What is the ideal way to ensure that the grill is ready for cooking?

The ideal way to ensure that the grill is ready for cooking is to check that it's thoroughly cleaned and heated. A clean grill is essential because leftover food residues can affect the taste of new food and may also lead to flare-ups during cooking, which can ruin the cooking experience. Additionally, preheating the grill properly is vital as it helps achieve the right cooking temperature. A well-heated grill ensures that food cooks evenly and prevents sticking.

While simply leaving the grill on for a few minutes might warm it up, it doesn't guarantee that the grill is clean or hot enough for effective cooking. Covering the grill while preheating can affect the temperature but doesn’t address the cleanliness factor. Using a thermometer is an excellent practice for gauging temperature, especially for larger grills, but it assumes that the grill and grates are already clean and properly preheated. Therefore, making sure both cleanliness and appropriate heating are checked is crucial for the best cooking results.