Tracy's Bar and Grill

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How to Use a Charcoal Grill

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If you think that using a charcoal grill is easier than other grills, then you are mistaken. Especially if you have never used a charcoal grill before.

We are giving you all the tips and information about how to use a charcoal grill correctly. Then, you will enjoy your grill, even if you have purchased a cheaper grill. Just like any other grill, there are a couple of things that you need to know to grill successfully. We are giving you all that information here.

Finding the right charcoal grill is key

When you didn’t purchase a charcoal grill yet, then you need to make sure that you remember this. That you should consider all your options before you just purchase the cheapest and first charcoal grill you can find.

You need to consider the price, the size, and how easy the grill is to use. The more features the grill have, the better it will be for you. You should also consider purchasing a grill that has vents. The vents ensure that your grill is reaching the perfect temperature.

Always clean your grill after use and prepare grill before use

Yes, after we have grilled and our friends are gone home, you still have work. You will need to clean the grill after use. You need to clean out the charcoal and clean the grates. The longer you leave the grates, the more you are going to struggle to get it cleaned.

Every grill has its own cleanup routine that you need to follow. If you have a tray where the charcoal falls through, then cleaning is easier. The last thing that you want is to purchase a grill that takes forever to clean.

Before you start using your grill, you need to prepare the grates as well. Rub a bit of oil on it to make sure that the meat doesn’t stick to the grates. Then, you will not have any trouble with cleaning the grates afterward.

Essential tips on using a charcoal grill

These are some essential tips that you need to remember on using a charcoal grill. When you follow these tips, you will never have to worry about getting your charcoal grill heated up.

Chimney starters. A chimney starter can light up 100 charcoals, and it gives you red-hot charcoal within minutes. With matches, you might struggle to get the fire going, or you are burning yourself to get the match into the charcoal. This will never happen again when you are making use of a chimney starter. Just remember that you need to purchase a starter that is high in quality, and that will actually work.

This is something to always remember. You should oil and preheat the grates. The oil is to make sure that cleaning is easier and the preheat to get your meat seared as fast as possible.

You need to learn how to vent your grill. Venting ensures that you are getting the right temperature grill going. Opening more vents if you are looking for less heat and closing vents if you want more heat. If you struggle with oxygen to the charcoal, you should also open some vents for air.

Know the difference between direct and indirect heat. This is one of the first things you need to know when you want to grill on a charcoal grill. The moment that you know the difference, you will be able to prepare different meals on your grill.

How much charcoal to use in a grill

A common question that we are getting is how much charcoal to use in a grill. There are a couple of things that you need to consider in order to know how much charcoal to use in your grill.

The first thing that you need to consider is the amount of meat that you are grilling. The more meat you have on the grill, the more charcoal you need to add. You should also consider the quality of the charcoal. Some charcoals stay hot for longer. Something you always need to remember is that the more charcoal you are using, the hotter the fire will be.

For example, if you have meat that needs to go slow on your grill, then you need to have less charcoal in the grill. However, it is recommended that you have a separate fire with charcoal going. Just add a couple of hot charcoal as you are cooking the meat. At the end of the day, it is your preference on how much charcoal you are going to use, the quality of the charcoal, and the type of charcoal grill you have.

How to use wood chips on a grill

Firstly, can you use wood chips on a grill? Yes, it is possible to use wood chips on a charcoal grill. If the grill has a smoker compartment, then you just need to place the chips in there and enjoy the smokey taste of the chips on your meat.

However, if you don’t have a smoker compartment, then you need to be creative. You need to place the wood chips in foil, wrapping them. Make sure that it is completely covered by the foil. Then, you just poke holes in the foil. Placing it within the fire. You will get the same results as those that have a charcoal grill/smoker combination.

You can combine different flavor wood chips for a unique taste. Or, you can just use your favorite flavor and get the professionally smoked food without even having a smoker.

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Conclusion

There is nothing difficult in using a charcoal grill. However, with our tips and guide, you will get to know your charcoal grill better and will know how to use a charcoal grill correctly.

Make sure that you get the most out of your grill, and ensure that you have cooked meat every time you are grilling. For flavor, you can even add some wood chips to your charcoal as well, and we will tell you how.