How To Light Charcoal
You can use lighter fluid to help get the charcoal started, or a simple chimney starter that doesn’t require lighter fluid. Here’s how it works: A chimney starter is a hollow metal cylinder with holes at both ends. This is an easy way to evenly and quickly light charcoal and takes minimum skill to use. Simply crumple newspaper at the bottom of the chimney, place the coals on top. Remove the top grate from your grill and place the chimney starter on the lower grate. Light the paper with a match or long-handled lighter, and let the chimney do the work. After about 10 to 15 minutes the coals will be hot and covered with grey ash. Empty them into your grill, spread them out, and close the grill lid until the temperature is hot enough for what you’re grilling.
Try this recipe: London Broil II
Starting with hot coals is the trick to cooking up this London Broil II. If you choose to use a real London Broil , recipe reviewer Jillian suggests increasing the marinating time to make sure it’s perfectly tender.
This Summer Learn How To Use A Charcoal Grill Mastering This Skill Means You’ll Have Some Amazing Cookouts Delicious Food And Fond Memories
Grilling is a wonderful way to sizzle your suppers in the summertime . While some folks like the ease of a gas grill, we know there are some dedicated charcoal fans out there. After all, theres no replicating that flavor!
But before you grab that bag of charcoal or head to the store to buy your first-ever grill, read up on how you can master your barbecue.
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Barbecued Sesame Sweet Potatoes
These glazed barbecue sesame sweet potatoes are the ultimate side for casual summer dining. Coated in a gorgeously sticky marinade of ginger, soy and garlic, they are full of flavour and a scattering of sesame seeds peanuts adds some satisfying crunch. Leave out the chillies if you want to tone down the heat for youngsters. These potato fries are also delicious dipped in barbecue sauce for extra smokiness.
Also Check: Are Weber Gas Grills Worth The Money
Cutting Cancer Risks From Hcas
Some ways of grilling meat can give rise to HCAs, which are believed to cause cancer. HCAs tend to form the longer meat cooks on the grill and when it gets charred or exposed to smoke from fat dripping on the coals. Grilling seafood, vegetables, or fruits doesn’t create substantial HCAs. For healthier meat and poultry grilling:
- Cook small, lean pieces of meat, which take less time on the grill and produce less smoke from dripping fat.
- If you use a charcoal grill, center the food on the grate but push the coals to one side.
- Remove visible fat to prevent flare-ups.
Grill Recipes For Summer
Wondering what to grill tonight for dinner, whats good to cook on the grill, or what to grill for a crowd? Then youve come to the right place!
Ive got all the best grill recipes and summer grilling ideas gathered in one place, so you can make the most of the season.
With the warmer weather and longer days, its time to pull out the grill for BBQs and summer get togethers! This is one of my favorite times of year for food because there are so many delicious things to cook on the grill. Of course there are all the juicy meats we salivate over, but I also love the grilled side dishes and healthier options for a bit of a change.
And of course I rounded up the BEST recipes to give you tons of grilling ideas to try out this summer. Weve got the burgers and steaks, as well as grilled chicken, healthy recipes, and even grilled side dishes!
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How To Cook On A Charcoal Barbecue
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Looking for the fool-proof way to cook on a charcoal barbecue?
Before you decide what food to grill, you need to get the basics in order: a foolproof lighting method and a bit of know-how when it comes to controlling the temperature will set you up in good stead for cooking on a charcoal barbecue.
Top 20 Family Barbecue Recipes
Treat your family to a summer of fabulous barbecue recipes with these sunshine-inspired dishes. You can even pick your perfect barbecue hardware with our handy review of the best sets on offer.
We’ve got meaty medleys, chicken gyros and hearty veggie sweet potato jackets to satisfy hungry kids and grown ups alike. Before you start, make sure your party goes without a hitch with our guide to barbecuing safely.
See below for plenty of BBQ inspiration, from burgers and kebabs to potato salads and desserts. Also check out our collection of family barbecue recipes for more ideas.
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Grilled Chilean Beef Skewers
Chilean beef skewers flavored with a sweet and zesty chimichurri sauce and served on a bed of cilantro rice? Wow. These kabobs are the kabomb!
All you need is to drizzle beef with olive oil and flavor it with lime zest and garlic. Let it sit for a few minutes, and its ready for grilling.
The chimichurri sauce is a blend of cilantro, olive oil, lime juice, jalapenos, onions, coriander, paprika, salt, and garlic.
As for the rice, just mix it with cilantro, scallions, and lime.
Put them all together, and voila! Dinner is served.
While it sounds so complicated, this dish is actually a cinch to make. There are 3 components, but theyre all really simple.
Types Of Charcoal Grills
Kettles are deep and rounded. As you pile the briquets high on top of each other, rather than spread them out in these grills, they do a good job of holding in heat. Youll find them good for foods like chicken, a side of salmon, or a leg of lamb that you want to cook low and slow until theyre done. It can be tricky to add more charcoal to a kettle during grilling as you have to lift the grate.
