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Top 5 BBQ Grilling Tips from Our Expert Chefs

Top 5 BBQ Grilling Tips from Our Expert Chefs

Top 5 BBQ Grilling Tips from Our Expert Chefs

There’s something special about grilling. The sizzle of meat, the smoky aroma wafting through the air, and the joy of cooking—it’s an experience that brings everyone together. Barbeque in Edmonton believe that grilling is an art. That’s why our expert chefs have shared their top BBQ grilling tips to help you master your backyard barbeque grill game.

Whether you’re a BBQ pro or a beginner, Barbecue in Edmonton grilling tips will help elevate your skills. So, get those grills going, and let’s jump right in!

Preheat Your Grill Like a Pro

Many overlook preheating, but it sets the stage for great grilling. Skipping this step may lead to uneven cooking, sticking food, and lacklustre grill marks. When the grill is fully heated before you start cooking, it ensures that every piece of food you place on it cooks evenly and sears beautifully.

Why Preheat?

Preheating your grill gets it to a high enough temperature where food doesn’t just sit and stick to the grates. Instead, the hot surface immediately sears the meat or vegetables, locking in flavour and moisture. It also prevents the food from drying out since you won’t need to cook it for long to get the right texture and colour.

How to Preheat:

  • For Gas Grills: Turn on all the burners high and close the lid. Allow the grill machine to preheat for at least 10-15 minutes. It should reach a temperature of 400-450°F before you start cooking.
  • For Charcoal Grills: Light your coals and wait until they are covered with white ash. This usually takes 15-20 minutes. Spread the coals evenly and close the lid to let the interior warm up before placing your food on the grill.
Expert Tip: After preheating, use a grill brush to remove any leftover debris from previous sessions. Cleaning the grill machine will prevent sticking and give your food a clean surface for those perfect sear marks.

Marinate for Maximum Flavor

Marinating is the secret to unlocking deeper, decadent flavours in your BBQ. A good marinade does more than just flavour the surface—it penetrates the meat, infusing it with moisture and tenderness. Ingredients like acid (from citrus or vinegar), fat (from oils), and herbs or spices work together to break down more rigid proteins and enhance taste.

How to Maximize Flavor:

  • Timing is Key: Allow your meat to marinate for at least a few hours, though overnight is ideal. This gives the ingredients time to work their magic. The longer the meat marinates, the deeper the flavours will be.
  • Ingredients Matter: A basic marinade can include olive oil, garlic, soy sauce, herbs, and citrus juices. Each component has a purpose: oil adds moisture, acids tenderize the meat, and herbs and spices add flavour.
Expert Tip: Save a portion of your marinade before soaking the meat as a basting sauce. This keeps the flavour intense while cooking without risking cross-contamination.

Master the Two-Zone Cooking Method

Grilling different types of food or various cuts of meat requires more than flipping everything over direct heat. The two-zone cooking method allows for better temperature control, ensuring that delicate foods don’t burn while thicker cuts cook evenly through the center.

How to Set Up Two-Zone Cooking:

  • Direct Heat Zone: On this side of the grill, you place the food over the hottest part, like right over the flames or coals. It’s perfect for searing steaks, burgers, or any food that requires a quick, high-heat cook.
  • Indirect Heat Zone: This area is for cooking and finishing food slower without burning it. It’s ideal for more significant cuts, like ribs or chicken, that need more time to cook through without the risk of scorching the outside.
Expert Tip: Leave one burner off for gas grills to create a cooler, indirect zone. On charcoal grills, push the coals to one side. Start by searing your meat over the direct heat, then move it to the indirect side to finish cooking without drying out.

Don’t Press Down on Your Meat

We understand the temptation to press down on your burgers or steaks with the spatula to hear that satisfying sizzle. But this common habit is one of the quickest ways to dry out your meat. By pressing down, you’re squeezing out all the juices—the very thing that makes grilled meat so tender and flavorful.

Why You Shouldn’t Press:

Pressing down on the meat forces the juices to escape, which leads to drier, less flavorful meat. These juices are essential for keeping your food moist and succulent, especially for cuts like burgers, steaks, or chicken breasts. The sizzle may sound great, but you’re losing flavour.

How to Grill Without Pressing:

  • Let the meat sit undisturbed on the grill for a few minutes before flipping. 
  • Flip the meat only once during the cooking process to prevent overhandling. Resist the urge to move or press it constantly to get better, browning and searing.
Expert Tip: Trust your grill to do the work. Instead of cutting into the meat, use a thermometer to check doneness, releasing juices. Leave the flipping and handling to a minimum, and you’ll have juicy, flavorful results.

Rest Your Meat Before Serving

After all the effort of grilling the perfect steak or chicken, the last thing you want is to lose all those flavorful juices. That’s why resting your meat before serving is so important. Resting allows the delicious juices to redistribute in the meat, making every bite as juicy as the last.

Why Resting is Crucial:

When meat is cooked, the heat pushes the juices to the center. If you slice into it right away, these juices will escape onto the cutting board. The juices redistribute throughout by letting the meat rest, ensuring it stays juicy and tender.

How Long Should You Rest Meat?:

  • More minor cuts, like steaks or chicken breasts, need about 5-10 minutes to rest.
  • More significant cuts, like brisket or roasts, benefit from a 20-30 minute resting period.
Expert Tip: Loosely tug the meat with foil while it rests to keep it warm without trapping steam, which can make the outer crust soggy. Resting ensures you’ll have a tender, flavorful final product worth every minute of patience.

Ready to Elevate Your BBQ Experience?

Now that you’ve got the inside scoop from our expert chefs, it’s time to put these BBQ tips into practice. Whether you’re grilling burgers for a family cookout or prepping for a big BBQ bash, these tips will ensure your food is flavorful, juicy, and perfectly cooked. At Your Spot Barbeque, we’re passionate about helping you become the ultimate BBQ master. Barbeque in Edmonton has everything you need to fire up the perfect high-quality grills and accessories to expert advice.

Ready to take your grilling to the next level? If your loved ones are searching for a ” barbecue near me,” visit our BBQ shop today and explore our premium grills, tools, and marinades collection. Let’s make your next best BBQ unforgettable!

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