Getting Started: Check Your Temperature
It doesn’t matter if you prefer gas or charcoal. It’s all about how you use it. The key? Use medium heat to create mouthwatering smoked sausages. Now, grab your long-handled grill tongs, grill lighter (if using a charcoal grill), insulated grill gloves for added protection and your favorite Eckrich Smoked Sausage. Fire up your grill or light your charcoal briquettes, letting one side of the grill reach medium heat. If using a charcoal grill, keep in mind that it will take a half hour to an hour to heat up properly.
Pro Tip: Many people use lighter fluid with charcoal grills, but this can leave a chemical taste on your food, and it takes a long time to burn off. Use a chimney starter and some newspaper instead to impress your guests with a great tasting meal!
Don’t have lighter fluid or a chimney starter? Build a mini-charcoal chimney with an old tin can by taking the lid off, and then punching several holes into the bottom and the sides of the can to allow air to flow through. Throw some newspaper in the bottom, stack a few coals on top of that, and light it with your grill lighter. When the coals have started burning, dump them into the bottom of your grill and throw more coals on top of them. Be sure to use tongs or special insulated grilling gloves to dump the coals.
The Secret to Juicy, Grilled Perfection
Plan to grill your Eckrich Smoked Sausages for 10-15 minutes total. To start, place the smoked sausages on the medium heat side, searing them for a minute or two on each side. Once both sides are perfectly caramelized, move those tasty treats to the cold side of the grill to finish cooking. You don’t want to burn the smoked sausages, so watch them closely. Overcooking can cause them to split, lose their juicy flavors and become dry. Or worse yet, charred! Want to cut down on the cooking time? Butterfly them! Simply cut each smoked sausage in half crosswise. Want to leave an impression? Create enticing grill marks on your smoked sausages by quickly rolling or flipping them diagonally across direct heat while cooking. Remember to brown, and not to burn or char the smoked sausage. Get more grilling hacks from Eckrich.
Pro Tip: Fires can happen, even to seasoned grillers, so keep a fire extinguisher nearby – and know how to use it. Grills remain hot for quite some time, so be sure to keep children and pets away from grills even after you’re done cooking. Contact your local fire department for more information on fire safety.
Picking the Right Smoked Sausage
Should you go for a classic, always satisfying taste or something with more spice and kick? Links or Rope? There are so many options to satisfy your hungry family and friends. Consider how many guests you’re expecting, their personal preferences and the sides you’re serving up to help decide on the best flavors for your party. Or, buy a variety of different flavor varieties and mix and match to appease all tastes. As for how to prepare them? We have you covered with delicious and easy-to-make recipes, like the Star Studded Smoked Sausage Kabobs and Grilled Smoked Sausage and Pepper Hoagies.
Pro Tip: Make any of Eckrich’s Smoked Sausages your own by adding classic sides like peppers and onions, or even marinating them in beer. Feeling crafty? Use a leftover 6-pack beer carrier to transport condiments.
Whatever you serve up, take your time and bask in the glory of being the master of your grill. Hungry for more grilling hacks and sausage know-how?