Daily Kitchen Note
Dry wooden or bamboo skewers can easily catch fire or scorch when exposed to the high heat of a grill. Submerging them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading your ingredients prevents them from burning and keeps your food secure.
How to Soak skewers
- Fill a shallow baking dish or pan with enough water to fully submerge the skewers.
- Place the wooden or bamboo skewers in the water, ensuring they are completely covered.
- Let the skewers soak for at least 30 minutes before threading your ingredients.
- Remove the skewers from the water and immediately thread your meat and vegetables for grilling.
Why it works
The wood absorbs the water, which must evaporate before the wood itself can reach its combustion temperature, thereby delaying charring and burning during the cooking process.
Source
America's Test Kitchen: Smart Tips for Grilling with Skewers
