Let’s be honest, most men are convinced that they come out of the womb with a natural talent for grilling. WRONG! I’ve been grilling for 20 years and I still mess up every once in awhile. The good people at Kayem, home to over 100 different kinds of franks, brats, sausages and creator of the famous “Fenway Frank”, have put together some grilling tips for Dad.
Enjoy!!!
Kayem Father’s Day Grill Tips:
The real Most Wonderful Time of the Year isn’t in December, it’s right now, when we celebrate both Father’s Day and the first days of grilling season. In honor of dad’s special holiday, Kayem offers some words of wisdom for helping dads or anyone rule the grill this Father’s Day and throughout the summer.
1) A dad’s grill is his temple. And you don’t want your temple to be all nasty, do you? Here’s how to keep your grill great:
- Dry-scrub your grill to get rid any build-up.
- Use a scrubbing sponge with soap and water as needed
- Occasionally re-season you grill’s iron with oil
- Give your grill a “good game, buddy†every once in a while.
2) Get it together, man. Gather everything you might need before you start grilling. Your meats, your tongs, your brush, your clean plate, your “hot stuff†grilling apron. The more prepared you are, the less stuff you’ll burn. Just like the Boy Scouts taught us!
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3) Hey, where’s the fire? It’s in your grill, remember? Slow your roll and take the time to let your grill preheat for a good 15-20 minutes to ensure optimal heat. Recommended activities to fill that time:
- Tell your kids some “When I was your age…†stories. Remember, it was in the snow! Uphill both ways!
- Make sure cooler is stocked.
- Squats and push ups. Just kidding, hammock.
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4) Highway to the…heat zone! You have that song in your head now, don’t you? Set up your grill with 2-3 heat zones, sear your meat on the hot side, and then move it to the cooler side(s) of the grill until it reaches the desired doneness. It’s still in your head, isn’t it?
5) Don’t fork things up! No one likes to be poked (pay attention, relatives on Facebook!), and that includes franks and sausage. Don’t pierce the casing and let the juices leak out. Always use tongs or a spatula to maneuver your grillables.
6) Your grill may be your baby, but it doesn’t need babysitting. “Barbecue babysitting†or constantly adjusting food on the grill is a common mistake. Most meats only need to be turned once. Every time you lift the lid, you lose smoke (i.e. flavor) and heat. Let’s leave the babysitting to the teenagers.
7) Give it a rest. Meat, like people, needs a rest once in a while. After you pull it off the grill, let your food sit for 10 minutes to allow the juices to fully-redistribute for maximum flavor. This also means more hammock time for you. Win-win.
8) Shut it down. Before you head to the after-party (read: hammock), make sure you properly shut down your grill.
- Let your grill cook for an additional 5 minutes to burn off anything leftover
- While it’s still warm, brush your grill with a wire brush to remove residue.
- For a gas grill, turn the knobs to the “off†position (you should hear a popping sound), and then turn off the gas by turning the knob on the tank clockwise (righty tighty!).
- For a charcoal grill, never dump warm coals. Coals can stay hot up to 24 hours, and even a little ember can catch fire.
- Wait until the grill’s completely cool before putting on the cover.
- Feel free to give it one more, “good game.â€
Happy grilling and happy Father’s Day!
For more grilling tips, visit Kayem.com/grilling-tips