Direct Heat
Cooking by direct heat means the food is placed on grill
grates directly above lighted burners. Hood position can be
up or down. If hood is in the up position, total cooking times
may be longer
Cooking Methods
TIPS FOR OUTDOOR GRILLING
may be longer.
Direct heat sears the food. Searing is a process that seals
natural juices in food by cooking with intense heat for a short
period of time. While juices stay inside, the outside is
browned with a flavorful grilled coating.
Before Grilling
Thaw food items before grilling.
Indirect Heat
For best results, do not select the indirect heat cooking
Thaw food items before grilling.
Preheat grill on high (use all grill burners) 10 minutes. The
hood must be closed during preheating. Preheating provides
the high heat needed to brown and seal the juices.
Shorten the preheat time when grilling high-fat cuts of meat
or poultry, such as chicken thighs. This will help reduce
flare-ups.
Lightly oil the grill grates or the food when cooking low-fat
cuts of meat, fish or poultry, such as lean hamburger patties,
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method when it is windy.
Cooking by indirect heat means the food is placed on
the grill grate above an unheated burner, allowing heat
from lighted burner(s) on either side to cook the food.
If possible, turn on 2 burners. Cook with the hood
down. This will shorten the cooking time.
shrimp or skinless chicken breasts.
Using too much oil can cause gray ash to deposit on food.
Trim excess fat from meats prior to cooking to reduce
flare-ups.
Make vertical cuts at 2" (5 cm) intervals around the fat edge
of meat to avoid curling.
Add seasoning or salt only after the cooking is finished.
During Grilling
Turn foods only once. Juices are lost when meat is turned
several times.
Turn meat just when juices begin to appear on the surface.
Avoid puncturing or cutting the meats to test doneness. This
allows juices to escape.
It may be necessary to lower the heat setting for foods that
cook a long time or are marinated or basted in a sugary sauce.
If using a high flame, add barbecue sauce only during the last
10 minutes of cooking to avoid burning the sauce.
The degree of doneness is influenced by the type of meat, cut
of meat (size, shape and thickness), heat setting selected, and
length of time on the grill.
Cooking time will be longer with an open grill cover.
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