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How to Use Grill Baskets
Key Takeaways
- Grill baskets prevent small or fragile ingredients from slipping through the grates while still allowing direct and smoky flavor
- Season your food, load it in, and place the basket on the grates. Stir or flip occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Cut items to similar thickness for uniform cooking, lightly oil the basket for easier cleaning and better caramelization
Using a Grill Basket
Though some grill baskets work better than others and many are made for specific food groups, they’re all used in almost the exact same manner:
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Start by preheating your grill.
Load your seasoned food into the grill basket of your choice, then place it directly on the grates.
Stir, flip, or toss veggies every now and then so all sides can caramelize, and flip fish and other food as your recipe recommends.
Should your grill lid be open or closed? That all depends on what type of food you’re cooking.
So, using a grill basket is much like using your grill, except with the added comfort of knowing your fragile fish and vivacious vegetables will stay in line. (Scallions? More like scallywags!) Just try your best to cut the items in your grilling basket to about the same thickness so they cook evenly. Pro tip: If you lightly oil the basket before putting in your food, it’ll make cleanup easier and aid in caramelization. Not-so-pro tip: Wear high-heat gloves when handling any grill basket. These things get hot!
By now, you’ve probably picked up on the fact that there are many, many different types of vegetable grilling baskets. Rather than running through each and every one in painstaking detail, we’ll take a look at the 4 primary barbecue basket types.
Types of Grill Baskets
Grill Wok Toppers
- High side walls help keep shrimp, Brussels sprouts, and other small foods from falling through the grill grates.
- Laser-cut or perforated designs let food get direct exposure to the flames for better grilling and browning.
- Use these baskets for a variety of foods. Stainless steel or non-stick construction provides lasting performance.
- Grill topper baskets are relatively inexpensive, simple to clean, and easy to add to your grilling toolkit.
Flexible Wire Grill Baskets
- Flexible wire walls conform to the shape of your food as it shrinks during grilling, helping maintain consistent contact with the cooking surface.
- The flexible design holds food in place without squeezing it too tightly, helping prevent delicate foods from crumbling or falling apart.
- Especially useful for foods like fish steaks that vary in thickness, keeping them secure even when flipped multiple times.
- Available in stainless or non-stick steel, flex grill baskets are generally inexpensive and simple to clean.
Adjustable Wire Grill Baskets
- Adjustable lids can be set to multiple heights, making these baskets useful for foods of varying sizes.
- Ideal for grilling bread, desserts, fruits, and vegetables that need a short time on the grill.
- Basket designs let heat reach your food while helping keep smaller items contained.
- Available in different materials and configurations, including models with fixed, removable, or no handles.
Perforated Shaker Baskets
- Designed for quick, high-heat cooking, these baskets are ideal for broiling or flash-grilling foods with a light coating of oil.
- High side walls and a latching top help keep ingredients secure while you shake the basket.
- Shrimp, mussels, and sliced or mixed vegetables are especially well-suited for shaker baskets.
- Useful for cooking and transferring larger quantities of grilled foods.
Specialized Grilling Baskets
Most BBQ baskets fit nicely into one of the above categories, but a few… Well, let’s just say they’re made for one thing and one thing only. Items like a locking quesadilla basket are designed specifically for those half-moon pouches of goodness, while a meatball grill basket isn’t exactly the best veggie vessel. Though they’re excellent at helping with a specific food, you won’t enjoy the versatility other types of grilling baskets provide. And maybe you’re OK with that — as long as you can keep your food on the grates instead of sliding between them, everyone will be happy.
