by ANN TAYLOR PITTMAN
To help you find hot dog success every time, we tested out six different grilling methods to see which ones make the most of your franks.
Prep time: 1 minute 45 seconds
Grilling time: About 6 minutes
Method: Make angled half moon–shaped cuts at regular intervals on opposite sides of the frank.
Rating: 7/10
Results: After grilling, the flared-out parts got charred and crisp, albeit a little dry, but the center of each dog was still plenty juicy. These look really cool, like a pineapple.
Prep time: 3 minutes
Grilling time: About 6 minutes
Method: Make shallow crosshatch-style cuts on opposite sides of each hot dog. This method allows you to brush sauce on the hot dogs.
Rating: 7/10
Results: All of those little grooves added up to lots of char and crispy bits. It does create an outside that is just a tad bit tough, but the inside of each frank was nice and juicy.
Prep time: 1 minute
Grilling time: 5 minutes
Method: Slice into (but not all the way through) each frank, then open each up like a book.
Rating: 8/10
Results: Because you’re basically doubling the surface area, you get lots more opportunities for char. Bonus: you’ve basically created a hot dog trough for your toppings.
Prep time: None
Grilling time: 6 minutes
Method: No prep. Just cook over medium heat, turning frequently, until “they start to expand but before they start sputtering.”
Rating: 8.5/10
Results: These hot dogs had the best snap with a stronger grill flavor. They were surprisingly juicy, too.
Prep time: 12 minutes
Grilling time: A little over 1 minute
Method: Cook franks in boiling water until they're 150°F internally. The franks then go directly on a grill rack over high heat.
Rating: 8.75/10
Results: The dogs had a great snap and were quite juicy. The very short time on the grill means these franks are far less likely to burst and spill their precious juices.
Prep time: 1 minute 45 seconds
Grilling time: About 6 minutes
Method: Make angled half moon–shaped cuts at regular intervals on opposite sides of the frank.
Rating: 10/10
Results: If you like crispy edges without sacrificing juiciness, this technique is top dog. And it stays supremely juicy and tender even after charring.