10 Tips on Barbecuing Like a Professional Grill Master

Learning how to grill like a professional takes practice. Like anything else, practice makes perfect. Follow these steps and you will be on your way to becoming a professional. You will be able to host barbecues at your home, grill for events small and large, and have time to socialize with your guests if you follow these 10 tips.

Pick Good Meats

The first step to learning how to BBQ like a pro is to pick good meats. Ask your guests in advance what meats they love, then choose a variety of your own personal favorites. Make sure to select vegetarian options for those that may not eat meat. If you are looking for help on how to find which meats are best, here is a great article on selecting BBQ meat to grill.

Season the Meat Before Grilling

If you want to add some extra flavor to your meat, be sure to season it before grilling. You can go with just salt and pepper, or add even more flavor with basil, garlic powder, or onion powder. Experiment with your seasonings to figure out a combination that works best for your meats.

Check out this article for some tasty seasoning blends as well.

Don’t Press the Meat Into the Grill

While we are discussing seasoning, as you cook your meat, it will absorb the flavor from your grill and surrounding seasonings. You may become tempted to press the meat to make a nice compact steak; but you should resist that temptation. Pressing your meat on the grill will only deprive it of most of its flavor. Instead, let it cook all the way through. You won’t regret it.

Flip Your Meat Once

It’s not just important that your food tastes great, but also that it looks great. This technique will leave your meat with clear and defined grill marks, making you look like a BBQ master.

Babysit Your Meats

Are you thinking about throwing your meat on the grill and then going inside to cook other food, do another chore around the house, or just take a break? Think again – one of the worst things that can happen when grilling is to overcook your meats. And when cooking with gas, this can happen more often than not!

Also, don’t take the meat off the grill too early. This may pose health issues for you and your guests. Keeping them satisfied is one of your top priorities!

Instead, watch them cook for the whole duration to ensure everything cooks evenly and that you have perfectly cooked meat for your guests. If you're worried about how cooked your meat is, just check the temperature. Here's an article on safe meat serving temperatures to help you out.

BBQ in the Great Outdoors

When choosing your BBQ event venue, pick a fun location where you feel your guests will be able to easily relax and have a good time. Maybe you are envisioning your favorite campground, your grandmother's cabin, or your very own backyard.

Tip: Turn your BBQ event into a full activity and go hiking or camping. Burn extra calories and connect with your guests while enjoying the beautiful outdoors.

Bring Out the Finger Food

What is a BBQ without some delicious appetizers? A party without some good finger food is no party at all. So make sure that, while you are heating up the grill, you have some appetizers out and ready for your guests as they arrive. This will keep them hungry for more.

Don't Skip the Dessert

Part of learning how to BBQ like a professional is to be the best host for your guests. So make sure to finish your party the right way and invite your guests to some tasteful desserts. Keep in mind that, after a big meal, many of your guests will probably be getting full; be sure to stick with food items that are light.

Invest in an Outdoor BBQ Range Hood

Nothing can ruin a party like BBQ smoke and harsh fumes. If you have an outdoor kitchen, it is recommended by professionals to invest in an outdoor BBQ range hood. Proline’s outdoor hoods range from a powerful 1000 CFM to 2000 CFM.

To learn more about our outdoor range hoods, check out our detailed guide!

Keep the Music Playing

Yes, keep the music playing all night long. For music, you can go the extra mile and ask a friend to serenade your guests on their guitar or plan on inviting a DJ to come play for you and your guests. If you are feeling extra simple, just stick to making your own BBQ party playlist and connecting your device to a speaker system.

Hopefully this information helped give you a few ideas on how you can get the party started behind the grill. Make sure to subscribe for more. Join the conversation and stay connected with us on Facebook and Twitter.