If you are planning on hosting a barbecue for your friends and family, it is vital to have the basics down. Cooking outside can be difficult for the unprepared, but starting with the grill and moving down to the presentation will result in a wonderful experience for everyone involved.

Grill Planning

The best way to make sure your food does not stick to the grill is to make sure that it is clean and oiled. You can use a paper towel or brush to apply a light coat of cooking oil on the grates before you start cooking. This will help prevent sticking and also give your food some extra flavor.

If you are using a gas grill, make sure that your flame is low and consistent, and if you are using charcoal, wait until the coals have burned down to red hot embers before cooking. You can either use a chimney starter or lighter fluid to get the fire going. Once the fire has been burning for 20 minutes or so, you will be ready to cook.

Grilling Techniques

If you are cooking burgers or hot dogs, put them on the grill and do not touch them for at least three minutes. This will give them time to form a nice crust on the outside while staying juicy on the inside. After three minutes, flip them over and cook for another three minutes or so.

For chicken, steak, or ribs, it is strongly recommended to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your food. Chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, while steak should be cooked to 145 degrees Fahrenheit for medium-rare.

Serving Your Food

Presentation is just as important as the cooking itself, especially if you want to wow your guests. To mix it up, try serving burgers on kaiser buns. Opting for higher-quality bread will significantly improve your burgers overall. Cheap buns will get soggy quickly, so it’s important to use buns that will hold everything together. In addition, be sure to add the cheese to your patties at the last minute of cooking in order to get it nice and melty. For chicken, steak, or ribs, it is a good idea to slice the meat against the grain into thin strips. This will make it easier to eat and also prevent it from drying out.

Do not be afraid to get creative with the recipes themselves. Grill plenty of vegetables with your meat to provide your visitors with lots of culinary options. One of the best ways to marry meats with vegetables is by cooking kebabs on the grill for your next event.

Keep the above tips in mind as you prepare your barbecue. Putting extra care into the barbecuing process will make your event unforgettable.