Grilling 101: The Basics of Using Your Grill

Grilling can seem intimidating for beginners, but with a little guidance, anyone can master the basics of using their grill and elevate their outdoor dining experience. Knowing how to properly operate your grill not only leads to delicious and healthy meals, it also takes the guesswork out of preparing your favorite foods. The key to successful grilling is to understand the nuances of temperature control, the type of fuel to use, and how to clean and maintain your grill. With these fundamentals in mind, you'll be able to confidently create mouth-watering dishes and impress your friends and family at your next cookout.

When you know how to use your grill correctly, grilling offers:

• Great taste – The grill imparts smoky flavor with juicy tenderness in beautifully perfectly cooked meat.
• Great texture – The grill can sear over high heat or roast slowly to get the perfect consistency for the type of food.

• Robust flavor – The grill is a lovely way to get the most taste out of seasonal produce, such as tomatoes in summer and apples in fall.
• Rewarding experiences - Grilled food tastes best when eaten outside on a warm day with friends and family.

This article will share some essential tips and guidelines to get you acquainted with using your grill. With some practice and the Grilling 101 series, you'll be dishing out terrific grilled recipes throughout the year! So get those tongs ready and let's explore the basics of grilling together!

The Basics Knowing Your Grill

A grill is a heat source that cooks the food being placed on it. Grilling is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and can be healthier than other cooking methods. The surface of the food will get crispy, adding more flavor to your meal. Grills typically come in two styles: gas or charcoal.

Gas grills are stove-like appliances that use natural gas or propane to heat your grill instead of charcoal. These types of grills are usually safer and easier to maintain but cost more in upfront costs. Grills with gas burners also take less time to start heating up so you can get cooking sooner.

Charcoal grills don't require electricity or hook-ups but use charcoal briquettes for fuel. Charcoal grills require more maintenance, are cheaper, and will take longer to get up to temperature. Once you light the coals, you have a limited time to grill before needing to add more briquettes.

The American Made Grills Lineup

American Made Grills brings a wealth of high-quality grills to the table, each designed to enhance your outdoor culinary adventures. Their offerings cater to a wide array of grilling styles and preferences. Let's explore the various grill series they offer:

Hybrid Grill Series

For the adventurous grillers who love to experiment with diverse flavors and cooking techniques, the Hybrid Grill Series is a dream come true. These grills are equipped with a unique fuel flex system, which allows you to switch between charcoal, lump charcoal, wood chunks, natural gas, or liquid propane, depending on your preference.

But the versatility doesn't stop at the fuel source. The Hybrid Grill Series also boasts potent burners, exact temperature controls, and a sleek design that adds a touch of elegance to your outdoor cooking space.

Estate Series

The Estate Series is designed for grill enthusiasts who accept nothing but the best. These gas grills are crafted using only top-tier materials and come packed with advanced features. Whether you're looking to achieve a high-heat sear or maintain a low-and-slow temperature for that perfect slow-cooked flavor, these grills have got you covered.

Built to withstand the elements, the Estate Series grills are ideally suited for year-round grilling, ensuring that your barbeque sessions continue unabated, regardless of season.

Atlas Series

The Atlas Series is the newest American Made Grills family addition. These grills are crafted entirely in the USA and represent exceptional performance and flawless design. They feature #304 stainless steel construction for enhanced durability.

The Atlas Series grills have interior and exterior lighting, ceramic easy-clean briquette trays, and a dual-position warming rack system. The innovative square cooking grates leave beautiful grill marks and enhance your food's flavor.

The Quality of American Made Grills 

When it comes to the grilling experience, the quality of your grill can significantly influence the results. American Made Grills, renowned for their luxury grills, are a testament to this principle. Our offerings go beyond just cooking appliances; they are durable, performance-oriented, feature-rich, and aesthetically pleasing investments.

