BBQ vs Grilling: What's the Difference?

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You may have been using the two words interchangeably throughout your life, but grilling and barbecuing are not the same! We'll help you dazzle your friends with your knowledge of culinary trivia by explaining the difference between BBQ and grilling. (Hint: It's a matter of temperature and time!) What is Grilling? "Barbecue" is probably the word you use for any social gathering where food is cooked outdoors, but the activity taking place almost certainly falls under the banner of "grilling." Grilling means food is cooked on a grate over a high-temperature heat source for a relatively short time. The grill surface usually ranges from 500 to 700 øF, and cook time falls somewhere between 5 and 20 minutes. You're most likely to use this technique for cooking burgers, chicken, steaks, fish, and veggies. This method is best done on a typical charcoal or gas grill, where high heat makes close contact with grill grates and heat doesn't need to be maintained for an extended period of time. What is Barbecuing? "Slow and low" is what barbecuing is all about. By "slow," we mean to say that barbecuing is a technique that takes its time  the food cooks inside an enclosed chamber for at least two hours, sometimes as long as 18 hours! This extended cooking time allows the fibers in the meat to loosen and break down, creating an exceptionally tender and juicy consistency. The "low" part means the heat source  usually smoldering chunks of wood  is around 300 øF, which is a much lower temperature that it would be for grilling. Another difference that sets barbecuing apart from grilling is that the heat is mostly indirect; it circulates around the meat while the accompanying smoke adds even more dimensions of flavor to the food. The ideal type of equipment for barbecuing is a wood pellet grill or smoker, allowing temperature to be maintained for an extended period while creating smoke for flavor. Whether you're partial to the quick sear of grilling or the long-game gratification of barbecue, P.C. Richard & Son has the gear you need at the guaranteed lowest prices. Shop our selection of Propane Grills, Natural Gas Grills, Charcoal Grills, Wood Pellet Grills and Smoker Grills to find the perfect equipment for creating the meals you love. Start shopping now! TRANSCRIPT: When it comes to cooking on your new grill, there's a difference between barbecuing and grilling. Barbecuing is low heat and slow cooking, while grilling is high heat for a short period of time. Here are some tips: Barbecuing: If youre cooking something for 18 minutes or longer, you should use the indirect method (barbecuing). Set the first burner to medium, the second to off, and the third to medium. Put your food in the center over the burner that's off, then close the cover. This will create a convection oven, keeping the temperature at exactly 350. Grilling: If youre cooking something that takes less than 18 minutes to cook, like a steak, hamburger, or hot dog, use the direct method (grilling). Turn all the burners on high. When the grill is up to the proper temperature, put your food directly on the grates. But remember, all grilling should be done with the cover closed for maximum performance. Stop by your local showroom, or shop all Grills here.