Better BBQ Bootcamp   by Sarah Jones

Now I LOVE reality cooking shows like "Hell's Kitchen" and "Top Chef" but they aren't really very practical. The contestants are all trained chefs that could probobly cook circles around the average person. What I want to see is Suzie homemaker and Joe Average going head to head to win it all. My favorite topic of interest: BBQ. Barbeque is widely misunderstood, and so many people don't have a clue how to do it. So why not have a "Better BBQ Bootcamp?"

Here are the topics that should be covered in the BBQ Bootcamp:

Session 1- Cleaning and maintaining your barbeque grill. Make sure the cooking grates are clean. Use a brass wire brush to clean any debris or residue from the cooking grates. If the grill is dirty, heat the cooking grates first and then apply the brass wire brush before you start grilling.

Session 2- Preheating your grill is essential to good barbeque. Preheat the grill with the hood closed for at least 10 minutes. If you have a gas grill, turn the burners on high. For charcoal, all of the briquettes must be glowing red. The temperature should reach 500 degrees. this will heat the cooking grates so any items to be grilled will be seared properly.

Session 3- Oiling your grate, what to do and what not to do. Never put oil on the cooking grates directly, especially when the cooking grates are hot. Apply any oil directly to the food. This will prevent sticking and add flavor to the food.

Session 4- Managing the heat in your grill. For food products that will cook quickly (such as steak), put them over direct heat. For items that cook slowly (ribs) put them on a portion of the grill without direct heat below. Items cooked slowly will take longer but will be juicier and more succulent.f you want to cook items longer.

Session 5- Don't open that hood! Keep the hood closed as much as possible but keep air flowing. On a charcoal grill open the vents for the proper air flow. Gas grills get air from below the burners so it is not a problem. The proper air flow will keep the cooking grates hot. Keeping the hood closed will also trap the smoke when the grease juices and fats vaporize in the grill. A constant temperature will speed up the cooking time. keeping the hood closed will provide a more constant cooking temperature

Session 6- Carmelizing- can you handle it? Allow the food to caramelize and brown on the grill. Do not constantly turn the food. You should only turn food one time on the grill.

Session 7- Emergency flare up warfare. Occasional flare ups are normal for grilling. Manage the heat. If you have many flare ups, move the food to indirect heat until the flare ups subside. Once the flare ups have stopped, move the food back to direct heat and finish cooking.

Session 8- Be aware of your surroundings. Adjust the cooking times and temperature dependent upon outside conditions. Most recipe times and temperatures are assuming outside ambient air at sea level and seventy degrees. If you are cooking in the winter when the outside temperature is low, you will have more heat loss and need to cook longer. Likewise if you are cooking at a higher altitude, the charcoal and gas will burn at higher temperatures.

Session 9- Leave no leftovers behind!

About the Author

Sarah Jones grew up loving all things BBQ. When she isn't trying out new marinades or grilling in the backyard she is sharing her love of BBQ with others. Learn more about her BBQ secrets at ForBBQ.com