Barbecue season is one of Canadians’ favourite ways to gather throughout the summer and into the fall. Whether it's a weeknight dinner on the deck, a cottage cookout or a backyard gathering with friends, a sizzling grill brings people together.

Here are a few simple grilling techniques from the experts at Schneiders that can help elevate your meals and make entertaining easier all season long.

Don’t forget to preheat. One of the most common mistakes is starting too soon. Before you kick off, let your grill fully preheat to make sure the temperature stays consistent. This can help you get a better sear and cook your food more evenly.

Use two heat zones. You can do two kinds of cooking at once by splitting up your grill space: Direct heat zones right above the flame for searing, and indirect heat zones up away from the flame for slower cooking. This gives you more control and can help prevent flare-ups, especially when cooking different meats at once.

Resist the urge to constantly flip. Repeatedly moving food on the grill can interfere with the browning process. Let meat cook undisturbed, allowing the grill to work its magic and create a delicious sear. You can check the bottom of the meat to make sure it’s not burning, but try to only flip once.

Trust a meat thermometer. Guesswork can lead to over- or undercooked food. Using a digital thermometer is one of the easiest ways to ensure food comes off the grill safe and tasty. For safe grilling, cook poultry to 74 C (165 F), ground meats such as burgers to 71 C (160 F) and whole cuts of pork, ham and beef to at least 63 C (145 F). Avoid relying on colour alone to determine doneness.

Let meat rest before serving it. After grilling, let the meat rest for a few minutes before serving. This gives the heat and liquid inside the meat time to evenly distribute, which can help improve the flavour and texture. Avoid covering the meat while it’s resting – you don’t want to accidentally steam it. Important food safety tip: always keep raw and cooked foods separate and use clean utensils and plates when serving.

From hot dogs and sausages to chicken and burgers, these techniques can help you get the most out of your favourite barbecue staples. If you’re looking for more grilling inspiration, you can find a variety of barbecue favourites and recipes at schneiders.ca.

– News Canada