Soak Then Skewer (2024)

FAQs

Soak Then Skewer? ›

Damp skewers will get really hot, but they won't burn. That's why you need to soak your high-quality bamboo wooden skewers before threading them with ingredients. How long should you soak skewers? Pop them into a pan of warm water for at least 30 minutes before using them.

While 30 minutes is the minimum, it's best to plan ahead and soak your bamboo skewers overnight in water. It takes a long time for the skewers to soak up the water, but well-soaked skewers, which are slow to give up their moisture, will last longer on the grill without burning up.

Technically, they can get by with a quick 10-minute soak before risking burn-out. For longer cooking foods, like steak and potatoes, it is not a bad idea to extend the soaking time to a minimum of 30 minutes or up to overnight.

Those brittle bamboo skewers pulled from the kitchen drawer have to be soaked for at least 30 minutes before they hit the fire, otherwise they start to burn and fall apart. It's the sneaky little secret that's often forgotten when prepping a quick dinner for the grill.

As we all know, wood is flammable, so the idea of placing a piece of wood over a hot fire can be concerning. Wet wood, on the other hand, has a lower chance of catching fire—hence the recommendation to soak the skewers beforehand.

Metal skewers are reusable and require no advance preparation, but know that they retain heat and can be difficult to to maneuver. There you have it! A bounty of saturated skewers is ready for its role on the grill. By spending a few moments now soaking skewers, you'll never be left waiting.

You can even prepare the skewers and veggies ahead of time, so you just need to assemble and grill them when you're ready. Just soak the skewers (if they're wooden) and cut and store the vegetables in the fridge for up to a day.

Prep your grill properly

Be sure the kebabs are also slicked in some nonstick spray or oil, and threaded through grill skewers, and you should be good to go. Remember, on a properly prepared grill, food should naturally release when seared. If it is sticking, give it another minute and don't force it.

Use Room Temperature Water: Fill a shallow pan or dish with room temperature water to soak your skewers. Avoid using hot water, as it can cause the skewers to splinter. Fully Submerge the Skewers: Ensure that the skewers are completely immersed in water during soaking to allow the fibers to absorb moisture evenly.

Use Less Cooking Wood or Charcoal

The more cooking wood or charcoal you use in your grill, the greater the risk that your skewers will burn. Cooking wood and charcoal burn to produce heat. While heat is essential for cooking food at a safe temperature, too much heat may ignite your skewers, causing them to burn to ash.

Can you prepare kabobs the night before? ›

Yes, you can prepare chicken kabobs the night before. Just marinate the chicken the night before and then skewer and grill right before serving. You can also skewer the kabobs the night before, store in the fridge, and grill before dinner.

Turn the kebabs about every 3-4 minutes. Fish skewers will cook faster than chicken or beef. Start checking the internal temperature of each piece with a Thermapen after about 10 minutes of cooking.

Wooden skewers, like the classic bamboo skewers pictured above, can burn easily over a hot grill. Soaking them in warm water for 10 to 30 minutes before threading will keep the skewers from cooking along with the food.

Most skewers are made out of metal or bamboo. If you're using bamboo, soak them before cooking so they don't burn — submerge them in room-temperature water for 30-60 minutes before grilling. For tender, flavorful results, use the tri-tip cut of beef. Use boneless breasts or thighs when making chicken kebabs.

All skewers are safe to go in the oven, but if you're using wooden ones, you'll need to soak them for at least 30 minutes to avoid burning them. At higher temperatures, such as 425F-450F, skewers tend to burn faster. This is a good reason to use reusable skewers or lower your oven temperature.

Tips for the BEST Air Fryer Chicken Skewers:

Soak Wooden Skewers: I did not experience my skewers burning, but if you do and you're using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the chicken to prevent them from burning in the air fryer.

While bamboo skewers are usually soaked in water before grilling, you don't want to do that when deep frying. Water in the bamboo will cause the hot oil to pop and spatter.

Nope, you don't need to soak the skewers for fruit kebobs. The reason you do this when you grill is so they don't catch fire on the grill. With fruit, you aren't cooking them, so there is no need. If you have metal skewers that you like, you can definitely use them in place of the wooden skewers.