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7 Simple Summer Grilling Hacks

7 Summer Grilling Hacks

With kids, a full-time job, and countless other responsibilities, sometimes it seems hard to relax and enjoy the summer. A family barbecue can become a source of added work and stress but I have learned it doesn’t have to be. One thing I always try to do is to KISS it- keep it simple, silly! – family and friends won’t remember fancy side dishes or 72 ingredient marinades but they will remember the memories of sharing a meal together around a picnic table with the smell of charcoal in the air and a gentle breeze. Simple dishes, my favorite grilling hacks, and a trip to Walmart for a few key summer grilling items can make the season so much easier so that I can sit down, kick back and relax and enjoy those times with my family and friends. I want to share my favorite grilling hacks with you!

1.Easy Clean-

Clean your grill grates with a tightly crunched up piece of aluminum foil. I squeeze it firmly between two tongs and scrub over the grates. This works best on a hot grill after the fire is out.

2.Season your grill and make it non-stick

Slice a large onion in half, stab with a grill fork and rub it across the grate, this will help create a non-stick surface and season your food with a little baked in flavor.

3.Marinate

Always preseason your meat, either with a dry rub, a brine, or a great simple wet marinade. This serves a double purpose really- one it adds flavor and two it helps your proteins stay moist even if you overcook a bit. Make quick and easy work of it as well as easy cleanup with Glad Matchware Variety pack containers.

4.Soak Skewers

Soak your skewers in water for about an hour in water to keep them from burning when you grill. Even better soak them in beer to add flavor to your meats and veggies!

5.Create two grill zones

Heap hot coals up on one side to cook your meat, move it to the side with a small layer of cooler coals while it is waiting to be served up still warm but not overcooked. It is as really important to use a good quality charcoal briquet as well-hubby and I always go for Kingsford Original and never worry about problems with them staying lit or burning out too fast.

6. Go Herbal

Toss dried herbs like Rosemary, Basil, Thyme, or Sage right onto your coals to add tons of smoky flavor and give the backyard a heavenly aroma too! This is especially good on chicken and pork but also adds pizazz to burgers and pizza.

7.Muffin Tin

Use a 6 hole muffin tin to serve condiments like mustard, mayonnaise, pickles, onions, shredded lettuce, etc… Add a few plastic knives for spreading and a few forks for spearing toppings. Refill as needed to keep large bottles from taking up valuable table space (and spoiling!).

I would love to hear your favorite grilling hacks!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Kingsford Charcoal and Glad . The opinions and text are all mine.

Comments

  1. Janis says

    Thanks for some really great tips. I really think marinating and making sure food doesn’t stick to the grill are the two most important factors to me.

  2. SHELLEY R ZUREK says

    This point in your article brings it all home: “family and friends won’t remember fancy side dishes or 72 ingredient marinades but they will remember the memories of sharing a meal together around a picnic table with the smell of charcoal in the air and a gentle breeze.” My hack is to have several parties in a row (with different people) and serve the same menu. Everyone thinks you slaved but you actually are just making the same food over and over.

  4. Jennifer says

    I use aluminum foil to clean my grill, but I have never though of using an onion to flavor the grill! This is a great tip! Thanks for sharing it!

  5. Ryan Escat says

    I never thought that onions can do that! I love these wonderful ideas, very helpful!

  6. Aimee Smith says

    I can’t WAIT to bust the grill out! (still a little chilly in AK). There is nothing better than an afternoon outside by the grill with family and friends!

  8. Autumn Reo says

    I’m committed to be a bad-ass griller this summer so these tips are super helpful. I love the foil washing hack – it’s a huge timesaver!

  10. Maureen says

    These are fantastic grilling hacks for sure! I appreciate you sharing them with us, it’s about that time – grilling season has arrived 🙂

  12. Kelly says

    That onion idea is absolutely brilliant! Seasoning AND making it non-stick?! I’m totally up for that!

  13. Kathy says

    These are some wonderful tips! I love grilling out. It’s my favorite thing to do in the summer. The food always tastes better on a grill.

  17. Tara says

    Wow, great tips, we sure love the BBQ here!! Never heard of the onion providing a non stick surface, I am telling hubby about this right now!!

  18. Amy Desrosiers says

    I need to try though seasoning the grill with an onion trick. I am also intrigued by the foil cleaning method.

  19. Shauna says

    Okay, I had no idea about any of these. I mean, aluminum foil and onion? I had no idea! LOL. I am totally going to be trying these. Thanks for sharing

  20. Melissa Lawler says

    I love the onion idea! I also like to cover potatoes with foil and throw them in with the coals giving me more grill space for the rest of the meal!

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