Grilling Tips, Tricks, & Fits with Donald Ross
There’s nothing better than kicking it back on the deck after a long day at the fairways. Much like golf, here at Donald Ross Sportswear, we understand that grilling is more than just an activity: it’s an art form.
Let us help you ace your next backyard barbeque with our favorite tips for the grill. Learn how to clean a grill station and cook the perfect hamburger. Plus, receive stylish recommendations on golf apparel that will keep you cool while in the heat.
The Best Way to Clean Your Grill
Even for those of us who love spending all summer in front of the grill, it’s never a fun task to scrape down those post-meal grimes. Following these simple steps will get your grill sparkling, for an easier day-to-day cleanup to get you back to the course.
Step 1: Turn Off the Gas — Safety first! Whether it’s propane or a gas line, double check that your gas supply is turned off. Also make sure your grill has completely cooled before cleaning to avoid burning.
Step 2: Remove the Grates — If possible, remove the grates from your grill and soak them in a tub or bucket of hot, soapy water for about an hour. For especially stubborn grease, add dish soap or grill cleaner to your water. After soaking, take out your grates and finish them off with a good scrub with a grill brush or dry wire brush.
Step 3: Clean the Grill Bowl — Using a sponge and dish soap, scrub the interior of your grill bowl. Feel free to use steel wool on any sections that may be giving you a hard time. Afterwards, simply rinse and wipe it down. Now your grill bowl is ready to be used again!
Step 4: Clean the Burner Ports — Burner ports are an often overlooked part of the grill, but keeping them clean will help the longevity of your station. Just remove your burner ports from the gas supply line and use a dry wire brush to clean any blockages in the ports. Be sure to brush side to side rather than up and down to avoid pushing debris into the ports.
Step 5: Finish with a Quick Wipe — Finish cleaning your grill by giving both the interior and exterior a quick wipe with a damp cloth. Be sure to also wipe down your grates to remove any remaining residue or brush bristles.
The Secret to the Perfect Hamburger
Now that your grill is clean, you’re ready to start cooking the summertime classic — the hamburger. Let us walk you through these seven helpful tips that will leave all your golf buddies impressed with dinner.
Tip 1: Fat = Flavor — A hamburger can be seasoned thousands of different ways but it means nothing if there isn’t a solid foundation from the start. If you’re looking for a juicier, more flavorful patty, skip the extra-lean ground beef options and opt for a blend with higher fat content. We recommend an 80/20 mix of ground beef.
Tip 2: Keep the Meat Cold — It’s easy to accidentally warm up your ground meat from the heat of your hands or the hot summer air. Warm meat can cause the fat in the blend to smear and melt, making the burger inevitably dry and dense once cooked. To avoid this, keep your ground beef refrigerated until you are ready to form your patties. Once you are done shaping the patties, put them back in the fridge until you are ready to grill.
Tip 3: Don’t Over-Mix! — Less is always more when it comes to mixing your ground beef. Over-mixing can affect the texture of the burger, making it crumble and fall apart as you eat. This is because over-mixing breaks the binding of fat and protein in your ground meat blend. Be sure to mix gently and only until all your seasonings are evenly incorporated.
Tip 4: Consider the Patty’s Shape — While everyone has their preference of size, it’s important to take into account the inevitable shrinkage that will occur to your patties once grilled. To make a burger that lines up perfectly with your bun, form your patties about one inch thick at the edges and one inch larger than the width of the bun. To avoid any unwanted “puffing” in the center, leave a slight indentation in the middle of your patties. This technique, called “dimpling,” helps keep your patty surface flat after being cooked.
Tip 5: How Long to Grill For — In general, follow these total grilling times:
- Rare = 4 minutes total (125°F)
- Medium-Rare = 5 minutes total (135°F)
- Medium = 6 to 7 minutes total (145°F)
- Well-Done = 8 to 9 minutes total (160 °F)
Tip 6: Flip, Don’t Press — Never press your burgers once they’re on the grill! Pressing forces out the fat in the burgers, leading to a dry and bland patty. However, feel free to flip your burgers as frequently as you’d like. Despite common belief, the amount of times you flip rarely affects the burger, and if anything, warrants for a more evenly cooked patty.
Tip 7: Rest Your Burgers — While it’s tempting to dive right in once you pull your patties off the flame, it’s best to let your burgers rest for at least a minute after they come off the grill. Resting allows time for the juices to redistribute throughout the patty, resulting in a more flavorful hamburger.
Stay Cool & Stylish While Grilling in the Heat
With a squeaky clean grill and a foolproof hamburger recipe in your back pocket, you’re almost ready for your Grill Master title. Seal the deal by prepping for that summer heat with one of these stylish golf polos, sure to keep you both cool and dry in front of the grill.
The Atlanta Classic
This golf polo features a subtle abstract flame print, a perfect compliment to your grill.
Our Classic Fit golf polo is perfect for both the fairway and the clubhouse with optimal comfort.
The Maurice Sport
Keep it playful and enjoy a cocktail at the barbeque with our Hawaiian Tito print golf polo.
Our Sport Fit golf polo offers a trimmer shape with added stretch for players that enjoy a more athletic fit.
The Walker Short II
Complete the look with our Bestseller of the Season: the Walker Short II.
Our Walker Short II features our four-way thistle stretch fabric, allowing a full range of motion for your days at the course or whatever else Summer will bring your way.