You’ve thought about heading down to the local hardware store to grab your very own grill for awhile now, but the prospect of picking out the right one feels a little bit intimidating. Once you find one, how will you ever learn how to grill without making mistakes? Does a mistake mean that your grill will explode in a flaming ball of destruction?

It’s a lot for a person to consider.

Here’s the good news though. If you’re intimidated by the idea of grilling then you’re not alone! At Mighty Flame we absolutely love sharing grilling tips and that’s why today’s post is all about how to get over the anxiety that you feel about grilling so you can fire up the grill and cook with confidence. If that sounds like something that’s up your alley, keep reading to learn more!

Grilling at Its Simplest

At its core grilling is nothing more than putting meat on a fire and figuring out when to take it off. Sure, it’s definitely more complicated than that, but at the end of the day everything you’ll ever do with a grill is basically just a variation of this simple idea. The truth is that this fact doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll automatically be less intimidated by it. After all, the last thing anyone wants is to serve a brat that’s not quite done enough and gets someone sick. Or, you know, a hockey puck that was once a burger, but you kept it on the grill a bit longer than necessary because you didn’t want it undercooked.

One piece of advice that we’ve shared early and often is that whether you’re a beginning griller or an expert with years of practice, a grilling thermometer is one thing that should always be in your arsenal. If you’re just starting out you don’t have to worry about getting the fanciest thermometer ever made. A simple one will do and if you’re not sure how done something is all you have to do is stick it in your dish and get a reading. Compare that temperature to a guide online for the food you’re cooking and you’re all set.

Here’s What You Need to Get Started Off Right

First and foremost, a couple of inexpensive barbecue grill accessories are a must. In addition to the aforementioned thermometer we always recommend getting a spatula and a pair of tongs. These three items will cover you in almost every grilling situation that you’ll find yourself in.

Secondly, and equally important for our purposes today: use the accessories you buy! There’s a lot of talk about being able to tell how done a steak is by comparing it to the fleshy part of your hand between your thumb and index finger. Seeing as how that’s a spot that’s sure to differ in softness from person to person we’d like to present a better option: use your thermometer! That’s what it’s for. Trust us when we say that before you know it you’ll be able to see visually when your steaks are getting close to your preferred level of doneness. Just like anything, practice makes perfect, so practice often, enjoy the fruits of your labors, and reap your rewards in the long run. It doesn’t get much better than that!

At the end of the day the goal is to have a good time and if you consider the learning experience to be part of the fun then you’ll have a blast! When it comes down to it the fact of the matter is that you’re definitely going to make mistakes when you’re first starting out. There will be things that turn out poorly and that you end up deciding to cut your losses on. But here’s the kicker. For every bad bit of food that you make you’ll make much more that is good or even great!

You might be surprised to hear that things sometimes do actually work out perfectly on your first try. If they don’t, figure out what you did wrong and use it to get better next time. That’s really all there is to it.

What About Marinades and Seasonings?

So how do you factor in all of the extra stuff that goes into making good food on the grill? Once again, keep in mind that practice makes perfect. Generally speaking, however, marinades and rubs are a great way to add some extra levels of flavor to anything that you’re grilling. It’s hard to go wrong with these things. Unless you happen to add a tablespoon of cayenne pepper instead of a teaspoon that is.

One of the best things you can do when you’re learning how to grill is to experiment often. Like we said above, it won’t always be a success, but it will always be a learning experience.

Our best advice is to read as much as you can about the topic of grilling. Check out the internet to read articles like this one, head over to YouTube to watch some videos, or borrow books from your library. Anything you can do to learn will be in your best interest down the road and before you know it the act of grilling will be like second nature.

There is indeed an art to it and what’s the first step to creating good art? Experiment. That’s the key here, friends and neighbors.

Your Source for Grilling Techniques, Cool Grilling Ideas, and More

Looking for easy foods to grill? How about a steak grilling guide? Tips on how to make the perfect steak rub for grilling? Whatever the case may be, you’re in the right spot. At Mighty Flame we love sharing grilling tips, tricks, recipes, and ideas. We get inspiration from all across the internet and we share our favorites. We also share articles like this from our own experiences from time to time.

So don’t be intimidated. Pick up a grill, swing by a Mighty Flame propane tank exchange location to buy a propane tank, and give grilling a try for yourself. We think you’re going to love it!