BBQ Corn On The Cob
How to Flawlessly BBQ Corn on the Cob
To bbq corn on the cob properly, you will need to prepare ahead. Finding the freshest vegetables available will probably be your most challenging step. You can check your produce by carefully peeling back one top edge and viewing the kernels inside. A white or bi-colored sweet corn should be dry and shiny at the kernel, yet moist at the silk area beneath the husk. There should be no black, brown, or clearly rotted spots on the corn. Bare areas are ok, this is simply an area that did not fruit. If the bare areas are white and dry, this corn is good to go.
Before you bbq corn on the cob, you will need to soak it in water for at least 30 minutes. If it soaks longer than this, that’s fine as well, but any less soaking could cause the husks to catch fire on the grill. Depending on the size of your guest list, you will need to set up a container large enough to submerge all of your corn right next to the grill until you are ready to cook it. For large cook outs, either a new trash or storage bin or a large cooler work out very well. If salt is not an issue for your guests, dissolve about ½ teaspoon of salt per one gallon of water into your container before adding the corn. The salt is not necessary, but enhances the flavor a bit should you choose to use it. Place your corn, husk and all, into your water, making sure that each piece is completely submerged, and begin the soaking process.
You are now ready to bbq corn on the cob, and it is best that you do so just before cooking your main course. Place your soaked corn on a grill with medium flames, keeping a spray bottle filled with water close at hand in case of flare ups. The corn will need to be grilled for 20 minutes, being turned every 5 minutes until it has been evenly grilled on four sides. During the grilling process, you will empty the water out of your container, and as the corn is finished it should be placed back into the container and sealed. This allows the corn to continue steaming while the rest of your meal is prepared.
You will have a bit more work to do should you wish for direct grill marks on the corn itself, as you will need to shuck the cooked corn and place it back on the grill over medium flame for about 8 minutes, turning every 2 minutes or until the desired appearance is achieved. Having a bowl of melted butter ready, with a basting brush for ease of application, will finish off your bbq corn on the cob perfectly.