When grilling season rolls around, most of us think of burgers, steaks, and maybe some corn on the cob. But if you’ve ever tried to keep asparagus from rolling through the grates or stop shrimp from slipping into the flames, you know the struggle is real. Enter the grilling basket, a simple tool that keeps small or tricky foods secure, cooks them evenly, and saves you from playing grill-side rescue.
Types of Grill Baskets
Grill baskets come in a few different styles, each suited for certain foods. Flat grill baskets are great for delicate items like fish fillets or foods that need support but still want that grilled sear. Deep walled baskets are perfect for chopped vegetables, shrimp, or anything you’d normally risk losing between the grates. Then there are rotating drum baskets, which tumble foods like nuts or chicken wings for even cooking. Most baskets are made from stainless steel, nonstick metal, or cast iron.
Prepping the Basket
Before you start tossing food in, give your grill basket a little prep work. If it’s new, wash it with warm, soapy water to remove any factory residue. Before each use, lightly coat the inside with oil or a nonstick spray. This helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. For the best results, place the basket on the grill for a few minutes to preheat; a warm surface helps sear food quickly and lock in flavor. Just remember to use grill tongs or gloves when handling a hot basket!
Choosing and Prepping Foods
The beauty of a grill basket is that it opens the door to foods you might never attempt on bare grates. Diced veggies, shrimp, scallops, cubed chicken, tofu, even halved peaches or pineapple should come to mind. For evenly heated cooking, cut everything into uniform pieces. (If it’s too large they won’t cook through, too small and they may slip through the mesh.) Also season or marinate the food ahead of time but shake off excess oil or liquid before lowering them into the basket to avoid flare-ups.
Cooking Techniques
Using a grill basket is all about heat control and movement. For quick-cooking foods like shrimp or thin-cut veggies, place the basket over direct heat for a nice sear. For denser items, like potatoes or bone-in chicken pieces, start them over indirect heat to cook without burning. Give the basket a shake or use tongs to toss the food every few minutes so everything cooks evenly. Remember that food in a basket often cooks faster than it would on the grates, so keep a close eye on things! Once it’s ready, use heatproof gloves to lift the basket off the grill and onto a platter.
Cleaning and Maintenance
After the grilling’s done, let the basket cool slightly before tackling cleanup. For stainless steel or cast iron, a soak in warm, soapy water followed by a scrub with a grill brush or sponge usually does the trick. Avoid harsh abrasives on nonstick baskets to preserve the coating. Stubborn bits can be loosened by placing the basket back on the grill for a few minutes, then scraping while warm. Dry thoroughly to prevent rust and store it in a dry spot until your next cookout.