Grillin’ IQ
Fire Up the Grill
Whether you fire up the grill with charcoal or gas, here are some guidelines that make setting up the grill simple.
For a Charcoal Grill – About 25-30 minutes before cooking, remove the grill cover and open all the vents. Place the briquettes on the lower charcoal grate. For direct cooking, use enough briquettes to cover the grate completely with one layer. Then pile these briquettes in a pyramid in the center of the grate. For indirect cooking, the number of briquettes needed is based on your grill size. Check out the chart, below. Light the coals using a chimney starter, an electric starter or a chemical starter such as instant-lighting briquettes. Use a long match to light the coals. Leave the grill uncovered as it preheats. Let the coals burn until they turn ash gray (by day) or glow red (by night). Using long-handle tongs, arrange coals according to the desired cooking method. For direct cooking, spread the coals evenly across the bottom of the grill so the coals reach 3 inches beyond all sides of the food you plan to cook. For indirect cooking, arrange the coals at one side of the grill; place a drip pan on the other side. Or place the drip pan in the center of the grill and arrange coals into two piles on opposite sides of the pan. Add grill rack and check the temperature.
| Grilling diameter in inches | Briquettes needed to start | Briquettes to add if coals start to cool |
|---|---|---|
| 26 ¾ | 60 | 18 |
| 22 ½ | 50 | 16 |
| 18 ½ | 32 | 10 |
For a Gas Grill – To preheat a gas grill, turn on the gas valve and set the burners on high. Ignite as directed by the manufacturer. Close the lid and allow the grill to preheat (usually 10 to 15 minutes with all burners on high). For direct cooking, set the burner controls to the temperature as directed in the recipe; cook directly over the heat. For indirect cooking, preheat grill as above. Turn off the burners directly below where the food will grill. For direct cooking or indirect cooking, adjust the burner controls as needed during cooking.
Lid On, Lid Off?
With its lid closed, a grill is like an oven. It reflects heat and cooks the food from all sides, thereby reducing cooking time. With a charcoal grill, it is important to keep the vents open to feed oxygen to the fire. Open the vents more to increase the temperature or partially close them to reduce the temperature. While there are no hard-and-fast rules, use these guidelines.
| Hand-Holding Time | Thermometer | Temperature | Visual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 seconds | 400⁰ F to 450⁰ F | Hot (High) | Coals glow and are lightly covered in gray ash. |
| 3 seconds | 375⁰ F to 400⁰ F | Medium-High | |
| 4 seconds | 350⁰ F to 375⁰ F | Medium | Coals glow through a layer of ash. |
| 5 seconds | 325⁰ F to 350⁰ F | Medium-Low | |
| 6 seconds | 300⁰ F to 325⁰ F | Low | Coals are burning down and are covered with thick ash |
Cover the Grill:
- When grilling larger food items over indirect heat so they cook evenly on all sides.
- To reduce the supply of oxygen fueling the fire and control flare-ups.
- When smoking food so the smoke infuses the food with flavor.
Uncover the Grill
- To prevent overcooking when direct-cooking thinner, smaller foods with short cooking times.
- While monitoring foods that could burn or flare up, such as steaks with brushed-on sauces.
Coals: Ready or Not?
Coals are ready for grilling when they are covered with gray ash, typically 25 to 30 minutes after lighting. To check the temperature of the coals, use a built-in or separate flat grill thermometer. Or carefully place the palm of your hand above the grill at the cooking level and count the number of seconds you can hold it there. With your hand above the grill, say, “One, I love grilling; two, I love grilling…” and so on. Then check the chart, below, to determine the grill’s temperature.Note: When you use indirect grilling, hot coals provide medium-hot heat and medium-hot coals provide medium heat.
| Hand-Holding Time | Thermometer | Temperature | Visual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 seconds | 400°F to 450° F | Hot (High) | Coals glow and are lightly covered in gray ash. |
| 3 seconds | 375° F to 400°F | Medium-High | |
| 4 seconds | 350°F to 375°F | Medium | Coals glow through a layer of ash. |
| 5 seconds | 325°F to 350°F | Medium-Low | |
| 6 seconds | 300°F to 325°F | Low | Coals are burning down and are covered with thick ash |