grilling tips Archives - Ashton BBQ and Grill Pros

Outdoor Kitchen Grilling: Up Your BBQ Game

September 28, 2023 by bbqpros

The crisp autumn air signals that it’s time to fire up the grill and get cooking outside! As the weather cools down, fall is a perfect season to up your barbeque game with an outdoor kitchen setup. Whether you have a small patio or a sprawling backyard, creating an outdoor grilling oasis will make grill masters out of the whole family. With outdoor kitchen ideas, you can upgrade your BBQ skills and outdoor space just in time for fall.

Prep Your Grill

After a summer of use, your grill likely needs a deep clean. Give it some fall TLC by scrubbing the grates and interior, removing grease buildup. Inspect burners for blockages, clear out leftovers, and replace tank propane if needed. Take it to a professional to update it and make it like new this autumn. Check out these outdoor kitchen ideas.

Test all controls and heat levels so everything works properly. Once squeaky clean, rub the grates down with oil to condition them for juicy fall grilling ahead. A clean grill prevents flareups and infuses food with purer smoke flavor.

Outfit Your Outdoor Kitchen

The possibilities are endless when designing your ideal outdoor grilling space. Invest in sturdy surfaces like granite countertops and stainless steel cabinets to house equipment and ingredients within reach. Add a sink and mini-fridge for an outdoor kitchen that rivals an indoor cookspace.

Mount accessories like utensil hooks, cutting boards, thermometers and timers on the wall for grab-and-go convenience. Shelving, drawers and cabinets provide organized storage for spices, sauces, platters, and grilling tools so everything you need is at your fingertips.

Try New Recipes and Flavors

Fall’s bounty of fresh produce and rich flavors inspire delicious new grilling ideas. Rally the family to brainstorm meal themes like Italian night, Tex-Mex fiesta, or Korean BBQ party. Challenge yourself with inventive recipes like grilled pizza, peach cobbler, or BBQ oysters. Marinate meats and vegetables in rubs and sauces exploding with robust fall flavors like maple, cloves, chili powder, or warm spices.

Take advantage of autumn harvests by grilling hearty vegetables like squash, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and apples. Infuse smoky essence into cocktails and desserts from the grill’s heat. Fire it up and experiment with recipes outside your comfort zone!

Embrace the Chill

Crisp fall air calls for embracing the coziness of gathering around the warm grill. Stock up on wood for a crackling fire pit to elevate the outdoor dining experience. Bring out comfy chairs and blankets so guests can lounge in full view of the chef in action. Sip on hot spiced cider or mulled wine to take the edge off of autumn’s nip.

Play ambient music and string up lights to set the mood. Lean into the chill by preparing hardy, heat-packed comfort foods like chili, stews, roasted meats, and grilled veggies. Let the smoky smells and grill’s glow entice everyone outside.

Call Ashton BBQ Today

This fall, make the backyard your new favorite cooking space by outfitting it with an amazing outdoor kitchen. You can grill like a pro all season long with a few upgrades. Infuse autumn flavor into smoky recipes as you gather cozy and close around the warmth of an open flame. Give your grilling skills a boost while creating lasting memories outdoors. Follow these tips and prepare to make fall your new favorite BBQ season!

Top 6 Grilled Thanksgiving Sides

October 19, 2020 by admin

Are you ready for a delicious Thanksgiving? This year grill up a feast with these awesome Thanksgiving sides. Whether you enjoy grilling steak or a spatchcocked turkey, try one of these incredible sides for an extra scrumptious meal!

Grilled Mexican Corn

Nothing tastes quite like delicious grilled Mexican corn. Take fresh corn and dip it in a butter bath of milk, butter, salt, and chili seasoning. After grilling apply a generous amount of parmesan cheese. A perfect addition to grilling steak, a big ham, or Thanksgiving turkey this year!

Super Easy Sweet Yams

Slice sweet potatoes into thin discs. Cover liberally with pepper and salt. Grill for about ten minutes until they are soft. Flip the potatoes for the nice charcoal lines. Add fresh parsley and serve.

