15 Grilling Tricks and BBQ Hacks That Will Help Achieve Cookout Glory

Take your 'cue game to the next level.

Nidhi Chaudhry

Grilling is one of the most fun ways to cook, but it’s also one of the most difficult—many of us spend the majority of the year not grilling, so when we finally step up to the BBQ, our everyday kitchen skills are suddenly ineffective. We need new techniques to bring the thunder—from nifty ways to add smoky flavor to your meats on an everyday grill, to tricks that will take the pain out of post-cookout cleaning. Here are 15 grilling skills to deploy at your next BBQ.

Use a muffin tray to serve condiments at a BBQ

Degree of difficulty (0-10): 1 How it works: Instead of using different plates for all the condiments, serve them in a muffin tray. Not only will you save yourself a whole lot of cleaning, but your friends will also declare you a legend of the grill. Read more.
Know when the coals are ready to start cooking

Degree of difficulty (0-10): 2 How it works: Here are some simple visual cues to look out for—if you have a wood fire, when the coals are red hot (with no smoke) you are ready to go. If you have a charcoal fire, the coals should be grey and ashy. Read more.
Clean the grill with an onion

Degree of difficulty (0-10): 2 How it works: While the grill’s still hot, take a freshly halved onion, stick it on a fork, and use the cut side to scrub residue off the grate. The oils in the onion will take care of most, if not all, of the grit without the elbow grease. They'll also season the grill and add some flavor to your next meal, too. Read more.
Make vegetable parcels for meatless BBQ fare

Degree of difficulty (0-10): 1 How it works: Wrap mushroom and zucchini (or corn on the cob, sweet potatoes, or any other vegetable, really) in foil with garlic, salt, and pepper and throw them on the fire for 5-10 minutes while you grill the meat and entertain guests. Read more.
Keep one side of the BBQ a lower temperature than the other.

Degree of difficulty (0-10): 4 How it works: Make a two-zone grill, with heat only on one side. This way you can sear the meats and then move them to the cooler side to finish cooking without burning them. Read more.
Smoke some lemons

Degree of difficulty (0-10): 3 How it works: Smoke halved lemons on low heat for a few minutes to create some smoky notes before squeezing. If you don't have a smoker, though, you can grill the lemons (or other citrus) peel side down on the top rack—briefly!—to add some great flavor. Read more.
Use two skewers for kebabs instead of one

Degree of difficulty (0-10): 2 How it works: When barbecuing meat and veggies, use two skewers per kebab to prevent individual pieces from rotating as you flip them on the grill. (And don't forget to soak the skewers in water for 30 minutes beforehand, to keep them from burning). Read more.
Add a smoker pouch to an electric grill

Degree of difficulty (0-10): 4 How it works: Wrap wood chips into a foil envelope, poke some holes, throw it underneath the grate (on top of the burner), then brace yourself for that added kiss of smokiness to your meat. Read more.
Check how much gas you have before you start

Degree of difficulty (0-10): 7 How it works: You need to check the tank before you start cooking to see if there’s enough fuel to last the duration of your grill session, but it can be tough to gauge the level. Here's a trick: Boil water, tilt the propane tank slightly, and pour the water onto the side of the tank (NOT the top, this is important). Then, place your hand on the side of the tank where you estimate the fuel level to be. If it remains cool after the hot water was poured on it, that’s the propane level. Read more.
Spray apple juice as you BBQ

Degree of difficulty (0-10): 3 How it works: Spray meat with 100% apple juice periodically during the cooking process to improve color, flavor, and tenderness. Read more.
Spiral-cut a hot dog

Degree of difficulty (0-10): 5 How it works: Skewer a hot dog and roll as you cut to get a spiral cut. Why? It looks cool; it cooks more evenly without curling; and it has more crevices to hold condiments. Read more.
Pre-cook meat in the microwave and throw on the grill to finish

Degree of difficulty (0-10): 5 How it works: Microwaves are sort of the anti-grill, but if you're pressed for time, they can be your best friend. For a quick, faux-BBQ fix, cook meat most of the way through in the microwave, then throw on the grill to finish cooking and impart the look and flavor of a fully grilled cut. Read more.
Grill fish skin-on

Degree of difficulty (0-10): 6 How it works: Get the grill super hot, brush the fish skin with oil then place the fish directly on the grill, skin side down. Close the lid, reduce the heat to medium low and don’t flip the fish (at all). Read more.
Use a foil tent to prevent food from drying out

Degree of difficulty (0-10): 5 How it works: For extra flavor and moisture, let meat rest for 10 minutes under a loose foil tent to help keep it warm and moist—that way it can soak up its juices evenly. Read more.
Make a grill out of a shopping cart

Degree of difficulty (0-10): 7 How it works: Steal shopping cart. Turn it on its side over a fire pit. Become a DIY grilling legend in a dodgy park. Read more.

15 Grilling Tricks and BBQ Hacks That Will Help Achieve Cookout Glory

Use a muffin tray to serve condiments at a BBQ

Know when the coals are ready to start cooking

Clean the grill with an onion

Make vegetable parcels for meatless BBQ fare

Keep one side of the BBQ a lower temperature than the other.

Smoke some lemons

Use two skewers for kebabs instead of one

Add a smoker pouch to an electric grill

Check how much gas you have before you start

Spray apple juice as you BBQ

Spiral-cut a hot dog

Pre-cook meat in the microwave and throw on the grill to finish

Grill fish skin-on

Use a foil tent to prevent food from drying out

Make a grill out of a shopping cart

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