KCBS National Steak Championships Reference Meathead & AmazingRibs.com In Their Rules!

[Huskee]

KCBS's Steak Championships site: https://p22.9de.myftpupload.com/

Their Steak Championships Contest Rules: https://p22.9de.myftpupload.com/contest-rules/

#6 under Cooking Rules, from the rules link above, reads:
Enhanced grill marks or sear marks are not encouraged and are criteria for deducting points for both presentation and taste. According to Meathead from www.amazingribs.com, "the goal is to get a golden to brown color on as much surface as possible."

[FireMan]

Yeah, not a dark brown little stinky bar of burnt stuff on the steak, but a golden brown finish on the whole thing. Thatsa good.

[RonB]

Enlightenment comes, but slowly.

[efincoop]

That's pretty darn cool More validation!

[IdahoJim]

That's funny. I've seen videos of people doing practice cooks for SCA steak competitions and they are all about the grill marks.

[Craigar]

And most of the time they are referred to as "professional grill marks". Ha! We know better.

[bbqLuv]

Nonsense, I say, I am just learning to get grill marks by using grill grates.
It is time to put grill marks to bed, as per Meathead.

[Jerod Broussard]

Time to call the ridges on GrillGrates the "bottom" of the grates.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

I thought most of us already did

[Troutman]

So what if you happen to like grill marks? Suicide time??? Guess I'll just toss these out or give them to the dogs.....

[ecowper]

That’s beauty right there!

[tbob4]

Bravo!!!! Rule be damned. That is beautiful

[Attjack]

Grill marks are indeed very appetizing.

[Mosca]

My best steaks are just a little past golden brown; dark mahogany is more like it. Like this flank steak:


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[jfmorris]

For whatever reason, I don't go for grill marks on steaks,but I do like them on pork chops and chicken. Go figure!

[Attjack]

Same.

[Jerod Broussard]

If I want grill marks, I lay the meat on grates from the last cook and get instant black marks!

[IdahoJim]

Eww...

[Bbqmikeg]

One hand washes the other.

[hogdog6]

Due to a real lack of KCBS in my area I started to compete SCA this summer and grill marks even though not required they are what the judges want. I too prefer an even crust with no marks. But when in Rome. This one took 8th. My best placing so far.

[58limited]

That is a nice looking steak.

[58limited]

Despite knowing the science, I still like the looks of grill marks although I don't purposely try to get them.

We eat with our eyes and have been conditioned to think that grill marks are good. As a teen in the 80s I worked at Burger King. The meat is flame broiled but only one side gets grill marks. When I was training the manager asked me how the patty should be positioned on the burger and why. I didn't know. He said grill marks up because it tastes better. How does it taste better? When someone lifts the top bun on the burger and sees the grill marks it reinforces that it was flame broiled, their mind automatically thinks it will taste good.

[Jerod Broussard]

LOVE me some Burger King. Had no clue there was grill marks.....thought they were getting it broiled all across the surface, Bastards!

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

They make for great pictures, just like smoke rings... doesn't mean the foods good, but sure adds a visual element.

[treesmacker]

I like grill marks, but "rustic" version; none of this perfectly 45 degree angle criss cross... just those that look like an amateur did it (like me)!

[tbob4]

Troutman - I broke in my new GrillGrates today. My old ones, despite being deep cleaned, pressure washed and scrubbed, began to have an odor reminiscent of the mop-up at a structure fire ( CaptainMike ). It is a chemical smell that is not associated with my wood or food. What the heck, I had so many cooks on them I had no hesitation springing for a new set. I broke the rules above and figured you needed some grill mark back-up. HA!

[CaptainMike]

Interesting, I caught that same essence on some sausages I grilled last week. Did you ask them about that?

[tbob4]

CaptainMike - I did not contact them. I figured it was just "that time". It is interesting that you have experienced the same. If it persists, let me know. I think it is worth an inquiry

[Troutman]

Nice rig, I need me one of those