How To Clean Your Grill with Morning Dew and an Onion

#FNI is turning into a regular festival of fun facts and extremely useful information. This afternoon’s event was no exception.

Do the Dew

If you don’t hear from me for a while, it’s because I’m moving a sink full of dirty dishes into the backyard.  During today’s Foodies’ Night In (#FNI), after all, I learned from a fellow foodie, @condoblues, that “you should leave grill on the grass and morning dew cleans it nicely…Something about being covered in dew makes it easier to scrape clean.”  This is the best darn news I’ve heard all day!  If it works for the grill, I’ve no doubt it will work for caked-on ketchup and smashed lima beans.  (Tomorrow night I’ll wheel out the kitchen table…)

And this is just part of the great news.  I also learned from @ToGrillorNot, to cool a dirty grill to a safe temperature and rub the cut side of an onion on the grates to clean and season it, and that cold water (not ice!) and milk are soothing [to a grill-related burn] from @Mortons_Cinci.

#FNI is turning into a regular festival of fun facts and extremely useful information, and this afternoon’s event was no exception.  Hosted by @Girlfriendology, @SavvyHost and @cozifamily, and expertly guided by @blogwelldone, @carrieoliver, @ToGrillorNot, @CookingOutdoors, and @steakperfection, with grill-purposed prizes awarded by the aptly named @savvyhost, the conversation around Cooking with Caitlin’s Twitterville Grille was hot, hot, HOT!

Favorite Foodie Tweets

From the moment we turned on the gas the tweets came fast and furious.  My favorite ones to flip to you:

@kimatsprig To keep meat from sticking, preheat grill to hottest for 20 min, then reduce to cook temp. #fni
@YaYaBseasoning The big tip is that meat still cooks after taken off the grill #fni
@lonelygourmet Doneness by touch is best. Another marinade is Marie’s bleu cheese vinegarette. #fni
@carrieoliver Best secret is to start w/ artisan or near-artisan meat. Typically so full flavored don’t need sauce or marinades. #fni
@CookingOutdoors You have to cook the Pizza dough for 3 min 1st, then flip it over and ingredients and cook #fni That’s right, you can grill pizza.  There was a lot of chatter about this.
@carrieoliver I’ve grilled thru blizzards in DC & Toronto #fni Hello rock star!

And this tweet from our friends @finecooking including a link with a whole lot of punch packed into it: “Grilling Guide & BBQ Menu-Maker (you will love this—really simple and fun to use).”  Check it out; you’ll flip your summer-lovin’ lid.

Foodies’ Night In Questions

Here are the questions that sparked all the perfectly-crusted, juicy conversation:

Q1. Who does all of the grilling at your house?  Who’s naturally a better griller?  What makes that person better? #fni
Q2. What meats are best for the grill?  How do you choose them at the grocery – type of meat, cut of meat, fat content? #fni
Q3. What are your best secrets for grilling meat – seasoning/marinades, how to know doneness, how to keep from sticking or burning? #fni
Q4. Other than meat, what do you put on the grill – veggies, fruits, pizzas?  Most outrageous/unexpected?  Recipes to share? #fni
Q5. From experience, what have you learned NOT to put on the grill, or use the grill to cook in any way? Any adjusted recipes? #fni
Q6. Do you prefer gas or charcoal for grilling? Is each better for different foods? What is the best grill? Best charcoal or fluid?  #fni
Q7. What are the most important/best tools or gadgets for grilling? How best to clean the grill? Where do you get your supplies? #fni
Q8. Can you grill through all 4 seasons? How can you make grilling a 4-season option? Does indoor grilling count? #fni
Q9. How does grilling work into entertaining – what to prep ahead? Serve large numbers? Menu of side items? Outdoor-friendly dishes? #fni
Q10. How do you handle grill-related burns? First aid tricks? How to avoid altogether? #fni
Q11. Who is your go-to grilling expert – @BFlay, Stephen Raichlen, etc.? What would you LOVE to know from that person? #fni
Q12. In three words or less, what is your state of mind with regards to food? #fni

Hungry for More?

Check out the following blog post about our recent radio show on beer, the perfect accompaniment to a grilled dinner.
This recipe for Mexican-Spiced Flank Steak.
These brilliant grilling tools from SavvyHostMarket.
And this video on How To Keep Burgers Warm.