Barbecue Tricks

BBQ Tips and Tricks

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BBQ Rib Prep Tips

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Spare ribs are often considered one of the crown jewels of BBQ.  Many times, when you buy a large slab at a store like Sam’s or large groceries, will come vacuum packed as one slab with a large additional portion still intact.  This piece is typically trimmed away for competition barbecue to create a more attractive and showy “St Louis” cut.  Basically trimmed to a long and uniform rectangle of ribs.
After the cook removes the membrane they apply the rub.   Check the video Pitmaster Jack Waiboer displays a quick trim and rubdown.
Two tricks / tips:  Dont trim off excess on the ends.   Use these to taste test to see if they’re done.  Also keepand prepare the rib tips or brisket portion for an additional taste test (or snack).
Here’s a look at Rib prep with Carolina Pitmaster’s Jack Waiboer. Basic St. Louis cut.
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Tricks for How To BBQ A Whole Chicken On A Rotisserie

rotisserie chickenAuthor: Larsen Markston

Rotisserie chicken from the grocery shop is becoming a delicious last minute meal. It really is delicious, but if you discover how to BBQ a whole chicken on your own rotisserie you will understand how significantly greater it tastes with not significantly additional work than the trip to the grocery. You are going to have to have a grill which has a rotisserie, a whole chicken, butter or olive oil with seasonings, and about 1-1/2 hours of cook time to get a yummy home-cooked chicken.

The initial action is setting up your rotisserie on your grill. You can find rotisseries made for both gas and charcoal grills. Follow your manufacturer’s directions and make guaranteed that it rotates freely and is ready to go. Locate a drip pan with about 1/2 inch of water within the grill to catch excess fat drippings and prevent flare ups and to add moisture to the roasting chicken. Fire up the grill to high and let it to heat up while you prepare the chicken.

Rinse the chicken inside and out with cold water. Get rid of the giblets and excess fat, I prepare those up separately for my kitties to be a special treat. Pat the chicken dry inside and out using a paper towel. It is possible to rub butter and salt inside the cavity or include some garlic or onion if you like for additional flavor. You are likely must truss the chicken if your rotisserie is a spit with out a basket. To truss the chicken you need to tie the legs and wings to each other so they will not flop around in the course of cooking possibly getting burned or throwing the spit off center. The least complicated solution to do this really is with heat-proof butchers twine or non-coated wire.

After the bird is trussed it’s set being spitted on the rotisserie. Slide the spit through the entire body in the chicken and make certain the pronged pieces at either end of the spit are secured to the chicken. These are to enable the chicken to turn using the spit so the chicken cooks evenly on all sides. Place the spit on the grill according to the manufacturer’s directions and you’re prepared to go. Turn off the burner or move away the charcoal directly beneath the chicken so the high temperature is less direct.

Baste the chicken every 20 minutes to 1/2 hour with butter or olive oil mixed with whatever seasonings you like. You would like to let the chicken cook on it’s very own for your most part. Leave it alone and don’t lift the lid of the grill any more than you must letting the heat out. In the event you like to use a glaze being a finishing touch, apply it during the very last 10 to 20 mins of cooking.

The full preparation sounds far more complicated than it really is. After you find out how to BBQ a whole chicken, the set up time is really a snap. The cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken and the heat of the grill. When the chicken is on the rotisserie and cooking, it needs minimal attention and enables the cook to tend to the rest of the meal, the guests, or just set your feet up for any bit and enjoy the cooking smells.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cooking-tips-articles/tricks-for-how-to-bbq-a-whole-chicken-on-a-rotisserie-2912331.html

About the Author

I don’t cook in BBQ competitions, but sure do enjoy grilling for my family and trying out new recipes. For more ideas and recipes for Competition BBQ recipes visit BARBECUECOOKBOOK.INFO

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Grill Marks Made Easy

Chicken On The Grill

BBQ Chicken

Ever wonder why steaks look so much better on TV?

For some reason that diamond shaped stamp of caramelization equals the true sign of a perfect steak.

Any BBQ cook should know the secret to professional presentation GRILL MARKS. Gotta have ’em. It’s mainly a matter of paying attention from the start.

