How to char corn evenly without burning one side?

Evenly charred corn without hot spots

Even charring comes down to preheating, movement, and using the right heat level. Don’t leave corn in one spot too long.

Practical steps:

  • Preheat the grill to a steady medium-high level so heat is consistent across the grate.
  • Turn ears every 1–2 minutes for even exposure; continuous rotation prevents one side from overcooking.
  • Use a two-zone fire (one hot, one medium) to move ears off direct flames if flare-ups occur.
  • Consider using tongs with a firm grip to roll ears rather than flipping abruptly—this keeps contact even.

Other tips:

  • Lightly oil kernels to encourage even browning.
  • If husks are used, pull them back to expose kernels for the final 2–4 minutes.
  • For charcoal grills, arrange coals across grate evenly; for gas grills, monitor burners and rotate ears across zones.

With attentive turning and controlled heat, you’ll get an evenly blistered exterior and juicy interior without burnt spots.