Grilling - open or closed lid

MilitantSquatter · May 26, 2006

Here's a good debate to have over your Memorial Day gathering with friends or family while tending the pit or grill...

When high heat grilling (ex. steaks, burgers, sausage, chicken, shrimp etc.)
with clear weather and high outdoor temps... Do you grill with the lid covered or open ? Why ?

Dakaty · May 26, 2006

I use a natural gas grill that doesn't get as hot as a propane fueled one. I have to keep the lid closed to get a good hot environment.

ZILLA · May 26, 2006

I grill with the lid closed 100% of the time. It stops flame ups and I can leave the grill unattended for 20 min or so and go and prep some other foods. I find that chicken skin is crispier too.

ciret · May 26, 2006

Force of habit more than anything, I cooked almost exclusively on a Weber kettle for about 20 yrs. the same one. It need to be replaced and I got a BSKD, so now if I grill I use the BSKD firebox, with the lid closed 90% of the time.

bbqjoe · May 26, 2006

I keep lid closed.
But it's a tad difficult getting the food out that way.
Have to open at end.

Bigmista · May 26, 2006

What's grilling?

kcquer · May 26, 2006

Lid closed always, I suppose more from old charcoal habits as anything even though I use a gasser now. I never grill without some chips, chunks or pellets adding a bit of smoke to the mix, I guess the lid closed mod helps get the smoke and meat to meet!!

FatDaddy · May 26, 2006

between the gasser and the kettle i keep the lid on most of the time. even temps somewhat and keeps the flare up to a minimum, for example. when i was cookin chicken the other day on the kettle. damn near burnt my eyebrows off when the drip pan ignited. soon as i put the lid back on the fire extinguished it self..

Bill-Chicago · May 26, 2006

Simple answer: yes

Kettle, full chimney, pile high on one side, open, wait, wait, wait, white hot grill, 1" pork chops or steaks, put on, wait, sear, flip, wait, sear, 3 minutes a side, move offset no coals under, throw on 3 chunks apple, wait for ignition, cover, hits 400* for 30 minutes in the smoke, moisted chops ever, and medium well Del Monicos.

So I couldn't vote, for there was no "yes" or "both" option.

nmayeux · May 27, 2006

Lid keeps the kids and the dog off the food!

BBQchef33 · May 27, 2006

kcquer said:
Lid closed always, I suppose more from old charcoal habits as anything even though I use a gasser now. I never grill without some chips, chunks or pellets adding a bit of smoke to the mix, I guess the lid closed mod helps get the smoke and meat to meet!!

yeah...

what he said.. :tongue:

bbqinNC · May 27, 2006

On my gasser and charcoal grill I keep the lid on almost exclusively. I have have even used my charcoal grill lid on a campfire grill before. I guess that is what I am comfortable with.

LostNation · May 27, 2006

Closed all the time, I would hate for some bird to help,,, um,,, marinate my food.

BBQ_MAFIA · May 27, 2006

I always grill with the lid closed.

ThomEmery · May 27, 2006

Looking at a special events grill 3foot by 8 foot No Lid but room to move meats to cooler zones within the grill area.

Bigmista · May 27, 2006

ThomEmery said:
Looking at a special events grill 3foot by 8 foot No Lid but room to move meats to cooler zones within the grill area.

I've used one of those before. There are always cooler zones. And soon as the chicken is done we toss it straight into a cooler.

Samichlaus · May 27, 2006

Closed, except when using the Hibachi, no lid on it.

icemn62 · May 27, 2006

Can not remember the last time I grilled something and kept the lid open

ThomEmery · May 27, 2006

Bigmista said:
I've used one of those before. There are always cooler zones. And soon as the chicken is done we toss it straight into a cooler.

I am going to mount it above the wood rack on the Klose with a swivel so we can swing it out to use when we are catering

Brauma · May 27, 2006

Charcoal on the Weber - lid down for flavor and smoke. Cant utilize the vents if you go topless.

Grilling - open or closed lid

When grilling do you keep lid open or closed ? Why ?

My grill's supposed to come with a top lid ?

Isn't that why it came with a lid ?

I mix it up as the cook nears completion

Depends how I'm feeling that day

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