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We love to use chipotle in our recipes. Our chipotle raspberry bacon and chipotle bratwursts are definitely popular items.  Chipotle delivers a spicy kick that can take any dish to a new level. Here is your rundown of what chipotle actually is and how you can use and enjoy it!

What It Is:

A chipotle is a smoke-dried jalapeño chili used primarily in Mexican, Mexican-American, Tex-Mex, and Mexican-inspired cuisine.

There are many varieties of jalapeños which vary in size and heat. When jalapeños are left on the vine for a long time they turn a deep red and have lost much of their moisture, these are selected to be made into chipotles. In a closed smoking chamber, they are spread out on metal grills. The jalapeños already have an underlying heat and this process helps add in a smoky taste as well. Chipotles are about 5,000 to 10,000 Scoville Units, which is considered a “medium” heat.

How To Use It

Chipotles have a relatively mild, yet earthy spiciness. The chiles are used in soups, stews, sauces, and various salsas. Chipotle chiles can also be ground up and combined with other spices to make a meat marinade known as an adobo. Chipotles are available dried whole, powdered, canned in “adobo sauce,” or pickled. 

How To Make Your Own Dried Chipotle Peppers:

• Heat smoker to 275 to 300 degrees.
• Remove the stems and place the peppers directly on the smoker rack (or use a shallow disposable foil pan) at the cooler end of the smoking chamber or on the upper rack if your smoker has one.
• Lower the cover and smoke the chiles for 2 1/2 hours, or until they are soft, brown, and slightly shriveled.  
• After removing the chiles from the smoker, place them on a rack and leave them, loosely covered, at room temperature until crisp, light, and dry. It should be 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the humidity.
• Store airtight at room temperature.

When shopping for chipotles, try to find dried whole ones because you can do so much more with them than just the adobo sauce. If you need them hydrated, simply place a chili or two in hot water for about an hour then remove the stems. Keep the seeds if you want more heat in your pepper, or simply remove seeds to tone it down a bit.

If you have a recipe that uses hot peppers, definitely try swapping in chipotles.The smoky flavor and the pepper’s heat will add a lot to what you cook though, so be careful and don’t over do it. Be sure to taste test before you cook or season.

Don’t let a fear of the heat keep you away though. Most products made with chipotle are toned down, so if you’re not a big fan of HOT – you may still enjoy chipotle-flavored things. Check out our  Raspberry Chipotle Marinated Chicken Breast, Raspberry Chipotle Bacon, Raspberry Chipotle Brats, Chipotle Pepper Bacon, and Chipotle Pork Loin.

May is Beef Month so get your grill ready!

If you’ve ever been asked what your favorite cut of steak is and responded “regular steak,” it’s time for a beef education. Knowing the grades and cuts will help you order with confidence and discover the delicious differences between them. Get ready for a crash course in beef:

Know your grades.

First thing to note is that there are eight grades of beef, but only the top three—prime, choice, and select—are identified when meat is sold at retail. Prime is the highest grade. It’s produced in limited quantities and most often found at fine restaurants and some specialty shops.  Choice and select are the grades of beef typically available, respectively, in the service and self-service meat case at the grocery.   

The difference in these grades is the marbling. You’ve probably heard someone say they prefer a steak with more marbling. This refers to the flakes of fat disbursed throughout the muscle. It has nothing to do with the exterior fat. It makes a juicy steak even tastier.  It is a top priority for Alewel’s Country Meats to select beef that will provide the best marbling and flavor for our customers.

Make the cut.

There are more than five dozen different beef cuts available today, and many of them have multiple names (Kansas City Steak and New York Strip are both Top Loin Steaks). Newer cuts of beef like Flat Iron Steak and Ranch Steaks are from cuts of meat that were usually part of a beef roast.

Some of the most common are:

• T-Bones and Porterhouse
• Ribeyes
• Fillets
• Sirloins

Be your own butcher.

