GRILLING GUIDE – Tips & Tricks

Cooking on your new grill is a hands-on experience, and it is recommended to remain outside with your grill while cooking. Grilling can be affected by many external conditions. In cold weather, you will need more heat to reach an ideal cooking temperature, and grilling may take longer. The meat's internal temperature and thickness can also affect cooking times. Cold and thicker meats will take longer to cook.

Internal Meat Temperatures

Meat cooked on a grill often browns very fast on the outside. Therefore, use a meat thermometer to ensure it has reached safe internal temperatures.

USDA Recommended Safe Minimum

Internal Temperatures

Beef, Veal, Lamb, Steaks, & Roasts

145° F

Fish

145° F

Pork

160° F

Beef, Veal, Lamb Ground

160° F

Egg Dishes

160° F

Turkey, Chicken & Duck Whole,

165° F

Pieces & Ground

 

Please refer to the USDA for complete, up-to-date information. Our internal temperature chart is based on USDA standards for meat doneness. Check it out at www.isitdoneyet.gov

Sauces

Sauces containing sugars and fats can cause flare-ups, and your food may burn. In general, apply these sauces during the final 10 minutes of cooking. Keep in mind, use of excessive sauces or glazes will also require extra cleaning afterwards.

Marinades and Rubs

To enhance the flavor of grilled foods, a liquid marinade or dry rub can be used prior to cooking. Meat can be either soaked or injected with liquid marinade up to 24 hours prior to grilling. Dry rubs can be applied directly to the meat immediately before grilling.

Wood Chips

For extra smoke flavor when grilling, try adding wood chips. Soak the chips in water for approximately 30 minutes before adding to a smoke box or pan. Place smoke box or pan on top of the cooking grate above the flame. Turn grill on high until the wood starts to smoke. Reduce heat to desired temperature for cooking, and place food on cooking grate as desired. Close lid to retain more smoke. Hardwood varieties that work particularly well with grilled foods include Alder, Apple, Cherry, Grapevines, Hickory, Mesquite, Oak, Rosemary and Sassafras.

Skewers

Metal skewers should be flat, with long handles. Round skewers allow food to roll when turned, so it may not cook as evenly. Use metal skewers when cooking meat kabobs. Wooden skewers should be soaked in water for an hour before use, and are best used for quick cooking foods such as vegetables and fruits.

Utensils

Use tongs or a spatula to handle the food instead of a fork, and don't turn the food too

often. Piercing the food with a fork will release juices that you want in the meat, and may cause flare-ups.

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Char-Broil 463420509 manual Usda Recommended Safe Minimum Internal Temperatures