Burgers and hot dogs?

[TrickyDick]

Ok, so sounds like a simple question, but when grilling burgers and dogs, what tricks do you employ to avoid grease fires and flare ups? Especially if cooking for a crowd with lots of people.

As it turns out, the flame zone is sure to result in flames from my experience, and last night I had some big ones. Splash some water to douse the flames. Maybe needed 2-3 oz of water. Used the sink and cupped my hands a couple times, since I didn't have a spray bottle.

TD

 

[So Cal Smoker]

Use 87/13 Hamburger meat and cook on Grill Grates. I find the hamburger at Costco very good and I'd be lost without my Grill Grates.

 

[RickB]

Grill grates will take care of the problem. I usually invert them for burgers and I have never had a flair-up. I like the crusty sear you get when you invert them.

 

[TrickyDick]

I got the sear great just a week ago or so. Its different on the four star than the grill grates you guys are using, extremely different in fact. Haven't used it yet. I wonder if Big Poppa has a "grill grate" spec'd out for the four star available on his store. Need to check.

 

[TrickyDick]

Did some steaks on the new sear grate last night. Beautiful. I was really surprised. View attachment 2504
This grate (didn't take a pic) has approx 1/2" tall by approx 1/8" wide anodized aluminum grid.

TD

 

[So Cal Smoker]

I'm sure they cook about the same. Those steaks look great.

 

[scooter]

Agree with the others, Grill Grates and like Rick said, inverted will give you more of a griddle type cooking surface.

 

[TrickyDick]

My sear grate isn't the same as y'all have. Dang. I guess I'll just use my cast iron griddle/grill plate on top of the regular grate next time I do burgers. I've never had a grease flare up like that and was kinda freaked out and unprepared to extinguish.