Meat is expensive. That’s simply a fact. And since most of what we cook on the grill is going to be meat, we need to be smart about it. Choose less expensive cuts of meat while trying not to sacrifice quality. You can do this by avoiding specialty cuts. Frequently butchers charge more for some cuts of the same piece of meat. If you look through the meat counter at the grocery store, you can see what I am talking about.

For this reason, it is a good idea to learn how to carve your own cuts. Buying large “primal” cuts of meat is usually cheaper. All you have to do is cut these into small pieces. For instance, buy whole Rib Eye and cut it into Steaks.

Grill it right.

You do not want to overcook steak. Always start with a clean grill (see our cleaning how-to) – put a light coat of vegetable oil on to prevent sticking. Never use spray cooking oil though.

Cooking Steps:

• Cook uncovered over medium-high heat
• Pat dry (excess moisture prevents browning) and a dry surface results in better searing and caramelization
• Only turn your steaks 1 time – never use a fork

Recommendations on cooking times over direct heat:

• 1” steaks: 5 to 6 minutes per side for Medium-Rare to Medium
• 1.5” steaks: 7 to 8 minutes per side for Medium-Rare to Medium

Recommendations for cooking over indirect heat:

• 1” steaks: 7 to 8 minutes per side for Medium-Rare
• 1.5”steaks: 10 to 12 minutes per side for Medium Rare

Season your steak after you take it from the grill. When you start with a prime or choice steak, you can season with salt and pepper but don’t use sauce. And as always, let rest for 5 minutes before serving – remember the steak will continue to cook.

Now make your way to Alewel’s to pick out your steak to celebrate Beef Month!

Get ready to serve up the other white meat.

Pork often gets a reputation for being a fatty meat, but it is actually quite lean and can be a versatile and nutritious option for your dinner table. Some of our favorites are our Pork Grillers (pork tenderloin wrapped in bacon), ribs for the grill, and marinated inside pork tenders! It’s important not to overcook pork because it can become tough and dry. When cooking, it’s best to use a food thermometer to test for doneness. Most pork cuts should be cooked to an internal temperature of 150 degrees, where the meat is slightly pink on the inside.

Check out our cooking instructions for all your favorite cuts:

Pork Roast:

• Cook to 150 degrees in the oven or on the grill over medium heat
• Remove from heat and allow to set for 10 minutes before slicing
• The temperature will continue to rise and the juices will redistribute throughout the roast

Pork Chops:

• Set your skillet or grill to medium heat
• Cooking times
  • ½-inch chops heat for 4 to 5 minutes per side
  • 1-inch chops (thickness of steak) heat for 6 to 7 minutes per side
  • 2-inch chops cook on low heat for 12 to 15 minutes per side
• Rest for 5 to 8 minutes

Pork Tenderloin:

• Set grill to medium heat
• Cook cuts of ½-inch to ¾-inch thickness for 4 to 5 minutes per side

Smoked Pork Loin:

• For 5-pound roast, sprinkle with our Sweet and Sassy Garlic Rub
• Cook in smoker until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 135 to 140 degrees
• Pull out, put in a cooler, and pour mixture over
  • Mixture Recipe:
    • 10 ounces soy sauce
    • 2 ounces brown sugar
    • 3 ounces red wine vinegar
    • 20 ounces water
    • A little garlic powder
• Do not open for 2 to 4 hours, then serve

Inside Tender:

• Cook like a beef fillet in a smoker or oven until internal temperature reaches 140 degrees
• Will be very tender

Pulled Pork/Pork Butts:

Because of the fat marbling, pork shoulder won’t dry out like other cuts of meat. You can skip all the traditional rubs, mops, and sauces. It will stand alone on the flavor of the meat and smoke.

• Smoke at 225 degrees until the internal temperature reaches 180 degrees
• Cook for 1 ½ hours per pound

When it comes to storing, fresh pork can be refrigerated 3 to 4 days. Frozen will be good for 6 months, unless it’s cured then only 3 months.
Want more information on pork? Check out our Pork Basics page!

Now that you’ve brought home the bacon, put it to good use.

