It’s grilling season, and before you load up on every shiny new gadget claiming to “revolutionize” your barbecue game, take a minute. Sometimes the best tricks come from the pros who’ve tried a trick or two and know what actually works. One clever hack from the folks at Food52 (@food52), the food community known for curating home-cook-approved recipes, tips and kitchen hacks, recently caught my eye. It’s so simple, you might think it’s a joke, but it really works!
Instead of buying a pricey grilling basket for cooking up fish or veggies, grab two cooling racks and a couple of paper clips and create your own basket.
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When it comes to grilling delicate fish like cod, flounder or tilapia, even seasoned grillers will tell you it’s a challenge. The fish tends to stick, flake apart or fall right through the grates. That's why this DIY grilling basket hack from Food52 is a must-try.
Two inexpensive wire cooling racks and two paper clips make all the difference.
All you have to do is lay your fillets on one wire rack, feet pointing down. Place the second rack on top, feet pointing up, sandwiching the fish between them. Use a paper clip on each side to hold the racks together. Now, you have a secure, flip-friendly “basket” that keeps your fish intact and cooks it evenly on both sides. You can even prep it all ahead of time, then just toss the whole thing on the grill when you're ready.
This DIY basket is also great when you're grilling small things, like sliced vegetables, chicken wings or small seafood, like shrimp or scallops.
This MacGyver-style approach works shockingly well. The wire cooling racks allow smoke and heat to circulate while holding the fish in place, and because the racks are so thin, you still get those coveted grill marks. You also avoid the mess of flaky fish sticking to your grill grates or breaking apart completely when you try to flip it.
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Pros, Cons and Pro Tips
There are several pros to this hack. First, you probably already have cooling racks and paper clips in your kitchen. No need to spend $20–$40 on a fish basket!
Plus, this hack works especially well for delicate fish that would otherwise fall apart on the grill. The fish is held securely, making it easy to flip without any special tools. There's no direct contact with the grill, which means less risk of sticking or scorching.
Additionally, if you spray the racks with a little cooking oil, cleanup is quick and easy.
Of course, there are also a few cons. For exmple, cheap cooling racks may warp over high heat or prolonged exposure to flame. Stick to medium heat and check your rack materials or use heavy-duty wire cooling racks. Stainless steel works best.
You’ll need to grease the racks, or you may still lose some fish to sticking. Be sure to spray both racks with nonstick spray or brush lightly with oil before assembling. Also, this is great for small portions or individual servings, but might be inefficient for large batches.
Remember to use tongs or heat-resistant gloves when flipping or removing from the grill, though, and you have a quick solution for cooking delicate fish all summer long.
This hack is proof that you don’t need fancy tools to master grilling. You just need a little creativity and a good tip from someone who knows their stuff!
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