the desired slices, shape the burger patties with shaping tools, marinate the chicken inside using a syringe. Deep, high-sided utensils are great for bringing food from the kitchen to the grill, but you can certainly use them for tray.
Of course, take a clean plate to put the cooked food on, and clean utensils for this purpose. tongs for the food. Importantly, do not use the same utensils for the prepared food as for the raw meat. Or wash them after handling raw meat.
And don't forget the other accessories you may need to cook comfortably - a meat thermometer, spatulas etc. Have paper towels on hand to avoid mess. Just keep them away from the fire - otherwise you will have a fire show. If you have a grill with side stove, have a cloth or glove to help you avoid burning your hands when taking pans or pots.
4. Start the grill
As mentioned before, follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully, which will help you to heat up your grill without any problems. The instructions will certainly tell you how long and to what temperature to preheat the grill. And if you have any questions, please contact GRILIAI.LT team and we will help you.
The longest heated are charcoal grills, and for a shorter time - gas, pellet and electric.
For charcoal grills can take 20-30 minutes to be ready to cook (of course, we are not talking about COBB travel grill - which has a preheating time of between 7 and 15 minutes). If a charcoal grill this is not the first time you have built a grill, clean the ash from the flaps before building it. Another important thing you need to do is to open all the air vents fully so that the charcoal gets oxygen and burns well. The most convenient way to fire up a charcoal grill is by using a charcoal igniter and, if necessary, tans. Coal We recommend that you use quality charcoal that is specifically designed for cooking food - preferably restaurant grade. Also, do not use lighter fluid as this can only impair the taste and smell of the food.
Gas grills heat up in about 10-15 minutes, so you won't have to wait long for your grill to be ready to cook. Keep the lid of the grill open while it is heating up. The gas cylinder valve should be opened and then one of the grill's burners switched on. Once you have switched on one, you can switch on the others that you need.
Pellet grills are also ready to cook in about 10-15 minutes. They require no special preparation - just add charcoal, set the desired temperature and switch on. That's it, you can wait for the grill to heat up and start cooking.
Electric grills heat up in a similar way to pellet grills. We recommend lining the inside of the grill with foil to make cleaning much easier.
5. Don't forget to maintain your grill
Always keep an eye on the grease tray and clean it well hot grill after each cooking session. During the BBQ season, also monitor the condition of the gas cylinder, if you use one, and be sure to get a cover to protect your grill when not in use!
This is basic information that will definitely allow you to prepare properly for the BBQ season! If you are looking for more tips and for grill enthusiasts who share your passion for grilling and the incomparable dishes you cook on it, you have a few choices:
- Join the Facebook communityJoin the Facebook community, where a large group of grilling enthusiasts will share their experiences with you;
- Subscribe to our newsletterfor our special offers, tips and hottest news;
- Visit us at Galindų g. 9, Kaunas and see the largest grill centre in the Baltic States with more than 30 grills on display.
