Heat Matters: Understanding Your Grill Temperature Zones

If you’re relying on your grill’s built-in lid thermometer, you’re flying blind.

If you’ve ever grilled chicken wings and found half were perfectly crispy while the others looked like they took a nap in a sauna, welcome to the world of grill temperature zones. Understanding and controlling your heat is one of the most important (and most overlooked) skills in backyard barbecue. Whether you're firing up a charcoal kettle or working with a gas-powered beast, how you manage your grill's heat distribution is the difference between a cookout hero and a charred disaster.