Happy Grilling

Grill Tips

• Before cooking, simply heat the grill, and scrub the grate with a wire bristle brush. You can easily remove charred marinade and other dirt when the grill is hot.
• After lighting, spread charcoal out to cover entire grilling area. Let flames burn down for the most even heat. If the grill gets too hot, your meat will stick and cook too quickly.
• For $30 you should be able to find a good set of grill utensils. The set should include a fork, spatula, and tongs. The longer the handle, the better.
• Forks with built-in thermometers offer an easy way to tell when something's done. They work well with thicker cuts of meat but aren't as accurate with a thinner cut or hamburger.
• Invest in a grill topper. It will prevent small items such as shrimp or veggies from falling through the cracks.
• Use the palm of your hand to determine meat doneness. Press on the fatty part of your palm and feel its firmness. Then, with your middle and index fingers, press on the meat in question. If it is as firm as your palm, it should be ready (medium-rare to medium). The firmer, the more done. Try it--it works.

Grill Placement
Never place a charcoal grill in an enclosed area, such as a screened porch or balcony. Also, be careful when using a charcoal grill on a wood deck; embers from the grill can scar the wood and might even cause a fire. To avoid this, look for a grill pad, which costs less than $40 at grill specialty or home-improvement stores. When placed under a grill, it protects the flooring from embers, grease, and spills.

A gas grill gives you more options. You can place this type in a covered area, but don't try to use it on a screened porch. Make sure you have at least a 9-foot ceiling--the higher, the better. Place the grill on an outside wall, and look for a spot with the best cross breeze to vent smoke. Finally, don't push the grill right up against the house--the heat can mar an adjacent surface or cause a fire.

If you're grilling on a screened porch, add a motorized vent and hood. It's expensive, but you'll be happier in the long run. A vent will pull smoke out of the room and keep the ceiling from becoming sooty black. You don't need an expensive built-in grill to use a hood; simply roll your current gas grill up underneath it. A mechanical contractor can help you determine what you need and how much it will cost.

When it comes to grilling, there are many different ways and a variety of equipment, but whichever method you choose, there's nothing like the taste of a steak hot off the grill.