Wow Your Friends This Fall With These Creative Grilling Techniques

Grilling is typically seen as a summertime activity. Of course, it’s central to summer fun (who doesn’t love swimming followed by a barbecue?), but that doesn’t mean you need to store your grill away once autumn arrives. Keep your grill out this fall to prepare mouthwatering seasonal dishes and prove you’re the ultimate grill master.

The First Step When Transitioning to Fall – Cleaning

As summer shifts to fall, it’s time to give your grill some attention. Maybe it’s been too hot to thoroughly clean your grill, but now that the weather has cooled, there’s no excuse not to give it a little care. Maintaining your grill between seasons is essential for the quality of your food. No one wants a Thanksgiving turkey that tastes like last summer’s barbecued chicken!

Remove the grates and soak them in hot water mixed with dish soap—ideally, one formulated to tackle grease. Cover the heating elements and scrub the inside of the hood and sides. Clean and rinse the grates, then reassemble everything and wipe down the exterior.

Cooking Seasonal Dishes on the Grill

One of the hallmarks of fall cuisine is roasted meats and veggies. Historically, this was due to cooler temperatures making it feasible to roast food indoors without overheating the home—something difficult to achieve in summer without modern air conditioning. But you don’t need to switch to indoor ovens to enjoy these autumn flavors; your grill can handle it with just a few adjustments.

• Add an infrared rotisserie burner to your grill
• Install a secondary grill grate
• Employ an indirect heating method
• Use a grill timer to ensure perfect internal temperatures

There’s hardly anything you can’t cook on a grill, including Thanksgiving turkey! Forget frying—it’s impossible to beat the juiciness and tenderness of a turkey slowly cooked on a grill, powered by an infrared rotisserie burner and either propane or natural gas.

Protect Your Grill from Unpredictable Fall Weather

Fall brings erratic weather patterns. To prepare for this, always keep your grill covered when not in use. Rain and fluctuating temperatures can damage even the sturdiest grills. If possible, move your grill to the garage or under a carport. Many grills have wheels on one side, allowing you to easily roll it to another spot. This can also shield your grill from strong winds, though a cover won’t offer much protection in those cases. Be sure to store any outdoor heaters in a safe place too.

Get Your Outdoor Space Ready

Even as the weather cools, you can still enjoy your outdoor space—especially if you have patio heaters. These can extend your grilling season well into winter. A grill with an automatic gas shutoff feature can make cooking more convenient, eliminating concerns about remembering to turn it off.

Ensure you have sufficient lighting, as nights come earlier in fall. Poor visibility can lead to undercooked or overcooked food. Make sure you can clearly see what you’re doing. If you live in an area with mild autumn weather, ensure your space offers enough seating for guests.

Regardless of whether you have a natural gas or liquid propane grill, don’t let changing seasons stop you from enjoying your favorite grilled meals. Grilling classic fall roasts and root vegetables adds a new twist to familiar recipes, elevating your grilling skills to a whole new level.