KITCHEN TIPS & TECHNIQUES

EatingWell's Best Grilling Tips Ever

Explore our Essential Grill Guide for
easy mix-and-match rubs and marinades

13 HOT TIPS FOR BETTER GRILLING TONIGHT!

7) Marinating.
Marinating does more than infuse food with flavor; it also inhibits the formation of potentially carcinogenic HCAs (heterocyclic amines), which form when grilling “muscle meats” like poultry, red meat and fish. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), marinating can reduce HCA formation by as much as 92 to 99 percent.

Keep a squirt bottle of water near the grill to quickly douse any unexpected flare-ups.”

8) A chimney starter.
A chimney starter (weber.com, $14.99) makes starting a charcoal fire a breeze. Just place crumpled paper in the bottom of the chimney, fill it with charcoal and light the paper. In about 20 minutes the coals will be ready to spread evenly in the bottom of the grill—no kindling, no lighter fluid, no perfect pyramid required.

9) Is it done?
The best way to know if protein is fully cooked is to check its internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer. For cooking times and temperatures, see our handy chart with marinating and grilling times for our favorite types of poultry, meat, seafood and tofu.

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