Barbecue for Beginners: The Ultimate Guide!

Barbecue for Beginners: The Ultimate Guide!

Do you also want to grill like a professional at gatherings with friends or family dinners? Even if you've never done it before, don't worry! Below you can find tips and advice for your first time as a griller and impress everyone!

Getting Started...

Barbecue for Beginners: The Ultimate Guide!

Choosing a Grill

Start with finding the perfect grill for the barbecue you want to organize. No matter how difficult it seems, you just need to answer 3 basic questions:

  • What amount can I spend?
  • How much time do I want to spend grilling?
  • Do I want to grill in an outdoor or indoor space?

By reading our related article and answering the above questions, you will easily find the ideal grill for your needs.

  • Gas Grills Gas Grills
  • Charcoal Grills Charcoal Grills
  • Electric Grills Electric Grills
  • Prefabricated Barbecues Prefabricated Barbecues
  • Teppanyaki Grills Teppanyaki Grills

Basic Rules

  • Grilling requires patience. To achieve a good result, you need to give it time. Especially when we talk about large pieces of meat that require more time, but also for foods like chicken, which need to be well-cooked to be eaten.
  • Preparation is everything. Depending on the food you will grill, the corresponding preparation is required. Wash the vegetables, clean the fish, and prepare each meat accordingly.
  • Experiment with flavors gradually. In cooking, when we marinate a food, we give it extra flavor. In grilling, things are a bit different. The essence of barbeque is that smoky flavor that foods get from the process, and an excessive marinade might spoil it. Keep it simple at first - prefer salt, pepper, paprika, and a little oil - and gradually add different spices.
  • Start with the basics. You don't need to dive in headfirst. Start with simple foods like burgers, sausages, or chicken. They are easy and quick to prepare. When you feel confident, you can start experimenting with more demanding foods, such as specific cuts of meat.

During Baking

Barbecue for Beginners: The Ultimate Guide!

Fire Intensity

Adjust the fire or temperature (for electric grills) according to the food you want to grill each time. 

  • High heat for steaks, burgers, or vegetables - foods that cook quickly.
  • Low heat for chicken or ribs - foods that need thorough and even cooking.
Tip: You can adjust one part of the grill to have more heat and the other part with lower intensity, where you can place the foods that are already cooked to keep them warm.

Temperature Adjustment

Depending on the grill you choose, you will need to learn how to handle the temperature and adjust it as needed.

  • For classic grills (with charcoal): Light the charcoal with a barbecue air gun and start grilling once the charcoal begins to turn white. Check the airflow with the help of the vents located at the bottom. Allowing more oxygen to pass into the grill makes the fire stronger.
  • For gas grills: Preheat the grill for about 10-15 minutes before use. You can easily control the temperature with the knobs. Keep the temperature steady for even grilling. 
  • For electric grills: The same applies as for gas grills, except that some electric grills may have preset settings, such as choosing between low, medium, and high temperature.
Tip: A thermometer will help you know the temperature of your grills at any time.

After baking

Barbecue for Beginners: The Ultimate Guide!

Rest

It is very important to let your grilled food rest for a few minutes before consumption. This guarantees a better result in both texture and taste. 

Cleanliness

After each barbecue, remember to thoroughly clean the grill and the rest of your barbecue with a grill cleaning brush. This means it will be clean for the next time and you will need much less preparation time. Additionally, consistent cleanliness ensures a longer lifespan for your barbecue and saves you money.

And don't forget the essentials:

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