Topics

Barbecueing on a charcoal grill Charcoal grills may seem out of date in these days of gas barbeques. But a charcoal grill can be great for anything from cooking a simple meal to smoking some meat.

Food cooked on grills can be very tasty, and have a lot of flavor.

There are a variety of grills available, from classic old fashioned grills to the more expensive and newer grills.

A portable charcoal grill can be great for tailgating or other picnic like events, or a larger grill can be great for backyard gatherings.

When choosing a charcoal grill, you need to decide what kind of cooking you are planning on doing most. Charcoal grills can grill, roast, and/or smoke your meat and fish, depending on the type you choose. One of the most important features of any grill is how easy is it to douse any flare-ups during cooking?

A model with water in the base below where the charcoal sits can allow for easier dousing of hot coals. When dousing your grill, close the lid and let the fire die out. Once the charcoal has cooled a bit, use tongs to drop the charcoal into a metal container, perhaps dipping each piece into water first, or dropping all the pieces at once into a basin of water.

An important thing to look for when choosing a grill is good legs – you don’t want your dinner toppling over into the dirt! You also want a cooking surface that’s big enough for your needs – are you just cooking a bit of meat for a picnic for two? Or do you need enough space to cook an entire meal for four?

You will also need to buy charcoal. You can get charcoal briquettes, which will give your charcoal grill a more even and consistent heat if spread properly, or non-briquettes, which are just rough charcoal and give more flavor and smoke. Safety is very important when you are using any type of grill. Remember not to use gasoline to start the charcoal – lighter fluid designed for charcoal is a better and safer choice.

Cook fish over medium heat, chicken and pork over medium to high heat, and steaks on a hot barbeque. Use a meat thermometer to be sure meat is cooked through. Cook vegetables over medium heat, perhaps wrapped in aluminum foil with a bit of butter and spices. Outdoor grills are the epitome of summer cooking. Make up or buy some of your favorite beverages, add a bag of chips or pretzels, and cook the rest of the meal on the grill for a perfect summer dinner outside.

For more information on cooking outside, please read these articles on:

How to clean a barbecue grill

What to consider when building an outdoor cooking area