Grilled Broccoli and Leek Salad

Chop a large amount of fresh broccoli into a veggie friendly grill pan. Try the rectangular pans with holes meant for lightly grilling vegetables and fish. Slice up one large leek. Combine the two vegetables. Add olive oil, salt, and pepper. Grill about fifteen minutes, until vegetables are charred. Add in fresh cilantro and parsley. Toss and serve.

Grilled Squash, Red Onion, and Feta Cheese Salad

Chop fresh yellow squash, red onions, and cauliflower. Add olive oil. Toss with salt and pepper to taste. Grill for about ten minutes until vegetables are charred. Remove from grill. Add feta cheese and toss. Serve warm.

Charred Leeks

Grill this vegetable favorite quickly. Take several large leeks and slice. Toss with butter and pepper. Grill until they have a deeply charred look. Toss with vinegar and a touch of honey. Serve.

Grilled Carrots with Red Onion

Add this delicious side to your Thanksgiving feast. Carrots compliment ham, turkey, and more. Clean large fresh carrots. Slice off tops. Slice red onion. Toss together and grill for about ten minutes. You only want the carrots slightly charred for this recipe. Serve with Ranch dressing or topped with olive oil and pepper.

This Thanksgiving enjoy the delicious taste of grilled sides with your feast. Enjoy making wonderful memories with families and friends and eating mouth-watering good food!

How long should my grill last?

August 20, 2020 by admin

Summer grilling brings together family and friends. Whether you have a charcoal grill or a high-end Weber grill, you want your grill to last as long as possible. But over time you might need grill repair parts or professional cleaning. With regular maintenance and repair, how long will your grill last? Most Canadians throw away their grill after a few years. Leaving the grill out in during bad weather, accumulated grime, and poor maintenance greatly shorten the lifespan of your grill. Did you know that your grill could last over a decade? How?

10 Tips to Make Your Grill Last

Most grills last anywhere from three to fifteen years. The level of care and quality of grill both have everything to do with how long your grill will last. When a part breaks, for example, be sure to find the right grill repair parts. What else can you do?

Store your grill in a safe place away from the elements
Regularly clean your grill
Don’t allow grime to accumulate
Never leave your grill out in the rain
Get your grill professionally cleaned once a year
Replace broken parts immediately both for safety and maintenance
Have your higher end grill inspected once a year
Having issues with fire? Replace the burners or ignitors at a fraction of the cost of a new grill
Replace worn ceramic briquettes and grates to lengthen your grills lifespan
After cleaning the outside of a grill, heat resistant spray paint will make the grill look brand new!

Regular maintenance and special care will help your grill last for over a decade. When you have a higher end grill like a Weber, that extra time and maintenance saves you hundreds in repair and replacement. While it might be tempting to buy a new grill at the smallest problem, the reality is that with professional cleaning and repair you don’t have to waste a thousand dollars or more on a brand new expensive grill. And nowadays, every way you can save money matters!

We Will Repair Your Grill Today!

Ashton BBQ Pros has been the trusted leader in grill repair and maintenance for decades. We offer the best in grill cleaning, inspection, and repair. When your grill needs serious care or repair, call the grill experts at Ashton BBQ Grill Pros. We offer a wide variety of affordable services like an Ultimate Cleaning, Grill Disposal, BBQ Assemble, and full BBQ conversion. Call us today!

Why You Should Grill Thanksgiving Dinner

October 18, 2019 by admin

During the holiday season this year why not try something brand new and equality scrumptious? The latest rage is the BBQ Thanksgiving Dinner! Escape from the same old boring routine of roasting a turkey in the oven and enjoy a feast fit for a king!

Your Secret Second Oven

Time to think outside the box. Believe it or not, your grill can roast, grill, and bake any dish, from lasagna to a delicious Thanksgiving turkey! It doesn’t matter if you have a charcoal grill or a gas grill. You BBQ Thanksgiving dinner in either type.

Grilling Tips

Before starting out, remember to use the usual precautions you would use when grilling out in the summer.

