Baking is a fun and delicious way to prepare food. Using a charcoal grill is not as easy as a gas grill, but the food is more delicious to make. First, activate the charcoal with a charcoal starter (charcoal starter), then spread the prepared charcoal in the grill. Fast-cooking foods such as hot dogs, hamburgers, and vegetables can be cooked on an open grill. If you work with food that takes a long time to cook like boneless chicken, cover it and inspect it from time to time.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Preparing the Charcoal
Step 1. Put the briquettes into the charcoal burner
1.5 kg of charcoal is usually enough to fit most charcoal burners and grills. Charcoal burners usually also have a fill line. If there is, use it as a benchmark.
- The charcoal starter is a metal cylindrical device with a grille at the bottom, holes on the sides, and handles on both sides. You put the charcoal in the appliance, ignite it efficiently and safely, then pour the briquettes into the grill when they're done.
- Burners can be dangerous and are unnecessary if you use a charcoal burner.
Step 2. Prepare the fire source
Take a sheet of newspaper and roll it up. Dip in vegetable oil and place in the bottom of the charcoal burner, under the grid.
Step 3. Turn on the charcoal burner
Place the appliance on a flat, fire-safe surface, such as a concrete driveway or grill grille. Take a lighter or lighter and insert it into one of the holes to light the newspaper. Let the fire spread to the charcoal and burn it to ashes. It usually takes 20 minutes.
Monitor the charcoal burner while you wait
Step 4. Spread an even layer of charcoal for quick-cooking food
Lift the grill grille, and carefully add the charcoal. Foods like hot dogs, hamburgers, and vegetables don't need to be cooked for long and the charcoal needs to be spread evenly during grilling.
Step 5. Create two heat zones for slow-cooking foods
Chicken, roasts, pork loin, and similar foods take a long time to cook. Put the charcoal in the grill, then slide it to one side. This will create an indirect heat zone so the food can fully cook without burning it.
Part 2 of 3: Preparing the Grill
Step 1. Clean the grill grille
Take a clean washcloth and wrap it tightly around one end of a stick, spatula, or long metal spoon. Dip it in the water, then rub it back and forth on the now hot grid to remove grease, food residue, or other debris. Continue to dip the stick into the water if you need to re-wet it.
- Some people recommend cleaning the grill with a stiff wire brush before heating. However, this step can cause metal particles to remain in the food.
- The grill grille is safe to clean with a damp cloth, and dirt will come off more easily because the grille is hot.
Step 2. Add wood for added smoke flavor
Place 1-2 wood chips in the charcoal just before you put the food. This will allow the food to stay in contact with the smoke longer and give it the rich flavor you want.
- Only use wood chips that are food-grade (safe for food). You can buy it at a hardware store.
- Hickory, mesquite, and applewood chips are popularly used for baking.
- Soak the wood in clean water for 20 minutes before baking to help slow the burning and add flavor to the food.
Step 3. Place the food in the grill when it is hot
Wait a minute before placing the food on the grill to ensure it cooks well and prevents it from sticking to the grill. Place fast-cooking foods over the charcoal. Foods that take a long time to cook should be placed next to the charcoal so they don't come into direct heat.
Rub a little oil on the surface of the grill before placing the food. This will also prevent the food from sticking
Part 3 of 3: Cooking Food
Step 1. Close the grill, if needed
Hot dogs, hamburgers, and other fast-cooking foods can be grilled while uncovered. For foods that take longer to cook, such as chicken or beef, attach the grill lid. This step increases the amount of indirect heat so the food can cook better.
- Add new charcoal every 30-60 minutes if your food needs to cook long enough.
- Do not open the grill cover too often to check the food as heat may escape.
Step 2. Adjust the grill damper to control the heat
Open the damper if you want to increase the heat, for example for cooking steaks. Cover if you want to cook at low temperatures, such as roast pork loin or vegetables.
The silencer opening allows the charcoal to burn hotter as it receives more oxygen. The opposite effect is obtained when the silencer is closed
Step 3. Check the temperature of the food
Use an instant digital thermometer to check the temperature of food. Bring food to the grill only when the temperature is right. That way, you can make sure it's fully cooked so it's safe to eat, here are some examples:
- Pork at 71 degrees Celsius.
- The beef is well-done at 77 degrees Celsius.
- Chicken at 74 degrees Celsius.
Step 4. Close the grill and remove the ashes
When you're done cooking, cover the grill and refrigerate everything. When the grill has cooled, scoop out the ashes with a shovel and place them in a bucket or metal latrine. Soak in water overnight and discard.
