Kids Grilling Tips from Helen DeFrance

Nothing is more fun than spending time outside with family and friends and firing up the grill! Before you head outdoors, take a look at these tips from Helen DeFrance to help your kids learn to grill.

1. Keep a small spray bottle filled with water near the grill to combat flare-ups.

2. When cooking over high heat, use long-handled barbecue utensils.

3. To avoid cross contamination, never put cooked food on the plate you brought it to the grill on.

4. If brushing with barbecue sauce, put it on at end because it will burn. Put on the last 10 minutes.

5. Grills should be kept clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grill itself and in the trays below the grill. Clean the grill grates thoroughly before putting food on them. Use a long-handled wire brush to clean the grates after they are heated. After cleaning the grates, oil them well. Fold a paper towel into a small pad, about 2 to 3 inches in length. Grasp the pad with a pair of tongs, and dip it into oil (canola, vegetable, grapeseed, etc.), then rub the oil-soaked pad over the grates.

6. The terms grilling and barbecuing are two different cooking methods, although used interchangeably. Grilling is done directly over high heat (typically between 450°F and 650°F) and is a quick cooking method. The food is placed directly over the hot burner. Barbecuing is done over low to medium-low heat (225°F to 250°F) for a long period of time (sometimes as long as 18 hours). The key to barbecuing is “low and slow.” A traditional barbecue cooker has a firebox at one end and a smoking or cooking chamber at the other. Barbecuing results in meltingly tender meat infused with the flavor of woodsmoke.

7. If using skewers, soak the skewers in water for at least 30 minutes prior to using to prevent splintering and charring. Wooden skewers typically come in packages of 100. Soak the entire package when you open it. After soaking, briefly drain the skewers on paper towels, then place in a large plastic zip-top bag. Store in the freezer; no need to soak again before using!

8. Whatever takes the longest to cook goes on the grill first.

If your kids love grilling, then bring the whole family to Blackberry and let Helen DeFrance bring the excitement of hands-on cooking during our Kitchen Full of Kids event.