Barbecuing is an easy way to add delicious flavor and juiciness to steaks, hamburgers, chicken and shrimp that your guests rave about—if you do it right. Unfortunately, common barbecuing mistakes can make food tough, dry, undercooked or overcooked, says Steven Raichlen, author of Planet Barbecue. Here are his tricks for overcoming barbecuing disasters to get a perfectly grilled meal every time:
* Put the food on the grill at the magic moment. If you’re using charcoal, wait 20 minutes after you light it—by then it will be glowing orange. Put the food on sooner and the charcoal may not provide enough heat to cook the food properly; if you wait longer, the charcoal may burn out before you’re finished cooking. If you’re using a propane or natural gas grill, pre-heat it for 15 to 20 minutes before you start cooking. Also key: Be sure to have at least 1/3 a tank of fuel, so you’ll have enough gas to last until the food is done. If your tank doesn’t have a gauge, carefully pour hot water over one side of the tank; condensation will form where the fuel is, indicating how much is left.
* Leave 30% of the grill grate empty. This way, if a flare-up occurs, there’s extra space to move the food out of the way of the flames until they die back down so it doesn’t get charred.
* Flip meat with tongs. Using a fork punctures holes in it, causing its juices to run out, making the meat dry.
* Give meat the poke test. There’s an easy way to avoid undercooking and overcooking—pull meat to front edge of grill and press it with your finger. If it’s soft and squishy, it’s rare; if it feels firmer but still gives, it’s closer to medium rare; if it’s mostly firm, but has a little give, it’s closer to medium; if it’s hard and springy, it’s well done. For larger meats, like a roast, use a meat thermometer.
* Let meat rest for 5 minutes before serving. The intense heat from the grill tenses up the meat, making it tough. Letting it rest for five minutes on a plate covered with foil allows the muscle fiber to relax, making it softer and juicier.
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