Is there any better sound (or smell) to wake up to than the crackling goodness of bacon? We don’t think so. People adore these strips so much that they add them to absolutely everything—burgers, mac and cheese, chocolate. You name it, someone has tried it!

Here at Alewel’s, we like to wrap our beef fillets and stuffed chicken breasts in bacon to add that extra dose of flavor. We also love to pile up our Cajun or Jalapeno bacon for delicious BLTs. Most bacon is cured, but the difference in Alewel’s bacon lies in how we cure our product. Our regular process does use water to cure, but when the bacon comes out of the smokehouse it’s back to it’s beginning weight, which means it’s not a water-added product like some bacon.

So let’s look at how to prepare and store these tasty strips!

How to prepare

Pan Frying:

• Put cold bacon in a cold pan, then turn on low-medium heat to cook slowly.
• You’ll want to turn the bacon often as this will reduce shrinking.
• Tip: Prick with a fork to alleviate curling problems.

Microwave:

• Special cookers are not necessary. You can place the strips on a plate with a paper towel on the bottom, in between layers, and on top.
• Cook on high for 5 minutes for 6 slices. Add 1-minute intervals for crispier bacon.
• Remember food continues to cook after the timer goes off, so let it rest for 3 to 5 minutes.

Oven:

• 70 percent of bacon sold in the U.S. is pre-cooked.
• Try putting the strips on a baking sheet in an oven at 400 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes
• We do not recommend broiling, it can splatter and make a mess.

What causes splattering?
Bacon that contains high amounts of water, which is used for curing, can splatter. This happens when you cook the bacon too fast and use a high heat. Avoid this by cooking on a lower heat for a longer time. Be patient with your bacon.

Storage Tips:

Cured bacon is not cooked, but will keep for 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator. If you freeze, it will last only 3 months because the salt in the cure doesn’t allow the bacon to freeze solid like fresh meats. When reheating bacon, be sure not to overcook because it will crisp up.

Bacon Per Pound
So you know how much bacon you’re going to get. A pound of bacon can result in different amounts based on how thick the slices are. Here’s our guide:

Thin-sliced bacon is approximately 20 to 23 slices per pound.
Medium-sliced bacon is approximately 16 to 18 slices per pound.
Thick-sliced bacon is approximately 12 to 14 slices per pound.

If you want to get creative with how you use your bacon, check out these 50 ideas for using bacon.  A bacon martini, why not? There really is no wrong way to enjoy these delicious strips.

Find the perfect Alewel’s gift basket for everyone on your list. 

It’s easy to get lost in all the options for holiday gifts. That’s why we’ve simplified the shopping for you! Alewel’s gift baskets make a delicious present, and we’ve crafted options for all the loved ones on your list this year.

For The Breakfast Lover
Give the “Breakfast Present” basket to that relative who lives for the smell of coffee and bacon in the morning. With cured bacon, country ham slices, canadian bacon, assorted jellies, and biscuit mix, they’ll have everything they need for an amazing morning spread.

For The Bacon Addict
Snag the “Achin’ For Some Bacon” for the friend who piles this salty favorite on every dish. Think of the BLT varieties they could concoct with cured bacon, peppered bacon, dry cured bacon, cajun bacon, and raspberry chipotle bacon.

For The German
Try the “Bunch Of Brats” for the person who longs for the flavors of Germany (or a perfect sausage for tailgating). They’ll have cured and smoked bratwurst, German franks, bratwurst with cheese, hot German franks, and cranberry and cheese bratwurst to bury under mounds of sauerkraut.

For The Jerky Lover
Reach for the “Jolly With Jerky” to give your coworker who’s always looking for a tasty snack. They’ll have a solid supply with the beef logs, beef old timer, beef muscle jerky, and cheese curds in this basket.

For The Spice Master
The possibilities are endless when you give the “Season’s Seasonings” basket. Your culinary mastermind of a friend will appreciate this scrumptious kit that includes our Grill-in & Grill-out seasoning, BBQ seasoning, Steak & Roast rub, and Sweet & Sassy garlic.

