Can you boil on a grill?

Boiling on a grill may seem counterintuitive, but it is actually possible with some simple tricks. Grills are designed for high, dry heat cooking methods like grilling, searing, and smoking. However, with a few modifications, you can successfully boil food on a grill.

Why Would You Want to Boil on a Grill?

Here are some reasons you may want to try boiling on a grill:

• You only have a grill available – If you are camping or your stove is broken, you can still boil food with some creativity.
• Extra burner space – Boiling on the grill frees up room on your stove.
• Outdoor cooking – Boiling on the grill lets you do all your cooking outside.
• Smoky flavor – The smoke from the grill can infuse into the boiling liquid, adding flavor.
• Large batch cooking – Grills offer more space and higher BTUs for boiling large batches.

Challenges of Boiling on a Grill

While it’s possible to boil on a grill, there are some challenges to overcome:

• Temperature regulation – Grills tend to run hotter than stoves, so you’ll need to monitor temperature closely.
• Direct heat – The boiling liquid is exposed directly to the flame, so it can scorch if you’re not careful.
• Evaporation – The open grill allows liquid to evaporate quickly, so you may need to replenish it.
• Stability – Pots and pans won’t sit flat on the grill grates, so you’ll need a makeshift stand.
• Food falling in – Without burner guards, there’s risk of food falling through the grates into the fire.

Equipment Needed for Boiling on a Grill

With the right equipment, you can overcome the challenges of grill boiling:

Equipment	Purpose
Stock pot or Dutch oven with lid	Holds liquid and food, lid retains heat and moisture.
Grill-safe trivet or stand	Elevates pot for air circulation and stability.
Tongs	For moving and handling hot pots safely.
Oven mitts	Protecting hands from burns.
Grill thermometer	Monitoring temperature for adjusted heat control.
Wood chips (optional)	For adding smoky flavor.

Tips for Successful Boiling

Follow these tips to safely boil food on your grill:

• Use a thermometer to maintain water temp below 200°F/93°C.
• Bring liquid to a boil on stove first, then transfer to grill.
• Use indirect heat and close lid to create oven-like environment.
• Check liquid level often and replenish as needed.
• Use wood chips or spices to add flavor.
• Place food in perforated grilling basket to prevent falling through grates.
• Use tongs and mitts for safe handling.
• Clean grill well when finished to remove spilled food debris.

Foods You Can Boil on a Grill

Here are some foods that work well for boiling on the grill:

• Vegetables – Potatoes, corn, carrots, beans
• Meats – Hot dogs, chicken, meatballs
• Seafood – Lobster, crab, shrimp
• Eggs – Hard boiled or poached eggs
• Pasta – Rigatoni, farfalle, ziti
• Rice – Long grain, jasmine, basmati, Arborio rice

The key is to cut food into sizes suitable for boiling and use a perforated basket or steamer insert to keep food contained.

Recipes for Boiling on the Grill

Here are some tasty recipes perfect for boiling on the grill:

Cajun Shrimp Boil

• 2 lbs shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 ears corn, cut in half
• 2 lbs small potatoes
• 1 onion, quartered
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled
• 2 lemons, halved
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• Water or broth to cover

Place all ingredients in stock pot on grill at medium heat. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Drain and serve with melted butter.

BBQ Chicken Soup

• 1 Whole chicken, cut up
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 celery stalks, diced
• 3 carrots, diced
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 tbsp BBQ seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Place chicken pieces in stock pot with vegetables, broth, and seasonings. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken and shred when cool. Return to soup and serve.

Conclusion

While boiling is an unexpected technique for grill cooking, with the right equipment and some care, it can be done successfully. Not only does it provide more room for cooking large batches, but it also infuses food with delicious smoky flavor. So next time you want to boil corn, cook pasta, or make a seafood boil, fire up the grill and get creative with grill-boiled cooking.