How to Get Your Grill Ready for Summer in Amarillo

Summer in Amarillo means lots of sunshine, spending time on the patio, and the smell of BBQ floating through the air. Whether you're cooking up steak, burgers, or hot dogs, grilling is a Texas tradition that brings people together.

Amarillo is the perfect place to fire up your grill.

You can find many great places across Amarillo to find the perfect food to go on the grill.

United Supermarkets/Market Street has a great selection of meats
Rancher's Storefront - is locally sourced beef, chicken, and pork
Ede's Meats has a great selection of grill fare
Farmer's Markets - Amarillo’s farmer’s markets offer locally raised meat perfect for the grill

How to Prep Your Grill for Summer in Amarillo

First of all, clean your grill. Wash all grill surfaces with soap and water. You want to get the dirt and all the old residue scraped off. You want to avoid metal brushes because the tines can break off and end up in your food.

Second, fire up the grill and heat it to the highest temperature to kill off the bacteria left behind after washing.

Third, prep your meat and get it ready to go on the grill.

What are the Proper Cooking Temperatures for Meat?

The following are safe temperatures to cook your meat according to the USDA:

Beef, pork, lamb, and veal steaks, chops, and roasts: 145 F
Seafood (fish and shellfish): 145 F
Ground beef, pork, lamb, and veal: 160 F
Poultry (whole and ground): 165 F

To ensure proper cooking temperature, you'll need a good meat thermometer. You can find all sorts of meat thermometers, some are analog, digital, and wireless thermometers that are connected to an app on your phone.

Grilling vs. Smoking: What Works Best in Texas Heat?

Some meats are best smoked, those include brisket, ribs, chicken and pork butts. However, steak, chicken, and pork chops are best on a grill. Smoking meat is an art form, and it takes a lot of time and patience to get that meat smoked to perfection.

Where to Buy Your Grilling Supplies in Amarillo?

Amarillo has a large selection of stores where you can purchase your grill or smoker. Your big box stores like Lowe's, Home Depot, and Walmart always have a good selection, but if you want to support local, here's where you can buy:

Boyd's Equipment - 7154 Canyon E-Way
Boyd's Backyard & BBQ Supply - 2821 Wolflin Ave
Champion BBQ Supply - 7306 SW 34th Ste. 10
Grill This BBQ Supply - 5611 Gem Lake Road

Get ready for a fun summer of grilling and getting together with family and friends.

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Gallery Credit: Rob Carroll