For The One Who Wants It All
Can’t narrow it down? Go for the “Merry Medley.” With smoked turkey breast, cured and smoked chops, country ham slices, dry cured bacon, logs of jerky, and summer sausage, they’re bound to love it all!

Order these baskets (and more) in stores! Happy holidays from Alewel’s!

Thanksgiving is all about the turkey, so make sure you’re ready to deliver this year.

We all love the mashed potatoes, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, but the turkey is the cornerstone of the day. To ensure you have all the information you need to prepare the perfect bird, we’ve rounded up all our best tips and tricks.

Tips For Buying Turkey

• Purchase one pound of turkey per person to be served.
• This formula allows for the holiday meal plus a little left over for the prized turkey sandwich!
• There is no appreciable difference between female (hen) and male (tom) turkeys in tenderness, white/dark meat ratio or other eating qualities.
• If you are having a small gathering for the holiday, try other turkey products such as a turkey breast, tenderloins, cutlets, drumsticks, or thighs.
• You might also ask your butcher to cut a fresh whole bird in half. Roast one and freeze the other for a later occasion.

What is a self-basted turkey?
Self-basted turkeys have been injected or marinated in a solution which usually contains edible fat, natural broth, stock or water, and seasonings. Self-basted turkeys are labeled with the percentage of solutions and their ingredients. Choose un-basted turkeys – you don’t want to pay for water!

Turkey Storage:
Fresh turkeys should be stored at 26 to 40°F. But frozen turkeys should be stored at 0°F or below. You can store a frozen bird for up to 12 months. This means you can snag a bird during value sales and hold onto it until Thanksgiving or buy an extra one to put on your smoker later on.

How To Thaw Your Turkey

You can thaw under refrigeration, in cold water, or the microwave:

• Refrigeration – Allow approximately 24 hours per five pounds to thaw in the refrigerator.
• Cold Water: Allow approximately 30 minutes per pound to thaw in cold water, which should be changed every 30 minutes.
  • Do not use warm or hot water!
• Microwave – Follow the microwave manufacturer’s directions and begin to roast the turkey immediately following the microwave process.

Once thawed, keep turkey refrigerated at 40°F or below until it is ready to be cooked (with the exception of microwaved thawed turkey which should be cooked immediately).

To Smoke A Turkey
Smoked turkey doesn’t need a recipe as seasonings, ingredients and spices are not necessary. You can add a little salt, pepper or poultry seasoning, but the smoke provides the principle flavor.

Don’t be afraid, however, to get creative with that smoke by experimenting with different types of wood — hickory or mesquite being the most popular. Any chunks or chips of water-soaked hardwood or fruitwood will work, but do not use softwoods like pine, fir, cedar, or spruce as they will give the food a turpentine flavor and coat it with an ugly and inedible black pitch.

Also, instead of smoking with water, try wine or juices. Try Hickory Chips that had been soaked in a mixture of red wine and apple juice. This same liquid was then poured in the water pan and used for the smoking process.

Smoking time depends on the size of the turkey, the distance from the heat, temperature of the coals, as well as the outside air temperature. You can roughly estimate about 20 to 30 minutes per pound of turkey, but it’s important to use a meat thermometer to be sure your turkey is thoroughly cooked. The turkey is done when the food thermometer, placed in the inner thigh, reaches 180°F (be sure the thermometer is not touching the bone).

Important Reminders:

• Food safety is of primary concern when smoking turkey. Turkey breasts, drumsticks, wings, and whole turkeys are all suited for smoking, although for safety’s sake, stick with whole turkeys that weigh 12 pounds or less.
• Turkey is in the “Danger Zone,” where bacteria grows the fastest, between 40°F and 140°F. So when you’re cooking, you want to make sure keep the time in between that temperature to a minimum.
• Do not stuff a turkey destined for smoking. Because smoking takes place at a low temperature, it can take too long for the temperature of the stuffing to reach the required temperature of 165°F, not to mention that smoked stuffing has an undesirable flavor.