  1. First, crank up the heat like you would on direct heat grilling. Heat Helps.
  2. Immediately clean the grill grates and oil with a wet (with oil) napkin.
  3. Place the meat on the grill in the same direction so you’ll mark them the same. Once you set it down — LEAVE IT ALONE – until:
  4. After one fourth the cooking time simply rotate the piece either 45 degrees (for diamond) or 90 (for squares).
  5. At the halfway point… flip and repeat from step three.
  6. One side typically looks better than the other. Put that side up.

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Cooks Conversion Chart

Convert your U.S. cooking measurements cups to ounces, ounces to grams, dry and liquid. Bookmark this cheat sheet from Barbecue Tricks! Metric vs. US conversions and Baking Pan conversions below.

Dry Ingredients

1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour = 4.5 ounces = 130 grams
1 cup bleached all-purpose flour = 4.25 ounces = 120 grams
1 cup cake flour = 4 ounces = 110 grams
1 cup oats, old fashioned = 2.5 ounces = 74 grams
1 cup oats, quick cooking = 3 ounces = 83 grams
1 cup unsweetened cocoa = 3.25 ounces = 92 grams
1 cup granulated sugar = 7 ounces = 200 grams

Sugars

1 cup confectioners’ sugar = 4 ounces = 115 grams
1 cup light brown sugar = 7.8 ounces = 220 grams
1 cup dark brown sugar = 8.4 ounces = 240 grams
1 cup molasses = 11.25 ounces = 322 grams
1 cup corn syrup = 11.5 ounces = 328 grams
1 cup honey = 11.75 ounces = 335 grams

Measuring Oils and Fats

1 cup butter = 8 ounces = 228 grams
1 cup vegetable shortening = 6.75 ounces = 190 grams
1 cup vegetable oil = 7.5 ounces = 215 grams
1 cup peanut butter, smooth = 9.25 ounces = 266 grams

U.S. Volume Equivalents Chart

1 1/2 teaspoons = 1/2 tablespoon
3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon
2 tablespoons = 1/8 cup = 1 ounce
4 tablespoons = 1/4 cup = 2 ounces
8 tablespoons = 1/2 cup = 4 ounces
1 cup = 1/2 pint = 8 ounces
2 cups = 1 pint = 16 ounces
2 pints = 1 quart = 32 ounces
4 quarts = 1 gallon = 128 ounces

Metric Volume Conversion Chart

1/8 teaspoon = .5 ml
1/4 teaspoon = 1.23 ml
1/2 teaspoon = 2.5 ml
1 teaspoon = 5 ml
1 tablespoon = 15 ml
2 tablespoons (1 ounce) = 30 ml
1/4 cup (2 ounces) = 60 ml
1/3 cup (2.67 ounces) = 75 ml
1/2 cup (4 ounces) = 120 ml
3/4 cup (6 ounces) = 180 ml
1 cup (8 ounces) = 240 ml

Metric Weight Conversion Chart

1/2 ounce = 14 grams
1 ounce = 29 grams
1 1/2 ounces = 43 grams
2 ounces = 57 grams
4 ounces = 113 grams
8 ounces = 227 grams
16 ounces (1 pound) = 454 grams

Baking Pan Conversions

If the recipe calls for Volume You can use this instead
8-inch round cake pan 4 cups 8×4-inch load pan; 9-inch round cake pan; 9-inch pie plate
9-inch round cake pan 6 cups 8 1/2×4 1/2-inch loaf; 11x7x2-inch baking pan
8-inch square baking pan 6 cups 11x7x2-inch baking pan; 9-inch round; 8 1/2×4 1/2-inch loaf
9-inch square baking pan 8 cups 9×5-inch loaf pan; 11x7x2-inch baking pan; 9-inch deep dish pie plate
11x7x2-inch baking pan 6 cups 9-inch round cake pan; 8-inch square baking pan; 9-inch square baking pan
9x13x2-inch baking pan 14 cups (2) 8-inch square baking pans; (1) 10 1/2x15x1-inch jellyroll pan
10 1/2x15x1-inch jellyroll pan 10 cups (2) 9-inch square baking pans; (1) 9x13x2-inch baking pan
8×4-inch loaf pan 6 cups 8-inch round cake pan; 11x7x2-inch baking pan
9×5-inch loaf pan 8 cups 9-inch square baking pan; 9×2-inch deep dish pie plate

