How to Make BBQ Grills – Get Beginner Tips on Charcoal & Gas Grill Barbecue
Looking around for a barbecue grill but don’t know where to start? Got your hands on a new BBQ smoker but have no idea what to do? Think barbeque is too hard? Well it’s not, as you’ll find out after reading this! Here’s a quick guide to get you started and feeling confident!
The Tools
First things first, you need a suitable grill so selection is really important. Grills generally come in 4 types; gas, charcoal, electric and propane. Each type offers a different grill experience with its unique pros and cons. I highly recommend using gas for beginners because of its balance between ease of use and grilling flavour. Another significant advantage with gas grills is that starting up a fire becomes much easier. It also simplifies cleanup later on, which you’ll want because you’re usually worn out after the session. Another plus point is that you don’t have to worry about maintaining the fire or tiring yourself out fanning the flames. If you are feeling gung-ho and desire a unique flavour, you can try charcoal grills but it’s better to have some experience first.
In terms of flavour, gas is the standout choice for cooking meats. It’s generally easier to produce delicious steaks on gas with its ‘smoky flavour’ option. Just pop some woodchips into the smoky box and you’re good to go! Since meat requires more technique to cook, it might be relatively tough for beginners. Using gas grills here gives you some allowance in terms of cooking skill, so you can still come away with that desired smoky steak. Overall, gas is great for first timers especially if you are looking for an outdoor grilling adventure!
Additionally, let’s not forget about the accessories and tools you’ll need for your backyard adventure. These usually come in a set so it’s relatively easy to get them. I have great personal experience with Grill Pro’s 5 piece premium toolset so I’ll recommend that. They have a good selection of other accessories too and are usually the first brand I look for when I need BBQ tools. Check out their official website for more information.
The Store & Brand
When choosing a store to purchase from, I highly recommend going to your nearest dealer to look for the more established brand names. The difference in quality will show once you get more experienced at this. It is totally worth the investment. Weber is one name that comes to mind here. I’ve owned Weber grills all my life and they have always performed magnificently. Always check for a warranty period and available spare parts from your local dealer. It’s rare that you would face major issues with quality brands. Nevertheless, it is always good to have someone fix your problem should one arise. Pick a dealer not only for price, but reliability as well. I’ve had an experience where I purchased a BBQ set, only to have it break down. The dealer then claimed no responsibility and offered no assistance whatsoever. Not pleasant at all. You do not want to be caught in a similar situation. Finding a good dealer is not as tough as you might think and absolutely vital.
Since relocating to the country of Singapore due to work, finding a local retailer has become a much more challenging task. Weber grills here are extremely overpriced! I purchased a Broil King set locally at a more reasonable rate recently from a BBQ grill Singapore store. They offer after sales service as well, which is one of my most important criteria. I even managed to get Weber’s Big Book of Grilling thrown in! Fellow friends living in Singapore presently can have a look there. My Broil King grill works superbly and you can pretty much tell its quality with a simple touch or feel. Gas grill Singapore is still way too overpriced on the whole.
Now that you have your gas grill and the tools, what’s next? Ah yes. The FOOD.
The Food
Now, food clearly depends on one’s individual taste and preferences so you may think there isn’t much to advise on. Although that is probably true to some extent, it’s important to know about food selection since there is a difficulty curve in grilling. For beginners, it’s best to select food that is relatively easy to grill so you can pick up some experience and hone your techniques as you go along.
Some popular choices for grilling are steaks, pork chops, ribs, bacon, potatoes, crabsticks, marshmallows, burgers, chicken wings and vegetables. However, some are harder to cook than others if you are just starting out. Of course, you should always get food you like, but you should also note that producing that smoky tender sirloin won’t be easy. If you are not confident in grilling meat, it is best to go with thinner slices so you can cook them on a medium fire with much less trouble. There is less risk of over or undercooking and with gas grills, you should be able to do a fine job. The Singaporean favourite, ‘Satay’, is a nice selection for meat here. It’s easy to cook and get that grilled taste while maintaining a rich flavour. Chicken wings and burgers are other staples. If you are feeling adventurous, go for that steak but pick lean meat to reduce flare-ups.
There isn’t much to vegetables and other side dishes you don’t already know of. Potatoes, crabsticks, fruits, chips and cheese make nice complementary sides to your meat. Throw in some sandwiches and pizzas for a complete feast.
The Techniques
Now it’s time for the real work to be done. Don’t fret! There are many do’s and don’ts in grilling but since you are new to this, I’ll start you off with some simple essentials.
Preparation of food is pretty simple. Do you like your meat juicy? Marinate it! Marinating gives flavour to meat and keeps it tender. It also adds moisture so you get that juicy feel when you start chewing!
Remember to trim excess fat from your meat. Doing so prevents grill flare-ups and gives you an easier manoeuvring time.
Use woodchips for an extra smoky flavour! This goes especially great with steaks and grilled fish. Trust me; you’ll want that sizzling taste. Woodchips are essential to good grilling and I highly recommend you look for some from your local stores.
Apply sauces near the end of cooking time. I can’t stress on how important this is. Once upon a time, I was a young and handsome grill adventurer who applied sauces before cooking, thinking it would save me precious handling time. All I had in the end was a strange bitter taste that didn’t make sense. Eventually I learnt from the proverbial ancient master that sauces burn up after some time, which accounts for the weird taste. Remember, always apply sauces last!
Don’t meddle with the food on grill unnecessarily. Contrary to some popular belief, poking, pressing or fiddling your food around while it is cooking only deprives its juiciness! If you need to flip your food, use tongs instead of forks to gently turn it over so you won’t squeeze out any juice in the process. Another important tip is to not over-flip. Try to flip your food not more than twice. Remember, preserving the liquids in your meat is the key to good grilling!
Last but not least, observe and practise good hygiene. Use separate plates/forks/tongs for cooked and uncooked food. In general, use different sets of tools/marinades/sauces for raw and cooked food. You won’t want salmonella sharing your grill. Keep your grill clean and eat your food hot!
for a baste, but feel free to use your own.