Grilling is one the best ways to prepare delicious food while cooking outdoors. But there are many aspects that influence outdoor cooking. Get them wrong, and you could have friends and family leaving with a not so pleasant experience. After all, no one loves an excessively burnt piece of chicken. So whether you enjoy cooking outdoors, or are trying it out for the first time, here are four cooking mistakes to avoid.

Not accommodating for the weather
If you live in a colder location, you won’t be able to use the griller all year long. Not planning for the rains and snow can set you back on a day when you decide to cook outdoors. Take appropriate measures in the cooking space, such as installing a roof to protect the griller from water.

Not preheating the griller
Failing to preheat the grill before placing the meat is another common mistake most people make. Preheat the grill for at least 20 minutes before starting to cook. By preheating the appliance, the meat develops a deep smoky, delicious flavor.

Poor cleaning
A lot can go wrong if you cook food without cleaning the outdoor appliance. The burnt residue may fuse with the food and make it unhealthy to eat. Use a spatula or a knife and a scrub pad to scrape off and clean the burnt residue.

Not checking the propane tank
Imagine calling people over for a barbeque party and running out of propane halfway through your cooking. Moving the half-cooked foods to the kitchen stove will be tedious. It’s best to check the fuel levels in the griller before you start to cook.

Top outdoor cooking grills
There are various types of outdoor cooking grills from popular brands in the market. Listed below are three such appliances from top brands:

Char-Griller® Super Pro
The Char-Griller® Super Pro is available on the company’s website for $179. It is crafted from heavy-gauge steel, and is reinforced with a double bottom. This product also features an adjustable grate to control heat and makes it easy to add more coal without removing the grate.

Traeger Ranger
If you wish to buy a pellet grill, the Traeger Ranger is the ideal choice. The grill is portable and fits easily on a truck bed when you head out. The appliance features the brand’s Digital Arc controller that shows the precise temperature. It’s Keep Warm mode ensures the food remains warm, in case you want to eat it a little later. The Ranger can be bought for $449.99 on Traeger’s website.

Weber GENESIS S-435 Gas Grill
The Weber GENESIS S-435 is a brilliant appliance if you prefer using gas or propane. You can choose between a three- or a four-burner grill. This appliance is also equipped with the Weber Connect smart feature. It offers real-time food monitoring and flip and serve notifications to ensure the food is cooked to perfection. The GENESIS S-435 is available for $1,749 on Weber’s official site.