Grilling is far more than just a cooking method, it's a state of mind. It stands for outdoor living, relaxed meals that prize flavor over formality, and it's practically synonymous with summer entertaining.
Consider this your go-to guide to using your BBQ the right way. We've got all the information you need for a successful cookout, from turning on the fire and regulating the temperature to choosing the best cooking technique for every food—plus, plenty of expert tips and tricks
It All Starts With Fire
The flames are what add the flavor (and the fun!) to grilling. Cooking over fire is less precise and more primal than our standard daily meal prep routines that center around the stovetop and the oven. The type of fuel your grill uses and the kind of food you're cooking should determine the way you start the fire.
Charcoal or Gas?
It's the rare example of an enjoyable debate that doesn't have any wrong answers. Your choice only depends on your preferences, like how often you grill, what kind of foods you like to grill, how much space you have, and how much patience you have for tending and maintaining the fire.
Charcoal grills are generally less expensive and are available in smaller sizes than gas grills—perfect if you have limited space or aren't ready to commit to frequent grilling. Most people agree that grilling over charcoal is also downright tastier, with more of that irresistible smoky, charred flavor than you can get with a gas grill. The downsides to charcoal are that it takes more time and work to create and maintain consistent temperatures, and the cleanup is messier since you have to dispose of ashes once the fire is out.
Starting a Charcoal Grill
By far the best way to start a charcoal grill is using a chimney starter, a ventilated metal cylinder that holds charcoal in the optimum position to catch fire and maintain heat until the coals are ready for cooking. The old-school alternative to a chimney starter is lighter fluid, used to douse the coals and give the fire a boost so a single lighter flame can ignite a pile of charcoal.
We prefer the chimney method for the sake of both flavor and safety. Lighter fluid fumes can affect the flavor of the food, which nobody enjoys. Not only that, but we've all been at a cookout where at least one pyromaniac just can't resist playing with the lighter fluid, squirting it on already-hot coals to watch the flames leap. This can be extremely dangerous, for everyone in the vicinity, so it's easier to skip the safety lecture and just remove the temptation altogether by investing in a chimney starter!
Starting a Gas Grill
Gas grills are easier when it comes to starting the fire and maintaining consistent heat for longer periods of time, not to mention cleanup. Apart from flavor, the other considerations when choosing a gas grill are price, space, and fuel supply. Gas grills tend to be larger and more expensive