Six Outdoor Grilling Tips for This Summer

Outdoor grilling is a great way to cook while socializing and entertaining friends, especially during the summer months. And with the warmer weather, what better time to soak up some top outdoor grilling tips?

With a little preparation taken care of now, an outdoor grill will be ready and raring to go! That means there’s no need to worry closer to the time. Instead, it can then be grill o’clock with the minimum of fuss and at barely a moment’s notice.

If cleanliness is next to godliness, a clean grill is a must for any aspiring grilling master. Furthermore, ensuring that a grill is spotless ahead of use means there’s no need to worry down the line. Ideally, a grill should be thoroughly cleaned after each use. Either way, and particularly where a grill has been left to stand, such as over winter, another quick spruce-up is always advisable.

A great place to start is with a sturdy brush. Avoid using any cleaning products unnecessarily. In fact, the real secret is to brush the grill while it’s hot. With that, it’s also the perfect opportunity to check that a grill is still in full working order before its first proper outing of the year.

If an individual doesn’t already have a meat thermometer in their cooking equipment arsenal, now’s the time to buy one. As far as grilling tips go, this is arguably the best one! Not only does the meat taste better when it’s not overcooked, you’ll prevent potentially dangerous undercooking.  A suitable thermometer is the perfect way to ensure a proper cook.

It’s vital to remember that different types of meat cook at different speeds. As a result, what constitutes a safe cooking temperature will vary. For example, rare beef is often considered safely cooked at just 125°F. However, chicken must be grilled to at least 165°F before it’s safe to eat.

Did you know, just like smartphones, laptops, and televisions, extended warranties are also available for outdoor grills with Upsie? A part of Upsie’s outdoor and tool warranty lineup, a choice of two- and three-year extended grill warranties can be bought online or via the app.

With an extended warranty from Upsie, grill owners are fully protected in the event of manufacturing defects, mechanical faults, and countless other failures. Fully transferable, customers can then rest safe in the knowledge that they have access to various repair and replacement options should they need them, all with no service fees and no deductible.

With an outdoor grill now ready and raring to go, remember not to interfere too much with the cooking process. While it can be tempting to flip and move food around on a grill while cooking, this should be avoided. Most cuts of meat only need turning once during the grilling process.

Flipping or moving unnecessarily can lead to unevenly or undercooked meat – another reason why it’s important to invest in a thermometer. Also, where a grill has a lid, keep it closed for the most part. Not only will this speed up cooking times, but it’ll also stop meat from drying out while grilling.

While an outdoor grill is also a great way to whip up any number of vegan or vegetarian dishes, they’re most commonly used for preparing meat, which should be left to rest once cooked. Likely hungry and desperate to dive in, it can be tempting to rush this step. However, five minutes should be considered the absolute minimum amount of rest time for most meats.

Any less than five minutes, and there’s little point. Moreover, larger pieces of meat can benefit from up to 15 minutes of resting. That’s roughly the length of time it takes for all juices to fully redistribute in something like a tri-tip cut of beef.

Finally, the last of the grilling tips: don’t forget the sauce! While the best cuts of meat may not need a sauce or glaze, others will benefit massively. Where the plan is to baste what’s being grilled, it’s important to wait until any meat is almost cooked.

Ideally, add a sauce or glaze during the last five or ten minutes of cooking. Particularly in terms of sugary glazes, adding them too early in the cooking process can cause them to burn. Additional condiment-type sauces can then be served with a dish once the meat has rested. Bon appétit, and happy grilling!