It can be easy to get stuck into a rut with nothing to do — even if you have a regular job that keeps you busy, there’s a difference between being busy and having fun, and a lot of people find that finding something fun to do is easier said than done. At the same time, many find that they want to do something fun that is also productive. A great way to keep yourself occupied is by taking a class of some kind. But most likely, you don’t want to take a class that makes you feel as if you’re going back to school. So — why not take a cooking class? Cooking classes come in a variety of different forms, with some focused on more basic types of cooking and baking, while others centering around very culture-specific styles of cooking, like sushi making. If you want to dip your toe in the water when it comes to cooking classes — challenging yourself without feeling completely out of your comfort zone — you might want to consider a grilling class. A grilling class, which often encompasses not just basic grilling but barbecue as well, lets you have fun in a setting that isn’t overly structured, and it’s accessible to almost everyone. Below, we’ll list some of the benefits of taking a grilling class.

1. Refining Your Grilling Ability

Grilling can be more challenging than it looks — you’ll definitely learn a lot of new tricks in these types of cooking classes — and it’s a great skill to learn. A grilling class lets you refine different techniques, and learn a more diverse number of grilling styles, even if you’re already familiar with basic grilling. There’s a big difference between outdoor grilling and grilling with a device indoors — and it shows not just in the appearance of the product, but the flavor. In fact, 71% of Americans cite improved flavor as a major reason why they prefer outdoor grills. Taking BBQ classes is also a great way to learn how to apply different flavors to the foods you grill. In total, there are three main styles of barbecue — Kansas City, Texas, Memphis, and Carolina-style. Learning the different types is a skill that you can apply not just to meats, but vegetables as well. There are plenty of opportunities to show off your new craft, with the three top grilling holidays in the U.S. being the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day.

2. The Social Opportunity

Most of the time — unless you specifically seek otherwise — grilling classes include multiple students. The great thing about this is that it gives you the opportunity to meet new people and interact with them in a learning environment. A lot of people find that they meet new friends at grilling classes. Of course, you can also go into a grilling class with friends you already have — lots of people take classes together as friends, or even as a couple. Either way, you can share grilling tips and tricks with those you love spending time with, and maybe even bond a little.

3. Learning A Practical Skill

Whether you start out with no grilling ability at all, or are refining and expanding your skill, you can use grilling on a practical level later on in life. The fact is that there are a lot of work opportunities in restaurants, and you never know when you might want to work in the food industry. Perhaps you already do, and want to expand your opportunities by adding grilling to regular cooking skills. Many restaurants now expect their employees to have a more diverse skill set, and being able to grill might make you a much more appealing employee than you would be otherwise. With that being said, you’ll want to make sure that you find the right grilling class for you in cases like these, as some are aimed more towards beginners, while advanced classes are aimed more towards those who want to grill on a professional level.