When we think of summer it usually involves at least one, if not all of these things: grilling, swimming pools, and the smell of fresh cut grass.

At Ace Hardware Fort Collins, we have quite the selection of grills whether you’re a diehard charcoal fan or prefer your quick and simple gas grill. Both have their benefits, we won’t argue with that.

With any form of grilling though there are tips and tricks that are good to follow, not only for the best tasting food but also for your own safety:

Avoid cooking your food on the open flame.
Flames deposit various chemicals that are probably not the greatest for us to consume. So while it may look cool, resist throwing your food on top of the flame.

Clean your grill often.
After every use would be ideal! After all, there are always a few remnants of meat or food stuck to the grate and if you wouldn’t eat those scraps a week later, why would you want them sticking to your fresh food?

Bring your meat to room temp.
You’ve probably heard this even with steaks that you are cooking on your stovetop, or any type of roast. Set your meat out approximately 30 minutes before cooking for optimal taste. P.s. don’t cut into your meat immediately after pulling off the grill either – allow the juices to soak in and wait at least 5-10 minutes before digging in, you’ll thank us later.

Avoid flipping your food too much.
Once or twice should do the trick. After all, it’s that nice sear that brings out the flavor.

Know when to close the lid.
Without a lid, all of the heat comes from underneath – this would be ideal for cooking thin foods (ex: skirt steak). For thicker meats and foods (ex: chicken breast, filet mignon), use your grill lid as it will trap in moisture, smoke, and best of all…flavor.

Curious about how long your food should take to cook on the grill? Check out this handy beef grilling guide from Weber

Do you consider yourself a grill master? Share your tips in the comments below!