While the grill is heating up, prepare the hot dog buns and condiments. Hot dogs are best enjoyed hot from the grill. Make sure that one side of the grill is hot and one side of the grill is a little cooler. You can do this by stacking up the charcoal a little higher on one side. If you have a gas grill, you should be able to control the heat using the knobs on your appliance to make hot dogs good.
Keep turning the dogs until all sides have developed a nice, even char. If the dogs are hot but have not developed color, move them over to the hot side of the grill. Grill them quickly, just to develop a bit of char, and then move them to a plate.
For a moister, softer hot dog, simmer them for less time, around 3 to 4 minutes. For a crispier hot dog, simmer them for more time, around 5 to 6 minutes.
Brown the hot dog by turning on the broiler if you prefer your hot dogs crispy. Add cheese and place the hot dogs back in the oven for an additional minute, if desired.
Remember that hot dogs are pre-cooked, so you can cook them to any texture you like without worrying about whether they’re still raw in the middle.
