Which of the following can help to prevent BBQ flare-ups?

Using lean cuts of meat can significantly help prevent BBQ flare-ups. Flare-ups occur when fat drips onto the heat source, igniting and causing flames that can char the meat and create an uneven cooking environment. Lean cuts of meat naturally contain less fat compared to fatty cuts, thus reducing the amount of dripping fat that can lead to flare-ups. When preparing to grill, choosing cuts like chicken breast, turkey, or certain cuts of pork can minimize this risk and lead to a more controlled cooking process.

Other methods, such as cleaning the grill grates regularly, can also have an impact on flare-up prevention by allowing excess fat and debris to be removed, but they address secondary issues rather than the root cause of fat dripping. Keeping the lid open while cooking can actually create a different set of challenges related to maintaining temperature control. Oiling the cooking surface can prevent food from sticking but doesn’t directly address the fat content in the meat that leads to flare-ups. Therefore, selecting lean cuts is the most effective strategy for minimizing flare-ups during BBQ cooking.