How to Know When a BBQ Is at the Right Temperature to Cook Meat

There is no doubt that grilling on the BBQ has the potential to make a delicious meal. But if your BBQ is not at the right temperature throughout the cooking process, you might end up with a tough piece of meat or one that can't be distinguished from the charcoal that cooked it. Know how to test the temperature of your charcoal or gas grill to prevent this.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Test the Temperature of a Charcoal Grill

1. Ignite the charcoal in your BBQ to begin preheating the grill.

2. Create different grilling zones in your BBQ by raking the coals. One thin layer of coals over the entire grate will create only one overall grilling temperature. You can create three different zones by raking a double layer of coals over one-third of the grill, covering one-third with a single layer and leaving the last third bare. This is ideal for meat that needs to be cooked at different temperatures throughout the cooking process.

3. Test the temperature of the grill to make sure it is at the right temperature for your meat. The grill is at low heat (225 to 250 degrees F) if you notice a thick ash covering and light orange coals. If you hold your hand 4 inches over the coals, you should only be able to stand the heat for 11 to 14 seconds. For medium heat (325 to 350 degrees F), the coals will be a glowing orange, and you should only be able to hold your hand 4 inches above the coals for 6 to 8 seconds. At high heat (450 to 650 degrees F), the coals will be bright orange and you will only be able to stand the heat for 2 to 3 seconds.

4. Cook your chicken and seafood starting with high heat to brown the outside, then move them to medium heat to cook the inside. Cook pork and beef over high heat.

Test the Temperature of a Gas Grill

5. Turn on the gas tank and light your BBQ. Preheat it on high.

6. Read the temperature of the grill on the built-in thermometer on the lid. Adjust the burner knobs accordingly, depending on the meat you wish to cook.

7. Test the internal temperature by using the internal-grill thermometer or using the hand method. Gas grill thermometers are generally reliable, but the hand method is a good backup.

Tips & Warnings

• A grill has to hold a temperature of at least 300 degrees F to kill bacteria in the meat.
• Never place hands directly on coals, grates or other hot implements when testing the temperature of the grill.
• Firing up your grill as hot as you can get it can cause your meat to burn on the outside before it is cooked all the way through.

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