Barrels are so-named because they look like a barrel lying on its side. Wide and shallow, they require a substantial amount of charcoal but give you room for a whole lot of food on their broad grates. As they cook quickly, barrels are best for grillers who stick to the basics. Its easy to add charcoal to barrel grills if you want to keep the party going all afternoon.
Ceramics or Kamados really hold in the heat and keep it at a steady temperature, giving you lots of control over cooking. Theyre ideal for serious grillers who want to master items like slabs of ribs, pork shoulders, and brisket. They also make a mean steak. The downsides are that kamados are pricey and heavy, and dont have a very big cooking surface.
Weber/Wayfair
Also Check: How Do I Know Which Weber Grill I Have
The Amount Of Space Available
Charcoal grills make food tasty, and they benefit grillers because they come in compact sizes that dont require a lot of room to spread out. While gas grills need to accommodate a large propane tank and often have prep surfaces attached, a good charcoal grill can fit on a small patio or deck.
When deciding on a grill, measure the amount of space you have available. Be mindful that youll need to leave enough room to keep the heat source far away from flammable structures, including your home. Buy a grill that fits your space while providing ample room around it for movement and dining.
Grilled Chicken And Pineapple Skewers
Chicken and pineapple pair up in these bright, colorful skewers.
Dont you just love the combo of sweet and savory? I cant get enough of it, which is why Im head over heels in love with these skewers.
Pair that with sweet and juicy pineapple chunks, and youll have a winner! These are so tasty, you wont even realize theyre healthy.
Sweet, plump, and savory, shrimp is a gift from the sea. You wont want this treasure to go to waste, so make sure you cook it right. Give it the best treatment by using this recipe.
It doesnt take long to cook this dish. Just 20 minutes, and its ready to serve. So, if youre looking for a quick and easy glorious meal, this is the one for you.
Also Check: Can You Make Grilled Cheese With Shredded Cheese
Making Pizza On The Grill
Making homemade pizza on the grill is pretty easy, with the right dough and a few simple tools. Our favorite way to grill pizza is to use a rustic dough that gets its legs from semolina flour and a touch of olive oil.
It takes a special pizza crust to hold up to the rigors of the grill. This pizza dough recipe is one of our favorite summer grilling recipes. It uses semolina flour, olive oil, and a little butter to create a pliable pizza dough that works with cast iron pans and directly on the grill.
The dough is easy to work with, tastes delicious, and has a rustic texture.
How to Use Cast Iron to Make Pizza on the Grill
So often, when someone talks about homemade pizza, it conjures up images of soggy crust, bland toppings, and why there are so many frozen pizzas in the grocery store. But it doesnt have to be that way all you need to make better homemade pizza is the right combination of dough, tools, and technique.
An easy way to make grilled pizza is to use naan flatbreads. The flatbread holds up to the grills heat and is delicious with a wide variety of ingredients.
Can I Cook A Brisket On A Gas Grill
If youre cooking a brisket on a gas grill, youll need to cook it on indirect heat. This means that youll need to turn one side of the grill off and place the brisket on the other side. Cook the brisket for about 60-90 minutes, or until it is cooked through. For more tips, see the full guide above.
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What Can Be Grilled On A Charcoal Grill
The better question here might be what cant be grilled on a charcoal grill we got nothing. Meat, veggies, fruits and even some grains can be cooked on a charcoal grill if it can be cooked in an oven then chances are youll be able to cook it out on the grill too! The best part about grilling is that there are so many different cuisines you can explore. From Latin American food like steak fajitas and churrasco to classic American recipes like burgers and hot dogs, the possibilities are endless.
Choosing A Charcoal Grill
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If youre looking to buy a grill or just upgrade the one you have, there are a few criteria to keep in mind.
- Shape: Youll find charcoal grills in many shapes and sizes. Round kettle shapes are very common, though you can also find barrel-style, rectangular and square grills. Any shape will work, but you may prefer one based on what suits your yard, storage space and cooking style.
- Surface area: Grills come in all sizes. Make sure youre buying one with enough space for your needs.
- Ease of cleaning: Charcoal grilling is a messy business. Look for models that give easy options for cleanup including ash containers.
- Price: Charcoal grills vary greatly in price. The classic Weber kettle grill starts at around $100 and is a great option for amateur and pro grillers alike. Youll also find some pretty fancy charcoal grills out there nearing the $1,000 mark. Its all up to you and your budget.
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Indirect Vs Direct Heat Grilling
You can create different cooking “zones” on a charcoal grill, which is great for searing, cooking, and keeping food warm. After the charcoal is lit, don’t cover the entire grill with the briquettes. Create a “hot zone” or direct heating area on one end of the grill by evenly distributing the coals under half of the grill. This is the perfect spot for searing meat and getting beautiful hatch-marks. Then move to a “cool zone” or indirect heat with fewer or no briquettes to finish cooking. This will prevent flare-ups and cook food more evenly. If you leave it over direct heat for too long, you often end up with a burnt exterior and raw interior. Plus, if you are grilling a large cut of meat , cooking over the indirect heat with the lid on will create the same effect as using an oven.
