Grilling drumsticks on a gas grill can be a delicious way to prepare chicken, but getting the cook time right is important. Undercooked chicken poses safety risks, while overcooked meat will be dry and chewy. The exact time needed will depend on a few key factors. Generally, drumsticks take 45-60 minutes to cook through fully on a gas grill. But the grill temperature, thickness of the meat, and whether the drumsticks are boneless can all impact the timing. With some simple tips, you can learn to perfectly grill juicy, flavorful drumsticks every time.
What Temperature To Use
The temperature you grill at is one of the biggest variables determining drumstick cook time. Grilling at too low of a temperature could lead to improperly cooked or unsafe chicken. While too high of heat will burn the outside before the inside cooks through. For bone-in chicken drumsticks, medium heat between 350-450°F is ideal. This gives the interior time to cook without overcharring the outside. If your gas grill does not have a thermometer built in, you can use an oven thermometer placed on the grates to check the temp.
For boneless drumsticks, slightly higher heat between 400-500°F can be used. Since there is no bone to conduct heat towards the interior, boneless cuts will cook faster. The higher heat helps add flavorful browning to the exterior. Just watch closely to avoid burning. Your owner’s manual may also have suggested temperature settings for various foods like chicken legs and thighs. Following those guidelines takes the guesswork out.
Estimated Time for Bone-In Drumsticks
Here is a general timeline for grilling bone-in chicken drumsticks at around 400°F:
15 minutes: Place drumsticks on hot grill flesh-side down first. This helps render excess fat and create crispy skin.
15 minutes: Flip drumsticks over and continue cooking bone-side down. Baste or brush with barbecue sauce if desired.
15-30 minutes: Flip again, baste, and rotate drumsticks for even cooking. Meat should be at an internal temp of 165°F when done. Drumsticks can be checked by poking a meat thermometer into the thickest part without hitting bone.
So in total, bone-in drumsticks will take approximately 45-60 minutes at medium-high heat on a gas grill. Cooking longer, up to 1 1/2 hours, can help the skin get extra crispy. But take care not to overdry the meat.
Estimated Time for Boneless Drumsticks
Since there is no bone, boneless drumsticks will grill faster than bone-in. Follow these estimates when cooking 4-6 boneless drumsticks on a 400-500°F gas grill:
6-8 minutes: Grill skin-side down first to render fat and brown.
6-8 minutes: Flip and cook second side until golden brown.
2-3 minutes: Move drumsticks to indirect heat or turn grill burners to low. This allows interior to finish cooking without burning the outside.
5 minutes: Flip again and finish cooking until165°F internal temperature.
So boneless drumsticks take only 20-25 minutes at higher heat. The exact time depends on thickness. Test for doneness before removing from grill.
Factors That Increase Cook Time
Here are a few things that can increase the amount of time it takes to grill chicken drumsticks:
- Lower grill temperature – Cooking at only 300°F vs. 400°F adds considerably to cook time.
- Very thick drumsticks – Larger, meatier drumsticks may need longer than average.
- Drumsticks still partially frozen – Frozen meat takes longer to cook through.
- Overcrowded grill – Too many drumsticks lowers the temp and increases time.
- Frequent flipping – Flipping too often can draw out the cook time.
To save time, use meaty drumsticks approximately the same size and thickness. Let them fully thaw if previously frozen. Preheat your gas grill properly and don’t overload it. Limit flipping to every 15-20 minutes. And importantly, use a grill thermometer to maintain the ideal 350-450°F temperature range.
Factors That Decrease Cook Time
On the other hand, here are some factors that can reduce total cook time for BBQ drumsticks:
- Smaller, less meaty drumsticks – Takes less time to cook through.
- Very high grill temp – Above 500°F speeds the cooking process.
- Cutting drumsticks in half – Exposes more surface area to cook.
- Flattening or butterflying – Makes the meat thinner overall.
- Powerful grill burners – More BTUs means faster heating.
You can purposefully buy smaller drumsticks or ones labeled “party style” to reduce time on the grill. Just take care not to overcook them with high heat. Cutting drumsticks in half or pounding them thin also decreases cook time substantially.
How to Tell When Drumsticks Are Done
Using a meat thermometer is the most reliable way to determine if drumsticks are fully cooked and safe to eat off the grill. As mentioned above, whole chicken pieces like drumsticks should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
If you don’t have a thermometer handy, you can also use visual and textural clues:
- The meat near the bone should no longer be pink when pierced.
- The juices should run clear when pricked with a fork.
- Drumsticks will start to pull back from the ends of bones when fully cooked.
- The texture will become firm rather than squishy when poked.
However, these signs aren’t foolproof ways to judge doneness. Always double check with a thermometer for safety when in doubt!
Tips for Maximizing Flavor
It’s easy to dry out chicken legs and thighs when grilling if you aren’t careful. Here are some tips for maximizing moisture and flavor:
- Brine drumsticks in salty water before grilling – Adds moisture and flavor.
- Coat with oil or dry rub – Creates a barrier to seal in juices.
- Sear skin-side down first – Crisps the skin then flip to finish.
- Grill over indirect heat – Prevents overcharring if there are flare ups.
- Baste frequently with sauce – Adds flavor and moisture.
- Allow to rest 5 minutes before serving – Juices will redistribute through meat.
Proper seasoning and frequent basting is key. You want a nice char while keeping the interior juicy. Resist the urge to constantly flip and move the drumsticks. Let them get a nice sear before turning.
How to Speed Up or Slow Down Cook Time
If you find your drumsticks need a time adjustment on the grill, you have options to speed up or extend the cook time as needed:
To speed up:
- Raise grill heat closer to 500°F.
- Cut drumsticks into halves or flatten them.
- Switch to boneless drumsticks.
- Use a strong grill with plenty of BTUs.
- Cook fewer drumsticks at once.
To slow down:
- Lower grill temp closer to 300-350°F.
- Leave bone in and skin on.
- Use a small, lower-powered grill.
- Cook more drumsticks at one time.
- Flip and move them frequently.
Start by following the average cook times outlined above for bone-in or boneless. Then make small adjustments as needed for your particular grill model and thickness of drumsticks. With practice, you’ll learn the ideal methods for perfectly grilled legs every time.
Conclusion
Grilling drumsticks allows you to add delicious barbecue flavor to chicken legs and thighs. The key is having patience and using the right techniques. Plan on 45-60 minutes for bone-in drumsticks or 20-25 minutes for boneless at medium-high heat. Monitor temperature and doneness closely. While time varies based on size and grill temp, focus on safely cooking chicken to 165°F internal temperature. With indirect heat and frequent basting, you can achieve perfectly juicy, crispy skin drumsticks worth waiting for. Next time your recipe calls for it, feel confident grill-roasting drumsticks with these tips. Enjoy your succulent BBQ in no time!
| Drumstick Type | Approximate Grill Time at 400°F |
|---|---|
| Bone-in drumsticks | 45-60 minutes |
| Boneless drumsticks | 20-25 minutes |