How to Grill the Perfect Labor Day Hot Dog

1. Preheat the Grill: Start by preheating your grill to medium heat. If you’re using charcoal, let the coals ash over before placing the hot dogs on the grill grate. For a gas grill, set the burners to medium heat.
2. Prepare the Hot Dogs: Remove the hot dogs from the packaging and pat them dry with a paper towel. This will help them grill evenly and develop a nice sear.
3. Grill Preparation: Clean the grill grates using a ball of aluminum foil to remove any residue from previous grilling sessions. This will prevent sticking and ensure nice grill marks.
4. Grill the Hot Dogs: Place the hot dogs diagonally across the grill grates. This angle allows for better grill marks and prevents the hot dogs from rolling around. Rotate the hot dogs occasionally to achieve even grilling on all sides. The hot dogs should take about 5-7 minutes to cook, depending on their size and desired level of char.
5. Buns and Toasting: In the last couple of minutes of grilling the hot dogs, you can also toast the buns. Place them on the cooler side of the grill, or over indirect heat, to avoid burning. Toasting the buns adds a delightful crunch and prevents them from becoming soggy when loaded with toppings.
6. Toppings: While the hot dogs are grilling, prepare your desired toppings. Classic choices include mustard, ketchup, onions, sauerkraut, relish, and cheese. Set up a condiment tray for easy access.
7. Checking Doneness: To check if the hot dogs are done, make a small incision with a knife or fork. They should be heated through and have a slight char on the outside.
8. Serve and Enjoy: Place the grilled hot dogs into the toasted buns and add your chosen toppings. Be creative and experiment with different combinations. Serve them while they’re still hot and enjoy!

Remember that personal preferences vary, so adjust cooking times and techniques to achieve the level of char and doneness you prefer. Enjoy your perfectly grilled hot dogs, and from everyone at advancreative, have an excellent Labor Day!