Direct Grilling Versus Indirect Grilling

If you want to be a grill master, the first step is understanding the difference between direct grilling and indirect grilling.

When you grill with direct heat, you get perfect grill marks with a quick flame. If you use indirect grilling, you bring your meat to temperature. What’s more, you can grill desserts on your Big Green Egg with indirect grilling.

The difference? It’s all about where you place your food as related to your heat source.

Direct Grilling

When you grill direct, you place the food over the fire. You cook by direct exposure to the flame and the heat.

This is what most grillers are familiar with. It uses high heat to cook small or thin pieces (think tender, less than two inches thick or boneless) of food quickly. This might be steaks, chops, chicken breasts, fish fillets, vegetables and bread.

Using direct grilling, you can sear the outside surface of the meat to form a delicious crust. The best part? It locks the juices inside.

Indirect Grilling

Using this method, you can cook larger or tougher foods that might burn if they were directly grilled.

When you use indirect grilling, you place the food next to, but not directly over, the fire.

You close the grill lid to hold in the heat. Some things you might grill this way are pork shoulders, whole chicken, brisket, and ribs. These items might require a long, slow cook at low to medium heat.

With indirect grilling, wood chips add extra flavor.

If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to our grill master, David Townley, as he is well-versed on cooking on the Big Green Egg.

With the Big Green EGG and seven sizes to choose from, you’re sure to find a grill to suit your outdoor cooking needs. Stop by today to see our wide selection of grills or contact us below.

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