Flank steak is a delicious cut of meat that is perfect for grilling. However, many people are unsure whether to grill flank steak with the lid open or closed. In this article, we’ll explore the different factors that can impact your decision and help you make the best choice for your next cookout.

Factors to Consider

Before we dive into whether you should grill flank steak with the lid open or closed, it’s important to understand the factors that can impact your decision. These include:

  • The temperature of your grill
  • The thickness of your flank steak
  • Your personal preference for doneness

Temperature of Your Grill

The temperature of your grill can have a significant impact on whether you should grill flank steak with the lid open or closed. If you’re grilling at a high temperature (over 400°F), it’s generally best to keep the lid open. This allows the heat to escape and prevents your steak from becoming overcooked.

On the other hand, if you’re grilling at a lower temperature (around 300-350°F), it’s usually best to keep the lid closed. This helps to trap in heat and smoke, which can enhance the flavor of your steak.

Thickness of Your Flank Steak

The thickness of your flank steak can also impact whether you should grill with the lid open or closed. If you’re cooking a thin flank steak (less than 1 inch thick), it’s generally best to keep the lid open. This allows for faster cooking and helps prevent overcooking.

However, if you’re cooking a thicker flank steak (over 1 inch thick), it’s usually best to keep the lid closed. This helps to evenly distribute heat and ensures that your steak cooks all the way through.

Personal Preference for Doneness

Finally, your personal preference for doneness can also impact whether you should grill with the lid open or closed. If you prefer your steak to be rare or medium-rare, it’s generally best to keep the lid open.

On the other hand, if you prefer your steak to be medium or well-done, it’s usually best to keep the lid closed. This helps to trap in heat and ensures that your steak cooks all the way through.

Conclusion

In conclusion, whether you should grill flank steak with the lid open or closed depends on several factors, including the temperature of your grill, the thickness of your steak, and your personal preference for doneness. As a rule of thumb, it’s generally best to keep the lid open when grilling thin steaks at high temperatures and keep it closed when grilling thicker steaks at lower temperatures. However, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to grilling – so feel free to experiment and find what works best for you!