Steps For Grilling

• Use indirect heat to grill the turkey. Prepare the grill by removing top grill rack and opening all vents. Mound 50 to 60 briquettes in center of the lower grill rack or the bottom of grill and ignite briquettes. When coals become ash-gray — about 20 to 40 minutes — divide them into two equal parts, positioned on the outside edges of lower grill rack or bottom of grill.
• Place a foil drip pan or a double thickness of heavy-duty aluminum foil between the two piles of coals.
• Lightly grease the top grill rack before re-positioning it on the hot coals. Place the prepared turkey in the middle of the grill rack, directly over drip pan, and replace the lid on the grill.
• You can figure roughly 12 minutes cooking time per pound of turkey. Be sure to check turkey’s doneness by using a meat thermometer. Breast meat is ready at 170°F degrees, thigh meat at 180° F degrees.
• You can marinate the turkey by using a fork to make random holes over the entire bird.
• Place the turkey in a large, plastic cooking bag or clean plastic trash bag and pour in the marinade.
• Close the bag securely and let it marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
• Before cooking, scrape off excess marinade and discard.
• Do not re-use marinade to baste the turkey.
• Do not stuff a turkey that’s to be grilled as it can take too long for the temperature of the stuffing to reach the required temperature of 165°F.
• Keep the lid on the grill closed as much as possible to prevent heat loss.

5 Tips For Food Safety: 

U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service shared five tips to ensure food safety this Thanksgiving. Be sure to keep these in mind when you’re doing holiday prep!

1. Don’t wash the turkey.
   USDA does not recommend washing raw meat and poultry before cooking. This can cause bacteria to spread up to three feet away. Since cooking (baking, broiling, boiling, frying, or grilling) meat and poultry to the right temperature kills any bacteria, washing before is not necessary.
2. Use the refrigerator, the cold-water method, or the microwave to defrost.
   There are three safe ways to defrost a turkey: in the refrigerator, in cold water and in the microwave oven, as we mentioned above. Thawing food in the refrigerator is the safest method because the turkey will defrost at a consistent, safe temperature. Cold water and microwave thawing can also be used if your bird did not entirely defrost in the refrigerator.
3. Use a meat thermometer.
   The only way to determine if a turkey is cooked is to check its internal temperature with a food thermometer. Check these three locations: the innermost part of the thigh, the innermost part of the wing, and the thickest part of the breast. Your thermometer should register 165°F in all three of these places. Using the food thermometer is the best way to ensure your turkey is cooked, but not overdone.
4. Don’t store food outside, even if it’s cold.
   Storing food outside is not food safe for two reasons. The first is that animals, both wild and domesticated, can get into it. The second is temperature variation. Just like your car gets warm in the summer, a plastic food storage container in the sun can heat up and climb into the danger zone (above 40°F). The best way to keep that extra Thanksgiving food at a safe temperature (below 40°F) is in a cooler with ice.
5. Leftovers are good in the refrigerator for up to four days.
   Cut the turkey off the bone and refrigerate it as soon as you can, within two hours of the turkey coming out of the oven. Leftovers will last for four days in the refrigerator, so if you know you won’t use them right away, pack them into freezer bags or airtight containers and freeze. For best quality, use your leftover turkey within four months. After that, the leftovers will still be safe, but can dry out or lose flavor.

No matter which way you decide to cook your turkey, enjoy it!

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Alewel’s!

You may not be able to control the outcome of the game, but you can ensure the menu scores major points.

It’s all about the spread when you’re hosting a tailgate. You’ve got to come ready. We know you want to impress on Game Day, so we are here to help. To make sure you can get out of the kitchen and into the game, we’ve broken down the easiest prep steps.

Day Before The Game

First thing’s first, you’ve got to get organized. Make a checklist so you don’t end up at the party without plates. Believe us, it happens. Here is an example of our checklist.