Be aware of the heat fire to avoid burns
Cook over the indirect heat for most dishes
Use multiple burners to your advantage
Always check the temperature of the grill
Don’t cook in a windy spot
Save the drippings in a shallow pan for gravy
Keep the grill at 350 F (About 175 C)
Add extra flavor with cherry, hickory, or apple chips for a charcoal grill
If you stuff the bird, add cooking time

Charcoal Grill

Can you cook Thanksgiving with a charcoal grill? Absolutely! Start by lighting the coals. Once they have turned gray push them to the side of the grill, creating a large circle. You can play any Thanksgiving dish in the middle. Adjust the temperature accordingly. You can add more coals or simply adjust vents.

How to Grill a Turkey

You might want to start small with just a few dishes grilled, but why not try grilling your turkey? If you have the time, you might want to try a test bird before your big Thanksgiving day. Give your grill a professional tune-up first. Reserve a weekend to follow the recipe, especially if you don’t grill often. The dress rehearsal is well worth it.

Don’t use direct heat for your turkey. You will end up with a burnt possibly undercooked turkey. Instead, preheat your grill for fifteen minutes. Make sure the grill is very hot. If you have multiple burners, turn off the middle burner. Use a grill thermometer to keep an eye on the bird.

Oil the bird well. Season the turkey inside and out with seasonings, salt, and pepper. Remember that stuffing the bird will add extra cooking time. Place the turkey breast side up on a roasting pan on the grill. Expect to grill for a few hours. The internal thigh temperature should be 180 F (85 C). After the bird is cooked, let it stand for fifteen minutes. Carve the bird.

You will have to carefully time your Thanksgiving dinner if you want to grill the bird and other side dishes. Enjoy a delectable feast with your family and friends this holiday season!

3 of Our Favorite Summer Grilling Recipes

July 19, 2019 by admin

Summer is the best time to gather family and friends together and enjoy great food! Check out these best grilling recipes of all time! These grilling favorites are absolutely delicious.

Hot Korean Pork

Try this delicious international twist to a grilling favorite! Inspired by Asian cuisine this may very well be one of the best grilling recipes of all time.

What you will need:

Fresh Ginger (1 Piece)

Asian Chile Paste (120 ml)

Rice vinegar (60 ml)

Soy Sauce (60 ml)

Can of black beans

Garlic (One Head)

Sesame Oil (60 ml)

Sugar (175 ml)

Boneless pork should roast (1.5 kilograms)

Chop the beans
Food process garlic, ginger, black beans, chili paste, sugar, sesame oil, soy sauce, and rice vinegar
Pound the pork and cover with the marinade. Let it sit overnight.
Grill on moderate heat, turning every couple of minutes.

Whisky Ribs

Enjoy juicy savory ribs with this delicious recipe.

What you will need:

1 kilogram of baby back pork ribs

Black pepper (10 grams)

Red Chile pepper (15 ml)

Vegetable oil (40 ml)

Onion, chopped (114 grams)

Water (1/3 Liter)

Tomato Paste (118 ml)

White vinegar (118 ml)

Brown Sugar (114 grams)

Honey (120 ml)

Worcester Sauce (15 ml)

Salt (10 grams)

Liquid Smoke (10 ml)

Whiskey (10 ml)

Garlic Powder (10 grams)

Paprika (2 grams)

Red Chili Pepper (1 gram)

Onion Powder (1 gram)

Dark Molasses (120 ml)

Ground Chili pepper (5 grams)

Add salt, black pepper, and chile pepper on ribs.
Wrap ribs in aluminum.
Bake at 300 degrees for two and a half hours.
Mix all ingredients except ribs in a medium saucepan for the marinade. Simmer for 1 hour.
Remove ribs from foil and place on grill.
Grill ribs four minutes per side.
Add sauce while grilling after five minutes.
Serve with additional marinade brushed on.

Mexican Corn

Grilled corn is a great side to any delicious dinner. Try these scrumptious vegetables next time you entertain.

What You Will Need:

8 ears of Corn

Mayonnaise (188 ml)

5 grams Chile Pepper Ground

1 gram Paprika

1 lime

Butter (57 grams)

Grated Cotija Cheese (Parmesan will substitute) (120 grams)

Preheat the grill, lightly brushing with oil.
Mix lime juice, chili powder, paprika, mayonnaise until smooth and store in the fridge.
Boil corn in salt water for several minutes.
Drain.
Grill corn for a few minutes, turning until are brown with caramelization.
Brush with butter and mayonnaise mix.
Sprinkle cheese over grilled corn.

