6 Tips for Good to Great Grilling

1. Preheat!  Always preheat your grill for 15-20 minutes prior to putting your meat and vegetables on to cook.  This gives the grill time to fully come to the correct temperature.  Many recipes call for high, medium-high, medium or low heat.  Here’s a quick guide of temperatures to match:  high = 400-450°F; medium-high = 350-400°F; medium = 300-350°F; and low = 250-300°F.
2.  Direct Heat vs Indirect Heat.  Hmmm, this one is cause for much debate.  Some people are certain that everything should be cooked indirectly while others can’t imagine using anything but the full flame.  Indirect heat is keeping the burners on (or the coals hot) on one side of the grill and cooking on the other side or in an area where flames cannot directly reach your food.  Indirect is best for bone-in meat that requires more than 20 minutes of grill time, such as ribs and bone-in chicken.  Direct heat is best for a quick sear steaks and meat that cooks fast.
3.  Skewers Anyone? Shish kabobs on skewers are a fun way to add creativity to your summer meals.  Skewer meats and vegetables on skewers and grill it all together.  Great for summer get-togethers and enjoyed by kids and adults!  If you choose to use wooden/bamboo skewers, as they are simple and disposable, you must prepare them.  Wooden skewers must be soaked in water for 45-60 minutes before adding your meats and veggies.  Save time by soaking a big batch of skewers at once, then freeze extras in a plastic bag.  When it’s time to grill next time, just pull out what you’ll be using.
4.  Safety First! You already know this, but it bears repeating:  Use separate bowls, platters and cutting boards for preparing raw meat and for final plating after grilling.  NEVER place cooked meat back on the platter used to carry the raw meat to the grill.  Also note that if you want to baste your food with marinade while it’s cooking, reserve some prior to marinating the raw meat. 
5.  Is it done yet? Many techniques have been used for identifying when food is grilled to perfection, but the most tried and true way to be 100% sure is with an Instant Read Thermometer.
6.  Let it Rest.  Once food has been removed from the grill, let it rest for 5-10 minutes before enjoying.  This should be just enough time to gather your sides, your friends and family and a fresh cold drink.

Enjoy!