How hot is too hot, and how hot is just enough? Barbecuing expert Bruce Bjorkman explains that there are actually three temperatures you need to know about in order to have a thorough understanding of the art and science of the barbecue. - The outdoor temperature -- the temperature of the air outside when you are cooking -- has a direct impact on how you go about barbecuing. When it's cold outside, the wind and the cold temperature remove heat from your barbecue grill, so it takes longer for foods to become fully cooked. The converse is true in summer months: foods will cook much more quickly in warm weather.
- The grid temperature is the internal temperature of your cooking chamber. Measure the grid temperature using an ordinary oven thermometer. Available from grocery and department stores, these cost just a few dollars. Place the oven thermometer directly onto your cooking surface, right next to the food you are cooking. This will give you a precise indication of your grid temperature and help you adjust your cooking times accordingly.
- The internal meat temperature is measured using a meat thermometer equipped with a long probe. Insert the probe so that it extends into the middle of the meat (avoiding any fat or bone) and leave it there during cooking to let you know when the inside of the meat has reached the desired temperature (figure A). Some meat thermometers are equipped with a sliding indicator to make it easy to read when the meat has reached the target temperature for that particular cut or variety of meat. When the thermometer reaches the target temperature, the meat is ready to remove from the grill. Check USDA guidelines (click here -- for more information from the USDA, see Resources, below) to determine the proper cooking temperature for various types of meat.
An instant-read meat thermometer is also convenient for getting a quick measurement on the internal temperature of a piece of meat as it's cooking. These thermometers use a long probe (figure B) to give readings on temperature well inside the meat.
Important: Instant-read thermometers are not designed to be left in the meat for the duration of their cook-time. Simply insert the probe, wait about a minute to get an accurate reading, then remove the thermometer. Digital thermometer/timers are also available, and can serve functions similiar to that of a grid thermometer and a meat thermometer. They use a long probe connected to a heat-shielded cable that leads to the digital temperature indicator. The probe is placed on the grill or inside the meat, and the indicator is placed in a convenient spot outside the grill (figure C). The digital readout gives the temperature of the grill or the meat, depending on how the device is being used. You may want to use two of these devices when cooking -- one to measure grid temperature and one to measure internal meat temperature. There is also a timer function if you choose to cook based on time. Tip: To check the accuracy of your meat thermometer, insert the probe into a pot of water that has just come to a rolling boil. The temperature of boiling water is 212 degrees Farheneheit. If your thermometer appears to be inaccurate, it may have an adjustment nut on the back of the faceplate. If it appears inaccurate, and there is no adjustment nut, you may want to discard the thermometer and invest in a new one. They are generally inexpensive, and an accurate thermometer is an important tool for effective barbecuing. Web site resources for gas grills, general barbecue information and Brazilian barbecue (churrasco): Information and supplies for gas grills and accessories Barbecue gift packages and accessories One of the most popular sites about barbecue on the Internet -- great general information. A site dedicated to Brazilian barbecue (churrasco) About.com barbecue information, including a list of associations
RESOURCES :
Skewer Cooking on the Grill
Model: 1558671226
Author: Bob Simmons and Coleen Simmons
(1995)
Bristol Publishing Enterprises
Website: www.bristolpublishing.com
National Barbecue Association
National Barbecue Association
Douglas , GA 31533
Website: www.rbjb.com/rbjb/nbbq.htm
Barbecue Supplies (Barbeques Galore)
Barbeques Galore
Website: www.bbqgalore.com
The Great Barbecue Companion: Mops, Sops, Sauces, and Rubs
Model: 0895948060
Author: Bruce Bjorkman
(March 1996)
Crossing Press
The New Grilling Book: Charcoal, Gas, Smokers, Indoor Grills, Rotisseries
Model: 0696210290
Author: Kristi Fuller
(April 2000)
Better Homes & Gardens Books
National Agricultural Library (USDA)
USDA's national agricultural library
National Agricultural Library
Website: www.nal.usda.gov
Memphis Barbecue, Barbeque, Bar-B-Que, Bar-B-Q, B-B-Q
Model: 0925175161
Author: Carolyn S. Wells
Finger Lickin, Rib Stickin, Great Tasting Barbecue
Model: 0894802089
Author: Jane Butel
Workman Publishing Co. Inc.
Website: www.workman.com
Weber's Art of the Grill : Recipes for Outdoor Living
Model: 0811824195
Author: Jamie Purviance
(1999)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
Chronicle Publishing Company
Website: www.chroniclebooks.com
On the Grill : A Complete Guide to Hot-Smoking and Barbecuing Meat, Fish, and Game
Model: 1558218068
Author: A.D. Livingston
Jerk: Barbecue from Jamaica
Model: 0895944391
Author: Helen Willinsky
The Cook's Encyclopedia of Barbecues, Grills & Outdoor Eating
Model: 0754808025
Author: Christine France
Weber's Big Book of Grilling
Model: 0811831973
Author: Jamie Purviance
Chronicle Publishing Company
Website: www.chroniclebooks.com
The Gas Grill Gourmet: Great Grilled Food for Everyday Meals & Fantastic Feasts
Model: 1558321101
Author: A. Cort Sinnes, John Puscheck
Harvard Common Press
Website: www.harvardcommonpress.com
Better Homes and Gardens Gas Grill Cookbook
Model: 0696000628
Author: Shelli McConnell (Editor)
Better Homes and Gardens Books
Website: www.bhg.com
Grill Products from Traeger Industries
Traeger Industries
Website: www.traegerindustries.com
GUESTS :
Bruce Bjorkman
Author and barbecue expert
The Great Barbecue Companion: Mops, Sops, Sauces, and Rubs
See resources for information on the book.
Traeger Industries
Web site: www.traegerindustries.com
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