Ready to become a backyard hero? Well, better get ready. Grilling isn’t just about cooking; it’s literally an art that brings together great food and quality time. Grilling isn’t complicated at all. Don’t worry, it only takes a few steps. And with these steps, you can master the sizzle to make bomb food, so your dad doesn’t have to grill. And, you can have a friend tag along. I’ll serve as your fun conductor on how to become league-bound. 

Now, to start off, think of your grill like a canvas. A lot of people start up their grill first, but I think you should get your meat ready first if you’re using a gas grill. If you’re using a charcoal grill, arrange those briquettes in a pyramid shape and light those charcoal sparkles until they turn into gray ash. Don’t rush; wait until they’re ready for action. But in the meantime, get your ingredients ready. Get your meat ready and in the perfect shape you want before adding seasoning. If you want to be a tryhard, marinate your meat for a few hours beforehand to get that juicy flavoring. Now, for a gas grill, prep your meat, season it, and THEN let your grill preheat to whatever temperature you like. Cleaning the grates is that special secret to getting the perfect sear lines. Using a grill brush gets all that greasy gunk off your grill when it’s hot. 

Getting to the centerpiece: listen for that sizzle ignite when your meat hits the hot, precious canvas of yours. If you’re cooking something quick, like burgers and thin steaks, use a high source of heat and put it directly on the heat source. For grilling bigger things, like a chicken or a thick steak, use non-direct heat and close the lid. This is done so the inside of that meat is also cooked and mighty juicy. Don’t constantly flip food; aim towards flipping once or twice for it to be equally cooked. And to finish it off, throw that thermometer in there to make sure it’s done instead of guessing. But with time, you won’t need it, and from there you’ll be bound to go pro. 

Once you get your plates and silverware ready, wait for your masterpieces to cool slightly. This lets those juices really concentrate on that meat, creating a really tender, tasty result. With some practice, you’ll become a grill master G.O.A.T.  Check out the video above for a demonstration of how to grill and thrill, featuring Cael Tibbs.