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Steak Done? An OK Handy Method

If you like your steak Well-Done (like me) or Rare (like many) the fool proof way to know “when it’s done” is use a dependable instant read thermometer. After reading this you’ll probably be frustrated until you get one. Here’s some recommended beef “doneness” temperatures:

Blue rare 120°F
Rare 125 to 130°F
Medium-rare 130 to 135°F
Medium 135 to 145°F
Medium-well 145 to 150°F
Well-done 150 to 155°F
Really well done 160°F plus

Bookmark our: Temperature Guide

So… what if you forgot the handy meat thermometer? There’s a handy barbecue tip that’s been around a long time. “Hand”-y as in Hand. You can test your steak’s done-ness using the OK handy method. It’s easy. Massage, stretch, and shake one hand loose so that your thumb and it’s muscles are fully relaxed.

Touch the round base of your thumb on the relaxed hand. This soft resistance and feel is similar to the texture of a very rare thick steak.

Now – make the “OK” sign (don’t pinch… just close your thumb and forefinger together) and again touch the base of your thumb. This texture is similar to a medium-rare steak.

Next, touch your thumb to your middle finger. This firmer resistance is similar to the texture of a medium steak.

Press your thumb to your fourth finger. The semi-firm texture at the base of your thumb is similar to a medium-well steak.

Finally, touch your thumb to your pinky. The very firm (some would say tough) texture at the base of your thumb is close to a well-done steak.

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Poultry’s Recommended Internal Temperature: Is It Done yet?

Looking to safely cook chicken or turkey, without having it come out dry and flavorless? The USDA says to cook until the juices of the wings and thighs run clear. The only way to do it is use a thermometer (see below), and remember the wings and thighs reach a higher temperature faster than the breast. Here are some simple guidelines for safe internal temperatures that will keep your poultry tasting great! All measurements are Fahrenheit.

  • Ground Chicken or Turkey 165 degrees
  • Whole Chicken or Turkey 180 degrees (thighs, wings & legs) / 160 – 165 degrees (breast) Note: This should occur at about the same time.
  • Chicken or Turkey Breast 170 degrees
  • Duck 180 degrees
  • Grilled or Roasted Quail 145 degrees

In general, The USDA suggests poultry be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 before serving. This is lowered from a pre-2006 recommendation of 180 for turkey. Many of us have become too dependant on the “factory installed” thermometer that comes in frozen birds these days. These are likely to err on the side of “over cooked.”


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It is important to remember that internal temperature will indeed rise a bit while “resting” off the grill.

One universal tip is to watch for the juices to run clear but the best way to really know is by using an accurate instant read thermometer. You may already have an old dial faced version in your gadget drawer. In theory these are just fine and worked for many years; however I almost always find myself questioning the results. We prefer some of the really good digital instant read thermometer now available. In less than ten seconds you’ll really know what temperature you have.

Cooks Illustrated spends a lot of time researching and testing the best of the best and when it comes to thermometers they suggest a model made by Thermapen for about $80 (based on pin-point accuracy and quick respnse time). But there are a few less expensive models.

NOTE: If the thermometer you’re using needs to be “converted” from Fahrenheit to Celsius use this formula: Subtract 32 degrees from the (Fahrenheit) reading, then divide that number by 1.8. The result is the Celsius.

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Hands Down The Best Thermometer

If you’re in the market for a new grill I highly recommend finding one with a built in thermometer on the front (usually a little round dial-type works nice — right in front above the handle). You can even buy them for cheap and install them even easier. Usually one little drill hole is all it takes. However, there is a good stand by if you’re roughing it without the thermometer.

Need to guess the campfire’s temperature? The answer is in the palm of your hand!

Here’s How: Hold your hand – palm side down – about five or six inches above the coals. Just over where the meat will be. How long can you hold it there? Don’t get crazy… but.. in general, the about of time you can stand it will tell the tale. If you can hold out about six seconds you’re probably at a good smoking temperature. 240 Degrees or so. If you can stand the heat on your palm for only three and a half seconds you can call it medium heat. About 375 Degrees. If you’re jumping back at just one or two seconds you’re at HIGH HEAT over 500 degrees.