The main difference between barbecuing and grilling is that barbecuing involves slow cooking at low temperatures while grilling involves fast cooking at high temperatures.
Most of us tend to use the words barbecuing and grilling interchangeably. However, these are two distinct cooking methods. The difference between barbecuing and grilling is the type of heat they use, the type of food they cook, temperature, and cooking time.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Barbecuing
– Definition, Features
2. What is Grilling
– Definition, Features, Uses
3. What is the Difference Between Barbecuing and Grilling
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Barbecuing, Grilling, Meat
What is Barbecuing
Barbecuing refers to cooking food low and slow, either on a smoker or grill. Barbecuing is a perfect style of cooking for large cuts of meats like brisket, ribs, and pork shoulders, or even whole chicken and turkey. These types of meat are tougher and require low and slow heat of barbecuing. Barbecuing is done at low temperature, usually between 225°F and 275°F.
This method involves cooking over indirect heat, away from the flame. The heat and smoke are produced from burning wood or charcoal. Different types of wood can produce different smoky flavours that the meat can absorb. Barbecuing can take at least a few hours. Some cuts of meat may require cooking during the entire day. This will result in very tender and flavorful meat.
What is Grilling
Grilling is a method of quickly cooking your food over direct heat at high temperature. It is hot and fast and gives food a quick sear. In grilling, the flame is directly over the food. Since grilling is a fast cooking process, your food can get easily burned. Grilling temperatures can often exceed 500°F.
You can grill various food items like pork chops, seafood, steak, hamburgers, hot dogs, and boneless chicken breasts. You can also grill vegetables and some varieties of fruits. At home, grilling is usually done over charcoal or gas grills. When you cook meat on a grill, you should always make sure they tender cuts of meat. In addition to this, marinating can help to retain the moisture in the food.
Difference Between Barbecuing and Grilling
Definition
Barbecuing is a method of cooking your food slowly over low temperature while grilling is a method of quickly cooking your food over direct heat at high temperature.
Temperature
Barbecuing uses low temperatures while grilling uses high temperatures. Barbecuing is often done at temperatures between 225°F and 275°F while grilling temperatures can often exceed 500°F.
Cooking Time
While barbecuing requires at least a few hours, grilling can cook some food in a few minutes.
Heat
Barbecuing uses indirect heat, while grilling uses direct heat. That means barbecuing uses heat and smoke to cook food while grilling uses direct flames.
Meat
Moreover, barbecuing can cook tougher and larger cuts of meats like brisket, ribs, and pork shoulders, or even whole chicken and turkey while grilling can cook meat like pork chops, seafood, steak, hamburgers, hot dogs, and boneless chicken breasts.
Other Food
We use grilling to cook some varieties of vegetables and fruits, but not barbecuing.
Conclusion
The main difference between barbecuing and grilling is that barbecuing involves slow cooking at low temperatures, while grilling involves fast cooking at high temperatures. Moreover, barbecuing uses indirect heat, while grilling uses direct heat. We usually use barbecuing for larger and tougher cuts of meat and grilling for tender cuts of meat.
Reference:
1. Alfaro, Danilo. “What Is A Grill (And Is It The Same As A Barbecue?)” The Spruce Eats, Available here.
2. Jenner, Mark. “What Is Grilling – And Why Do We Love It So Much?” Food Fire Friends, 18 Nov. 2020, Available here.
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