Try this recipe: Cherry Bomb Chicken
Watch the video to see Chef John demonstrate how to start this top-rated grilled chicken recipe over direct heat to get grill marks, and then move it to indirect heat to finish cooking.
Fish That Can Take The Heat
Salmon is almost a grilling tradition — it cooks well on the grill because its oils keep it moist and help prevent sticking. For medium-rare fillets, cook them about 4 minutes on each side. Besides salmon, the best fish to grill are ones that can be cut thickly and cooked with the skin. Consider halibut, tuna, trout, and swordfish. A well oiled grill can help prevent sticking.
Also Check: What Pellet Grill Has The Best Warranty
Tips And Ideas For Grilling
Theres a skill to grilling, to knowing how to use the heat from the grill to cook steaks, chops, and burgers to the point where theyre cooked through without overcooking them and drying them out. There is a skill in knowing how to use the smoke to add flavor to vegetables without overpowering their natural flavors.
To help folks develop their grilling skills, weve added a few of our best how-to features, each of which was written to help you get the most from your grill.
If there is a secret to grilling, its temperature control. Learning when to use high heat to crisp things up and when to back off and use indirect heat is the foundation of great grilling.
Of course, every grill is different, and the best way weve found to understand where the hot and cool zones are on a grill is to use the white bread test. As a side note, for people who love to grill, running the test is fun to do and will teach you something new about your grill.
How to Use the White Bread Test to Grill Better Food
Using the white bread grill test is an easy way to see how your grill really works and is a great way to learn how to grill better food.
Theres a secret when youre barbecuing that makes all the difference between chicken and ribs with a nice crispy outside with just the right amount of sauce on top versus barbecue so gummy that it tastes like day old drive-through.
Tips for Tasty, Simple Grilled Burgers
Which Coals Should You Use
Not all coal is created equal: instant light coals are usually soaked in chemicals which, while useful for getting things going, can infuse anything thats cooked above them with a petrol-like flavour if they havent burned off properly.Hone your fire-starting finesse and opt for lumpwood charcoal from sustainable sources. It burns at a high, consistent temperature thats perfect for barbecuing.
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Move Over Burgersgrilled Pizza Has Entered The Building
- Eggs cook to sunny-side up perfection in a smoky, spicy tomato sauce on this delightfully over-the-top, feta-sprinkled grilled shakshuka pizza.
- If youre tight on time, make this four-ingredient grilled flatbread with burrata cheese using fresh pizza dough from your local pizzeria .
- And if youre really, really tight on time, just use store-bought flatbread, and throw this Thai Chicken Pizza on the grill.
Tips To Cook A Brisket On A Charcoal Grill
-Trim the fat off of the brisket before cooking it. This will help to prevent the meat from drying out.
-Season the brisket with your favorite spices or rubs before cooking it. This will add flavor to the meat.
-Make sure that the charcoal grill is hot before you place the brisket on it. This will help to prevent the meat from sticking to the grill.
-Cook the brisket for about 60-90 minutes, or until it is cooked through.
-Let the brisket rest for a few minutes before slicing it. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
Serve the sliced brisket with your favorite barbecue sauce.
-If you are using a gas grill, you can cook the brisket on indirect heat. This means that you will need to turn one side of the grill off and place the brisket on the other side. Cook the brisket for about 60-90 minutes, or until it is cooked through.
-If you want to add smoke flavor to the brisket, you can place wood chips in a foil pouch and place it on the hot side of the grill. Be sure to poke holes in the foil so that the smoke can escape.
-To ensure that the brisket is cooked evenly, you can rotate it every 30 minutes or so. This will help to prevent any hot spots on the grill from overcooking the meat.
-If you want a crispier crust on the brisket, you can brush it with oil before cooking it. This will help to give the meat a nice sear when it hits the grill.
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Need Some Charcoal Grilling Tips Learn From Three Champion Bbqers Who Shared Their Best Grilling Strategies With Us
Chris Lilly photo: Kingsford Charcoal | Allen LeCuyer photo: Allen LeCuyer | Matt Moore photo: Clay Hassler
Chris Lilly is a world-champion pitmaster, spokesperson for Kingsford Charcoal and five-time winner of the Memphis in May BBQ competition. Hes also vice president, executive chef and partner at Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q and head chef of the Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q Competition Cooking Team.
Allen LeCuyer is pitmaster for the competition BBQ team, Magnum P.I.G. He has been on the competitive backyard-grilling circuit since 2016, and has won multiple Grand Championships, including Minnesota in May and Rotary Rockn Ribs.
Matt Moore is a BBQ pro and author of multiple grilling books, including Serial Griller: Grillmaster Secrets for Flame-Cooked Perfection. His work has been featured by the BBC and CBC, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Atlanta Constitution, Chicago Tribune and others.
We asked each of these BBQ gurus for their best charcoal grilling tips. They had a lot to say, but first