Patience grasshopper. One of the most common mistakes pitmasters make, especially with new ones, is they want to fire up the grill and start cooking! NO!
Fire up the grill and go do something else.
Prep your food, set up your table, catch part of the game and grab a beverage. Let the grill/griddle/smoker get hot. Take 5-15 minutes and let the temperature get where it needs to be and then start cooking. If you’re using cast iron for a sauce or side dish like sauteed onions in butter, you need it hot. You want a good seer on your steak? You want to hear that serious sizzle when the steak hits the grill or griddle – this is your key.
Let it get HOT!