Tailgate Must Haves:

• Cooler
• Ice
• Beverages
• Plates
• Silverware
• Cups
• Napkins
• Decorations
• Games
• Grill/Smoker/Lighter
• Meats
• Condiments
• Serving dishes/Utensils
• Trash bags
• Prepared Dishes
• Tent/Chairs
• Tickets/Parking Pass

Be creative with your tailgate planning, but keep it simple. Sometimes coming up with a theme makes the menu planning easier. BBQ, Mexican, Cajun, etc. Be sure to factor in the temperature and what will hold up well in the heat of those early games. Dips and desserts can easily be made beforehand and packed up. When it comes to desserts, think hand-held such as cookies, brownies, or dessert bars that require no dishes or silverware. Definitely throw in a couple bags of chips. People will always want to grab a handful.

Having a pot of chili or taco soup is a delicious, hearty, and easy choice, especially when it’s cooler outside. You can also go to the deli store and pick up prepared items such as meat and cheese trays, veggie trays, fruit trays—anything to keep the stress level down. Be sure to also grab beverages the day before (and don’t forget to have kid-friendly options).

Day Of Game:

DON’T FORGET THE TICKETS.

If you do, everything else is pointless. Now that you’ve covered that, load the vehicle following the checklist you made yesterday. Put your drinks on ice to make sure they’re nice and cold when the fans start showing up. Then pack up your smoker or grill.

Here at Alewel’s, we’re die-hard University of Missouri Tiger fans. Tigers are carnivores, so you can be sure we never host without at least a couple meaty dishes. Beef tri tip, brisket, slab of ribs, brats, burgers. Try a different option for each game of the season.

At The Game:

Set the tone by putting up your team’s flag, laying out some color-coordinated decorations, and setting up any tailgating games. Unpack your prepared appetizers and snacks. Now, it’s time to fire up that grill.

There are two rules of thumb for food at a football gathering: There should be lots of it, and it has to be good. After that, it’s just about enjoying the atmosphere and rooting for your team!

Outdoor entertaining at its finest and easiest.

Put the endless, tantalizing combinations of kabobs on display for your next backyard party. You can even assemble them pre-party, so your day-of is stress free. Grilled to perfection in minutes and cleaned up in seconds, kabobs are a host’s dream.

What ingredients should I use?

Mindful mixing can take your kabobs to another level. One we love is poultry, pork, or ham with a fruit like pineapple chunks, apricot halves, peach or apple wedges. The flavors complement each other for the perfect mix of sweet and savory. Try these meats and vegetables to get you started.

Meats

• Beef
• Pieces of Boneless Chicken
• Pieces of Turkey Breast
• Pork Cubes
• Small Meatballs
• Partially Fried and Rolled-Up Bacon Slices
• Pieces of Sausage
• Shrimp
• Scallops
• Other Seafood Chunks 

Vegetables And Fruit

• Onions
• Zucchini
• Summer Squash
• Green, Red, or Yellow Peppers
• Partially Cooked Carrots
• Canned or Partially Cooked Small Whole Potatoes
• Fresh Mushrooms
• Firm Cherry Tomatoes 

Don’t forget to marinate.

Add in extra flavor by marinating before grilling. Try bottled salad dressings like French, Italian, or Ranch for chicken. Use Teriyaki, Sweet n’ Sour, or Greek marinade on pork. Feel free to get creative though! There are many marinade mixes and bottled concoctions from fruit-based to spicy hot sauces. (For our kabobs, we use a Southwestern marinate on our beef and a Greek on our pork ones.)

Note: As always, don’t reuse a marinade or sauce on food you’re cooking that has been used with raw food. Discard any liquid that raw meat, poultry, or seafood has been in. Wash all kitchen utensils and dishes thoroughly before reusing.

Choosing Your Skewers

We recommend skewers with flat blades. The round ones can easily turn inside the food, making it difficult to rotate the pieces of food. If you only have round ones, use two per kabob to keep things in place.  There are also double-prong skewers, which hold the meat and vegetables in place and can easily be turned over.

If you use wooden skewers, they must be soaked in water for about 30 minutes before using to prevent burning.

