Backyard Cooking - Grilling and Chilling

There's something about eating food that's been cooked outdoors!  Somehow it just tastes better.  Barbecuing brings to mind sunny days, delicious odors and good food eaten in good company. You've chosen a day to relax and treat your friends and family to an experience that at least in many parts of the country is only available for a few months. Make the most of it.

Start by selecting the right kind of grill for you. There are charcoal models (yes, still!), natural or propane gas, or electric. They come in many sizes, for permanent installation or portable. Many have dozens of add-on helpful features, such as in-built thermometers, removable drip pans, side burners and much more.

We have a number of pages with tips and advice on outdoor cooking, from barbecue tips to how to choose a grill.  Take a look.

• Outdoor Barbecue Grills
  
  Barbeque grills come in three main categories - charcoal, gas and electric. While many feel charcoal barbecues produce better -tasting food, they many not be right for you and your needs. Find out the pros and cons of the many different types of outdoor barbecue grills.
• Charcoal BBQ Grills
  
  No other grill has been able to duplicate the taste of a charcoal bbq grill. Learn the pros and cons of buying charcoal bbq grills, as well as alternatives to lighter fluid, such as the grill chimney and electric charcoal starter.
• Natural Gas Grills
  
  Natural gas grills are easy to use and easy to clean. Find out the advantages and disadvantages of natural gas grills, as well as which brands to look for.
• Propane Gas Grills
  
  Propane gas grills are the best of both worlds. They provide the ease similar to a natural gas grill with the mobility of a charcoal grill. What are the pros and cons of a propane gas grill, and what should you consider when you're ready to buy?
• Outdoor Electric Grills
  
  Outdoor electric grills have some advantages and disadvantages compared with charcoal or gas grills. For one, you can control the temperature with great precision. And then, there's the safety factor - no fire.
• Barbeque Smokers
  
  For some of the very best-tasting meat, you may want to consider barbeque smokers. Barbeque smokers use slow cooking as well as smoke to produce some of the best grilled food you'll ever eat.
• How to Clean a Grill
  
  A clean grill will deliver a safer and more satisfying grilling experience. Learn how to clean your barbecue grill easily and safely.
• Barbecue Grilling Tips
  
  Are you a grilling novice? Don't despair! Grilling can be easy if you just following some simple advice.
• Different Steak Cuts
  
  But, for those of you not familiar with the different steak cuts, choosing the steak for your outdoor cookout might seem a little daunting. We give a run down of some of the most popular cuts of beef from which you'll probably be choosing for your outdoor grill.