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Get Ready for Game Day With These 10 Grilling Tips

Community | 08/21/19
Big Green Egg with Steaks

Football season is finally here, and that means it’s time to fire up the grill for game day. Here are 10 grilling hacks to elevate your celebrations wherever you may be this Labor Day or any time of year.

1. Use a muffin tray for your “fixings.”

Skip the condiment chaos by keeping all your “fixings” in one neat place: A muffin tray! The 12 sections are perfectly suited for housing your ketchup, mustard, relish, BBQ sauces, pickles, tomatoes, and any other toppings to top your burgers and hot dogs. This also works great if you have several different basting sauces to use. Your guests will know exactly where to find anything they need, and best of all, you’ve only got one dish to wash!

2. Clean with an onion.

Isn’t it annoying when you’re ready to start grilling only to find that your grate is covered with caked-on gook? Grill cleanup is finally hassle-free with this hack!

The next time you use your grill, clean it while it’s still hot. Slice an onion in half, and use it to scrub the drippings and other gunk off your grill. It should come off easily. As a bonus, you’ll be giving your grill a tasty seasoning for your next barbecue.

3. Layer your grate for veggies.

Grilled greens are delicious, but fishing out those slippery peppers and zucchini slices from the bottom of your grill isn’t all that fun. Have your grilled veggies and eat them too with this trick.

Use an old barbecue grate or purchase a spare one and place it across your existing grate before grilling vegetables. The grid should keep your veggies from slipping, while still giving you the flame-licked taste you savor.

Be sure to let this extra grate heat along with your grill grate so you get those awesome grill marks.

4. Wrap your vegetables.

If you like chunkier vegetables, try this tip. Wrap diced sweet potato, potato or zucchini squares in foil and place it on the grill while you work on your entrees. After 10 minutes or so, you’ll have a delicious, side dish! Tip: You can do this with any of your favorite veggies.

5. Use two skewers.

Kebabs are fun to eat, but turning them can be tricky. Make it easier with this hack! Double your skewers per kebab so individual pieces of meat or chicken don’t rotate on their own as you flip the entire kebab. Also, don’t forget to soak the skewers in water for 30 minutes before you start grilling.

6. Add a smoker to your grill.

You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars for that sensational smoky flavor. Turn your grill into a smoker by wrapping some wood chips in foil, poking some holes in the pouch and tossing it on top of the grill’s burner and underneath the grate. Now get on with your grilling, being sure to keep the heat on medium-low. Your small package of wood chips will lend your food a hint of delicious smokiness!

7. Use a foil tent.

To help your cooked meat retain its moisture and distribute its juices evenly, let it rest under a loose foil tent for 10 minutes before serving.

8. Get your grill flaming fast.

To get the heat going, use a chimney starter with your charcoal grill. You’ll be rewarded with a flaming hot fire – and fast!

9. Try some grilled cheese – literally.

Throw a wheel of cheese directly on the grill and let it partially melt. Scoop it off the flames before it completely liquefies and then serve up the delicious, gooey spread!

10. One pair of tongs.

Don’t bother with an assortment of grilling tools. All you need is one extra-long pair of tongs. They’ll allow you to flip your food without poking holes in it (which also dries it out). You can also use an old pair of tongs to shift your coals around and/or lift your grates.

SOURCES:

https://www.marthastewart.com/1119050/grilling-hacks-you-never-thought

https://food-hacks.wonderhowto.com/how-to/14-food-hacks-you-need-know-for-grilling-season-0156039/

https://lifehacker.com/top-10-ways-to-hack-your-grill-1607315381

https://firstwefeast.com/eat/2013/07/bbq-hacks-and-grilling-tricks/

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