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Kitchen Hacks & Outdoor · May 28, 2022 edition

Four Grilling Tips for Memorial Day and Beyond

From the Genius House Hacks archive.

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Memorial Day weekend means one thing for a lot of Americans: firing up the grill. A few simple tips will help you get the most out of this very American, very delicious activity.

Time Your BBQ Sauce Right

If you're using a tomato- or sugar-based BBQ sauce, don't add it until the end of the grilling process. These sauces burn easily and aren't meant to be used as an internal meat flavoring.

Add Beer to the Pit for Moist Meat

When roasting or grilling with the pit closed, open a can of beer and place it over the hottest part of the fire. The beer boils and saturates the air inside the pit with water vapor, beer flavor, and alcohol, helping keep roasting meats moist while adding flavor.

Use Tongs, Not a Fork

A fork should never be used to turn meat on the grill — it punches holes that let the natural juices escape, causing the meat to lose flavor and turn chewy. Flip, never poke.

Invest in a Meat Thermometer

You don't need a fancy wireless digital model — a basic $5 thermometer from any grocery store does the job. With one on hand, you won't have to guess whether your chicken, steak, or pork chops are done, and you'll never serve undercooked food.

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