Barbecuing is an art and time-honored tradition. A juicy, medium rare steak. Succulent hamburger patties. Crisp grill marks on hot dogs. Summer and great barbecue go hand in hand. However, unlike cooking in the kitchen, firing up the grill takes practice, patience, and skill. If this is your first summer attempting to master the art of BBQ, there's a few things you should know before you get started.Stick to One Meat at a TimeKeeping four foods going on a stovetop is one thing. Grilling four different meats at once is a whole different ballgame. You'll want to cook different meats to provide variety for your guests. But you'll need to plan accordingly. Different grill settings are required for chicken thighs and for sausages. Stick to cooking one meat at a time, starting with the meat that will take the longest. Then move on to the next step and keep the meat warm as you go to the next one. The waiting will complete the cooking so you can serve everything together. You might need to start earlier but you'll avoid over- or undercooking any of your food.Use Lump CharcoalLump charcoal is created by burning down pieces of wood. As a result, lump charcoal adds a natural smoky flavor to your dishes. One of the greatest indicators of perfectly grilled meat is that rich, smoky flavor. Another option is wet wood chips that smoke the meat with flavor.Check for DonenessNo one wants to eat raw chicken. While steaks and burgers are their most flavorful when they're rare, that's a no go for chicken. To ensure doneness, use a meat thermometer. You'll know it's done when you hit 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, keep in mind that breasts that are denser will need more grill time than thighs or wings.Be StrategicWhile you're barbecuing, you'll notice that flames will rise higher over certain parts of the grill. Amateur grillers tend to spray water on the big flames to reduce them. This will work to calm the flame but it'll also spray ash all over the meat. Instead, let the flame burn and strategically slide the meat over to a part of the grill where there's less charcoal. Another option is to close the top which smothers the flame. You can easily avoid burning your food or having to serve it with a side of ashes.Dress for ComfortBarbecuing requires you to spend a lot of time outside in the heat. Plus, you'll be standing in front of an open flame, and you'll need to move around quite a bit to grab what you need. You should wear breathable fabrics like cotton that are cut close to the body. The last thing you want is for your big linen shirt to swoop down into the flame while you're turning over the meat. Additionally, wear belts that are stylish yet comfortable and flexible so you can move freely around the porch or the backyard. Our Miami and Malibu Braided Elastic Belts stretch and move with you throughout your grill session.Barbecuing is an essential element of any great summer event. Be sure to follow the basic rules and you'll be a master of the grill in no time.
