Grilled kebabs are a delicious and satisfying dinner option, but preparing them can be a bit time-consuming. Soaking wooden skewers for at least 30 minutes before grilling is an essential step to prevent them from burning on the grill, but what if there was a quicker way?
Well, we’ve got a fantastic freezer hack for you. After buying your skewers, simply submerge them in water for half an hour, then wrap them in plastic and pop them in the freezer until you’re ready to cook.
This clever trick locks in the moisture, ensuring the skewers are ready to use whenever you’re craving some flavorful kebabs. So whether you prefer metal or wooden skewers, this hack will have your kebabs on the grill way faster!
The Freezer Hack for Faster Kebabs
Grilled kebabs are a delicious and convenient choice for dinner, but they do require some preparation before they can be cooked on the grill.
This is especially true when using wooden skewers to spear your food, as wood needs to be soaked for at least 30 minutes before cooking to prevent it from burning.
However, there is a fantastic trick that you can use to save time and get your kebabs on the grill way faster – the freezer hack.
Prepping Wooden Skewers for the Grill
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Soaking wooden skewers is a necessary step to ensure that they don’t catch fire on the grill. However, this can be time-consuming and require advanced planning.
Thankfully, the freezer hack offers a quick alternative. As soon as you buy your wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes. Once the time is up, wrap the skewers in plastic wrap and place them in the freezer until you’re ready to use them.
This simple trick traps water in the wood, keeping the skewers moist and ready for grilling whenever you need them.
Advantages of Metal Skewers
Metal skewers are a popular choice for grilling kebabs because they offer several advantages over wooden skewers.
No Soaking Required
With metal skewers, you can skip the soaking process altogether. This means you can start grilling your kebabs right away without any waiting time.
Reusable
Metal skewers are designed to be reusable, which makes them a convenient option. After using them, simply wash them, and they’ll be ready for your next grilling adventure.
Easier Cleanup
One of the biggest advantages of metal skewers is that they are much easier to clean compared to wooden skewers. With metal skewers, you don’t have to worry about getting rid of charred wood or dealing with residue that can stick to the skewers.
More Expensive
While metal skewers offer great convenience and durability, they are usually more expensive than wooden skewers. Depending on the brand, metal skewers can cost around $17 or more for a set of multiple skewers.
Hot to the Touch
Metal skewers can become extremely hot when placed on the grill. This means that you’ll need to exercise caution and use protective gloves or tongs when handling them to avoid burns.
Advantages of Wood Skewers
While metal skewers have their advantages, wooden skewers still have their own benefits that make them a worthwhile choice for grilling kebabs.
Affordable
One of the biggest advantages of wooden skewers is their affordability. Compared to metal skewers, wooden skewers are much cheaper, making them a cost-effective option, especially if you’re planning to grill a large number of kebabs.
Easy Discarding
Wooden skewers can be easily discarded after use, which means you don’t have to worry about cleaning them. This can be a great convenience, especially if you’re hosting a party or a large gathering where cleanup can become overwhelming.
Less Burn Risk
Wooden skewers are less likely to burn your hand compared to metal skewers, which can become extremely hot when placed on the grill. This makes wooden skewers a safer option, especially if you have children or guests who may accidentally touch the skewers while enjoying their kebabs.
Avoiding Breakage
Even when using wooden skewers that have been soaked or frozen, there is still a chance of breakage when removing the grilled meats and vegetables. To avoid this issue, it’s important to take certain precautions.
Covering the Wood Completely
To ensure that the wooden skewers don’t break, it’s crucial to cover every part of the wood with food. This will protect the skewers from direct contact with the flames, reducing the risk of breakage.
Using Metal Tongs
Instead of handling the wood skewers directly, it’s recommended to use a pair of metal tongs to turn the food over on the grill. Exposure to heat can make the wood fragile, so using tongs will minimize the risk of breakage.
Using Metal Tongs
Metal tongs are not only useful for avoiding breakage but also offer other advantages when grilling with skewers.
Preventing Fragile Wood
As mentioned before, using metal tongs instead of handling the wooden skewers directly helps prevent the wood from becoming fragile due to heat exposure. This ensures that your skewers remain intact throughout the grilling process.
Turning Food on the Grill
Metal tongs are essential for turning the food on the grill, especially when using skewers. They provide a firm grip and allow you to rotate the kebabs easily, ensuring even cooking on all sides.
Matching Ingredient Sizes
To achieve consistent cooking and ensure that all your kebabs are done to your liking, it’s important to match the sizes of the ingredients on the skewers.
Getting Consistent Cooking
Different ingredients have different cooking times. For example, chicken and beef take longer to cook compared to vegetables like asparagus and tomatoes.
To avoid undone meat or singed vegetables, it’s best to separate meats from vegetables and group ingredients with similar cooking times together. Additionally, make sure that the ingredients on the skewer are of similar sizes. This will ensure that they cook evenly and are ready to be enjoyed at the same time.
In conclusion, both wooden and metal skewers have their own advantages when it comes to grilling kebabs.
Metal skewers offer convenience, reusability, and easier cleanup, but they can be more expensive and hot to the touch. On the other hand, wooden skewers are affordable, easy to discard, and carry less burn risk.
By following proper grilling techniques, such as using metal tongs and matching ingredient sizes, you can ensure a successful and enjoyable grilling experience, regardless of the type of skewers you choose.
So whether you decide to take advantage of the freezer hack for faster kebabs with wooden skewers or opt for the convenience of metal skewers, you can’t go wrong with deliciously grilled kebabs for your next meal. Happy grilling!
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