Enjoy these delicious recipes next time you cook out!

Top 4 Things to Grill

March 18, 2019 by admin

Sunshine is on its way, and with the sunshine comes grilling. Check out these top recipes perfect for gas grilling for beginners. From delicious kabobs to mesquite salmon, find the best grilling delicacy to wow your friends and family this summer.

Kabobs

No one can deny the deliciousness of juicy kabobs. One of the easiest recipes for gas grilling for beginners – kabobs – mixes together delicious meat morsels with smoky vegetables. Combine flavorful options like shrimp, mushrooms, and peppers, or ham with pineapple and onions. Have everyone assemble their own kabobs for an individualized tasty treat. Enjoy seafood kabobs or vegetarian kabobs. There is a kabob for every grill master.

Mesquite Salmon

We usually associate grilling with steaks and ribs, but fish has made a comeback in recent years as a top grilling delicacy. Coat fresh raw salmon filets in lemon juice, dill, salt, pepper, and thyme. Add mesquite chips to your grill according to the instructions on the package. Grill the salmon covered on medium high heat for several minutes. Turn the salmon and reapply lemon juice and seasonings. Grill a few more minutes. The salmon is done when it flakes with a fork.

Portobello Mushroom Sandwich

Nothing tastes as juicy as a grilled Portobello mushroom. Brush Italian dressing over mushrooms, bell peppers, and sliced onions. Grill veggies over medium hot coals for two minutes. Turn vegetables. Continue to brush with dressing. Remove onions and peppers. Flip the mushrooms again and apply provolone cheese. Remove when cheese is melted. Add mushroom and toppings to toasted buns.

The Perfect Ribs

Create a coating using paprika, onion powder, basil, garlic powder, black pepper, and red pepper. Rub on the ribs. Cut ribs into smaller rib pieces. Create aluminum foil packets. Each square has two pounds of ribs and three ice cubes. Place foil packets over medium coals for forty-five minutes or until meat is tender. Carefully open packets. Transfer ribs to grill and brush with your favorite barbecue sauce. Cook for ten minutes. Run and coat meat often.

Enjoy these delicious barbecue favorites with your family this summer!

How Do You Grill on a Charcoal Grill?

September 19, 2018 by admin

Grilling is a fun year-round activity whether you have a gas grill or a charcoal grill. Learning charcoal grilling for beginners is easy. Just follow these simple tips from grilling professionals.

Control the Heat

The key to controlling the heat on a gas grill is to adjust the airflow. Charcoal grills have helpful vents located on the bottom of the grill. All you need to do is open the vents. This creates more airflow. The grill becomes hotter, which is ideal for most grilling meats. Simply cool the fire by partially closing the vents. What are some more charcoal grilling for beginners tips? Read more.

A Strong Fire

How do you keep a strong fire going on a charcoal grill? Move the cooking grate and open the vents of the grill. Be sure to clean out ash, which has a tendency to smother weak fires. Let as much air as possible to get to your charcoal. This will start a strong fire with an even burn. It may take as long as twenty to thirty minutes before the coals light. They are ready to use when the briquettes turn an ash-gray color.

Safety

Oxygen feeds the flame. To safely extinguish your charcoal grill flame, simply remove the oxygen by closing the lid of the grill, as well as vents. Be sure to protect your hands and face while using the grill. Never move a hot grill inside a garage or home. Typically, you should wait at least two days before moving it back inside. And always have a fire extinguisher handy.

Cooking a steak

Cooking a steak on a charcoal grill is pretty simple. About fifteen minutes before grilling, take the steaks out of the fridge. Let them sit covered. Brush the steaks with oil and seasoning. Place your steaks directly on the charcoal grill. Cook them to your satisfaction, typically when they are slightly charred after five minutes. Typically, high heat works best for steak grilling. This ensures a tasty steak with a nice sear.

Cooking on a charcoal grill is easy. Just follow these simple steps to enjoy a delicious dinner with friends and family.