Should You Oil the Grill Grates or the Food

Question

Many Milk Street grilling recipes recommend oiling the grill grates prior to cooking. I recently bought a Weber gas grill, and they recommend NOT oiling the grates because they are too hot and the oil will burn off before it does any good, but rather to oil the food being put on the grill instead. Wondering what people’s thoughts are on this. Thanks!

Lynn Clark · Accepted Answer

Hi Michael - there are definitely some differing opinions on this subject. Meathead Goldwyn of amazingribs.com, who is a friend of Milk Street,  recommends oiling the food, not the grate. Serious Eats and Steven Raichlen recommend oiling the grates. I’m going to pass this along to our Food Editor, Matt Card, as it’s something we should maybe revisit for our next batch of grilling recipes. Either way, make sure that you use a high-heat oil - grapeseed, safflower, canola, peanut, or avocado oil (refined) have some of the highest smoke points. Thanks for your question! Best, Lynn C.

Should You Oil the Grill Grates or the Food

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