3 Ways to Improve the Consistency of Your Barbecue

Nothing sucks the joy out of cooking more than inconsistent results. Here are some methods to help you crank out great barbecue every time you fire up your grill.

The first step in identifying the cause of a problem is to understand each part of the process, so that we can figure out which parts are broken. This principle applies whether you're repairing a car, solving relationship problems, or cooking barbecue.

Here are some of the variables you need to think about when cooking outside:

If you always use the same equipment, fuel, and seasoning, you are eliminating some of the variables, but if you are careless with even one variable—such as the temperature of your smoker or the doneness of the meat—it would be possible to produce your best barbecue one weekend and a real bummer the next.

Use a Thermometer

One variable that will make the biggest difference in your results is cooking the meat to the best internal temperature of the meat. We carry a variety of instant-read hand-held thermometers that make it easy to check the temperature of your meat.

If you don't own one yet, an instant-read thermometer should be at the top of your wish list. We carry Thermoworks, a brand known for their accuracy and durability. These thermometers are designed for backyarders, caterers, and even professional chefs.

Of course, you'll also need to know the optimum internal temperatures of each type of cut. With time you'll memorize these, but our handy time and temperature chart takes the hard work out of figuring out target temperatures of many common meats.

Take Notes

It takes discipline to do, but many successful pitmasters use a journal to record everything about each cook, so that they can duplicate the results of any given cook.

Here is a link to a printable recipe and cooking log on StoryQue.com. It's available as either a PDF or Word document.

Pay Attention

One of my biggest mistakes has been letting meat overcook because I'm not giving it enough attention. This often happens when I'm busy multi-tasking. The meat is cooking just fine and before I realize it, I've overcooked it.

Some meats have a more narrow window of perfection, such as pork loin and chicken breast. Even ribs can overcook in a short amount of time if you're not careful. The solution is actually pretty simple: focus on what you're doing and don't let the meat overcook.

Conclusion

In theory, cooking great barbecue is easy. However, consistency takes practice and diligent application of tried-and-true methods. If you will master internal temperature, take notes, and focus on what you're doing, you'll be well on your way to producing exceptional barbecue every time you fire up your grill or smoker.

About the author: Lavern Gingerich is the digital marketing manager for Meadow Creek Barbecue Supply.