Outdoor BBQ Grilling ideas

Now that it’s officially summer, it’s time to get outside and grill.

What’s that?

You’re new to grilling?

You’re afraid to light a barbecue?

Well, have no fear. It’s not as complicated as it looks. If you’re thinking about buying a barbecue, we’ll break down the pros and cons of charcoal and gas grills. For those just finding their way around a grill, we’ll follow up with some of the to throwing some food on the barbie. And for those who are already all fired up, we’ve got some ready to go, as well as a slew of barbecue And even if you’re a city slicker like Kathy, and outdoor grilling isn’t an option, try indoor grilling!

Which Barbeque to Use? Charcoal or Gas?

Despite what some fervent grillers say, one isn’t necessarily superior to the other. There are pros and cons to both grilling methods, so it’s really your call! Here’s a rundown of some of the pros and cons:

Charcoal Barbeque

• There’s a full range of prices: inexpensive grills are easy to find, and upscale models are available too (+)
• Gets very hot (+-)
• Needs to be manually lit and preheated for a minimum of 20 minutes (usually much longer) (-)
• Cleaning is more complicated due to ashes (-)
• Smoky flavor every time you grill (+-)
• Tough to keep a constant temperature (-)
• You get to play with real fire (+)

Gas Barbeque

• Typically pricier than charcoal, though inexpensive models are available (+-)
• A more complicated grill means more parts that can break (-)
• Easy to clean (+)
• Has the option of smoky flavor or not, with use of wood chips in a smoker box (+)
• Convenient (+)

Get Your Grill On! (How to Use your Barbecue)

• If you’re using a charcoal grill, empty the ashes from your last grilling session.
• Both types of grills need to be pre-heated before you start cooking. Gas grills turn on easily (make sure the lid is open while you’re lighting the grill!), but if you’re new to lighting one, here’s a video demonstration. To light your charcoal grill, you’ll need a chimney starter. Please don’t light your charcoal with lighter fluid! It seems like a quick fix, but it can make your food taste “chemical.” Let the gas grill heat up for at least 10 minutes, and your charcoal grill for at least 20.
• After your grill is preheated, use a brass-wire brush to scrape the charred goo and gunk off of the grate. You’ll need to give it a good scrape at the beginning of grilling season. Then, during grilling season, a quick brush before and after grilling should do. After you grill your last meal for the summer or fall, leave the grease on the grate to prevent rusting over the winter. (If you don’t have one of those brushes, you can use some aluminum foil to do the trick!)
• Once your grill is clean, oil the grate by grabbing an oiled paper towel with some long tongs, and wiping it over the bars. You’ll need to use an oil with a high smoking temperature, like canola oil.
• Now that your grill is hot and the grate is clean, your food won’t stick to it as much, and you’re likely to get those classic grill lines!

What to grill

Sure, everyone knows steaks and burgers can go on the grill, but did you know that it’s also great for sandwiches and pizza? Here’s a list of recipe ideas to get you started.