Tom's Guide is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s why you can trust us

By Cynthia Lawrence published 18 June 22

Grill like a pro this barbecue season with these top tips

Nothing beats the taste and aroma of flame-grilled food. And if you love cooking outdoors with one of the best grills, you’ll want to master your backyard cook-outs, so you can impress your guests. While throwing on some burgers on the barbecue may seem easy, there is a skill to cooking those flavorsome feasts. 

In fact, many of us have probably made these common mistakes when grilling outdoors, which will compromise the taste and quality of our food. So if you want to up your backyard cook-out game, and grill like a pro, here are 11 grilling tips and tricks you wish you’d known sooner.

While we often grab our favorite meats out of the fridge, and immediately throw it on the grill, this is a no-no. Let it sit out for around 20 minutes and come to room temperature before grilling. This results in juicier meat that is more evenly cooked and flavorful. 

Even if you know how to clean a grill to perfection, lean foods may stick when placed directly on the rack. To prevent ruined food, do the following: Turn on your grill so that the rack starts to heat up. Fold a paper towel into a small wad. Using a pair of tongs, dip the paper towel in a neutral oil, such as vegetable oil. Run the paper towel along the grill grates, so that they're coated in oil. (You can also use a heat-proof brush). 

Then, preheat your grill until the oil starts to smoke. This will ensure it reaches the right temperature for the best results. Never spray cooking spray directly on a hot grill. 

For charcoal grills, don’t cover the entire grill with charcoal briquettes. Instead, push hot coals to create a hot zone in one area of the grill, while leaving a separate area off to the side for indirect heat cooking. This allows you to cook high-heat foods and low-maintenance veggies at the same time. With gas grills, you can turn the heat up higher on one side than the other; this allows you to sear on one side of the grill, then move the item to the other side of the grill to slowly finish. 

A common mistake many of us tend to make is to press down on burgers while grilling. In fact, the constant flattening releases the juices and fats in the middle of the meat — the stuff that makes burgers so tasty. It’s best to leave the burgers to sit and cook properly, before flipping them over just once. 

Similarly, don’t keep turning over or moving meat around on the grill. While we think we’re helping the grilling process, it actually doesn’t allow the meat to sear properly on the outside. Searing helps to retain the juicy flavors, so leave the meat alone!

Grilled sausage is always popular, but it can be a little tricky to get right on the barbecue. Experts suggest putting sausages in a pot of cold water, then bringing them to a simmer, before letting them ‘cool’ before cooking. This is just enough to semi-cook the sausages before grilling on a medium-high heat until fully cooked. Soaking prevents the skin from splitting — which causes the juices to run out, resulting in dry sausages. What's more, this method reduces the time you need to keep the sausages on the grill. 

If you want to baste meat with your favorite sauce or glaze, always wait until the last five to 15 minutes of cooking. This lets the sauce slightly caramelize and set on the meat better. However, if you baste too early in the grilling process, it can cause meat to burn and stick to the grill.

If you want to avoid undercooked or overcooked meats, invest in one of the best meat thermometers. They will ensure your meat is cooked all the way through, and is safe enough to eat. Plus, this is an essential tool if you’re hosting a backyard party or gathering as you don’t want your guests falling ill!  

Sliced vegetables are prone to falling between the grates, so piercing them on skewers will prevent this. Remember to soak wooden skewers in water for at least 15 minutes so they don't burn on the grill. Alternatively, you can wrap veggies in aluminum foil, or use a grill basket for diced veggies and fruit. Grease the basket before adding the food to prevent sticking, and get the best flavors. 

As they say, "lookin' ain't cookin.'" Considering that the golden rule is to only flip your foods over once, the lid to your grill should stay down for the duration. Not only will it keep in the hot temperature to sear your food and retain moisture, but will speed up the cooking time. More importantly, it prevents fire flare-ups by cutting out the oxygen coming into the grill. 

Despite how hungry you or your guests might be, allow the meat to rest for at least 5-15 minutes before slicing into it. This tip is a great way to preserve the juices and flavors, and ensures it doesn’t dry out.  Experts suggest placing meats on an elevated cooling rack so it rests evenly. Then you can look forward to delicious grilled meat feasts. 

Finally, maintaining your grill is essential to keep it working better and last longer. Experts always recommend that you know how to clean a grill immediately after each use. Not only will it prevent food from sticking to the grill, but more importantly, allows the flavors of your next cook-out to come through nicely, without mixing with ones left behind. Then you can really enjoy your backyard feasts. 

If you’re hosting a summer BBQ or gathering, check out these ultimate summer gadgets to impress your guests. You also add one of the best Bluetooth speakers, best coolers, or  best solar lights to get the party started. 

Cynthia Lawrence specialises in Homes ecommerce, covering all things homes and garden-related. She has a wealth of editorial experience testing the latest, ‘must-have’ home appliances, writing buying guides and the handy ‘how to’ features. 

Her work has been published in various titles including, T3, Top Ten Reviews, Ideal Home, Real Homes, Livingetc. and House Beautiful, amongst many.

With a rather unhealthy obsession for all things homes and interiors, she also has an interior design blog for style inspiration and savvy storage solutions (get rid of that clutter!). When she’s not testing cool products, she’ll be searching online for more decor ideas to spruce up her family home or looking for a great bargain!

Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.

Thank you for signing up to Tom's Guide. You will receive a verification email shortly.

There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.

Tom's Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab) .

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.