When the sun comes out in the summer months and the kids get out of school, there’s nothing better than breaking out the old BBQ. Many people have fancy gas grills that come with neat features that make cooking a lot easier. But a BBQ traditionalist will say that grilling with gas is too easy. Gas BBQs today are essentially outdoor kitchens and don’t offer the challenge of cooking with charcoal. Obviously, charcoal creates a more unpredictable cooking experience with an increased chance to burn your food. But with the proper preparation and knowledge of basic tips, you might want to go back to using coals for the great flavour you simply can’t get with gas.
Charcoal BBQs are still the preferred method of cooking for people who want smoky flavour that can be achieved over many hours of slow cooking. And for faster cooking steaks and chicken, a charcoal barbeque will be able to give you a great crisp sear on the outside while keeping food juicy on the inside. If you are using charcoal, you should always make sure to light the fire twenty minutes before you start cooking. And don’t begin grilling until the coals are a light grey colour or you risk the fire rising up and engulfing your food. You should always have a spray water bottle in your hand to cut down the heat if it gets out of control. And don’t leave your BBQ unattended because the drippings from food can lead thing to get wild if you aren’t careful.
It’s always important to maintain your equipment so make sure to keep your grill as clean as possible. Some people wait until the next time they BBQ to clean their coal pit or grill, but you should never let the greasy residue solidify. A clean grill makes for a better tasting cut of meat and eliminates the sticking that ruins so much BBQ food. There is a great tradition of charcoal barbeque grills that has allowed people to enjoy great tasting BBQ for years. So consider going back to your roots and you may rediscover a way of cooking that offers both challenge and juicy flavour.
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