Barbecue season is always a smashing hit as it has delicious food that can be enjoyed outdoors in beautiful weather. However, even if one has experience with grilling, one may be committing some common errors, compromising on the final taste and texture of their grilled chicken, burgers, steaks, briskets, veggies, and more. Based on advice from grilling experts and chefs, here are 12 common outdoor cooking mistakes people make and how to avoid them. Not cleaning the grill It’s unlikely that one would use a dirty pan or pot to cook their food indoors. However, many people forget to clean their grills, especially the grates. This could compromise the taste and safety of one’s food. Before starting an outdoor cookout, ensure that the grill is cleaned thoroughly—clean out the old bottom, scrape the grease, and smoke the top off the smoker—for a hygienic and even cook. Using poor-quality ingredients One important thing to consider before organizing a barbecue is the quality of ingredients. For instance, using good-quality meat with the right amount of marbling and internal fat is likely to yield an end result that is much more delicious. Similarly, it is also important to pay attention to what is being used to cook the meat.