Grilling Tips, Tricks, and Must-Have Tools!
As a professional chef, I’ve spent a lot of time during both my career and personal life on the grill. I’ve always loved grilling… the culinary style, the flavor, and the experience. As the weather warms up during the summer months, I find myself leaning towards recipes that can be prepared on the grill even more so than usual. While you can never go wrong with a classic steak, my go-to recipes for summer are Beef Skewers, Turkey Burgers, and grilled veggies. Such easy options for hosting or weeknight dinner!
Having worked with Beef Loving Texans for over 20 years, my grill-related knowledge is extensive…. how to purchase and navigate a grill, how to cook on and clean a grill, and not to mention the essential tools needed to grill. My grilling specialty has always been beef… a skill that can be daunting at first but easy once you get the hang of it! To kick off summer grilling I’m sharing the ultimate grilling guide… how to cook the perfect steak, tips I’ve gathered over the years, the three items I believe are true grilling essentials, grilling recommendations and more!
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Grilling Essentials
Like most things, having the correct equipment typically leads to a more pleasurable grilling experience. When so many items are marketed as “grilling essentials” it can be a bit overwhelming to determine which items are true necessities. If you’re just getting started, below are the three basic items that I consider to be must-haves when grilling.
Grilling Set
If you’re just getting started on the grill, a bundle of tools is a great way to begin. There are so many great options, but I’ve used this one for years and love the items included, quality, and storing case. I recommend a set that includes long grilling tongs as they keep exposed skin from getting too close to the grill.
Meat Thermometer
For the sake of food safety and the best outcome, the internal temperature of any protein isn’t something you should just “eyeball”. I recommend either the MEATER Wireless Smart Meat Thermometer or a more affordable option is my go-to Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer. This tool helps prevent overcooking and undercooking.
Grill Cleaning Brush
Keeping your grill clean is an important and often overlooked part of grilling. I recommend cleaning your grill after each use to prevent buildup… personally I do it immediately after grilling, while it’s still hot for ease. There’s no need to get fancy… just use your brush to scrub off debris. I use this basic brush, but have heard great things about this steam cleaning brush as a more elevated option.
Grilling The Perfect Steak
Instructions
- Start your grill and heat to 400°F.
- Clean grates using a grill brush to remove any leftover residue.
- Place steaks on grill grates and grill until moisture starts to pool on the top and beef releases easily from grates with tongs. Turn once.
- Grill on the other side until desired internal temperature is reached. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the steak to measure internal temperature.
- Remove steaks using long grilling tongs and allow to rest on a cutting board for about 3 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute.
Notes
- To manually determine if the grill is ready, hold your hand 4 inches above the heat source for 4 seconds. The grill should be 400°F and ready to cook.
- Cleaning grates is always easier with a warm grill. I recommend allowing it to cool off ever so slightly, then scrubbing with your grill brush to clean.
- Tenderloin, t-bone, porterhouse, ribeye, sirloin, flank steak, NY strip, and of course hamburger are a few of my favorite beef cuts to grill.
- Use your favorite steak rub, marinade, or simply salt and pepper to season. Make sure to season both sides for a perfectly balanced flavor.
- Always use tongs instead of a fork to turn steaks. This keeps delicious juices inside and prevents the steak from drying out.
- Check Beef Loving Texans doneness chart to determine doneness.
- The steak’s internal temperature will continue to rise while the meat rests.
Recommended Grills
With so many available options on the market it makes purchasing a grill rather overwhelming. There are various fuel types, price points, and sizes… all of which have different pros and cons. It’s truly a personal preference… for instance I prefer the ease of a gas grill, but love the flavor from grilling on a charcoal grill. I thought I would share a few great options of different types and prices!
Tiffy’s Top Pick
I have the Hestan Outdoors Aspire Series and love it! It’s a natural gas grill and while it’s certainly a splurge, it’s worth every penny in my opinion. Beautiful design and amazing functionality.
Charcoal Grill
As mentioned above, charcoal grills offer a very unique and delicious flavor… the kind of smoky flavor that most people associate with grilling. The reviews on this Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill speak for themselves… a great quality grill under $250!
Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker
Smokers have lower cooking temperatures and slower cook times which offers unique benefits. Due to the slow-cooking process, smoked foods tend to be much more tender, juicy, and flavorful. I love a grill that is capable of both grilling and smoking, and the glowing reviews on this Traeger Grills Pro Series 575 speak for themselves.
Natural Gas Grill
I’ve grilled on the Weber Genesis II EX-335 in the past and had a great experience. Basic, reliable, and under $800!
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