Best →

How to do Barbecue

Written by:

Updated February 11, 2023

Our posts contain affiliate links. Sometimes, not always, we may make $$ when you make a purchase through these links. No Ads. Ever. Learn More

If you are just dipping your toes into the grilling scene, you may wonder how to do barbecue. The best grills, after all, tend to be on the complicated side with plenty of bells and whistles. This includes pellet grills, which you’ll need to learn how pellet grills work and where to get pellet smoker parts should yours break down. Here is everything you need to know to get started with your barbecue grill.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Using a barbecue grill starts with acquiring the appropriate heating source or fuel source, including charcoal briquettes or propane tanks (for a gas grill.)
Always season your grill grates before the first use with cooking oil that boasts a high smoke point. This helps with slow cooking with either indirect heat or direct heat.
Clean the grill immediately after using it to reduce the chances of your grill becoming overrun with mice or other pests.

How to do Barbecue at Home

Insider Tip

Season your meat before cooking with salt, pepper, and whatever else you like. Marinating also helps.

STEP 1 Purchase the Correct Heating Element

Each type of grill requires a unique heating element or fuel source.
There are charcoal grills that require charcoal briquettes or charcoal lumps.
Additionally, gas grills (aka propane grills) require a propane or gas tank to cook your ingredients.
Purchase and install the appropriate fuel or heat source according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
If this is a brand new grill, be sure to learn how to properly dispose of your old grill.

STEP 3 Clean and Season the Grill

Before starting you are going to have to clean and season the grill grates and various components.
For cleaning, use a good grill brush and wire cleaning apparatus. Go slowly and carefully, being sure to remove any caked-in food particles and debris.
Some grills arrive preseasoned, but the seasoning process is fairly simple. Start by filling a spritz or spray bottle with cooking oil.
Choose a cooking oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil or canola oil.
Spray the grill grates with the cooking oil and place the grill on a high heat setting for around an hour to season.

STEP 3 Prepare Your Ingredients

Prepare your favorite ingredients according to personal preference and the tastes of your friends and family.
Additionally, become familiar with the sear station, which is the hottest part of the grill featuring the confluence of three or more burners. Use this sear station, as the name suggests, to sear meat.
Cook your ingredients until they reach your desired temperature and doneness. Use a meat thermometer to check on your ingredients.
Be sure to add Kosher salt, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, barbecue sauces, apple cider vinegar, and whatever additional seasonings you like.

STEP 4 Clean the Grill

Once you finish cooking, immediately perform a spot clean on the grill. This will help you to keep mice out of the grill, in addition to related pests.
Use a grill brush, a wire cleaner, and whatever other tools are recommended by your grill manufacturer.

F.A.Q.S

Which barbecue to use? Charcoal or gas?

Both types are great at serving up indirect heat and direct heat, so choose based on personal preference.

How long does it take to grill chicken?

This depends on the size of the cuts of meat you are preparing. For chicken, try medium heat (direct heat) and go for five to seven minutes, but keep a thermometer on hand.

What to serve with ribs?

Anything goes with ribs, including Kansas City BBQ sauce, hot sauce, or any other favorite barbecue sauce.

STAT: The various regional variations of barbecue can be broadly categorized into those methods which use direct and those which use indirect heating. (source)

REFERENCES:

Lawrence Bonk

Lawrence Bonk is a copywriter with a decade of experience in the tech space, with columns appearing in Engadget, Huffington Post and CBS, among others. He has a cat named Cinnamon.

Also why not check out: