Technique
Two-zone fire
Hot side for crust, cool side for cooking through. The basic grammar of grilling.
When: Any grill cook thicker than a smash burger. Also the safe place to park flare-ups.
Steps
- 1
Bank coals to one side, or light only one or two gas burners, or set a pellet grill for smoke then a skillet for sear.
- 2
Start thick cuts on the cool side with the lid down.
- 3
Finish over the hot side. If fat flares, move, do not spray.
- 4
Keep a cool corner empty so you have somewhere to put food that is done early.
Common mistakes
- Cooking everything over direct heat and calling the char ‘flavor.’
- A ‘medium’ even fire that is actually too cool to sear and too hot to roast.
Swaps
Same method, different tools. The idea does not change.
- Banked charcoal, one or two gas burners, or pellet plus a skillet.
- Direct-only is for smash burgers and thin chops — not thick steaks.
Best practices
- Always leave a cool corner. That is where food goes when fat flares or something finishes early.
- Lid down on the cool side. That is an oven. Lid up on a sear is a different cook.
Used on
Reverse-sear ribeyeCast-iron smash burgersGrilled lamb loin chopsGrilled swordfish steaksSanta Maria tri-tipGrilled skirt carne asadaTwo-zone pork tenderloinSmoked pork steaksSmoked crispy wingsTwo-zone chicken breastsDenver steak, hot grateT-bone, two donenessesBavette, ripping grateFlank steak, chimichurriHanger steak, butcher’s cutTwo-zone NY stripPicanha, fat cap onGrilled thick pork chopsGrilled chicken thighsGrilled rack of lambLamb souvlakiGrilled shrimp skewersKalbi short ribsIndirect grilled ribsBeer-can chickenChicken shawarma thighsLamb koftaSmoked lamb ribletsGarlic-herb lamb lollipopsCedar-plank salmonBaja fish tacosGrilled lobster tailsSkirt steak fritesLamb chops, roasted potatoesSausage, onions, petite potatoesPork tenderloin, asparagus, petitesTri-tip sandwichPork steak sandwichTomahawk ribeye, reverse-searPorterhouse, two-zoneGrilled beef kebabsGrilled bratwurstAl pastor, trompo-styleBacon-wrapped pork tenderloinGrilled andouilleJerk chickenTandoori chickenChicken yakitoriPollo asadoLamb burgersLamb kebabs, shoulderGrilled whole branzinoGrilled oystersVenison backstrap, reverse-searCarne asada bowlChicken burrito bowlSteak fajitasChicken fajitasSteak street tacosSteak taco saladGrilled chicken CaesarSliced steak saladGreek chicken saladGrilled salmon saladChicken taco saladThai beef saladGrilled shrimp saladGrilled steak and zucchini bowlSanta Fe steak salad