Grill Tips, Que&A
Which Cooking Oils Work Best For Grilling?
Which Cooking Oils Work Best For Grilling?
Cooking oil is perhaps the most essential ingredient when using a flat top grill, like the Daytona™ 4-Burner Griddle, for instance.
Cooking oil is widely known for its two primary functions; keeping your food from sticking to the surface of the grill and helping to season the surface with some extra flavor.
But if that’s all it does, then why are there so many different cooking oils to choose from?
Check and mate! In fact, each cooking oil brings a variety of unique properties to your cookout, including:
- Smoke point
- Flavor profile
- And even health benefits!
What is a Cooking Oil’s Smoke Point?
The smoke point of a cooking oil refers to the temperature at which it ceases to “shine” on the grill and begins to, you guessed it, smoke.
Depending on an oil’s purity, age, and origin, smoke points can range from 325°F to 520°F. So naturally, high-smoke-point oils work better when employing high-heat cooking methods like searing, while low-smoke-point oils work best using lower-heat grilling methods like low ‘n slow.
Choosing a Cooking Oil Based on Flavor
Did you know you can bring even more awesome flavor to your BBQ by choosing the right cooking oil? Depending on what you’re grilling, certain cooking oils can complement your cookout by introducing flavorful fats to whatever’s on the menu.
Bring Some Health Benefits to the BBQ
Many cooking oils are packed with healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, while others feature not-so-healthy saturated and trans fats.
Read on to discover which cooking oils are healthiest and taste the best depending on what’s cooking on your flat top griddle!
Our Favorite Flat Top Cooking Oils
Olive Oil
Olive oil, whether regular, virgin, or extra virgin, is probably the most used grilling oil in the world. It’s made from olives, which are high in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants. It has a smoke point of 390-468°F. The flavor profile is neutral and mild – suitable for most dishes and palates!.
Peanut Oil
Peanut oil is made from the seeds of a peanut plant. Most peanut oil is refined, neutral in flavor, and great for high-heat cooking, especially stir-frying and deep-frying, because it doesn't absorb the flavor of other food. It’s also a great choice for grilling due to its high smoke point of 450°F.
Vegetable Oil
Vegetable oil also has a high smoke point, which ensures that your oil won't burn on the grill and ruin the taste of your food. Vegetable oil is neutral-tasting and smelling and has a smoke point of about 400°F. Because it doesn't add much flavor, it's good for high-heat sautéing and is generally our fry oil of choice.
Canola Oil
Similar to vegetable oil, canola oil offers a neutral flavor profile and versatile smoke point of 400°F. This effective grilling combo allows the natural flavor of your favorite deep-fried cuisine to shine through.
Sunflower Oil
Another favorite grilling oil is sunflower oil. With a smoke point of 450°F and a subtle nutty flavor, sunflower oil is the pantry hero for all things sear and sauté related. Teppanyaki-style stir fry, anyone?
Sesame Oil
Untoasted sesame oil has a barely noticeable nutty or completely neutral flavor. Toasted sesame oil, on the other hand, offers a deep, rich, nutty flavor that offers Asian-inspired dishes an instant upgrade. Refined sesame oil has a high smoke point of 410°F and a relatively neutral flavor. It's a great grilling option, but if you’re looking to pump up the rich umami flavor, try out the toasted variety!
Avocado Oil
Avocado oil boasts the highest smoke point on our list – over 500°F! On top of a high smoke point that’s perfect for the grill, avocado oil is one of the healthiest oils you can work into your diet. Not to mention it’s delicious! Cold-pressed avocado oil brings a subtle buttery, avocado-like flavor to your barbecue – a darn-tasty way to add a superfood to your flat top grill!
Discover Your Own Favorite Flat Top Cooking Oils
It’s like they say: variety is the spice – or oil – of life! Try a different cooking oil each time you fire up your flat top, and before you know it, you’ll have your favorites.
For more grill tips, techniques, and Que & A videos, subscribe to our YouTube channel, or continue exploring on Nexgrill.com.
Ready to upgrade your flat top grilling game?