Kabob Prep:

1. Cut meat, larger fruit and vegetables into 1 inch to 1 ½ inch pieces.
2. Marinate.
3. Fill skewer with pieces that are uniform in size.
4. Leave a little space between pieces so everything gets thoroughly cooked.

Grill Times

The following times are highly variable. It depends, of course, on distance above the coals and the actual temperatures. We suggest 4 inches above medium-hot coals. Kabobs with tightly packed ingredient will need more time.

• Beef, pork, or lamb kabobs with 1 inch cubes: Grill for about 10 to 12 minutes. (Add 5 minutes for 1 ½ inch cubes.)
• Chicken or turkey kabobs with 1 inch cubes: Grill for about 8 to 10 minutes. (Add 4 to 5 minutes for 1 ½ inch cubes.)
• Shrimp or fish kabobs (salmon, tuna, halibut, etc.) with 1 inch cubes: Grill for about 10 to 12 minutes. (Add 4 to 5 minutes for 1 ½ inch cubes.)
• Pre-cooked sausages: Grill for about 8 to 10 minutes. (Add 4 to 5 minutes for 1 ½ inch cubes.)

Turn all kabobs frequently as they’re grilling. Baste with additional sauce occasionally and wait until the last few minutes of grill time to baste with sweeter sauces, especially if they contain sugar. Sugar will burn faster and turn black.

And that’s it! You are ready to serve up these delicious combos at your next picnic or outdoor party. Make a whole main course of kabobs or use them for appetizers. Either way, you can’t go wrong.

You likely know how to whip up a tasty tailgate menu, but do you know how to ensure your grill is doing its part to make your party a success? From type of grill to temperature and cleaning tips, we have compiled everything you need to know to be a grill master.

Gas vs. Charcoal

The age-old debate. We don’t have a hard stance on a “superior” choice, but each type does have its advantages. Gas grills are quick and easy to use. If you are a grilling newbie, they’re a great option to make sure you cook to perfection on the first try. They’re consistent, so you don’t have to monitor them as closely (giving you extra time to try out that corn hole game).

Charcoal has it’s pluses as well; one of which being that it’s the authentic grilling experience. After the fuel igniter burns off, it infuses your meat with that quintessential smokey taste. It can be harder to control the heat of a charcoal grill though, so it requires more focus from you. If you do decide to use charcoal, note that lump charcoal burns faster and hotter than the briquettes.

Is it hot enough?

There is a quick and easy way to know if your grill is at the right temperature. Other than using a thermostat, you can check by holding your hand five to six inches from the grilling surface. You’ll know you’ve reach the right temp when it feels hot at the below times:

• Hot: 2 to 3 Seconds
• Medium: 4 to 5 Seconds
• Low: 6 Seconds or More

Should you put a lid on it?

If you are grilling, it’s going to be at a high heat so keep the lid open. However, when you are barbecuing, you are going to want a slow and low burn for that delicious fall-off-the-bone flavor, so keep that lid closed.

Choose your tools wisely.

Your grill is the mastermind behind the endeavor, but some key tools can always lend a helping hand. Instead of using a fork, which can pierce the surface of your product and release those flavorful juices, use tongs or a spatula to turn your grill items. It’s also a good idea to keep a spray bottle of water nearby to spritz flare-ups on the grill.

Cleaning How To:

Make sure your grill is ready for anything you throw at it by taking the time to properly clean it. You want to scrub the grates after every use and the burners on a fairly regular basis.

1. Use a wire brush after each session while the grill is still warm.
2. Then it depends on your grill type:
   1. Charcoal: Clean the ashes out using a wire brush to remove cooked-on grease.
   2. Gas: Clean the plate or lava rock four to five times during the grilling season.
   3. Smokers: Check to make sure all vents are operational. You’ll also want to clean out the grease trap as it will have collected grease from the smoking process.
3. Then coat your clean grate with vegetable oil or rub it with a cut potato.

Be sure to stop by the store to pick up everything you need for your tailgate! Have grill care questions we didn’t answer? Place them in the comments, and we’ll make sure you get all the information you need to be a grill master!