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  Durability: Crafted with high-quality stainless steel, American Made Grills are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, intense heat, and frequent use. The meticulous craftsmanship ensures that every detail, down to the smallest component, is built to last.
• Superior Performance: Performance is where these luxury grills genuinely shine. They feature advanced heat control systems that provide precise temperature regulation, ensuring perfectly cooked food every time. Their powerful burners offer even heating across the grilling surface for efficient cooking.
• Innovative Features: We bring innovation to your backyard with features like rotisserie burners and smoker boxes, expanding your culinary possibilities. Some models even include an infrared cooking system for faster cooking times, uniform heat distribution, and juicier, more flavorful food.
• Aesthetics: Beyond their functional attributes, our grills also enhance your outdoor space with their sleek design, stylish angles, and sophisticated lighting fixtures. They serve as statement pieces that add a touch of elegance to any backyard setting.
• Value for Money: The value offered by these luxury grills is exceptional. The combination of durability, superior performance, innovative features, aesthetic appeal, and comprehensive warranties make American Made Grills a worthwhile investment.

The Tools Needed for Grilling

Having the right tools for grilling is a necessity for getting it right and staying safe. Since the grill uses high heat, it is vital to have everything you need ready, so you're not left searching at a critical time.

A toolset for grilling typically includes a spatula, tongs, basting brushes, and an oven mitt. Many grills are equipped with a built-in thermometer to help track the cooking temperature under the hood. Keeping an instant-read thermometer is also helpful for inserting into your food and making sure it has reached the minimum safe cooking temperature.

To keep your grill station clean, have some paper towels to wipe your hands or splattering that may happen. A built-in sink in your outdoor island is an indispensable tool for staying sanitary and clean. Additionally, always have a dish or tray ready for your finished food to remove it promptly before overcooking.

Always Grill on Clean Grates

The grilling grates take the most abuse because they are always between your food and the heat. It is vital to begin every grill session with clean grates to ensure food is not contaminated by particles, dust, old grease, or debris from the last use. Clean grates will also minimize your food sticking and tearing when moved.

Keeping your grill gates clean is one of the most manageable steps to maximizing the longevity of your grill. For more tips on gas grill maintenance, read our article on “How To Maintain Your Gas Grill – An Easy Care Guide.”

Let the Heat Do the Work

Another important tip is to let the heat do the work for you. Simply put, when you have the right temperature for your food, leave it and don't mess with it. It is tempting to continue to poke and prod the food, particularly with thicker meats, but you may be hindering the cooking process and causing tasty juices to run out of the food. Patience is key to successful grilling, letting the grill sear and roast, keeping the juices and flavor inside.

It's also important to know your grill's cooking temperature and keep it steady and appropriate for the type of food you're cooking. Heat escapes whenever you open the hood, slowing down the cooking process, especially when using indirect heat for more oversized items. Check out "Grilling 101- What is Direct and Indirect Heat" for more information about using direct and indirect heat for grilling.

Let Your Food Rest

Grilling is great for the exterior texture and appearance with a moist interior. When we think of fresh, hot barbecue, we want it right from the grill every time. However, it is vital to let that drumstick, pork chop, or steak rest for at least five minutes before partaking or slicing. The resting process allows the juices to distribute back into the meat rather than simply running out on the cutting board or dripping on your deck. Most experts advise letting food rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing it, especially whole birds or roasts. Whatever your preference, you will definitely notice a difference in taste and juiciness.

Clean it Again

After every grilling session, while the grill is still warm, wipe the grill grates clean with a wire brush. The quickest and easiest way to clean the grill, the wire brush will eliminate any remaining debris or food pieces stuck to the grill.

It's always important to make sure your grill is clean and ready to use before you start cooking on it so that you don't accidentally transfer burnt foods or flavors from your last session onto the food from now. Grills can become a less effective cooking tool if they're not properly maintained. Cleaning your grill is an easy step, but one that's important nonetheless!

Read "How To Clean Your Stainless Steel Gas Grill" for how to properly care for and protect your investment.

Continue Exploring Grilling Basics with Grilling 101

Grilling can be a fun and delicious way to enjoy al fresco dining. Grills are exciting and thrilling with different sizes, options, fuels, and tools, producing the best-tasting meals right from your backyard. Check out the Grilling 101 series for more tips and techniques to get you started in this vast and beautiful world of flame and meat.

If you're looking for a new grill, American Made Grills provides the definitive grilling experience with luxury performance and hybrid grill technology. Get started by configuring your new grill today!

Next up is What is Direct and Indirect Heat to learn more about how to optimize your grill's heat for different types of food. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep experimenting with different techniques and recipes to become a true grill master. And don't forget to properly maintain your grill, so it can continue to produce delicious meals for years to come.