What Temperature Should I Cook At? (Quick Reference)

A quick reference for common foods on your Z Grills. Always verifywa doneness with a meat thermometer — these are starting points, not rules.

FoodGrill TempTarget Internal TempEst. Time
Brisket (whole packer)225°F203°F12–18 hrs
Pork Shoulder / Butt225–250°F195–205°F10–14 hrs
Baby Back Ribs225–250°F190–203°F5–6 hrs (3-2-1 method)
Spare Ribs225–250°F190–203°F6–7 hrs
Whole Chicken275–325°F165°F3–4 hrs
Chicken Breast350°F165°F35–45 min
Salmon Fillet225°F130–140°F1–1.5 hrs
Burgers400–450°F160°F8–12 min total
NY Strip / Ribeye Steak450°F (sear)130–135°F (medium-rare)8–12 min total
Pizza400–425°FN/A — until crust is golden12–18 min
Vegetables375–400°FTender / charred20–35 min
Pork Tenderloin350°F145°F45–60 min
💡 Low and slow is Z Grills' superpower. For brisket and pork shoulder, 225°F overnight produces the most tender, smoky result.

For full recipes, visit our official recipe library at: https://www.zgrills.com/blogs/recipe/recipe-collection