Whether you're cooking steaks for a quick weeknight meal or slow-roasting a whole chicken for Sunday lunch, knowing when to use direct or indirect heat is one of the biggest steps towards becoming a better outdoor cook.
Mastering these two grilling methods will give you more control, better flavour and consistently great results, whatever is on the menu.
What Is Direct Grilling?
Direct grilling means placing your food directly over the heat source.
This method delivers high temperatures, creating a beautiful sear, caramelisation and those classic barbecue grill marks.
It's perfect for foods that cook quickly.
Best foods for direct grilling
- Steaks
- Burgers
- Sausages
- Chicken breasts
- Fish fillets
- Prawns
- Kebabs
- Vegetables such as asparagus, peppers and courgettes
Why use direct heat?
✔ Fast cooking
✔ Excellent sear
✔ Crispy exterior
✔ Rich barbecue flavour
What Is Indirect Grilling?
Indirect grilling works much like a conventional oven.
Instead of sitting above the flame, the food is placed away from the direct heat, allowing hot air to circulate around it while the lid remains closed.
This gentle cooking method is ideal for larger cuts that need longer cooking times.
Best foods for indirect grilling
- Whole chickens
- Beef joints
- Pork shoulder
- Lamb leg
- Ribs
- Large fish
- Roasts
- Baked potatoes
Why use indirect heat?
✔ Even cooking
✔ Juicier results
✔ Prevents burning
✔ Ideal for low and slow cooking
When Should You Use Each Method?
| Direct Heat | Indirect Heat |
|---|---|
| Steaks | Whole chicken |
| Burgers | Pork shoulder |
| Sausages | Beef roast |
| Fish fillets | Lamb leg |
| Prawns | Ribs |
| Vegetables | Whole fish |
If your food cooks in under 20 minutes, direct grilling is usually the right choice.
If it needs longer than 20–30 minutes, indirect grilling will often produce far better results.
The Secret: Two-Zone Cooking
One of the biggest advantages of a quality gas barbecue is the ability to create two cooking zones.
Simply light one side of the barbecue while leaving the other burners switched off.
This allows you to:
- Sear over high heat
- Move food across to finish gently
- Avoid flare-ups
- Cook multiple foods at once
This technique is especially useful for thicker steaks, chicken pieces and pork chops.
Why Burner Control Matters
Many people assume that more burners simply mean more heat.
In reality, multiple burners give you greater control, allowing you to create different temperature zones across the cooking surface.
Premium gas barbecues such as those from Broil King are designed to make this easy, giving you the flexibility to cook everything from delicate fish to perfectly seared steaks on the same barbecue.
Kamado Cooking Works Differently
If you're cooking on a ceramic barbecue such as a Big Green Egg, temperature is controlled using the top and bottom vents rather than individual burners.
Opening the vents increases airflow and raises the temperature.
Closing them reduces airflow, allowing the ceramic body to retain heat while maintaining a steady cooking temperature for hours.
This makes kamado barbecues perfect for:
- Smoking brisket
- Slow-cooked pulled pork
- Roasting chicken
- Baking bread
- Cooking pizzas
Don't Forget Your Thermometer
No matter which cooking method you choose, an instant-read thermometer is one of the most valuable barbecue accessories you can own.
Checking the internal temperature helps prevent undercooking and avoids drying out your food.
Perfect barbecue isn't about guessing — it's about knowing.
Which Barbecue Is Right for You?
Different styles of barbecue excel at different cooking techniques.
At The Barbeque Shop, you'll find everything you need for both direct and indirect cooking, including:
- Broil King gas barbecues
- Big Green Egg ceramic barbecues
- Traeger pellet grills
- Quality charcoal barbecues
- Pizza ovens
- Thermometers
- Cast iron cookware
- Grilling accessories
Whether you're grilling burgers for the family or slow-smoking a brisket for a special occasion, the right equipment makes all the difference.
Ready to Improve Your Barbecue Skills?
Understanding direct and indirect grilling will instantly improve the way you cook outdoors.
With the right barbecue, a little temperature control and quality ingredients, you'll achieve consistently delicious results every time.
Explore our full range of barbecues and accessories at The Barbeque Shop and discover everything you need to cook with confidence.