Do burgers cook better when close or far apart?
I was in a debate with a friend in regards to cooking burgers if they should be close together or far apart on a grill. I searched the site but did not find anything that would answer my question so my apologies if it does exist. So my question is: Do burgers cook better on a grill if they are closer together or far apart while direct grilling on a charcoal grill?
Best Answer
On the grill, most of the heat will be coming from underneath the burgers (you already knew this)
Having a gap between them will let air flow between them and increase the temperature around the meat. If they are touching, the airflow will be hindered and you won't get even cooking. When the burgers are all squashed together, you're effectively cooking one big burger and not many individual ones.
ie) The spot where the meat touches will cook slower than the outsides where there is now more heat.
Purist grillers will tell you that the "best" way to cook on the grill is with the top open, if you do this, you'll get even less heat in bunched up areas.
Separating them more than an inch apart won't really affect cooking time.
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Should burgers be cooked with lid open or closed?
Thin pork chops, shrimp, and burgers tend to cook quickly. Leaving the grill lid up will slow the cooking process by reducing the temperature around the meat. For thicker cuts, you want to close the lid to keep the temperature high and even.How long does a burger need to cook on each side?
For a medium-rare burger, cook for 2 minutes and thirty seconds per side for 5 minutes total. For a medium burger, cook for 3 to 3 1/2 minutes per side for 6 to 7 minutes total. For a well-done burger, cook for 4 to 4 1/2 minutes per side for 8 to 9 minutes total.How do you make sure a burger cooks all the way through?
When to Leave the Grill Open. If you're grilling quick-cooking foods such as burgers, thin steaks, chops, fish, shrimp, or sliced vegetables directly over the flames, you can leave the grill open. For red meat, that means you won't lose that pink, juicy center so many of us love.The Biggest Mistakes Everyone Makes When Cooking Burgers
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